Carpokes

libarra82 wrote: Sun Mar 22, 2026 1:33 pm Head almost ready

All is well, just needed a new intake valve and seals.

Porsche 944 Head.jpeg

How much did you shave the cylinder head?

Not sure yet, head still at the machine shop. I don’t think much, though. Here’s a picture after the first pass, it already looked good. Hopefully I’ll get it back this week.

Finally done!

Hopefully I’ll have the car back together by next weekend

Had to order new dowel pins for head to cam tower. Is there a process to get them installed, or do they just slide in?

They should be snug. I use a brass hammer on this type of pin if you can't just push it in.

Helps to put the pins in the freezer too, with very light WD40 or similar, and let the head sit in the sun (or hit it with a hair dryer)...

Both great ideas! Thanks, your help is always appreciated.

The cylinder head is back on the car. Leaving the head out in the sun and putting the dowel pins in the freezer worked perfectly. The pins slid in easily with thumb pressure, and a few light taps with a rubber mallet ensured they seated fully.

The exhaust manifolds are installed. They were nearly as difficult to install as they were to remove. The fit was very tight with the new Allen-style bolts, and I had to slightly drill out the bolt holes in the manifolds to get everything to line up properly. If I were to do this again, I would pre-install the manifold and the rear coolant neck onto the head before installing it in the car. The rear coolant neck was also a challenge to install with the wiring and the air-oil separator in the way.

Finally done! Won’t be able to start it today unfortunately, battery completely drained.