vwbrd

Hey all, I am looking at a late 1985 model (has the oval dash) normally aspirated 5spd that's here in my area for $5500. It has 300k miles. Has bilsteins and some aftermarket exhaust. The interior has been redone, not all to stock look, but its okay. Current owner just got it, verified everything was working, then had an engine tapping sound show up and he parked it and there are metal shavings in the oil pan. On talking to him, he has paperwork that it had a rebuild not that many miles ago. Says all other systems are go. Might need a little bodywork on the front chin spoiler, I haven't seen it in person yet. This would strictly be a project car, not depending on it being running anytime soon. Budget would be $5k more. Could be more, but I hope that would do it and wouldn't make sense to put that much in. I see cherry ones for $20-25 pop up.

So doing a little research, I've seen that a replacement engine might be $1k or less for used? And I saw some rebuild kits through the place in OKC (sorry forgot the name) that's ~$1k ($2k to do water pump, timing belts and everything). I've pulled a couple engines before, have worked on a few VWs and a few other cars and motorcycles.

What I'm not sure is how to know if it's rebuildable? are there common failure scenarios? I see a lot of mention of some things that can be done with the engine still in the car? Does the engine have to be removed from below? I don't have a car lift, but can get an engine hoist and stand. If it's a piston or ring issue, is it possible to overbore these, or do you need to have it sleeved.

General thoughts or links to rebuild threads appreciated!

931guru

No.

T&T Racing

A 2nd NO. At 300K mileage, the best place is to have the current owner keep it. This one is a money pit. To change an engine is $+3K if you cannot to the work, what about the clutch, etc

Look for another 944

papasmurf

Don't even give it another thought...leave it alone. The only way I would consider it is if it was like $1k-1500...maybe. The cars (NA's especially) selling for 20k+ are still few and far between and are usually BAT auctions which are not necessarily representative of the real world. They also usually have 20-50k miles on them, all records, etc. There is nothing wrong with a car with high miles that has been maintained but no way would I pay 5k+ for one with a blown motor. You have no way of confirming the condition of the clutch, gearbox, etc. There are tons of people selling running examples for near the price you were looking to spend for a non-runner/questions car.

Dr. 914

1500 no more.

vwbrd

Fair enough. So what about an 86 134k miles $5500 for example? Can't figure out how to link to the FB ad but it's in Elsinore, MO. Looks more rough on the inside, not much details. It's an AT, so I'm not as interested, but just wondering. I am looking for a project, although maybe as everyone else said, not this one.[edit since fb link wouldn't work]

931guru

Once again, NO!

austin944

There are a number of desirable 944 options that can raise the valuation like sport seats (see recent thread), Fuchs wheels, a non-sunroof car, original radio, and seller upgrades like Euro bumpers (look cleaner than the US versions) and manual steering rack (over the leak-prone PS). The seller may not even know about this desirability. See if the seller can get you the options codes from the rear hatch area (https://944online.com/944_option_codes) and post them in the forum. If there are enough of these options and upgrades, they can make up for a non-running engine IMO.

vwbrd

okay found another one that does seem to prove the point above. 1984 5spd Burgundy (was that a factory option?). $6500 with 145,000 miles. new tires. Exterior looks great, pretty sure it's got fuchs wheels. listing says runs and drives great. interior is in great shape, only thing i can see wrong is the typical dash crack.

Only problem is it's too good! I was wanting a project to work on with my son. Hmmm

T&T Racing

You can purchase a new dash from Porsche. You have plenty to work on. Rebuild brake calipers, change transaxle gear oil, repack front wheel bearings, bleed brakes and clutch, etc,etc

vwbrd

Thoughts on this one? Yes, that's a picture of a photo.

"1984 Porsche 944 -59,000 miles, 2.5 litre aluminum 4 cylinder engine-5 speed -sable brown exterior with tan cloth interior. New paint job in 2010. New clutch & pressure plate & throwout bearing.blankplunt stereo, factory sunroof, Been in storage since 2016 - will need a new battery & Gas to run - since I drained the tank at storage time."

I'm trying to get more info, but assuming it was running before he stored it, I know I'd need timing belt and most vacuum lines, probably fuel lines, too. Price is probably a little high for the amount of work it would need, but depends on the interior state, too.

931guru

Probably 159K or 259K miles. Early cars had a 5 digit odometer. If driven properly, no 944 needs a clutch at 59K miles. May be a $800 to $1000 car.

jhowell371

Run don't walk away. My red 84 with 25,xxx miles sold for $14,000 on BAT in June.

968to986

Probably true about the miles being much higher. The car has Fuchs and sport seats, so there’s value there beyond the car. I would want to confirm that the motor turns freely and I would want to look over that respray very carefully. It’s amazing how people try to sell cars. At least wash it and roll it out into daylight!

orig944

Rubber clutch hub could have disintegrated.