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Posted by: ambergris Aug 6 2004, 10:13 AM

Hi all,
I guess I've spent enough time trying to download the entire BBS into my head, so I may as well speak up and say "hi" to everyone.
I recently aquired a 1974 914 2.0 from my girlfriend's parents (who are the original owners). It was languishing in San Diego, where her brother was using it as a daily driver for college until it just stopped running. I paid for the trip to the mechanic and a new ignition, and drove the car up from SD to the San Francisco bay area... and that was the last time the car hasn't been on ramps
I'm a total mechanical newbie, so I've been starting out slow. I've fixed an exterior door handle, adjusted the clutch, replaced some light bulbs, and swapped out the shift bushings, the tranny mounts, and the motor mounts. Right now I'm replacing the oil seals on the shift selector rod.
Between this BBS and the Pelican tech articles, I've been able to keep myself busy. The hard part is making the time to actually work on the car.
The main reason I got this car was to actually do all this stuff myself. So far it's been a blast, and the car has proven to be a real treat both to work on and drive. And as I get myself more and more over my head, I'm sure I'll be posting again and again.

Thanks for your time,
Max
Danville, CA

Posted by: Jeff Bonanno Aug 6 2004, 10:14 AM

Welcome Max!

Posted by: ruddyboys Aug 6 2004, 10:16 AM

Welcome to the Addiction Max.

Posted by: watsonrx13 Aug 6 2004, 10:19 AM

Max, welcome to the ABYSS....

Posted by: Root_Werks Aug 6 2004, 10:23 AM

Welcome!

L20E is my favorite color! Not to worry, you are surrounded by 914 geeks here. We will help the disease manifest for you.

Posted by: lapuwali Aug 6 2004, 10:47 AM

Always good to hear from someone that's willing to dive and and do it all themselves. Sounds like you've done a lot already.

btw, finding the time never gets easier, it's a life-long problem. There's a reason DIY engine rebuilds often take months (or years!) to complete, even though it's "only" 40-60 hours of actual work. Don't feel bad if you're not getting as much done as you'd like.

Posted by: ambergris Aug 6 2004, 10:50 AM

Thanks for the welcome, everyone!
It's a little scary how fast this car is becoming my little obsession! I find myself browsing the Pelican site for no reason, or sitting on the couch reading through the Haynes manual.

Root_Werks: At first I wasn't sure about the orange color, but it has definitely grown on me! Unfortunately, right now I don't think my car qualifies as actual "signal orange." It's more like "scuffed up faded that comes off when you wipe it with a cloth orange" I'm going to price out a re-paint, but I'm trying to decide if I want to dismantle the car and do a full job, or start off with a cheaper option. Either way, it's saying L20E!

-Max

Posted by: 7391420 Aug 6 2004, 11:00 AM

Max,

contrats and welcome, as I'm sure you've seen, any question that comes up, just ask and you will recieve .....and quickly.

Post some photos when you get a chance!

-Adam

Posted by: Headrage Aug 6 2004, 11:04 AM

Hello and welcome. This place is a treasure trove of information and it seems like some of these guys actually designed the 914 with their incredible knowledge of its inner workings.

Posted by: skline Aug 6 2004, 11:12 AM

Hey there, welcome to "The Board". We really need to see pictures so get out the camera and start showing us your new toy. It should be a prerequisite here to become a member. I am sure it looks better than some I have seen posted, its everyones goal to have a nice looking car but some of us dont have as much money and time to do it all right now so dont be ashamed of what it looks like. They all have an inner beauty and pictures usually make it look better than it really is anyway.

Posted by: ambergris Aug 6 2004, 11:32 AM

Lapuwali: thanks for the words of encouragement. I have to admit i've been tempted to just take the car to a shop when I run into a frustration (like 30 year old bolts that have never been loosened). I'm thinking once I get my shift linkage put back together I will drive the car around for a coupld of weeks, to keep me motivated!

Skline: I should have seen this coming! I'll break out the digital camera when I get home tonight. I thought there was some kind of "5 posts before you can upload pics" rule. If that's the case, I guess I can host the pics on my own web server and link them up.

Posted by: SirAndy Aug 6 2004, 11:42 AM

yes, the rule is:
"it usually takes newbies 5 posts to figure out how to post pics!"

you're already up to 3, so i wouldn't worry too much.
Andy

PS: welcome!

Posted by: SLITS Aug 6 2004, 03:52 PM

Make sure to include the "parts girl" in your images for Sr Andy - he stays up late staring at a CRT in a darkened room.

Welcome to self-made insanity and BTW, bring your wallet

AND drive back down for WCC 2005

Posted by: ambergris Aug 6 2004, 08:02 PM

Okey dokey, pics as promised.


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Posted by: ambergris Aug 6 2004, 08:03 PM

Here's a shot of the interior (after I've been tearing around in there for a while)


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Posted by: ambergris Aug 6 2004, 08:04 PM

Couldn't seem to get a good "all in one shot" pic of the engine compartment, so here's the left side


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Posted by: ambergris Aug 6 2004, 08:04 PM

...and the right


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Posted by: ambergris Aug 6 2004, 08:05 PM

Lastly, I thought I'd put up this pic of the old engine mounts. I'm a little amazed I made it all the up from San Diego.


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Posted by: Brad Roberts Aug 6 2004, 08:13 PM

Man.. that drives me NUTS. People who use 1.7/1.8 spark plug wire sets on 2.0's...

(I know it wasnt you)... somebody before you..


Welcome


B

Posted by: Aaron Cox Aug 6 2004, 08:19 PM

brad: ordered pelican's 2.0 wire set and it still has 2 long and 2 short connectors why?

Posted by: Rob Ways Aug 6 2004, 09:12 PM

Welcome to the addiction. Come out to Alameda NAS tomorrow to see us 914s run..... you'll catch some of the truly hooked locals.