07-27-2018, 04:02 PM
Ever since I bought my '94 968 cab years ago, the engine vibrated the car like a hopped up camaro. The previous owner had chipped the car and installed a Borla deep throated exhaust. It felt and sounded like a big V8 when I punched it. It set off car alarms everywhere here in downtown Houston. No complaints from me, right? 
One day I'm down in Corpus Christi visiting the folks and dropped in at Shook Enterprises. Steve Shook, comes out to check out the 968. He's like, "Cool Herb, but why's it running so rough?" I'm like, "Whaadya mean? This thing growls like a lion, pounces like a tiger and runs like a cheetah! There's nothing wrong here." To which Shook says, "Feel the stick. It should feel like the 944(s) you used to drive". "WOW! I thought. I figured since the 968 had the largest displacement four cylinder for it's time, the V8 rumbly feel was normal. Shook suggested I look to see if the balance shaft belt was in place. He said some guys like to remove it for the extra HP. :o
A few weekends later back home, I dug into the front of the engine to check the condition of the timing and balance shaft belts. Both looked practically new and appeared to be installed properly. So I dug around the internet and found a video of a guy setting the balance shaft gears and installing a new belt. SHAZAM! That was it!!
The P.O. (or his mechanic) set the bottom shaft about 60' to far advanced!
I cleaned up everything, realigned the shafts according to the book and reinstalled the belt. When I started the engine the vibration was gone! I shed a small tear of joy...
Gone was the feeling of driving a stroked Hemi. Back was the refined hum characteristic of fine German engineering. Acceleration, always great on this car, now comes on in smooth soothing waves. Even the distinctive 'whine' of the engine's top end was back, reminiscent of my first 2.5l 944.
And, despite that big Borla exhaust, the car is now distinctively quieter...
I love my 968!
One day I'm down in Corpus Christi visiting the folks and dropped in at Shook Enterprises. Steve Shook, comes out to check out the 968. He's like, "Cool Herb, but why's it running so rough?" I'm like, "Whaadya mean? This thing growls like a lion, pounces like a tiger and runs like a cheetah! There's nothing wrong here." To which Shook says, "Feel the stick. It should feel like the 944(s) you used to drive". "WOW! I thought. I figured since the 968 had the largest displacement four cylinder for it's time, the V8 rumbly feel was normal. Shook suggested I look to see if the balance shaft belt was in place. He said some guys like to remove it for the extra HP. :o
A few weekends later back home, I dug into the front of the engine to check the condition of the timing and balance shaft belts. Both looked practically new and appeared to be installed properly. So I dug around the internet and found a video of a guy setting the balance shaft gears and installing a new belt. SHAZAM! That was it!!
The P.O. (or his mechanic) set the bottom shaft about 60' to far advanced!
I cleaned up everything, realigned the shafts according to the book and reinstalled the belt. When I started the engine the vibration was gone! I shed a small tear of joy...
Gone was the feeling of driving a stroked Hemi. Back was the refined hum characteristic of fine German engineering. Acceleration, always great on this car, now comes on in smooth soothing waves. Even the distinctive 'whine' of the engine's top end was back, reminiscent of my first 2.5l 944.
And, despite that big Borla exhaust, the car is now distinctively quieter...
I love my 968!
(This post was last modified: 07-27-2018, 04:16 PM by codewarrior77006.)
