Lonely Raven

In advance...
I'm sorry if this has all been covered before,
and I'm sure it has in one form or another, so
feel free to just point me to articles and posts
on this stuff.

Anywho, today I picked up my first 914! It's a
silver '74 1.8, with dual carbs and headers (or
so I'm told) and for the most part has had almost
all of the engine and interior rebuilt or replaced

Besides some rust spots just in front of the lower
door, between the door and the wheel well, and
some mildly faded paint, it's in pretty damn good
shape!

I just drove the car over 250 miles from
Indianapolis Indiana, to a western Suburb of
Chicago, and I just LOVED it!

Generally I totally research things to death and
often know more then the people who own them
because of my research, but this one was a quick
deal because my instincts just told me this was
the *right* car. And my instincts have always
been right.

Anywho, I have some questions, and I was hoping
people might suggest some web pages I could
read up on the 914s, some FAQs, some posts to
point me to etc. I really feel terrible for
jumping into a 28 year old car without having
researched it, but the drive home told me things
aren't too bad! Heh.

I have a couple of questions though.

I honestly don't know if this car originally was
carbed, or if that's after market, nor do I know
if there are really headers on this car. I have
no clue what the stock engine looks (is supposed
to look) like.

According to the temp gauge in the center console,
this air cooled engine is getting pretty damn
hot! Of course, I just drove it 80MPH for 3+
hours in 95+ degree heat, but it was nearing the
red (not into it), and was a tad bit difficult to
start when I stopped for a quick bathroom break
during the trip. Assuming this gauge is original,
let alone accurate...Is that right?

Also, when I'm in lower gears, and when I shift,
the carbs both "chuff" and "pop" just a little.
I feel absolutly zero change in acceleration, or
feel or even the smell of how the car runs. It's
just kinda embarissing to have my Porsche farting
while I'm pulling out of the gas station! LOL
Is this normal for carbs? It's supposedly (and
seems so) been tuned recently by a reputable
Porsche shop in Indiana (is there really such a
think in Indiana? heheh).

The last thing...

DAMN these breaks aren't enough! Granted, I'm
spoiled by my Turbo LeBaron and Turbo SAAB and
the overpowered power EVERYTHING on them, but DAMN
these breaks are lame! I read a lot about people
upgrading the breaks on the 914s, so this can't
just be a me thing. And I know for a fact (I've
seen the recepts) that the breaks have only 2k
on fresh pads and recent adjustment.

While I'm mechanically inclined, I don't have
a garage to work in, nor am I an experienced
mechanic besides replacing starters and
alternators and installing sterios in my past
cars. I honestly don't feel comfortable doing
a break system swap myself, and would have to
find a shop or "backyard" Porsche tech to do it
for me. But I'd really like to know what to ask
them to do, and what parts to track down.

Anywho, sorry about the novel I've written, if
my rennlist buds could just point me in the
direction of some good reading, and if your in
the Chitown area maybe some good shops to take
my 914 to for regular maintanence and some
upgrades, I would be *GREATLY* appreciated!

Bob D.

<a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/914/How_to_buy_a_914.htm" target="_blank">http://www.pelicanparts.com/914/How_to_buy_a_914.htm</a>
AND
<a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/914_Darling_FAQ/914_Darling_FAQ.htm" target="_blank">http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/914_Darling_FAQ/914_Darling_FAQ.htm</a>

will answer most of your questions. No U.S.-spec 914 ever left the factory with carbs except the 914-6. Although the L-Jet fuel injection on the 1.8 can sometimes be tougher to maintain than the D-Jet on the 1.7 and 2.0 cars (which is undoubtedly why your car now has carbs), most people would agree that it is worth the effort to trouble-shoot the FI and keep it. If the PO made no cam changes to accomodate the carbs, you may want to consider switching back to the FI. Drive the car for a while and see what you think.

One of the best 914 mechanics in the ountry is located in East Peoria, IL, about 2 hours or so from Wheaton. He has many Chicago area customers, and when not too busy is a wonderful source of tech advice: Brad Mayeur, 914 Limited, 309-694-1797. Good luck and enjoy your car!

Lonely Raven

Wow, thanx Bob!

Too bad that's almost a 3 hour drive to Peoria.

These breaks are really killing me, and I can
live with the carbs unless the FI really makes
a performance difference. Hell, I drove 250+
miles home last night, and I used just a hair
more then 1/4 tank of gas!

I'm lovin this stuff!

Lonely Raven

I forgot to mention, here is the car I picked up!

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1832038429&r=0&t=0" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1832038429&r=0&t=0</a>

If anyone has any comments, please fire away.
I'm sure you all know more then me about my own
car, but I plan on changing that right quick!

Again, Thanx!

Chris H

Ah, another future 914 addict in Illinois! Welcome!

I live just south of you guys and just picked up my 3rd, a '75 out of California.

Coincidentally my first was a '74 1.8 with carbs that "chuffed" and "popped" a lot. Even just after I had them balanced. Bob is right, it's probably the cam thing. The car is set up to run with FI. I'd see if you get used to it and if not look into switching back or changing the cam. I personally got used to it. It became a normal engine sound to me.

Good luck,

Chris H.

Lonely Raven

Thanx Chris!

You know any good shops that you would trust with
a carburated 914 that's closer then Peoria?
Preferably in the Downers Grove, Naperville,
Oak Brook, Wheaton area (to be very general).

I was going to try Helmut and Vito's on Ogden
in Downers Grove, but the 944 that they had
for sale there, while fast, was not tuned right.
Even a (at the time) 944 noob such as myself
could tell that. But I always see $40k cars being
worked on there all the time so...

echocanyons

Looks nice,

Do yourself a favor and remove your rocker covers and remove the dirt that is most likely built up there. At this time you can inspect the rust situation if any.

Find out what type of dizzy you are using if I owuld have to guess it is a 009 as my 1.8 did the same thing. You should pick up an orginal or a 050 that will have the proper advance needed for the engine. Knowing what cams you have would also be very beneficial, give the PO a call.

Brakes...

Your best(cheapest) bet would be 320i BMW or something close to that I understand there is a fellow on <a href="http://www.914club.com" target="_blank">www.914club.com</a> who sells the kit for a reasoable fee.

Your Real best bet would be to upgrade the front end to the 911 up to carrera type and use carrera or SC calipers or if you are feelin froggy go for the Big Reds. With a file and some time and ingenuity you can make them fit at all four corners even the ebrake(visit pelican and search 914/6 brakes for details)

May you have many Happy and Safe miles in your new 914

Kelly

Lonely Raven

Thanx Kelly!

But could you please translate this for me?

Find out what type of dizzy you are using if I owuld have to guess it is a 009 as my 1.8 did the same thing. You should pick up an orginal or a 050 that will have the proper advance needed for the engine. Knowing what cams you have would also be very beneficial, give the PO a call.

The PO is a tard. It's obvious now that he was
"just a driver" and must have had some seriously
lame "german auto mechanics".

I had to do some hand wiring today from the
aftermarket coil to the aftermarket fuel pump to
get home from a jaunt to the market. Good thing
I'm McGyver in Disguise, otherwise it's a long way
to push this car home. The wiring hidden in nice
neat looms was all buttplugged into buttplugged
into buttplugged. My girlfriend could have done
a better job with a nailfile and some bobby pins.
(sigh)
I'm suddenly feeling screwed.

Hehe, at least I already have it running even
better then it was before! Now I just have to
trace back all this wiring and figure out WTF
some of these (dangling) wires were supposed to
be for!

Oh, and replacing/repairing a couple of the wires
has seemed to help the carbs a bit. I think part
of the issue was that a badly corroded/burnt/butt
plugged wire was feeding inconsistant amounts of
voltage to the fuel pump and making it dump/starve
randomly. I have one carb working solid, and the
other still "chuffing". So if I can teach myself
to adjust them, then maybe I'm in business.

I'm still very happy with my car, even though two
POs deep have been 'tards.

echocanyons

"Dizzy" meaning distributor.
Bosch models 050 is a good choice probably second to the stock one which has vacuum advance.
The 009 doesnt have the advance needed for the T4 engine.

For reference with wiring Pelican has a super diagram on there website.

<a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/914/914_electrical_diagrams.htm" target="_blank">http://www.pelicanparts.com/914/914_electrical_diagrams.htm</a>

Kelly

Charles Navarro

[quote]<strong>
I live just south of you guys and just picked up my 3rd, a '75 out of California.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Hey Chris. Where's the pics of your new one; i've been anxious to see them I'm still working on the wife to let me buy that green one out by you.

We're down in Momence, but alas, our hands are tied up manufacturing new products. I wish I had time to even work on my car, otherwise I would offer to help ya out with your brakes and other mechanicals

I've been thinking that it might be kinda nice to gather up all the chi town area (aircooled) vw and porsche folk and have a little car show and bbq. I've been looking into getting a permit for blocking off Island park in Momence for such an event...I think all they want is 10 bucks and its set in stone. Now only if I can get the people to come

Talk care all!

Charles Navarro
LN Engineering
<a href="http://www.LNengineering.com" target="_blank">http://www.LNengineering.com</a>
Aircooled Precision Performance

Chris H

Hey Charles! That sounds like a great time. I would be more than happy to help get the word out.

Please buy Green '74. It's going to be ruined by next winter as you know, since the top has an enormous hole in it where the aftermarket sunroof is coming loose. What a shame. I bet there's an inch of water in the floor by now.

I will e-mail a few pics to you.

---Chris

jim912928

Chis....I'm in South Bend, IN...close, and been looking for a 914 project car for my son and I...not a rust bucket..but one that needs mechanical and plain fixing up. What kind of shape and price is the 74?

Jim H
83 928S

p.s. 72 1.7l 914 was my first Porsche!

Lonely Raven

Hey, I'm all for an Air Cooled gathering!!
I'm not sure how far south you are Charles, but
if my 914 will make the trip, I'll go anywhere!

I'm also going to join the Chicago PCA again
once I get a few extra bucks to spend on something
like that. I sure hope they got their act together
though. Last time I went to a meeting, I guess I
had just walked into a coup, and most of the
people weren't happey with the sudden change of
management. I really don't feel like joining up
with a club that has that kinda polital crap going
on.

As for my car, I've already re-run some of the
wiring. I found out that my ignition switch is
flakey and causing the starting problems, and
I can hear a short behind the dash. Oh, and after
only a few days out in the rain/sun, the back
window seal just shriveled up and cracked, and now
my rear window is rattling around in the slot.
So I'm driving down to Part Werks in Joliet
tomorrow to pick up an ignition switch, rear
window seal, and anything else I can think of
that my measly pocket money can afford.