924Board.org

ckiel · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Columbus, IN

I recently found a 924S thats owner (a mechanic) just recently died. The only problem is he was in the process of taking the motor out and never got to finish for obvious reasons. It will need new front fenders, some seals, a windshield, and a motor. Would it be worth paying $400 for? Some crappy photo's available upon request.

thanks,
CKiel

Mikri184 · Joined: 12 Sep 2003 Posts: 746 Location: Ferndale, WA

Could be, if you can source the other items you need otherwise it's just parts. Which most interior and body panels will fit the earlier 924's.
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Life is to short to be looking for something?

Sleykin · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 3:54 pm Post subject:

Depends on how well you can turn a wrench. If you have to take it someplace to have a motor put in it will cost more than it's worth. If you don't mind wrenching and know how to work on the 2.5l engine (a very different animal) or don't mind doing your homework first you may end up with about what it's worth in good condition by the time you do all the work. Is the original motor still available so you could make the repairs and re-install it?
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Glenn Neff
Medford, OR
87' 924S

Paul · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:22 pm Post subject:

The ONLY way you can make money on this car is to part it out. It will cost you more than the car is worth to make it look and run like a Porsche.

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

Think of the car as parts...

If the complete interior is in good condition, and you would put it in your car, then teh interior is probably worth the $400. especially if the dashboard is uncracked and conpletely intact. Other than the interior, the wheels? and the rear glass (make sure that it was not damaged by old age or the crash).

Sound to me like the car is too far gone to repair, because the cost of a good running engine ($500-$1000), servicing the engine before installation ($500-$1000?), and replacing the clutch (you would have to be crazy to reinstall an engine with a worn clutch ($300-$400?), along with the cost of installing the engine, replacing the fenders and the windshield ($400-$500 for parts) is going to exceed the replacement cost of the car.

ckiel · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Columbus, IN

Well I found a running motor with under 70K miles on it for $600... This is all it really NEEDS. It has good brakes, exhaust, tranny, etc. So its not in that bad of condition.

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

Sounds to me like you have already made up your mind.

Make sure that you do the front of engine service to the engine, and check/replace the clutch before you install the engine. The front of engine service requires some special Porsche Unique tools, and it will be much easier to perform with the engine out of the car.

The engine or the transmission need to be removed from the car to replace/service the clutch, so you are better off doing it while the engine is out of the car.

If you shop, the parts alone for the front of engine serivce and the clutch are going to cost you close to $1000. If you don't shop, expect the parts to cost more like $1500-$2000. The tools are going to run another $300-$600 depending on whether you buy the Porsche Belt Tension Gauge or take your chances with your engine with a generic Belt Tension Tool.

When you are finished fixing it, and have the car running, it is only going to be worth $2500-$3000 (with the history of extensive body damage). That's why most posts have stated that the car is probably not worth fixing from an economic standpoint.

Lots of us have more money you our cars than we could sell them for, so we have plenty of experience between us with what happens when you drive/fall over the edge. Just make sure that you have a car to drive while you are working on this project, and don't be surprised if you end up with 2X or 3X the money and time invested that you didn't plan on.

Good Luck

ckiel · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Columbus, IN

This vehicle is an automatic and IF I do decide to fix this vehicle is it possible to convert it to an automatic? Just curious... Thanks,

-ckiel-

ckiel · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Columbus, IN

convert to a Manual... Not automatic** OoPs

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

Yeah, you can convert it, but again, it is not worth the cost. With the conversion you will have more in the car, than it would cost to buy a running car to begin with.

You will need the transmission, bell housing, clutch assembly, torque tube, cv axles, shift lever, shifter boot, and the shift linkage. Maybe $1500-$2000 in parts. You can buy a running car that needs some work for that much.

ckiel · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Columbus, IN

Well the main reason Im getting this car is because I need a BIG project. I am still in Highschool and in order to graduate we have to do whats known as a "Senior Project". We have to pick a project, plan it, do it, write a paper about what all we did, and present it to a select panel. I have chosen restoration of a car and I stumbled across this 924S and fell in love with it. Coming to find out my Dads first porsche was a 924 so it fed into me liking it even more. So yes this is going to be a lot of work... I realize this but thats what Im looking for. Also I may know where I can get my hands on a 944 that has a shot tranny but good motor so im going to look into it.

-ckiel-