After 10 years of sitting still, bringing a 951 back to life
08-16-2012, 10:24 PM
#1
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
After 10 years of sitting still, bringing a 951 back to life
So last friday night I sold my Ocean Blue 951, and I had planned on focusing on my 924 GTS project: https://rennlist.com/forums/924-931-...s-tribute.html, but up popped this thread: https://rennlist.com/forums/944-turb...y-86-944t.html and because I cannot leave well enough alone I decided to take on another project.
The first time I saw the car I had assumed it might take a lot of work to get her running again, one can image that a car that had been sitting still for so long wouldn't want to fire right up. But I had a new timing belt and roller set sitting in the garage so I figured it was at least worth the effort before deciding to part her out. After a few afternoons of working on the car I put a new battery in and turned the key, a few seconds to let the fuel pressure build up the long dormant 951 engine sprung to life. Idle settled in a 950 rpms, and once the fresh oil had circulated it was time for a test drive. The driving experience isn't great, but most of that is down to petrified ten year old tires that have some serious flat spots, and an aligment that is completely out of wack, but aside from those issue the suspension seem very tight, and fairly stiff (400lb springs in front and 30mm t-bars in back, all on koni adjustables). The engine did ok for the first drive, boost builds a bit late, and there seem to be a few exhaust leaks, but those are things I can tackle down the road.
I have taken care of a few items:
- Oil Change
- Timing belts and rollers
- Power steering belt and fluid
- Fresh Gas
- Flushed coolant
- Washed (first time in a decade)
A few more items and she should be road worthy
- Tires
- Flush the brake system
- Alignment
And a few pictures now that she is home and washed:
The first time I saw the car I had assumed it might take a lot of work to get her running again, one can image that a car that had been sitting still for so long wouldn't want to fire right up. But I had a new timing belt and roller set sitting in the garage so I figured it was at least worth the effort before deciding to part her out. After a few afternoons of working on the car I put a new battery in and turned the key, a few seconds to let the fuel pressure build up the long dormant 951 engine sprung to life. Idle settled in a 950 rpms, and once the fresh oil had circulated it was time for a test drive. The driving experience isn't great, but most of that is down to petrified ten year old tires that have some serious flat spots, and an aligment that is completely out of wack, but aside from those issue the suspension seem very tight, and fairly stiff (400lb springs in front and 30mm t-bars in back, all on koni adjustables). The engine did ok for the first drive, boost builds a bit late, and there seem to be a few exhaust leaks, but those are things I can tackle down the road.
I have taken care of a few items:
- Oil Change
- Timing belts and rollers
- Power steering belt and fluid
- Fresh Gas
- Flushed coolant
- Washed (first time in a decade)
A few more items and she should be road worthy
- Tires
- Flush the brake system
- Alignment
And a few pictures now that she is home and washed:
Last edited by ian; 08-17-2012 at 10:52 AM.
08-16-2012, 11:41 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
Congrats!! Man I reeeeally wanted that car, I PM'ed the owner with an offer and we went through several rounds of PM's before we could really work anything out. But I'm glad that it ended up in good hands!
And after all that, I had no knowledge that it even had sport seats in it!
And after all that, I had no knowledge that it even had sport seats in it!
08-17-2012, 10:56 AM
#3
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
You wanted another 944? It is nice to see I am not the only one with a car problem around here.
The sport seats were indeed a pleasant surprise, sure one of them needs some repairs, but the passenger side will be good to go with a cleaning.
The sport seats were indeed a pleasant surprise, sure one of them needs some repairs, but the passenger side will be good to go with a cleaning.
08-18-2012, 07:06 PM
#6
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
That is the hope.
But the car will test me along the way, like today, the transaxle decided to shed bits of metal into the fluid. I had been out on a test drive after fixing one of the rattles under the car, and then as I pulled her back into the garage a noise started coming from the rear end. Draining the fluid (and yes I did check the level before driving) revealed tons of shavings, some quite large.
O-well, I knew this wasn't going to be as easy as fresh belts and gas.......
But the car will test me along the way, like today, the transaxle decided to shed bits of metal into the fluid. I had been out on a test drive after fixing one of the rattles under the car, and then as I pulled her back into the garage a noise started coming from the rear end. Draining the fluid (and yes I did check the level before driving) revealed tons of shavings, some quite large.
O-well, I knew this wasn't going to be as easy as fresh belts and gas.......
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08-19-2012, 09:58 AM
#8
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
I am a bit tempted to pull the suspension for the other project car, and then part this one out. If I can find a cheap transaxle I will most likely put it back together....
08-20-2012, 01:54 PM
#11
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
After the initial frustration of the failed transmission, cooler heads prevailed and I am going to find a replacement box. I hope to have her back on the road by Sunday.
08-20-2012, 09:10 PM
#12
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Tonight I decided to pull out the failed transaxle, it was a messy job, but I was happy to get it out. I also sourced a replacement box, and will be picking it up tomorrow afternoon.
And then because I couldn't work on the car any more, I just put one of the white fuchs on the rear. The wheels don't have the best finish, but I think that is a good fit for this budget 951.
And then because I couldn't work on the car any more, I just put one of the white fuchs on the rear. The wheels don't have the best finish, but I think that is a good fit for this budget 951.
08-23-2012, 09:59 AM
#13
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
With a 4 hour round trip down to Columbia SC I picked up a 100k mile S2 box, and was able to get it up and into the car. Cannot really comment on the driving dynamics of the S2 vs 951 box, because I only took it around the block to be sure everything was working correctly. At least the 951 is running again, now back to the regularly scheduled program of tracking down the rattles under the car. Judging by the many loose bolts I have found under there alreay, this could be a long process.
08-28-2012, 09:28 AM
#15
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Zeff,
Have you been down to the Cars and Coffee at the new location? I think it is a much better setup having all the cars in one parking lot, and it seems the turn outs have gotten better now that it is closer to uptown Charlotte. There is one this coming weekend, and if I can get a few things worked out (tires, alignment, ventruri delete, and AC delete) I will bring this red 951 over. If not I will take my other red turbo over (it just happens to be a volvo).
Have you been down to the Cars and Coffee at the new location? I think it is a much better setup having all the cars in one parking lot, and it seems the turn outs have gotten better now that it is closer to uptown Charlotte. There is one this coming weekend, and if I can get a few things worked out (tires, alignment, ventruri delete, and AC delete) I will bring this red 951 over. If not I will take my other red turbo over (it just happens to be a volvo).