About:
We bought not one but TWO Porsche 924 vehicles in the Bad Ideas Garage. I notice I couldn’t say “two 924s” because that wouldn’t be true! The 1982 shows just 59,000 miles on the odometer and has really nice body and paint. And, sorta “runs” on starter fluid. The 1977 parts car has been off the road since 1996 and has lots of very valuable parts on it that we would need for a project. Sadly, for us, we sold both of these before we got them really dialed-in, but now they live with a father/son duo who is taking great care of them!
Porsche for the Spouse, Lessons for the House: My 924 Experience and Its Surprising Jeep DJ5 Ties
Introduction: The Unexpected Purchase
I recently received an exciting text from my friend, Coltin, announcing he’d found a classic 1982 Porsche and had it back at his shop. He was already working on my Pontiac and Subaru, and knowing that my spouse had been wanting a Porsche for quite some time, he decided to offer it to me. Given the approaching summer season and the opportunity for some fun drives, I decided to take up his offer and bought it for $1000.
Section 1: First Impressions and Initial Fixes
My first opportunity to bring the car home came when the Pontiac was finally done and ready for its new owner. As I had some experience working on Mercedes engines, including a few with the familiar Bosch fuel injection system, I thought I’d be able to get the Porsche running relatively quickly. However, on closer inspection, I realized it was in a bit of a mess. The car wasn’t getting fuel or was getting it at the wrong timing. I then focused on adjusting the timing and dealing with the numerous issues we discovered, including those with the distributor and the cam cover.
Section 2: Assessing the Car and Potential Fixes
While working on the car’s timing, I also took a closer look at the rest of the vehicle. Despite the underbody damage and questionable aftermarket fuel pump, it was clear that the Porsche had once been someone’s pride and joy. It came with personalized touches, records, and an immaculate body. However, there were challenges, such as the rusted timing marks and the difficult-to-assess condition of the fuel pump and interior. Thankfully, I had a parts car at my disposal, which I had acquired for just $300.
Section 3: Deciphering the Car’s History and Mileage
The more I worked on the car and researched about it, the more I uncovered about its history. For instance, I found out that it had clocked close to 59,000 miles on the motor and about 150,000 miles on the entire body. This research also led me to learn about the history of the 924, how it was a parts bin special with components from various Volkswagen and Audi products, and its original development for the Audi 100.
Section 4: Carburetor vs. Fuel Injection Dilemma
I also learned that many Porsche owners of this era swapped out the fuel injection for carburetion for reliability reasons. Faced with this decision, I explored various options ranging from cheaper $600 manifolds to expensive four individual motorcycle carburetors at $1700. My research also led me to discover the interesting journey of the Porsche engine, its usage across various car models, and its evolution.
WAS THIS A MISTAKE??
Yes, turns out it was. But I learned a lot about old German fuel injection, and timing lights!
Section 5: Letting Go of the Porsche
Despite all the fascinating findings and restoration efforts, I finally decided to let the Porsche go. The previous owner provided even more history about the car, such as its high mileage and use as a commuter vehicle. The several electrical faults, sketchy wiring, and evidence of a recent fire, combined with the lack of space for my kids, all contributed to this decision.
Conclusion: The Next Adventure
Even though the Porsche chapter has ended, my passion for restoring cars is far from over. Currently, I have a Honda Pilot in the garage with a blown timing belt, waiting for its turn to shine on the Gambler 500. Here’s to more adventures
Audi EA831 / 121 Engine and BYE BYE!
How did an Audi engine end up in our Porsche 924, a VW Transporter, the AMC Gremlin, and the Jeep DJ5 Mail Carrier? Learn more and also why I ended this project.
Resources:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/the-rise-fall-of-american-motors-corporation/ss-AA1aA69N#image=14
https://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/amc-gremlin/
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/a-history-of-the-amc-jeep-4-0-engine.9035/
https://jalopnik.com/this-volkswagen-audi-engine-ended-up-in-the-most-unlike-1837286808
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_AMC_engines#Audi.2FVW_121
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/08/porsches-deadly-sin-5-engineering-project-ea-425/
The Story Of The Porsche 924 Started Out With A Lot Of VW, And A Bit Of Mitsubishi
https://wooliesworkshop.com/pages/history-of-the-porsche-924-and-944
https://web.archive.org/web/20180621155336/https://flussigmagazine.com/11/post/2014/12/origins-of-the-ea831-engine.html