944 Restoration

[eurocliff]

Hi,

I've started the restoration of my 944 with a new Dansk stainless steel exhaust, front suspension, brake system pipework replacement and calliper overhaul with new discs and pads, new clutch hydraulics.

Would it be of any interest to anyone if I recorded what happens along the way on here?

Even though just begun, I've discovered quite a few obstacles and made some resolutions. For example:

In the PET 1988 Katalog, section 4 Springs, shock absorber, stabilizer. If your 944 is fitted with the Fichtel + Sachs front struts then there is a better illustration of the strut in the 1991 Katalog which shows the flexible brake line support, sensor connector, clip and the upper support mounts. Also, one you've sourced the struts and springs, the rest is as rare as the proverbial rocking horse manure. Nobody in the UK or Europe markets a kit and the items have to be sourced separately or from the US.

May be useful should anyone else wish to embark on a similar program of work.

I am taking photos of the progress.

One question I would like an answer to is this:

Why do the yanks seem to be better geared up to the aftermarket availability of OE parts at a reasonable cost.

Sachs strut from Euro Part £80 + VAT The same from PorscheShop £199.95 Bearing in mind that Sachs was the original part maker.

[lindsayhbrown]

Might be worth while documenting your work and sending it to Poprock for All Torque, could possibly split it up over a few issues if its a lengthy feature

[Mitch]

i for one would love to follow your resto. as i am undertaking a similar project albeit a much earlier 944. im fairly nearby in salisbury should you ever need a hand, cant promise i have a clue what im doing though.

[eurocliff]

Hi Mitch,

Thanks for the offer. I'll probably take you up on your kind offer. Happy to show what I've done so far.

[Mitch]

sounds good,might have to wait till the new year though as the pig is beating me up a bit at the moment

[eurocliff]

Well, story so far............

The front struts are replaced with new ones.
Anti-roll bar is now sporting new poly bushes and has been refurbed,
both track rod ends are replaced with new,
stub axles are cleaned down and looking better than they were,
Front bearings checked and re greased,
New brake discs, pads and fixings are ready to be fitted.
New front lock and handle is on order and will be arriving imminently,
rear hatch lock now functions after de-seizing.
rear cam shaft seal received and ready to be fitted when car is off its stilts

Been waiting for replacement caliper spring guides. These were made 'obsolete' by Porsche, Audi and VW in 2002. Sourced new from Budaweg in Denmark!!. These arrive in the UK on about Monday, next week. This has basically saved me in the region of £300 on recon calipers. Unfortunately, it has hampered progress for refurbing the rears and renewing the fuel and brake lines. I was so looking forward to the freezing and wet weather too. So, it would appear that I will have to go skiing and indulge in excessive amounts of gluhwein, weizenbier and bratwurst. It's a hard life!!!

Then it's off to have camber and tracking adjusted as necessary.

I suppose I could source some Porsche parts too while I'm out there )

[kongsodoken]

Well, story so far............

The front struts are replaced with new ones.
Anti-roll bar is now sporting new poly bushes and has been refurbed,
both track rod ends are replaced with new,
stub axles are cleaned down and looking better than they were,
Front bearings checked and re greased,
New brake discs, pads and fixings are ready to be fitted.
New front lock and handle is on order and will be arriving imminently,
rear hatch lock now functions after de-seizing.
rear cam shaft seal received and ready to be fitted when car is off its stilts

Been waiting for replacement caliper spring guides. These were made 'obsolete' by Porsche, Audi and VW in 2002. Sourced new from Budaweg in Denmark!!. These arrive in the UK on about Monday, next week. This has basically saved me in the region of £300 on recon calipers. Unfortunately, it has hampered progress for refurbing the rears and renewing the fuel and brake lines. I was so looking forward to the freezing and wet weather too. So, it would appear that I will have to go skiing and indulge in excessive amounts of gluhwein, weizenbier and bratwurst. It's a hard life!!!

Then it's off to have camber and tracking adjusted as necessary.

I suppose I could source some Porsche parts too while I'm out there )

Sounds like your doing well ...but you have forgotten one very every important item

Can you guess what it is

[kongsodoken]

PICTURES

PHOTO'S

[J.J.]

Always interesting to see another project. As to why the yanks have more parts over there. Simply 9 out of 10 '44s sold were sold in the States. Also they don't tend to broth the roads with salt like we do. Add to that that they tend to be a bit better off than us & you have your answer. Used to get most parts from over there until the pounds relative collapse. I've found Lindsey racing over there to be excellent. Also John Mitchels garage are quite good at finding the obsolete & hard to find. Got some great brand new drive shafts from them for mine just before I sold it for about 20% of the price they should have been & little more than used ones. Good to see that there are still a few like minded nuts out there prepared to save a few more of these great cars! Have a hankering for another already but have yet to find a way to hide it from the wife... And the bills as I like em better than new.
Lots of pic's please. Like to remember the good old days.

[eurocliff]

Passenger side showing new strut, anti-roll bar and track rod end. Forgot to mention: I also replaced the ducting on the alternator breather, what a difference to the engine tone this had made. The old one was perished and clips were missing. OP part was not available.

SANY0283.JPG (182.37 KiB) Viewed 12128 times

Hi all,

Photos and pictures will be taken as my daughter has now returned my camera that she 'borrowed' Watch this space as they say! I have a portfolio of pics I've been taking along the way. I'm hoping they will be considered for the TIPEC magazine but, I've had no requests and don't know who to contact.

Sorry!! I missed your reply a few threads back Lindsay. I'll whisk off a missive to Poprock.

Forgot to mention that the front calipers have also been treated to a similar treatment as the front suspension. They have a fresh coat of stove enamel (Red), new seals and stainless steel bleed screws. The same treatment will be rendered to the rears when the front wheels are back on (I only have one set of stands). Two new fanfare horns (low and high pitch) have been fitted (Thank you Porsch-Apart) so, now it sounds like new.

When the brake lines are renewed then the Porsche rubber hoses will be uprated to Hel stainless steel ones with Transparent red on front and solid red on rear. The rubber clutch hose will also be replaced by a stainless one due to the rubber one developing lumps in it.

Hopefully, Santa will smile on me and leave a voucher for four new tyres for my little red rooster .

http://forums.tipec.net/download/file.php?id=4231

[kongsodoken]

Looking good keep the pictures comming ........

[lindsayhbrown]

Impressive work there, keep us updated

[eurocliff]

No more pics on here I'm afraid. Apparently, the maximum number is five. I've tried to put more up but .......... Hopefully, 'All Torque' will run a piece or a few pieces?

[kongsodoken]

No more pics on here I'm afraid. Apparently, the maximum number is five. I've tried to put more up but .......... Hopefully, 'All Torque' will run a piece or a few pieces?

What ..... I'm sure you can post as many as you want......as long as the file size is not too big

[eurocliff]

Nope, that's what the message keeps telling me! (not the voices).

I have the files in JPEG format and low resolution, so pretty low on memory used <500Kb per pic. But, it seemed to allow this one