Had this 951 in last week for a timing belt retension and A/C charge. Pulling apart the front end to tension the belt. The bottom bolt on timing belt cover was crossthreaded (or too long going out the back of the cover and cross threading), so for fear of breaking the cover, I opted to just tension through the top half. Using a special offset wrench to tension the timing belt. Then it was on to the A/C. A used …
Our web and marketing expert keeps telling me I have to be more “search orientated correct” in my blog title posts. In fact, I was told this as he held a nice big burger from Paul’s drive in under my nose. Everyone around here seems to think I am motivated by food for some reason (Send all Ho-ho’s, french fries, and donuts to the shop to my attention…I don’t eat foods that begin with the letter M (namely the big …
25Mar2012
LSx project slowly continues
Been trying to get on top of the body work in preparation for paint. Not a lot of fun work 😉 Reassembled and aligned the hood so I could install the hood pins. All old factory latch components have been removed. Using the headlight mounting points, I welded some pipe to a piece of flat iron with two holes for the mounts, then welded a nut to the top that the adjustable pin threads into. Since the retaining nuts on …
25Mar2012
944 Turbo No Start
Had this little 951 towed into the shop the other day for a no start. Owner was trying to diagnose a cranking, but not firing issue when everything locked up solid. First thing we had to do was the replace the locked up starter. Enough cranking must have overheated it and locked it solid. Since there was no tach bounce and the owner had installed new reference sensors and DME relay, the first thing to try was the DME. Popped …
11Mar2012
944 Turbo PPI
Guy from Houston found us online and wanted a PPI on this 180K 1986 944 Turbo. His plan was to fly in and drive home. Car just had a local P-car shop help with an engine “rebuild” and minor service. Car drove out very nice, made boost quickly, great sound from a Lindsey exhaust. Pretty clean little car but not a ride to take off cross-country in as she sat. First thing noted on compression test was that “rebuilt engine” …
10Jan2012
951 Suspension Upgrade
This low mileage 951 suffered what all 25 year old cars do….worn out shocks and struts. Most people don’t notice the effects of weak shock absorbers. I notice it right away when getting in the car and the car feels overly floaty on the road. Not how a Porsche should feel. So it was time to ditch the junk Sachs/Boge shocks and upgrade to some Koni’s. Shiny new Koni’s 🙂 Old front struts. The old dust bellows and bump stops …
Have you noticed your Porsche just isn’t up to the task any more? Are you ready to take it for a spin on a curvy road, but yet it just isn’t ever in the mood? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone, and we can help. This is a problem that faces many middle aged Porsches out there today, but most of them are just too ashamed to talk about it. Talking with your Porsche about ED may not be easy, but …
31Aug2011
Dragon Part II:
Figured I’d make the rolling chassis a little lighter: Out she comes 🙂 I’ll put this thing on a stand at the shop and go through the bottom end. My guess is the head is warped, so a trip to the machine shop will confirm that. If so, then I know the bottom end is good. Once I get my other charlie arm back, I can button up the suspension and load it back on the trailer for it’s journey …
31Aug2011
951 Coolant Leak
Got a call Sunday night on the way back from Hastings about a stranded 951. Car lost all it’s coolant and started to overheat. Monday morning the tow truck showed up to the house with it and I checked it out. Pretty typical failure, the plastic coolant port on the radiator had broken and coolant had sprayed out of the radiator under pressure. You can just make out the piece that is broken on the end of the small hose. …
10Aug2011
PPI’s The Paint Meter Never Lies
Having someone qualified to perform a PRE Purchase Inspection BEFORE you buy is always a good idea. Being able to spot potential or current mechanical issues, previous accident damage, etc is critical when buying a car, so you can have an idea of what repairs you may be facing in the future, Ie, money out of your pocket. Unfortunately, I end up doing a lot of POST Purchase Inspections after someone had purchased a car, and they never really enjoy …