curtisr

"Wa-ai-t, we like elegant and slim... Well, elegant anywaaaaays."

As for prices, you should check out Canada. A DD 924s can be had for $3K Cdn. https://www.kijiji.ca/b-ontario/porsche-924s/k0l9004

Todd951968

I started to dismantle the underneath of the car to do the rod bearings. I got the DS suspension control arm and the swaybar out of the way and most of the engine support unbolted.

I am going to try to do this without completely unbolting the PS engine mount if I can. And, also leaving the steering rack rod/shaft connected. I hope this is possible to do?

The A/C compressor is pushed outboard but I'm not sure if I will be able to get to some of the pan bolts above it so it may have to come off.

Todd951968

Update: I finished changing the rod bearings and got everything back together. I was able to leave the steering rack attached to the column/rod but did have to completely remove the sub frame, BTW.

I have not driven the car other than to back it in and out of the garage. It ran OK but would take a while to start/fire up and sort of break up on initial throttle. So, my next step after the head gasket and rod bearings was to begin addressing maintenance issues.

I replaced the BALLOONING fuel rail jumper hose before it burst, changed the fuel filter, and the fuel line going from the gas tank and added 5 gallons of fresh gas to the gallon or so 5+ year old gas (with recent Seafoam) that was in there. The car started up easier and I re-checked it this morning and it fired up after 1-2 cranks. So, improvement. It probably just needs to get all the old gas out.

I replaced the spark plugs but not the cap/ rotor or original wires yet. That will probably be happening soon now that the car appears to have responded positively to my efforts to
save it from being parted out and is viable to continue fixing and restoring.

PaulD_944S2

Todd, congratulations! Well done!

I am happy to read that you persevered and succeeded against overwhelming odds!

Aside from the old gas, it sounds like you have a good driver to enjoy!

944Sknight

People does not really realized that the 924S is rare because it was only 2 years production and it is really quite faster than the 944 because it was simply lighter with the same
engine even it was detuned. ( Porsche did it to make sure it's slower than the 944) Have fun with your 924S.

Todd951968

Thanks! Here are a few pics after moderate effort spent on cleaning it. I now have to decide how I want to use the car. Either as an affordable track car (to reduce track time on the 911), which will require a lot more upgrade $ to the suspension. Or , just enjoy it as a driver. Either way, for now, I will probably just put some miles on it and address little things that might/will pop up.

Squid924

Congrats on your successful repairs!

Driving it and working out the bugs sounds like a good plan.

These make excellent and forgiving track cars. But it is definitely a different experience than driving your 911 on the track. I tracked my 924S for about 8 years before marriage and kids. It was a lot of fun! If you are patient and keep an eye here and pelican you could probably source some inexpensive/used suspension upgrades over the winter...Bilstein shocks, Weltmeister springs, Sway bars from a 944 Turbo. The control arms are essentially from a VW rabbit, you can get poly bushings pretty cheap if you want to go that route. Good alignment/corner balance and go.

If you want to go as far as to install a 4 point rollbar, I have an Autopower Rollbar that I removed from my car to gain access to my back seats. I could possibly part ways with it.

Enjoy!

Chalt

Have you gotten to really drive it yet? My first car was a 1975 VW Beetle. My 2nd car was a white 1979 924. I loved my 924. Ended up selling it after owning it for 6 years. It was doing what yours did, two head gaskets. That 924 was how I cut my teeth on wrenching. I did the head gasket jobs myself, had a machine shop redo the head. I was really a novice mechanic then. I am glad to hear you didn't part it! You probably gained invaluable mechanic skills that will help you maintain your other P-cars. That is the best part! Can't put a price on it. Congrats man.

Todd951968

No, I got insurance for it yesterday and plan to get Antique plates on it hopefully today so I can drive it on the street for the first time. Can't wait.

I've actually not driven a 924/944 NA much. My only time was almost 20 years ago when I drove a friends car, which is what turned me onto Porsche in the first place. Within the year, I sold my Pontiac Formula and bought a 968. Then, the 951, followed by the 911. I parted a couple non-running NA's but never really drove one.

I'm expecting the 924S to be similar to the E30 BMW 325IS I had, as far as power/speed. That car had race springs and Bilsteins and stock F/R sways so it handled nicely on the track. If I can get this 924S up to that level with a few suspension mods, I will be happy.

Arominus

I had koni yellows and the 86 turbo bars on my 924S along with a set of 205/50/15 direzza star specs on the stock dials. Once up to speed, it would hold its speed very well in corners and keep zipping on to the next. It was an absolute joy and a bit of a hooligan in the city because of that. I want a 924S with a 968 swap, turbo brakes and some lightweight 16's wrapped in 225 RE-71R's now. It would surprise a *lot* of people. My S2 w/ a 968 swap is quick, but i miss the lightness of the 924. 300lbs will do that.

Todd951968

Update: Slapped Antique plate on the car and took it out for a drive for the first time a couple weeks ago. It was down on power and starting running bad after right turns (?). Two new fuel injectors brought the power back but it still runs rough after making hard right turns. I know it could do this with low fuel levels but it is over 1/2 full. So, not sure what that could be. My mechanic is looking at it now as well as the PS headlight motor which gets extremely hot when power is plugged in.