Printable Version of Topic
Click here to view this topic in its original format
914World.com _ 914World Garage _ There Goes The Neighborhood
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jul 7 2015, 05:21 PM
I'm just "wading" into this project since it rolled off the shipping truck 
99% rust free California car now in SoCal after sitting in a garage for years without being 
. My neighbors are now giving me the "hairy eyeball" since I fired it up to pull it up into the garage....and it was a bit loud 
.
Now taking inventory of what it is 
and making a list of what-to-do and in what order it might be done. I'm starting with draining and renewing all water, oil, brake and transmission fluids. I expect the juices to be a little funky since just sitting unused continues the 'chemistry'.
The wiring looks a little scary too. Many of them in the engine compartment (box behind driver) were cut and lead nowhere. Hum.
It would be good to hear from other V8 'Loons' 
who may be able to help me avoid to much 
.
Let the 914 madness continue!
Posted by: Tom_T Jul 7 2015, 06:29 PM
Oh yeah, I'm sure your posh Newport neighbors just LOVED that! 
So when will it cross our OCR AX, DE, TT, etc. track or Concours grounds? 
Good Luck! 
Tom
///////
Posted by: RobW Jul 7 2015, 11:16 PM
Congrats!
Drive it like you stole it.... and you probably did! 
Posted by: matthepcat Jul 7 2015, 11:31 PM
I wondered if you got it. Congrats!
I would get the cooling system sorted out first and give the engine a tune up.
That thing has the heaviest clutch ever, so I would come up with some sort of hydraulic assist system. I couldn't see driving it in traffic for more than 15 minutes.
Posted by: Perl Jul 8 2015, 07:25 AM
Great project thanks for the picture. Can you tell me the size of the wheels and tires? Any pictures of the engine bay?
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jul 8 2015, 11:13 PM
Oh yeah, I'm sure your posh Newport neighbors just LOVED that!
So when will it cross our OCR AX, DE, TT, etc. track or Concours grounds?
Good Luck!
Tom
///////
Luckily, my immediate neighbor is a car nut
. Before OC C&C shut down we would try to sneak out at dawn in his sled before he solved his cold start issues. The backfires would rattle all the high priced neighbor's designer windows! Here's his small thermo-nuc device 
Posted by: Mueller Jul 8 2015, 11:16 PM
^ 
That is all....
Posted by: Mueller Jul 8 2015, 11:21 PM
BradR...yes, that Brad called me a few days ago, found the for sale thread for your new ride while google'n something and called to remind me that he installed or fine tuned the serpentine belt assembly and that I helped with it at the Palo Alto shop.
I think I vaguely remember that now....I do remember working on a nasty V8 powered 911 at the PA shop and a few other cars there.
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jul 8 2015, 11:31 PM
Congrats!
Drive it like you stole it.... and you probably did!
RobW,
Time will tell if I "stole" this one. "Rescue" was on my mind since the car had been sitting for over 5 years in (dry) storage......
So, after pouring over an old file full of papers, receipts and faded notes up she went on on jack stands for a lookee-lou.
Drained the transmission (930 4sp LSD
) and then refilled with fresh Swepco. The old mystery fluid didn't "taste great and was not less filling" as the old school beer commercial crowed. The magnetic drain plug was a big fuzz ball with a few shards too 
See relative size compared to the thickness of the penny.
What have you folks found hiding on you trans drain plugs?
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jul 8 2015, 11:38 PM
BradR...yes, that Brad called me a few days ago, found the for sale thread for your new ride while google'n something and called to remind me that he installed or fine tuned the serpentine belt assembly and that I helped with it at the Palo Alto shop.
I think I vaguely remember that now....I do remember working on a nasty V8 powered 911 at the PA shop and a few other cars there.
Mueller,
Check out this picture I got. This will bring back his memory. Here it is just before being stuffed up into it's new home. I knew I heard something growling in my garage the first night I closed the door. Hide your daughters
"Something wicked this way Goes".
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jul 8 2015, 11:46 PM
Great project thanks for the picture. Can you tell me the size of the wheels and tires? Any pictures of the engine bay?
Perl,
Car rolled off the transport with Fiske (9"front 235/45/17 & 11"back 275/40/17 ):
Posted by: Mueller Jul 8 2015, 11:52 PM
I had the same model Fikse rims on my old 964...don't do what I did!
Came home after a fun run, brakes and wheels still hot and I decided to wash the car, I sprayed alloy wheel cleaner on the fronts while still hot and discolored center section badly!
I couldn't repair with simple Mothers polish by hand 
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jul 9 2015, 12:06 AM
I wondered if you got it. Congrats!
I would get the cooling system sorted out first and give the engine a tune up.
That thing has the heaviest clutch ever, so I would come up with some sort of hydraulic assist system. I couldn't see driving it in traffic for more than 15 minutes.
Hi Matt,
You helped in several ways. Thanks.
Well, all fluids, including the cooling system is on my mind after knowing the car sat in dry storage for years. I thought it would be simple to drain out whatever was in the car but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ... that would be too easy.
The V8 radiator setup is "remote" BUT no (lowest point) petcock was built in. Here's the lowest point. Kind of "cool" (to turn a phrase) and bizarro in another sense
Anyone know an aluminum welder? Seems like drilling a hole then welding a threaded "bung" on the end with drain plug screwed into it would be the way to go
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jul 9 2015, 12:17 AM
I had the same model Fikse rims on my old 964...don't do what I did!
Came home after a fun run, brakes and wheels still hot and I decided to wash the car, I sprayed alloy wheel cleaner on the fronts while still hot and discolored center section badly!
I couldn't repair with simple Mothers polish by hand
Mueller,
Jeez, I did the same stupid
trick a million years ago to these shoes:[attachmentid=507599]
Cramped up both arms rubbing out (so to speak) the rims with every kind of paste I could find.
Posted by: matthepcat Jul 9 2015, 12:25 AM
I suggest getting rid of those aluminum box tubes and run gates hose. That way if you bottom out they bounce back rather than kink and stay kinked. More than likely there is air in the system which is causing the car to run warm and you should vent through the fenders or hood. (The floor is not the best).
If you don't plan to track the car I would suggest a different cage to make access to the car easier. (I found it tough to get in)
Fantastic brakes on the car huh?
I wondered if you got it. Congrats!
I would get the cooling system sorted out first and give the engine a tune up.
That thing has the heaviest clutch ever, so I would come up with some sort of hydraulic assist system. I couldn't see driving it in traffic for more than 15 minutes.
Hi Matt,
You helped in several ways. Thanks.
Well, all fluids, including the cooling system is on my mind after knowing the car sat in dry storage for years. I thought it would be simple to drain out whatever was in the car but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ... that would be too easy.
The V8 radiator setup is "remote" BUT no (lowest point) petcock was built in. Here's the lowest point. Kind of "cool" (to turn a phrase) and bizarro in another sense
Anyone know an aluminum welder? Seems like drilling a hole then welding a threaded "bung" on the end with drain plug screwed into it would be the way to go
Posted by: Chris H. Jul 9 2015, 07:44 AM
[quote name='matthepcat' date='Jul 9 2015, 01:25 AM' post='2207930']
I suggest getting rid of those aluminum box tubes and run gates hose. That way if you bottom out they bounce back rather than kink and stay kinked. More than likely there is air in the system which is causing the car to run warm...
[quote]
That's the one thing I didn't like about that setup. It's very likely trapping air from the looks of it. One good knock and you'd be spilling coolant everywhere. Pull all that off and just get some gates green stripe hoses and you'll like it a lot better. Easy and inexpensive fix. Then you can tee a fitting in at the lowest point.
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jul 9 2015, 10:51 AM
I suggest getting rid of those aluminum box tubes and run gates hose. That way if you bottom out they bounce back rather than kink and stay kinked. More than likely there is air in the system which is causing the car to run warm and you should vent through the fenders or hood. (The floor is not the best).
If you don't plan to track the car I would suggest a different cage to make access to the car easier. (I found it tough to get in)
Fantastic brakes on the car huh?
I wondered if you got it. Congrats!
I would get the cooling system sorted out first and give the engine a tune up.
That thing has the heaviest clutch ever, so I would come up with some sort of hydraulic assist system. I couldn't see driving it in traffic for more than 15 minutes.
Hi Matt,
You helped in several ways. Thanks.
Well, all fluids, including the cooling system is on my mind after knowing the car sat in dry storage for years. I thought it would be simple to drain out whatever was in the car but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ... that would be too easy.
The V8 radiator setup is "remote" BUT no (lowest point) petcock was built in. Here's the lowest point. Kind of "cool" (to turn a phrase) and bizarro in another sense
Anyone know an aluminum welder? Seems like drilling a hole then welding a threaded "bung" on the end with drain plug screwed into it would be the way to go
These water tubes are unusual. However, after researching the material's technical specs I think it would be difficult to crush/kink them closed. It appears that the hit would have to be so powerful something REALLY serious is going on...like a crash. Tearing off one of the supporting bracket or an end fitting is a possibility too. Hum.
Air in system?
I'm sure you are right. The highest point in the H20 system has a combination of 'kluggey' rusty steel pipes, hoses and clamps.
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jul 9 2015, 11:00 AM
More evidence of AIR/OXYGEN with water making trouble:
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jul 9 2015, 11:17 AM
[quote name='Chris H.' date='Jul 9 2015, 06:44 AM' post='2207985']
[quote name='matthepcat' date='Jul 9 2015, 01:25 AM' post='2207930']
I suggest getting rid of those aluminum box tubes and run gates hose. That way if you bottom out they bounce back rather than kink and stay kinked. More than likely there is air in the system which is causing the car to run warm...
[quote]
That's the one thing I didn't like about that setup. It's very likely trapping air from the looks of it. One good knock and you'd be spilling coolant everywhere. Pull all that off and just get some gates green stripe hoses and you'll like it a lot better. Easy and inexpensive fix. Then you can tee a fitting in at the lowest point.
[/quote]
Chris,
Here's my temporary lowest water drain point "Macgyver" style.
Posted by: Chris H. Jul 9 2015, 11:36 AM
That'll work 
. The car's been sitting for a while, right? That might be when the rust set in. I'd definitely get rid of that aluminum square tubing setup. New hoses and inlets, probably run a lot cooler.
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jul 9 2015, 11:37 AM
Matt,
Fantastic brakes?
The fronts look like a "stoppie" might be possible!
The rears don't look to whimpy either. I wonder if someone recognizes their origin. 944? 
Posted by: Larmo63 Jul 9 2015, 11:41 AM
Go drive it down Marine on Balboa Island.
They'll love it.
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jul 9 2015, 11:41 AM
BradR...yes, that Brad called me a few days ago, found the for sale thread for your new ride while google'n something and called to remind me that he installed or fine tuned the serpentine belt assembly and that I helped with it at the Palo Alto shop.
I think I vaguely remember that now....I do remember working on a nasty V8 powered 911 at the PA shop and a few other cars there.
Hey Mueller,
Here's another shot of the system.......
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jul 9 2015, 11:49 AM
Go drive it down Marine on Balboa Island.
They'll love it.
................ya think I should address these "ricers" first or just set off every car and home alarm on the Island?
Posted by: blackmoon Jul 9 2015, 12:11 PM
Go drive it down Marine on Balboa Island.
They'll love it.
................ya think I should address these "ricers" first or just set off every car and home alarm on the Island?
Release the thunder
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jul 9 2015, 12:31 PM
Go drive it down Marine on Balboa Island.
They'll love it.
................ya think I should address these "ricers" first or just set off every car and home alarm on the Island?
Release the thunder
Release these
?When I lite off these 'cannons' to pull into the garage the neighbors were fingering their cells ... I think 9-1-1 was on their minds not admiration for 9-1-4 ...
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jul 9 2015, 06:07 PM
That'll work
. The car's been sitting for a while, right? That might be when the rust set in. I'd definitely get rid of that aluminum square tubing setup. New hoses and inlets, probably run a lot cooler.Yep, it's redesign time. This closed system cooling 'jewel' will allow water to expand and then suck it back into the piping.
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 9 2015, 05:11 PM
Changed the oil since car has been sitting 5+ years. BUT, I put new oil filter on and by the next morning it's dripping (up on stands) @ yellow arrow ABOVE the rubber filter seal 
Hum.....tore it apart and stared at this dohicky:
I removed, broke it down and inspected the pieces:
That black rubber piece looks ok but I did not like the design when researching for alternatives. Here's what the engine block looks like without abouve and the here's the alternative:
This setup uses a wider filter AND it's rubber gasket makes direct contact with the block thus eliminating the earlier extra gasket.
NO MORE LEAKING 
Posted by: tomrev Aug 9 2015, 06:43 PM
I like this oil filter adapter; what brand / part # is it? My SBC is waiting a dyno session, then going into the 914, and this style is a cleaner alternative. Thanks!
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 9 2015, 07:36 PM
I like this oil filter adapter; what brand / part # is it? My SBC is waiting a dyno session, then going into the 914, and this style is a cleaner alternative. Thanks!
The Chevy stealership will nick you for about $40 but if you check out ebay, Jegs, Summit you will see the one I have EVERYWHERE. Hit "Images" on Google search for SBC oil filter adaptor and see the examples. Notice the allen bolts on the new setup? Well, I had to buy a "claw" wrench to get to the standard bolt head pictured on the old setup. Why you may ask? I do not know how the PO got the old set up bolted to the block because they are not only recessed into the block's openning BUT there is NO, NONE, NILO clearance between the bolt head and the side of the curved cutout for a socket set
. Get the SAE allen setup ONLY........or if you can find smaller hex head bolts that allow clearance that would work....jeez, why bother? Go Allen....then you are done forever
Attach some pictures of your sled ..........
Posted by: tomrev Aug 10 2015, 03:24 PM
Thanks for the info! Here are a few photo's of the old girl:
Posted by: tomrev Aug 10 2015, 03:26 PM
The motivation
]
Posted by: tomrev Aug 10 2015, 03:29 PM
Sorry for multi-posts; can't seem to get more than one photo per. Final shot of exterior.
Posted by: SirAndy Aug 10 2015, 03:33 PM
BradR...yes, that Brad called me a few days ago, found the for sale thread for your new ride while google'n something and called to remind me that he installed or fine tuned the serpentine belt assembly and that I helped with it at the Palo Alto shop.
I think I vaguely remember that now....
That car DOES look familiar. I spent a lot of time at the Palo Alto shop and i do remember several V8 cars there.
Who was the previous owner? Maybe the name will ring a bell ...
Posted by: Mueller Aug 10 2015, 03:46 PM
BradR...yes, that Brad called me a few days ago, found the for sale thread for your new ride while google'n something and called to remind me that he installed or fine tuned the serpentine belt assembly and that I helped with it at the Palo Alto shop.
I think I vaguely remember that now....
That car DOES look familiar. I spent a lot of time at the Palo Alto shop and i do remember several V8 cars there.
Who was the previous owner? Maybe the name will ring a bell ...
Mike Pickle(s?) , he was a friend of Hatfield that had the silver monster V8 914 up in Woodland.
Do you remember that super loud V8 911? I think it was owned by a CHP or police officer.
Posted by: SirAndy Aug 10 2015, 04:09 PM
Do you remember that super loud V8 911? I think it was owned by a CHP or police officer.
Damn, i actually helped Mike and Brad put that motor together at Mike's place!
I always wondered what had happened to his car after he died ...
PS: And i do remember the CHP v8 911, that car was a beast.
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 10 2015, 04:33 PM
This red/pink 914 was last owned by "Mike Pickle" (RIP).
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 10 2015, 04:34 PM
Tomrev
Very nice car
Posted by: SirAndy Aug 10 2015, 04:46 PM
This red/pink 914 was last owned by "Mike Pickle" (RIP).
Dave Darling, Mike Pickels and Bill Pickering helping me picking up my 3.6L engine from Jerry Woods.
Still can't believe he's gone ...
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 10 2015, 05:22 PM
Here's part of the cooling design that came with the car:
Note the round grey sheet metal disk. 
There is one 2.5" on each front wheel well. My guess is that this wild ducting, including the fiberglass shroud and trunk floor removal, was the second attempt to vent the radiator when the small holes did not do the job.
I removed the ducting to expose this:
Time to find front truck sheet metal and weld it back up.
Anybody got a lead on that piece of steel?
Next, I need to decide on better venting 
I like hot air rising up to vent(s) on the top of the hood...but I'm not sure about how it would look.
This looks like what could have been done if more holes had been cut the first time.
I could do this. I like the remaining strength of the wheel well assuming the holes are far enough apart. It would also leave nice attachment points for critter screen guards.
Would love to hear 
from the water cool guys on their experiences 
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 10 2015, 05:37 PM
Thanks for the info! Here are a few photo's of the old girl:
Tell me about that battery holder............
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 10 2015, 05:41 PM
Do you remember that super loud V8 911? I think it was owned by a CHP or police officer.
Damn, i actually helped Mike and Brad put that motor together at Mike's place!
I always wondered what had happened to his car after he died ...
PS: And i do remember the CHP v8 911, that car was a beast.
I have an old file with lots of notes .......... some hard to understand
It would be great to know anything you may be able to share about the engine so that I can avoid trouble...
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 10 2015, 05:44 PM
The motivation
]
@tomrev
Your motor looks nice. What can you tell me about it?
Posted by: SirAndy Aug 10 2015, 05:50 PM
It would be great to know anything you may be able to share about the engine so that I can avoid trouble...
Unfortunately, i don't remember any details. It's been many years since the PA shop days.
Posted by: Chris H. Aug 10 2015, 05:59 PM
Sorry for multi-posts; can't seem to get more than one photo per. Final shot of exterior.
Nice car. Really nice. Love the front valance. Where's it from?
Dang MikeP was a young man
. Nice to see his car getting finished.
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 10 2015, 06:03 PM
It would be great to know anything you may be able to share about the engine so that I can avoid trouble...
Unfortunately, i don't remember any details. It's been many years since the PA shop days.
Ok. Thanks.
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 10 2015, 06:10 PM
Sorry for multi-posts; can't seem to get more than one photo per. Final shot of exterior.
Nice car. Really nice. Love the front valance. Where's it from?
Dang MikeP was a young man
. Nice to see his car getting finished.I'm de-constructing some of Mike's car to optimize his designs. He collected many good parts/ideas. It appears that some of the original ideas had been re-worked several times.
Posted by: tomrev Aug 10 2015, 06:20 PM
BradR...yes, that Brad called me a few days ago, found the for sale thread for your new ride while google'n something and called to remind me that he installed or fine tuned the serpentine belt assembly and that I helped with it at the Palo Alto shop.
I think I vaguely remember that now....
That car DOES look familiar. I spent a lot of time at the Palo Alto shop and i do remember several V8 cars there.
Who was the previous owner? Maybe the name will ring a bell …
The car had spent it's entire life in the Chicago area, but had been apart since around 2008. I bought it in March of 2014, fixed up some small issues, then installed the 911 suspension, Fuchs, back dated the bumpers, and put a new 383 Chevy into her. Knowing the big motor is going to be too much, I have found a uncompleted 283 short block, and have finished the build with Al. heads, better valve train, etc. and hope to have her rolling again in a few weeks with the smaller, way over square 283. I like the bark of these motors, and the transaxle will be happier as well!
Posted by: matthepcat Aug 10 2015, 06:21 PM
Mike's wife said that he spent more money on the 914 in trying to get it how he wanted it than the Lotus Elise he bought her back in the day.
I guess multiple revisions of the car adds up to a lot of $$$
Posted by: tomrev Aug 10 2015, 06:25 PM
Thanks for the info! Here are a few photo's of the old girl:
Tell me about that battery holder............
The battery holder is a Optima kit; but I much prefer the little Odysseybattery's, so made some Al. mods to accommodate the smaller Odessy. Every Odessy I have ever owned is still working; I have one from 1999 in my Elise!!!
Posted by: SirAndy Aug 10 2015, 06:27 PM
I was talking about the red car ...
Posted by: tomrev Aug 10 2015, 06:32 PM
@tomrev
Your motor looks nice. What can you tell me about it?
Well, it's for sale, having just pulled it out with about 60 miles from new. (I wanted a small Chevy originally, but could not find a builder who I could trust, then found Smedding, who start with all new block, crank, etc. and build and dyno all their motors before selling. It is a 383, 417HP, 460 ft. lbs, 9 to 1 comp. Very cool motor, but with trans twisting potential. No sooner did I get it running, than I ran into a fresh 283 short block, at a great price, and local, so have the car up in the air, and will take my beating on the 383. Cost was 5K, and I will try for $4200. 'ish.
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 10 2015, 11:19 PM
BradR...yes, that Brad called me a few days ago, found the for sale thread for your new ride while google'n something and called to remind me that he installed or fine tuned the serpentine belt assembly and that I helped with it at the Palo Alto shop.
I think I vaguely remember that now....
That car DOES look familiar. I spent a lot of time at the Palo Alto shop and i do remember several V8 cars there.
Who was the previous owner? Maybe the name will ring a bell …
The car had spent it's entire life in the Chicago area, but had been apart since around 2008. I bought it in March of 2014, fixed up some small issues, then installed the 911 suspension, Fuchs, back dated the bumpers, and put a new 383 Chevy into her. Knowing the big motor is going to be too much, I have found a uncompleted 283 short block, and have finished the build with Al. heads, better valve train, etc. and hope to have her rolling again in a few weeks with the smaller, way over square 283. I like the bark of these motors, and the transaxle will be happier as well!
"Bark" is good
283 can be built to run/rev SBC 383 can be WAY too much if roll bar/cage does not exist ... and if NOT tied to suspension or close by the torque/twist would fold up a 914 like a Coors can ... just before the transaxle shreds
... UNLESS it's a Pantera/930 or similiar 
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 10 2015, 11:21 PM
Thanks for the info! Here are a few photo's of the old girl:
Tell me about that battery holder............
The battery holder is a Optima kit; but I much prefer the little Odysseybattery's, so made some Al. mods to accommodate the smaller Odessy. Every Odessy I have ever owned is still working; I have one from 1999 in my Elise!!!
Way cool............send me a few more pics when able of your battery set up
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 10 2015, 11:25 PM
Mike's wife said that he spent more money on the 914 in trying to get it how he wanted it than the Lotus Elise he bought her back in the day.
I guess multiple revisions of the car adds up to a lot of $$$
Thanks again for your earlier help.
BYW............I found out why you thought the car was sprung "soft" compared to yours....there was 10lbs of air in the tires after 5 years in storage
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 10 2015, 11:27 PM
I was talking about the red car ...
Yours or my "pink" one........?
Posted by: Andyrew Aug 11 2015, 07:33 AM
Thanks for the info! Here are a few photo's of the old girl:
Are those radiator lines running through the gas tank ?
Posted by: 76-914 Aug 11 2015, 08:37 AM
Here's part of the cooling design that came with the car:
Note the round grey sheet metal disk.
There is one 2.5" on each front wheel well. My guess is that this wild ducting, including the fiberglass shroud and trunk floor removal, was the second attempt to vent the radiator when the small holes did not do the job.
I removed the ducting to expose this:
Time to find front truck sheet metal and weld it back up.
Anybody got a lead on that piece of steel?
Next, I need to decide on better venting
I like hot air rising up to vent(s) on the top of the hood...but I'm not sure about how it would look.
This looks like what could have been done if more holes had been cut the first time.
I could do this. I like the remaining strength of the wheel well assuming the holes are far enough apart. It would also leave nice attachment points for critter screen guards.
Would love to hear
from the water cool guys on their experiences I'm running mine like that. Remember to weld a reinforcement strip around your cutout area on the wheel wells. I believe I have more holes but it's hard to tell from that pic. I installed the louvered floor pan as well. IIRC, the ratio is 1.7 to 1 (outgoing area/incoming area number)
Posted by: tomrev Aug 11 2015, 09:28 AM
Thanks for the info! Here are a few photo's of the old girl:
Are those radiator lines running through the gas tank ?
I was wondering if that would get noticed; yeah, a bit of work, but it made a much smoother path towards the rad. The cooling lines run along both long's, hidden behind the rocker covers, so under the car looks stock. Steel tubing runs thru both sides of the tank, welded in place, and the coolant lines are insulated to keep the heat from being an issue. High points of the line have bleeder nipples on both sides, so she fills up and purges the trapped air pretty easily.
Posted by: Andyrew Aug 11 2015, 10:28 AM
Can we get some pics of the fuel tank mods? Personally I would never do that but boy that is some fancy fab work!!!
Posted by: tomrev Aug 11 2015, 10:43 AM
Can we get some pics of the fuel tank mods? Personally I would never do that but boy that is some fancy fab work!!!
Thanks! With the tank installed, not much can be seen, but I can try a few closer shots. A pair of 3in. curved exhaust pipe was slipped in and welded to make the channels. The guy who I bought it from did it, so that mod I can't claim; he made small, beautiful bits on a Bridgport mill, and tucked them all over the car, my favorite thing about the car, and spent a lot of time running the coolant lines on either side, as mentioned. I had to re-do all his wiring 'tho, and finish up the car. I'v been working on a pair of 914-8 projects for the last 6 years, one LS powered, and this one, but haven't done much 914 driving in 15 years, so am looking forward to having her back on the road!
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 11 2015, 10:23 PM
Thanks for the info! Here are a few photo's of the old girl:
Are those radiator lines running through the gas tank ?
Now that would be exciting..........but NO...........they are self contained in boxed aluminum squares.......a very interesting and controversial design idea.
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 11 2015, 10:25 PM
Can we get some pics of the fuel tank mods? Personally I would never do that but boy that is some fancy fab work!!!
Thanks! With the tank installed, not much can be seen, but I can try a few closer shots. A pair of 3in. curved exhaust pipe was slipped in and welded to make the channels. The guy who I bought it from did it, so that mod I can't claim; he made small, beautiful bits on a Bridgport mill, and tucked them all over the car, my favorite thing about the car, and spent a lot of time running the coolant lines on either side, as mentioned. I had to re-do all his wiring 'tho, and finish up the car. I'v been working on a pair of 914-8 projects for the last 6 years, one LS powered, and this one, but haven't done much 914 driving in 15 years, so am looking forward to having her back on the road!
@tomrev
I want to learn more about your experiences.......and look forward to hearing more about your v8.
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 11 2015, 10:27 PM
Mike's wife said that he spent more money on the 914 in trying to get it how he wanted it than the Lotus Elise he bought her back in the day.
I guess multiple revisions of the car adds up to a lot of $$$
...........and a LOTUS guy too
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 12 2015, 11:58 AM
Can we get some pics of the fuel tank mods? Personally I would never do that but boy that is some fancy fab work!!!
Thanks! With the tank installed, not much can be seen, but I can try a few closer shots. A pair of 3in. curved exhaust pipe was slipped in and welded to make the channels. The guy who I bought it from did it, so that mod I can't claim; he made small, beautiful bits on a Bridgport mill, and tucked them all over the car, my favorite thing about the car, and spent a lot of time running the coolant lines on either side, as mentioned. I had to re-do all his wiring 'tho, and finish up the car. I'v been working on a pair of 914-8 projects for the last 6 years, one LS powered, and this one, but haven't done much 914 driving in 15 years, so am looking forward to having her back on the road!
Love it...do you have a "build" thread going?
Posted by: tomrev Aug 12 2015, 02:02 PM
Nope, the silver LS powered car was finished and sold last Summer, so I could make space for the black car. I usually forget to take any photo's till it's too late, and things are covered up; hate to stop working! The black car only has 20K original miles, and has been a V8 car since it was almost new. Apparently, a small engine bay fire at 7K miles caused it to go back to the dealership, and then get sold cheap to a young guy in Chicago, who converted it to Chevy power. It stayed within a group of friends for all those years, but sat disassembled from around 2008, till I got her in March 2014, and started in. From 1984 till '98 I had a Six, which ended up with a built 3.0 that I really loved, and had the urge to get a project 914 again some years back, so Blackie is proving a lot of fun. I will post some detail photos when the 283 is back in. Thanks for your comments!
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Aug 13 2015, 11:27 AM
Cool in black....and not seen a lot in CA.
Where did the 914-8 rear letter come from...I may like to get that too
Posted by: pdlightning Oct 25 2015, 09:36 PM
Cool in black....and not seen a lot in CA.
Where did the 914-8 rear letter come from...I may like to get that too
I like it also!
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Oct 27 2015, 06:37 PM
I have been working on the brakes since the fluid was probably not changed for 5 years. My brakes are all non-914 so the 14mm booster will be replaced with a sourced 19mm.
A problem surfaced when I decided to upgrade to these:
Here's the problem:
Notice the material "taken" by the threads? It was VERY difficult to remove this bleed nipple. I used a breaker bar on the wrench but only turned it slightly and then waited after a PB spray to keep cool....I did not want to break it off. I think the PO or service folks accidently overtightened it. I am hoping to retap/clean the caliper to install new item above but I have this repair kit if that does not seal correctly:
Posted by: ed11181 Nov 27 2015, 09:09 PM
I went crazy trying to get the temp under 200 degrees and then I decided to try reverse louvers. It worked! Car runs at 180 degrees and never goes higher even on a 90 degree day. Creates a low pressure system that sucks hot air out through the hood. I think that a reverse scoop would also work.
[attachmentid=529319] 
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Nov 28 2015, 10:46 AM
That looks good. I'm probably going to punch out inner front wheel wells then "dimple" them for a finished look with this item borrowed from a good friend.
Posted by: sb914 Nov 28 2015, 11:24 AM
White twin,A guy approached me this am at cars n coffee he said he's your neighbor
Cool guy I forgot to get his name.
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Dec 28 2015, 03:14 PM
Must have been "Jim".....that's his dimple tool AND here's some of the results!
1] Used small sawzal to cut dark grey fiberglass shroud that held duct tape to silver flex home heater piping!
Before:
After:
2] Cutting and dippling the cut out holes should provide enough venting and if not I will make more holes.
Posted by: matthepcat Dec 28 2015, 03:39 PM
That should be more than enough venting to cool the motor. If you still run hot, start looking else where. I still think the 90 degree connection to those aluminum pipes running under the car is not the best for flow.
If the car does have a thermostat, make sure you drill an additional flow hole ( renegade sells them pre-drilled)
Get the air out of the system and you should be good to go.
Posted by: Andyrew Dec 28 2015, 04:39 PM
Make sure you have a lip before the hole in the trunk to prevent air from coming in from the bottom of the car. You want that trunk to be a low pressure area to allow air flow naturally.
I agree about the 90 deg fittings. Might be a good idea to custom bend some metal lines to flow more naturally.
Also make sure your running some HEAVY guage wire with a relay to those fans. Seen many a v8 conversion with burned/melting fan wires.
Posted by: Mike Bellis Dec 28 2015, 06:41 PM
If there is ANY path for air to get around the radiator, it will. Your fenders should be enough as is. Seal up the trunk floor.
You also need to check water flow and figure out the temperature differential at the radiator. Is the rad scalding hot? Or is the engine scalding hot?
You also need to vacuum any possible air out of the system. When you think you are done, do it again, and again.
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Mar 23 2016, 12:50 PM
Got and installed the LED front upgrade from the 914World vendor.
Note intensity of left vs right from the front. NICE!
Posted by: Hoppie944s2 Mar 23 2016, 02:04 PM
I went crazy trying to get the temp under 200 degrees and then I decided to try reverse louvers. It worked! Car runs at 180 degrees and never goes higher even on a 90 degree day. Creates a low pressure system that sucks hot air out through the hood. I think that a reverse scoop would also work.
[attachmentid=529319] what wheels are on this car?
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Apr 10 2016, 03:56 PM
I thought I was so smart!
My brake Master Cyl DOES say "14" on the part that can be seen from under the car. So, I bought a new "19" to to compliment the Big Black 911 brakes.
Here's the new one clearly marked "19" at the red arrow on the part you cannot see when installed and no "19" is seen anywhere else on the main body:
Surprise!
I started to pull out the old "14" (see yellow arrow) and their is "19" (see red arrow) in the same location as the new one described above!
HELP! Is the old one a 14 or 19
Posted by: matthepcat Apr 10 2016, 10:11 PM
Its a 19mm. There is no 14mm version. (Stock was 17mm)
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Apr 10 2016, 10:59 PM
Matt,
Thanks and how werid is it to have a 14 casted into the main area where it can be seen??
........ at least I'm ready with a spare if ever needed.
Posted by: matthepcat Apr 10 2016, 11:19 PM
Lol, agree. I am sure some guru here knows the answer.
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jun 2 2016, 12:58 PM
Decided to cut an access hole in the rear firewall/bulkhead to get a closer look at the the water going in and out of the 'front' of the engine. The passenger side was looking a bit green and the other side was fine. I decided to find some alloy items to replace these black items that seem to be injected out of some plastic type material.
Here's the hole:
Interestingly, the new alloy seemed to go into the block with some unexpected resistance. I looked closely to see "hair" being machined off the alloy's thread due to galling of it's surface from a slightly oversized washer on the fitting next to it! I removed bolt and replaced washer with a slightly smaller diameter to clear the alloy male threads. 
Worked out ok.
Posted by: jb6000 Apr 26 2020, 10:38 PM
I like the Manta, I have a white one. And a 72 914.
Posted by: whitetwinturbo Sep 5 2021, 08:20 PM
I like the Manta, I have a white one. And a 72 914.
Send me pictures of your white Manta!
Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)