924Board.org

Jimmyjim · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Posts: 1

I have the oportunity to pick up an 1987 924 for $400. (non turbo)
The body and interior are 99% mint but she has a blown timing belt.
I was wondering if it is an interference motor and if so, should i expect alot of bent valves?? and how about piston damage.
Also, anyone rebuilt a head by themselves..?
Please let me know asap before it is sold.
thanks for your help.
Jim

81turbo · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 1065 Location: Oakland, CA

Yes some valves will be destroyed. $400 is a good deal but expect a hefty bill to get it up and running.

Lizard · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2003 9:54 am Post subject:

if I remember correctly for bent valves on a 924S it runs about $3000 but not 100% positive on that as I haven't run into that issue myself
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Peter_in_AU · Joined: 29 Jul 2001 Posts: 2743 Location: Sydney, Australia

sounds like great fodder for a 944S or 968 transplant.
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1979 924 (Gone to a better place)
1974 Lotus 7 S4 "Big Valve" Twin-cam (waiting)
1982 924 (As featured on Wikipedia)

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gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

Yes, the 924S/944 engine is an interference engine.

If the timing belt is broken, at the very least, you are going to have 2 or 3 bent valves. The pistons usually aren't damaged badly enough to require replacement, but occasionally a valve head breaks off. Someone had that happen a few months ago, and the loose piece got jammed along the side of the cylinder, and when the piston came up, somehow the valve head got wedged and the cylinder wall cracked, totalling the block.

When you service the head, you need to do some other normal service (replace rollers, pulleys, oil seals, water pump, balance shaft and timing belts). Figure around $500 for other parts. Then. the valves are between $60-$100 a piece, depending on where you buy them.

The cost of a cylinder head R&R and cylinder head rebuild has gone down a little over the years. Figure the cost is going to be somewhere between $2000-$3000, if the engine is not totaled (and you can't tell until you get the head off).

You can get the head off by yourself, but you won't be able to service yourself, and without about $500 worth of tools, you won't be able to tension the timing and balance shaft belts properly.

A large number of 924S, 944, and 944S cars are parted out when the owners fail to do the required every 3-years or 30K miles front of engine service. Unless this car is real cherry, and/or you can get the replacement parts real cheap, and you have $3000 to dump into the car after you buy it to cover the repairs, look for another car.

If you decide not to tackle this money pit, leave the Seller's phone number on the message board. I am sure that someone is willing to buy it for parts, or to try a repair. I paid $1100 for my 87 with 72K miles on it, and it's in real good condition, except for the broken and unrepairable engine (I am rebuilding a 944 engine to install in it).

MAAS · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 72

Yes... as everyone else said... the 97 924S is definitely an interference engine. The chances of some, or all of the valves being bent are high... which is probably why the price of the car is so low.

But... $400 is still a good price for this car (in my opinion), especially if everything else is in good shape. However, if you buy this car, depending on your mechanical abilites, you're looking at some $$$ to fix the engine.

If you're into the work, and the rest of the car is in great shape, then I think this would make a good project car at this price.

-MAS

ZV · Joined: 27 Nov 2002 Posts: 297

Looking through the receipts that came with my car, I see that a R&R for the head was a bit over $2,000, but that was to repair/rebuild a head that had overheated, there was no valvetrain destruction. Budget at least $3,000 to repair the head.

Still, even if it costs you an insanely high $4,000 to repair the engine, once it's done you will have a 99% mint 924S for $4,400 total, which is a pretty good deal.

If you can afford to put the money into it, the car sounds like an excellent deal, though I'd be a little worried about what else might have been neglected if the timing belt was allowed to snap.

Even if you don't fix it, you ought to be able to part it out for more than $400, sounds like a good deal in any case.

ZV
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1976 Porsche 914 2.0 - Driving Restoration.
1987 Porsche 924S - Daily Driver

Capt EZ · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2003 6:46 am Post subject:

I just had the head done due to the timing belt going. Cost $3141.85 with full front of engine service - head, valves replaced, pulleys, tensioners,belts, seals,ect. and water pump. It runs like a champ now.
Interference Engine - Definitely interfered with the checking account, plans for the extra money, (6 of 8 valves bent).
If the car is truely 99% mint, shop around for a mechanic to look at the car for an opinion then proceed accordingly. $4400.00 and change for a mint 924S isn't bad. Also look around to see what one in similar condition with a good engine and service records are going for....the other high dollar item to consider is the clutch, have the mechanic take a gander at it also and get a quote on the work. The rest of the work to keep the car isn't too bad if you are mechanically inclined and don't mind getting dirty.
Keep us posted.
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1987 924S

RageLtMan · Joined: 05 Mar 2003 Posts: 184 Location: Boston, Ma

you guys paid too much:

head rebuild (new valves, springs, the usual machine shop work) at a shop specializing in porsche parts: $700

all the work involved in taking the head off, putting it on, and replacing the seals, belts, certain bolts, misc: $1100.

muahaha. *cough*

honestly, for $1800, i think i got a decent amount of work done
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1987 924S 2.5L SOHC.

Capt EZ · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2003 1:24 am Post subject:

That's a great deal on the work. But, that's Boston. Porsche mechanics in this area are either at the dealer or one specialty shop and the others are hard to find and/or get on the waiting list. I would guess that it is equalvilant to the Seinfeld episode where they were chasing the obits for the rent controlled apartments in Manhattan. That and check the post about the "distribution of these cars" (?). I wish I could find a decent mechanic....I am starting to sound like my ex-wife about finding a good doc to get some work done...LOL

The only good thing is that they aren't plentiful, so far the most part I don't have to put up with the "watercooler stepchild" syndrome BS.
_________________
Dream as if you'll live forever.
live as if you'll die today. - James Dean

Fly Fast
Live Slow
Margaritaville Airways
1987 924S