924Board.org

[ossaman55]

I just got the turbo out of my 1980 931 this weekend. After taking the turbo apart i found that the bearings and seals were shot and had caused the shaft to snap at the exhaust end. I am thinking about rebuilding the turbo myself. I am a good mechanic and think i am capable of doing this. I have never rebuilt a turbo before, is it harder than i think. What do you guys recommend?Also on ebay there is a guy in california selling rebuilt turbos for 500.00. Is this a decent deal. Im a little concerned about the quality but they have a warranty. Has anybody bought one off ebay from him?
Thanks
_________________
Darren
1980 931
1984 Maserati Biturbo
1978 Triumph Spitfire
1986 Camaro Z28

[Lizard]

you may be a good mechanic, but unless you know turbos and have tools you really cannot rebuild them,

the main thing that you will need and wont have is that the shaft with compressor wheel on will need to be balanced which is impossible without special tools, if it is not within tolerances it will cause premature failure of the bearings and possibly detonate as they spin at VERY high speeds.

also when rebuilding a turbo the central housing needs to be fully cleaned with sandblaster to get any coked oil out of it, the heat shield on the hot side will also need to be replaced, you will also need to check the exhaust housing for cracks (I will be willing to be it is cracked, ESP if the hot side broke off the shaft) and if it has any cracks you will have to replace it as well.

$500 for a rebuilt 931 turbo is a good deal if it is done properly. and I would recommend that you leave this type of process to the professionals.

if you dont have to replace the shaft in the turbo then you may be able to get away with a full cleaning and replacing of worn parts, but it is still not recommended
_________________
3 928s,