Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: 914Bryan Jun 25 2011, 12:55 AM

Howdy! New to the 914 scene and am very excited about being part of this community!

I found a very nice 74 2.0 914 that was stored in an airplane hanger. I actually was looking at a motorcycle and saw this in the corner. The deal was made and the tow truck hauled it away. Varnish in the tank, fuel pump non-operational, and typical decay from sitting for over 10 years.

Pulled the tank and dumped the old fuel, ran new fuel lines, changed out oil/filter, had the original fuel pump rebuilt, popped in a new battery and she lit right up!! Drove it around the block, put new tires on her and off I went. Drove it 60 easy highway miles. Can't believe there were no real glitches as far as the motor goes.

And here we go! Not used to the sloppy shifter!! Is this normal? At first, shifted fine, but as the miles racked up, couldn't find first without grinding. Second and third, no problem, but fourth, couldnt find it. Fifth could be found if I swung the shifter back across the pattern to first then dumped it in fifth.

Where do I start? at the shifter or the transmission? The shifter just feels as loose as a goose. Any ideas or directions appreciated!!!

914Bryan

Posted by: 914junkie Jun 25 2011, 01:14 AM

Congratulations! Sounds like a nice find.

Posted by: rktmn247 Jun 25 2011, 01:59 AM

A 74! Nice! That would be a side shifter tranny. My 72 has a side shifter also and I think it shifts great. Most likely an easy fix, maybe bushings and adjustment. Lots of threads about that here. Your in the right place!

Posted by: saigon71 Jun 25 2011, 04:10 AM

Sounds like a great find!

On the shifting issues, I would start with the shifter bushings.

You have come to the right place. Lots of helpful people and knowledge on this site.

Posted by: computers4kids Jun 25 2011, 04:13 AM

Nice find, I'll give you 1k for it. Just sounds like the bushings. Go to pelican.com and you'll find what you need. There is a bushing at the firewall and one inside the plastic cover at the tail of the transmission. The bushings probably were brittle and began breaking-up once you started to drive it around.
Mark

Posted by: Dr Evil Jun 25 2011, 06:21 AM

Look below in the 31 pages link in my sig for adjustment and trouble shooting details regarding the shifting/transmission.

Short answer, it should not shift poorly. Good bushings, set screws, and a gear box in good shape shift wonderfully

Posted by: RobW Jun 25 2011, 08:22 AM

How about a shift diagnose video? You could probably sell a ton of bushings.

Posted by: RobW Jun 25 2011, 08:23 AM

Oh and....

Posted by: Gustl Jun 25 2011, 08:47 AM

... from far, far wawy

Posted by: kg6dxn Jun 25 2011, 09:17 AM

The original bushings are plastic. They break down over time. There are bronze bushings available cheap. They are much better than plastic.

Posted by: Strudelwagon Jun 25 2011, 09:19 AM

Can't wait to see some pics

Posted by: Dr Evil Jun 25 2011, 09:21 AM

I already covered it in writing. I can't see a video working well

Posted by: johannes Jun 25 2011, 09:22 AM

Welcome from far away too ...

Posted by: Lennies914 Jun 25 2011, 09:44 AM

Let's see some pics!

Posted by: Tom_T Jun 25 2011, 12:12 PM

At this point in time you'll definitely will want to get a full set of shifter bushings & change them out, and also check that the engine & transaxle mounts are still solid & not giving you movement in the drivetrain as you shift.

If you're wanting to do most of the maintenance/rebuilds yourself & the transmission issues aren't solved by the above, then get Dr. Evil's DVD on rebuilding them, or you can ship it back to him in the Pittsburgh PA area or catch the nearest next Tranny clinic.

If you get stuck on mechanical stuff here in OC & want to stay closer, try Bill Brewster in San Clemente who works on my buddy's 71 914/4.

... and treat us all to some px of your new acquisition!

PS - also add your 914 to the VIN registry by adding it at your "My Controls" panel, even if the prior had it listed, as it helps track the ownership. TIA

Posted by: poorsche914 Jun 25 2011, 12:20 PM

"very nice 74 2.0 914"

And as we wait for pictures and VIN, could it be a Can Am?

Posted by: 914Bryan Jun 26 2011, 06:07 AM

here it is after a long wash and polish!!

Posted by: dion9146 Jun 26 2011, 06:14 AM

Very nice looking 914!

Posted by: tod914 Jun 26 2011, 09:51 AM

Looks real nice.

Posted by: Spoke Jun 26 2011, 10:09 AM

About the trans, did you change the oil in it? Check the clutch adjustment. If you don't have a repair manual, buy or borrow one.

Posted by: Strudelwagon Jun 26 2011, 11:09 AM

Nice find

Posted by: ripper911 Jun 27 2011, 01:20 PM

Someone removed your tits.

Looks nice! Is that bahia red?

Posted by: eric9144 Jun 27 2011, 01:32 PM

Very nice Bryan!! (post more pics)

Maybe you'll have to join us for one of our Dawn Patrol runs in the future...we're generally scaring other drivers and pedestrians in the Temecula/North San Diego area's but it's not too far from the OC and it's always a good time.

Posted by: ChrisNPDrider Jun 27 2011, 01:44 PM

Score!
Upgrades for the 914 shifter and mechanism can be found at JWest Engineering.
Just refreshing the stock bushings will be a huge improvement.
Nobody mentioned transaxle mounts. Lots of them are broken after 30+ years, which will make all that rear-end shifting sloppy. You can't really tell if the "structural rubber" in the mounts is cracked unless you remove them (easy w transaxle supported).
I have the WEVO mounts, but I am a sucker for racy parts!
Have fun!

Posted by: 914Bryan Jun 29 2011, 06:13 AM

I am interested in the Dawn Patrol and followed your last thread; it looks like a lot of fun! The way I look at it is that is to join you, I will HAVE to drive Ortega Highway over the mountain to get to the jump off point Be sure to post your next outing and I would like to join the group. Thanks!

Bryan

Posted by: rick 918-S Jun 29 2011, 06:48 AM

Nice find!

Posted by: computers4kids Jun 29 2011, 08:27 AM

Bryan, that looks just like a 74 that I owned and sold a couple years ago to Barret Jackson back east. What is the VIN or some more pics. Looks exactly like the bahia red I had painted it-Single stage buffed and polished. The fuchs are real and painted like the fake ones?
Mark

I had changed to chrome bumpers before I had sold it.

Posted by: SirAndy Jun 29 2011, 10:17 AM

Your drivers side turn signal lens is upside down.


Looks like a nice car!

Posted by: 914Bryan Jul 1 2011, 08:12 AM

WOW! You have an amazing eye to catch that in a pic!!! Funny thing, I am chasing down a short in that very light that keeps popping a fuse every time I turn on the headlights..Turn signal works, but the short is in the running light wire (I guess).

Posted by: 914Bryan Jul 1 2011, 08:20 AM

It might be similiar, but this has been in a airplane hangar for years, so I doubt it was in a Barret Jackson event. I dont know if they are real Fuchs or not; I am just learning the 914 World and am a complete novice. How would I be able to tell if they are originals?

I do know this, I want to change the bumpers out to the early chrome ones. Anyone know of a supplier? I hate dealing with Craigslist crap.