Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: Larmo63 Jul 10 2014, 06:51 PM

I bought the yellow '73 in March, and have done a lot of work and replaced a lot of parts on it. I'm starting to think I'm plugging holes on the Titanic. If it's not one thing, it's another. I should have started with a better car(?) I should sell it and buy a better one(?) I'm at that juncture and need to make a decision. What to do.....

Posted by: dudzy's914 Jul 10 2014, 06:57 PM

Im at the same point right now with my '74-I know
Depends on the condition. Could you post a few pictures? And what good/whats bad...

Posted by: Larmo63 Jul 10 2014, 07:01 PM

I know it's a labor of love with these things, but sheesh....

Posted by: Porschef Jul 10 2014, 07:02 PM

Please be more specific. Have you started with a solid car? Are things falling off at speed on the freeway? If its a matter of updating a 40 year old example, that's one thing. If it's shedding rust, then that's different.



You're always gonna be dickin' around with these things. But slowly, you start to realize there's less of that going on. And you're driving it more...

Posted by: dudzy's914 Jul 10 2014, 07:02 PM

i have to replace the longs...and do everything else

Posted by: Larmo63 Jul 10 2014, 07:12 PM

Can't get the exhaust to seal properly to the heads. Clutch is iffy. Right suspension console is crusty/soft. Jack points bad. Still runs rough after lots of dough put into it. Vacuum/exhaust leaks drive me nuts. I should have just cleaned it and turned it, but I'm buried a bit in it now.

Posted by: Larmo63 Jul 10 2014, 07:14 PM

The "Little Bastard"
http://s983.photobucket.com/user/Larmo63/media/IMG_2444_zpsbe11c3a2.jpg.html

Posted by: dudzy's914 Jul 10 2014, 07:14 PM

Looks in okay shape. I say you could probably sell it for about $3000-$4500, give or take. I'd take the wheels and give you sport wheels...? (pm if interested)

Posted by: poorsche914 Jul 10 2014, 07:21 PM

Step away from it for a week or month or and return with a (hopefully) fresh perspective and new desire to work on the 914.

I have done that in the past. Took me a year to get my LE running after I bought it. Lot of time spent not working on it

Posted by: dudzy's914 Jul 10 2014, 07:30 PM

If you want to work on a 914 and have the skills to do the things needed to be done, this is a great car, with not a a whole lot of work. if you want a 914 that is pretty much(this means maybe some, seals or minor stuff) plug and play, id say sell this car and add $4500 and wait for the right deal.

Posted by: Porschef Jul 10 2014, 07:32 PM

Poorsche's right. Step away from the vehicle.

How many cars from the mid 70's are still on the road? There's a reason for that...they're pretty primitive. And most were a downright disaster. How bout a Vega, or a MustangII, or a Volarè...Better?

These cars arefun. It's a hobby. If you're looking for more, well, Enjoy it for what it is.


It looks good.

Posted by: BeatNavy Jul 10 2014, 07:32 PM

Hang in there dude. I went through similar thoughts recently on my '72 that had been sitting in someone's yard for a long time. I got it running pretty quickly and I thought "it only gets better from here." But, not surprising, all that stuff that has been waiting to break for 15 years started breaking. And it felt like every time I made progress on something something else would break and take me two steps backwards (clutch tube, ignition, starter, etc.). You'll eventually catch up with it all and make progress again. If you can afford to, step away for a bit.

Posted by: 914_teener Jul 10 2014, 08:10 PM

Suspension console is crusty?

Jack Points are bad?

These are the costly ones.....from what I remember from your posts...this is the car you found out in our famous dessert. You didn't ever pull the valances to inspect the longs?

The other stuff you mention is easy.

Report back....

Posted by: McMark Jul 10 2014, 08:12 PM

Perhaps your exhaust is bent. You also have to tighten the bolts down a little at a time all the way around for them to sit nice. You should also 'jiggle' the exhaust as you tighten to help everything settle into place.

914s have some little tricks that make them finicky. A 'typical' mechanic doesn't usually have the patience to be methodical and pay attention to details.

Posted by: 914itis Jul 10 2014, 08:53 PM

I agree , I have completed just about everything on the 6, i drive it every time i have a chance at least once a week, it's not the same i am bored, I had to go and get another one to mess with.
My point is the fun is in the repair / restore.

Make it driveable and repair as you go along.

Posted by: funk Jul 10 2014, 09:58 PM

well now looks like someone gave her a good make up job to make her all spiffy leave her and look for a solid roller put all your stuff you can from that car to a restorable roller that will be worth while.all these folks saying these cars are far from techno aren't seeing the beauty in mechanical simplicity. you can make a daily driver out of a 914 and a reliable one at that. look at all the vws out there folks driven them from coast to coast for years (same engine) !! stick with it you'll get there get books learn go on sites learn!! find a mechanic buddy learn!!

Posted by: Larmo63 Jul 10 2014, 11:40 PM

Thanks for the encouragement. The thing that really grabs you by the balls in these cars is the way they drive. I've had 356's, a 912, driven 911's and BMWs, but NOTHING drives like one of these little cars. I want to stick with it, but it's frustrating. I do have to pull the valances to inspect the longs and that prospect is scary. Outta sight, outta mind. (not outta mind when I'm driving it 80mph on the freeway) I do have to make a decision, and I DO love these machines. 914s are awesome, and kind of a "well kept secret" of sportscars.

Posted by: mgp4591 Jul 10 2014, 11:48 PM

Almost everyone has bad jack points, I'm not sure what a suspension console is, and vacuum/exhaust leaks are easier to fix than rust and a clutch is a clutch. Doesn't sound too bad to me, plus you knew the job was dangerous when you took it...

Posted by: Larmo63 Jul 10 2014, 11:54 PM

I actually DIDN'T know what I was getting into when I bought it. I didn't know that I would fall in love with it. I thought I would get it running and flip it.

How it looked when found:
http://s983.photobucket.com/user/Larmo63/media/IMG_2358_zps87ba9f63.jpg.html

Posted by: Hank914 Jul 11 2014, 12:01 AM

I agree in seeing the beauty in these. Some love to wrench the mechanical simplicity. Others like me enjoy the driving. I get 27-30mpg (Dellortos) and covered 1275 miles last weekend and go between 1500 and 5000 miles a month. When you get the mechanicals up to speed it's just miles of smiles, rain, snow or sun.

Posted by: ripper911 Jul 11 2014, 06:09 AM

914 drivers be like






It's worth the effort. Keep in mind that the car doesn't have to be perfect for you to be able to drive it. My DD is falling apart.

Posted by: ben*james Jul 11 2014, 06:48 AM

OP. How did you bring that paint back to life? Looks great.
Park it in the he garage for a few weeks then get back at it. Nice color!

Posted by: bdstone914 Jul 11 2014, 07:41 AM

I have worked on the car and the problem is a poorly made repair by the previous owner. One exhaust stud hole was drilled out out round and oversized. They put in an insert that did not hold. The engine needs to come out and have the hole welded up and correctly redrilled.
The suspension console is very bad and can't tell how far the rust goes.
I agree that the rockets need to be pulled and I full assessment of the problems is needed.

Posted by: eyesright Jul 11 2014, 07:43 AM

I bought a '76 in pretty good condition for a daily driver....but it was tired after all. I had a couple of long distance drives on it but then tore it down. With some help from this forum, and HAM rebuilt heads, Raby cam kit, Rimco crank and parts, nearby junk yard, used parts from WTB and 914 LTD (Brad is great) and there are many other great suppliers on board here, paint and engine-it went on for a year, and then some....

But my other Porsche is an '86 911 (red even!) that is faster, okay, but it sits in the garage, not near as much fun. The 914 is a better car for grins.

And my other DD is an '02 MR-2 with 235k miles on it. Yeah, its a better car, .....but the 914 is still more grins. And 27K miles this last year since it got off the jack stands.

Here's an idea. Buy a cheap Miata to drive while you wrench the 914 to the point its dependable, then park the Miata on a high cliff out of gear....

Anyway, good luck. The fun is in the driving but also in the wrenching and meeting some fine people on the Forum.

Posted by: Chris H. Jul 11 2014, 08:00 AM

+1 All great advice so far. I've been frustrated with my subie build so many times. If you just leave it for a week or so you'll get reinvigorated. Then dig in and see what you have. Assess the rust situation.

Posted by: 76-914 Jul 11 2014, 08:35 AM

One more opinion. The long and console condition plus the exhaust repair make it a parts car. Buy another "good roller" and start switching over parts.

Posted by: 914_teener Jul 11 2014, 10:21 AM

I think you may want to take one of those boards out and surf for a bit to forget about it for a while.....


Then have a BBQ and beers with folks to asses the situation.

Bruce is a good sort so I would listen to what his recommendations are.

A suspension rebuild with the parts will take you at least 6 months to do if you have a day job and family.

IMHO.

Posted by: worn Jul 11 2014, 10:39 AM

When I started I had no clue about how bad things could be. Here is a possible strategy. Get it running right and do not worry about the structure. Even a rusted 914 can be a lot of fun if it runs right. The engines and drive train are well designed and go reliably once the cobwebs are cleared.

I decided to buy another one to really dig into. This will be a six when it is done, and it will also have the rust removed. Meanwhile I can cruise and autocross in the one that runs but has major rust issues.

Of course I like doing the work myself. If you are writing check after check, then you need someone reliable to tell you how long that is gonna last.

Posted by: worn Jul 11 2014, 10:44 AM

I remember the photo, but where is that? You have brought it a long way already looking at the little bastard photo.

Posted by: JRust Jul 11 2014, 11:09 AM

A 914 is one of the greatest cars to drive. Just the feel of it on the road is a joy. I have been in love with them since I saw one on my paper route when I was 12. Fast forward about 30 years & I have owned many. I have had way to many projects I never finished. To many I have bought & sold to help fund my car. To many years of owning 914's & not driving them. A 914 project can be a great thing too. They tend to lose what makes them great when all you do is work on it. Or it spends multiple years on jackstands. Getting a nice solid car you can drive. I think is important to having a successful project. Meaning have 2 cars. One your working to make the ultimate 914 you want. One to drive daily that you can enjoy & inspire you to work on the project.

Posted by: PlantMan Jul 11 2014, 11:44 AM

Hang in there Clint Eastwood!
Your car is sexy compared to my old gal!!!

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=238798&st=0

I am in Mission Viejo we can always get together and share rust stories!

Posted by: sean_v8_914 Jul 11 2014, 11:47 AM

bring it over, ill look it over for free. good news, bad news. ill give ya the straight skinny on ol yeller. ill even provide the shot gun if we need to put him down.

Posted by: Johny Blackstain Jul 11 2014, 12:03 PM

You've put a lot of time & effort into it... I'd keep going but I'd also take my time doing so.

Posted by: hblyle Jul 11 2014, 02:06 PM

I don't know if Bob Marley owned a 914 but this quote always reminds me of mine! Our 914's are priceless and there is an instant bond with anyone who has owned one. Take some time off but don't ever give up! Best of luck my friend with what ever you decide?

Posted by: Larmo63 Jul 11 2014, 05:29 PM

The car project goes forward. Stay tuned....and, thanks for the mental help.

Posted by: race914 Jul 11 2014, 06:11 PM

From Josey Wales

Endeavor to Persevere!

Posted by: wndsnd Jul 11 2014, 08:34 PM

Most excellante! Good decision.

Posted by: Sawfish Jul 22 2014, 11:21 AM

A wise man once told me a well sorted 914 costs 10K.
You can pay up front or make installments ;-)