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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Startup tips
Posted by: Welby3 Aug 31 2012, 02:59 PM
Hello!
I recently inherited a '73 914 1.7 that I (partially) restored in 2000 with my stepdad. Long story short, we pulled it out, got it running again, cleaned up the bodywork, and I drove it around quite a bit for around 4 years. Then I left town, and it sat. Stepdad drove it verrry rarely for a couple years, and as far as I know, it's sat dormant on his lawn for the last year or so. He offered it to me, and I'm taking it back to Chicago with me in a couple of weeks.
Here's my question- I'm planning on trailering it back here, where I'll begin re-restoring it, but what do you guys think about trying to fire it up just to get it on the trailer? Check oil/charge battery/try and turn motor over? Or best to winch it on the trailer, get it into my garage in Chi and give it a more thorough once over before trying the key?
Cheers from the new guy,
Jacob
PS- I'll post some photos of the resto as it stood in 2000, and some pics as it is now, as soon as I get it.
Posted by: JawjaPorsche Aug 31 2012, 03:29 PM
Until I replace fuel lines, I would not even attempt to start. Drain fuel tank, new fuel filter just for starters!
Hello!
I recently inherited a '73 914 1.7 that I (partially) restored in 2000 with my stepdad. Long story short, we pulled it out, got it running again, cleaned up the bodywork, and I drove it around quite a bit for around 4 years. Then I left town, and it sat. Stepdad drove it verrry rarely for a couple years, and as far as I know, it's sat dormant on his lawn for the last year or so. He offered it to me, and I'm taking it back to Chicago with me in a couple of weeks.
Here's my question- I'm planning on trailering it back here, where I'll begin re-restoring it, but what do you guys think about trying to fire it up just to get it on the trailer? Check oil/charge battery/try and turn motor over? Or best to winch it on the trailer, get it into my garage in Chi and give it a more thorough once over before trying the key?
Cheers from the new guy,
Jacob
PS- I'll post some photos of the resto as it stood in 2000, and some pics as it is now, as soon as I get it.
Posted by: tim_nd Aug 31 2012, 03:58 PM
Purchase some ether, and start it up, why not?
Posted by: Welby3 Aug 31 2012, 04:01 PM
Purchase some ether, and start it up, why not?
Kinda what I was thinking... Only going 20 feet, onto a trailer. What's the worst that could happen??? (famous last words...)
Posted by: JawjaPorsche Aug 31 2012, 04:15 PM
Purchase some ether, and start it up, why not?
Kinda what I was thinking... Only going 20 feet, onto a trailer. What's the worst that could happen??? (famous last words...)
Attached image(s)
Posted by: Welby3 Aug 31 2012, 04:24 PM
Purchase some ether, and start it up, why not?
Kinda what I was thinking... Only going 20 feet, onto a trailer. What's the worst that could happen??? (famous last words...)
Ha! That *did* kinda happen back in 2000 when we first took it out of it's 15 year slumber, to a lesser extent.
You think the fuel system would get that gummed up after 18 months (or so) of rest?
If it's that much of a danger, I'll winch it...
Posted by: ConeDodger Aug 31 2012, 07:25 PM
18 months? I'd just start it up and drive as long as it passes a good visual test...
Posted by: ThePaintedMan Sep 1 2012, 12:58 PM
Why not mix in at least a little fresh gas and splurge for a bottle of Sta-Bil. That stuff works wonders.
Posted by: The Cabinetmaker Sep 1 2012, 05:14 PM
I agree. turn the key and let the pump build pressure. Check over and under for fuel leaks, and use your nose, not just the eyes. No smell, no visible leaks, fire it up.
Posted by: Welby3 Sep 10 2012, 11:14 PM
Fired RIGHT up! Motor cranked over maybe twice before it started. Battery didn't even need a boost.
Got it on the trailer under it's own power, but in doing so, I realized there are going to be a long list of things to go over before it's really drivable- brakes, suspension, clutch, and more, I'm sure. Looks like I found my fall project!
Pics coming soon. I gotta sleep.
Jacob
Posted by: smj Sep 10 2012, 11:32 PM
Good news! And in case you didn't get it where those other two posts of your first six are, 
Posted by: Thestigz06 Sep 10 2012, 11:34 PM
turn the key. Fuch it.
Posted by: Welby3 Sep 11 2012, 08:08 PM
Here it is! I'll get some more pics as I figure out the to-do list. 
Posted by: tim_nd Sep 11 2012, 08:14 PM
And you were worried about starting this up? I nominate this for car of the month! 
Posted by: ConeDodger Sep 11 2012, 08:31 PM
Fired RIGHT up! Motor cranked over maybe twice before it started. Battery didn't even need a boost.
Got it on the trailer under it's own power, but in doing so, I realized there are going to be a long list of things to go over before it's really drivable- brakes, suspension, clutch, and more, I'm sure. Looks like I found my fall project!
Pics coming soon. I gotta sleep.
Jacob
Told ya. 18 months is nothing but I am a bit surprised the battery didn't need a boost...
Posted by: Welby3 Sep 11 2012, 08:44 PM
And you were worried about starting this up? I nominate this for car of the month!
She's a 20 footer, for sure... She actually won 4th place (class B/Street) in the Nord Stern PCA concours. But, that was back in 2006. The last few years of sitting outside have been a bit rough;
Some new body rust spots (see pics); I'm pretty sure at least one caliper is seized up; clutch is engaging really late, and is soft; suspension needs to be reworked (leans to the drivers side- though this was happening back then too...); and perhaps most terrifyingly, the doors are getting hard to open, which wasn't an issue when I left it, and I'm worried about the dreaded sag...
It'll be a fun project, though. I'll keep posting the progress, and start picking brains for where to start.
Cheers!
Posted by: Welby3 Sep 11 2012, 08:45 PM
of course, those photos are all upside down... What'd I do wrong?
Posted by: ws91420 Sep 11 2012, 09:08 PM
Just curious how you came up with your username?
Posted by: Welby3 Sep 11 2012, 09:11 PM
Welby Francis Clemmer III is my stepfather, and it's probably the greatest name ever.
Posted by: ws91420 Sep 11 2012, 09:13 PM
Well as you can see in my sig my name is Welby and the name has been used in my family for years.
Posted by: ConeDodger Sep 11 2012, 09:17 PM
In Minnesota, that's a clean car... 
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