924Board.org

[Grenadiers]

Well, my latest effort at building a solid track car is back to square one! Did a 20 minutes session Saturday, then, around the 15 minute mark on the second session, engine went bang, and clouds of white 'smoke' emanated from the exhaust pipe. I pulled off the track and actually did a track no-no, I got out of the car, I thought it was on fire!

No, it wasn't, and I think the engine hydro-locked, so I packed everything up and headed home. Grrrrr. After looking at the data log, at the time of the boom, the water temp was 174 degrees, air temp, 138 degrees, AFR at 12.5, RPMS at 5558, so not sure why the Cometic gasket let go. Had the boost up to 11 psi was driving pretty aggressively as well. I was finally getting the car and me some respect from the NASA 944 guys down here, as in, passing their asses, then this happened. They're sympathetic though, one their Spec cars died on the track, it happens.

After I cooled down, I looked at the cam, looks good, no water in crank-case either; maybe the bottom end is ok. Lots of water poured out of the exhaust as I winched the car on to the trailer. The next day, water finally leaked past the rings and added a quart to the oil level. Will pull the motor, again, and haul it back to Wisconsin for another go-round rebuilding it. Have that Series II engine needing a rebuild up there too, so will do both, and haul both back down here in the fall! Fun. I had torqued the ARP head studs to 86 foot pounds, but didn't check them after the Chuckwalla DE, maybe one should have done that? Still like the car though, way fun on the track. No video though, stupid me effed up turning the Go-Pro on, twice.
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'83 944 Track car.
'88 924S Track car.
'89 944 Turbo
2004 Winnebago Vectra monster RV
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2014 Kia Soul
2001 Ford F350 powerstroke

[Grenadiers]

A few pics of the '944 village' where I parked the camper. One of the guys had a 2-year old Rottie, my favorite dog; since we have one~!

Car unloaded, admin tent behind it, nice spot!

Spec guys arrive.

Tent city

Desert race tracks lack scenery, but, no scenery to hit~!

Big bore cars on the grid.


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'83 944 Track car.
'88 924S Track car.
'89 944 Turbo
2004 Winnebago Vectra monster RV
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2014 Kia Soul
2001 Ford F350 powerstroke

[pcelenta]

ughh...that sucks. was just thinking on a rebuild lead up question of cometic versus regular headgasket.

[Grenadiers]

Paul, there's no proof that a Reinz gasket would have fared any better. I had a rebuilt head to start with, so, on the 2nd engine rebuild, I didn't send it in for measurements. It might have been warped for all I know. I debated over which to use though, and figured the metal gasket for track use would be better. I'll pull the head before I head back to WI and post back the results.
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'83 944 Track car.
'88 924S Track car.
'89 944 Turbo
2004 Winnebago Vectra monster RV
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2014 Kia Soul
2001 Ford F350 powerstroke

[ThomasJoseph315]

Awe man,.. sorry to hear that. Looks like you where having some fun anyway . Where you the only 924 there? What kind of turn out was it?

[morghen]

I didnt follow your build so i'm asking, are you using a propper intercooler?
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Supercharger and EFI kits
https://www.the924.com

[Grenadiers]

I'm the only 924 at these events I attend! Quite a few cars were there, we had 16 in our DE2 group, the first run was like a train. The East track is sorta short so, getting past the slow cars is tough. I like working on this car, so looking forward to pulling the engine soon.
_________________
'83 944 Track car.
'88 924S Track car.
'89 944 Turbo
2004 Winnebago Vectra monster RV
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2014 Kia Soul
2001 Ford F350 powerstroke

[fiat22turbo]

[jason c]

Wow, that sucks! You're definitely dedicated though.I would check the torque before you pull the head for diagnostic purposes. If I was building this engine, I would have the head and/or the block O-ringed. Are you planning on a complete disassembly? You may have broken rings as well.

[Grenadiers]

Hey Stefan, I installed the Megasquirt CLT water temp sensor in the back of the head, so feel that the engine was ok in that department (174 degrees). I use a manual switch for the two fans, and have both on at the same time. The radiator was clean too, no mineral buildup. I had installed the 2nd generation Cometic gasket, and have a standard bore.

Hey Jason, thanks for your thoughts. I'll check to see first if the engine will turn over with a socket after I pull the plugs. Then, I'll check the torque on the ARP head studs. I'll probably leave the lower end alone if after pulling the head and find the gasket is bad. I'm actually more excited about rebuilding the other engine, the Series II I have back home. But, will do both; nice to have a spare~! Stay tuned!
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'83 944 Track car.
'88 924S Track car.
'89 944 Turbo
2004 Winnebago Vectra monster RV
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2014 Kia Soul
2001 Ford F350 powerstroke

[fiat22turbo]

Yes, but that's the last spot in the engine that gets coolant, so its pretty much just hot water and it doesn't note any hot spots that might be happening.
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Stefan
1979 924 Carrera GTS (clone-ish)
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)

[kcoyle]

You sir, have the patience of a saint. I personally would have thrown in the towel. God bless ya...
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1982 931- Stock with MBC at 8psi

Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

[jason c]

If you think the engine may have hydro locked, I would definitely check the rings. That's a lot of pressure in the cylinder, its got to go somewhere (unless it locks completely). You'll be so close disassembly wise, you might as well, especially after the luck you've had with it. I would hate to see you get it back in the car and then find a problem.

[Grenadiers]

[Grenadiers]