924S Head Work
 

Hi all,

I was recently gifted an ‘88 924S that hasn’t been driven in a good 8 years. After replacing most of the ignition system (plugs, wires, distributor cap, battery), I got it running, but it spews lots of oil smoke from the exhaust and runs terribly. Compression test results seem pretty good best I can tell (167, 175, 170, 160) and leak down test was all at 9% or better even when tested completely cold. Heard some blow by through the intake in cylinder 3.

With this, I’m suspecting my valve seals as the source of the oil in the combustion chamber. Does that stand to reason? If that is indeed the culprit, do you all recommend a valve seal replacement with the head still in the engine bay? Or should I do a full head rebuild just to be safe? Any suggestions how to further determine whether a valve seal replacement is likely to solve my smoke issue?

Thanks!

With those compression numbers and leakdown a bit out of range and with air noise past valves, it's time for a head rebuild. Last one I had done was only about $300 for just the head work. I'm sure its more expensive now. I did the disassembly and reassembly myself. If it smokes all the time it may be time for rings as well as valve seals typically only cause smoke at startup. But since this thing sat for so long it may be a case of the seals stuck to the stem and have dislodged allowing oil to get past the guides. Good luck...

I've done a few different cars over the years. Worth the effort to me unless you have bad compression or clearly a head gasket or other issues you want to address.

Thanks for the advice! What shop did you use/would you recommend in the area? I’m in Alexandria.

I had a VW VR6 head rebuilt by Tysons Machine, seems like fine work and they do stuff for Chapman. Farther out I had a Volvo redblock head done by Billy at Performance Machine in WV. Also fine work, more performance oriented if that's desires.

Thanks! Hadn't heard of either of these companies before - I'll check them out.

I assume Ed meant Billy Ring at Performance Autoworks (8063 Leetown Rd, Middleway, WV 25430 -- (304) 728-8222). Billy is a master, especially with air-cooled--he learned at the knee of Dave Coleman.

Is Allied still in business? They're in Falls Church. I last used them in 1978 so can't vouch for their current work...

Thanks Dr K!

Burtonsville machine shop did my 968, a 944 turbo and 2.2L heads.

Billy Ring at Performance Auto Works in Kearneyville WV