New member with stupid project!

[Cruise98]

Congratulations on a nice find.

I would not drop the fuel tank yet. Drain it first, and put a couple of gallons of gas through it, then change the sock filter at the outlet. You will probably need a new fuel pump, and the injectors will need to be cleaned. The three fuel lines at the rail should be changed. The other fuel lines in the back should be inspected. Anything rubber from 1987 is suspect.

[Swaggoner]

Great tips. Thanks.
I poured 1 gallon of fresh gas and a can of seafoam into the tanks and let it sit for a week....
Going to drain and inspect the sock filter next...
Couple days ago, I applied power to the car to raise the lights and I guess the fuel pump powered up because I had fuel pressure at the rail when I pulled the injectors out. Gas smelled like varnish, but I was surprised to see any pressure at all! New fuel filter for sure, but I hopefully the pump is still making good pressure.

[Swaggoner]

Cooling system update... After 26 years sitting, still had about a gallon of orange coolant in the radiator and block. LOTS of orange corrosion on any hose connection above the coolant level. Pulled and pressure tested the radiator and found a 1/2” hairline crack in the black plastic. Will replace with an all aluminum radiator. Removed the water pump and it is completely seized! I’m surprised I was able to wrench the motor over to lock it at TDC?
So far, not finding anything too scary. Fingers crossed...

[Black944 turbo]

Looks like a great project. These are really wonderful cars once they’re sorted. FCP Euro is the first place I shop, Paragon is fantastic and run by a transaxle enthusiast, only944 is another great place for small items. There are several other companies but those are my go too. Good luck, can’t wait to see the progress.

[Swaggoner]

Finished rebuilding/replacing the fuel system from tank to injectors; new cooling system (water pump, Radiator and all hoses); replaced timing, balancer, P/S and A/C belts; and replaced a vacuum actuator. Nothing too serious...
Fired right up! Runs, drives, and shifts great! Just doesn't stop...??!! Thank goodness for the parking brake!
So, replaced the master cylinder, new rotors and brake lines, currently rebuilding the calipers with new pressure seals. Hopefully it will soon stop as well as it goes!

[Swaggoner]

Recent pictures.

IMG_5999.jpeg (2.76 MiB) Viewed 338 times

IMG_6024.jpeg (2.2 MiB) Viewed 338 times

[944m3]

Fantastic.

Keep an eye out for coolant in your oil. Perhaps you already replaced it, but a head gasket sitting for that long can corrode leading to coolant leaks. Also an old oil cooler gasket can allow oil/coolant to mix. Ask me how I know lol

[Black944 turbo]

She is looking very nice. Looks like you are making some great progress.

[ROB III]

Welcome to CARPOKES. Given history and what you've done so far, I'd say you are ahead of the game on a GREAT project. In your spare time (what's that?) I'd suggest reading through posts in the transaxle grouping to see what others have done or are doing. You have some of the most knowledgeable people here on CARPOKES who always are willing to help, and find creative ways to repair something that someone else might consider too far gone.

[Latitude48]

Looking at the car up on jacks... that front location under the round donut is NOT a valid jacking point. You should use the inner frame rail per the attached location marked with the yellow arrow. This is also shown in the owner's manual.