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Posted by: mr2by4 Oct 6 2015, 07:41 PM

I have a 1971 914 that I bought with a weak motor(rod knock) and tired tranny(tail shifter). I sourced a 1911 and side shifter box for it. I started to pull the motor (did not get far) and my personal life has gotten in the way. I have decided that discretion is the better part of valor and I will just pay somebody to do the heavy lifting on the motor and tranny swap, but when I called Joe at Mustard Racing, it looks like he is unavailable for 6 months and may not be available at all any more.
Is there anybody else that is not unreasonable in rate and is reliable in the DFW area (prefer the west side since I am in FW)?
I don't mind somebody moonlighting and I have my own garage and lift if that is an issue, I just have NO TIME to do it myself.
I don't want to sell it in pieces, and I don't want to leave it to rot in the shop. Anybody with an alternative please message me.
PS I know it is only a couple of days to do this if I am diligent, but I don't have enough free minutes strung together to make any progress. I would if I could. I am not afraid, just really don't have the time. I have not had an opportunity to work on it in over 6 months.
thanks!

Posted by: Tom_T Oct 6 2015, 07:45 PM

Zimm's!


Tom
///////

Posted by: mr2by4 Oct 6 2015, 08:50 PM

So I know that Zimm's and/or Mayo's are obvious choices, but I am afraid that the cost will become prohibitive. I intend to contact them tomorrow to see, but I am less optimistic about my budget. If it is cheaper to part out what I have and buy a runner, it seems silly to not do that.

Posted by: Dave_Darling Oct 6 2015, 09:46 PM

If you can free up a weekend, try throwing a BBQ. With a bunch of people there, you can get a surprising amount of work done...

--DD

Posted by: bandjoey Oct 6 2015, 10:54 PM

Mayo is a 914 specialist. Don't know the cost but get a estimate anyway.

Posted by: Grelber Oct 7 2015, 04:55 AM

Jay Hildreth at H & H Performance in Plano.

Posted by: mr2by4 Oct 7 2015, 05:11 AM

Do you want pictures of the shop or of the motor not in the car?

Posted by: mr2by4 Oct 11 2015, 02:01 PM

Is it bad when my request for a quote on removing old motor and installing new motor is met with the comment "unless it is a perfect rust free example it is probably not worth the expense".
I may still call to follow up and get an actual number, but that seems pretty discouraging.

Posted by: 02loftsmoor Oct 11 2015, 02:54 PM

There are a few of us in Ft. Worth that can help you out, it only took me 2hr to remove and I had never had did it before.

Posted by: patssle Oct 11 2015, 03:39 PM

5 years ago I was calling around getting 914-6 conversion quotes. It was somebody in DFW and I think it was Mayo but they told me to just buy a Boxster instead. Not exactly the more encouraging.

And 5 years later I do indeed have a Boxster AND a 914-6.

Posted by: mr2by4 Oct 11 2015, 05:29 PM

So this is a possibility. I could order every conceivable part I might need and have a BBQ at my place. Invite over a couple of guys who know better what order this should all go in and also get to know the area club members. That way, even if we fail to get it all together, I did not waste a day. It also would give me an excuse to schedule the time to work on it.
Should I pick a weekend in November and start gathering craft beers and 914 parts for the occasion?

Posted by: The Cabinetmaker Oct 11 2015, 05:47 PM

There ya go! 914 world to the rescue.

Posted by: ClayPerrine Oct 13 2015, 05:18 PM

Count me in.... I have done this a few times in the last 30 years......

Posted by: ClayPerrine Oct 13 2015, 05:22 PM

Oh, and I forgot to mention...

This weekend would be a good time to get your parts. Zim's is hosting the DFW Porsche swap meet on Saturday. They also have discounts on new parts for the event.

I will be there with a bunch of junk valuable 914 parts to sell.

Posted by: mr2by4 Oct 13 2015, 07:16 PM

I hope to make it out. I need to get a good list of the bushings etc that I should be getting for my new sideshifter and see if they have all of those. I am confident that I can get all of the parts I will need to get the motor in(since I have a running motor coming out), but I fear that I will overlook something on the tranny.

Is the weekend before Thanksgiving a good idea or bad idea?
Is there a good place to post a regional invitation on the forum?

Posted by: david63 Oct 13 2015, 07:24 PM

Rich Lambert is a great mechanic. PM me for info. He is good and he is fairly priced. His shop is in Benbrook. He has been working on early air cooled only for over 30 yrs.

Posted by: mr2by4 Oct 13 2015, 07:33 PM

I wish you had told me that sooner. I just got permission from the wife to have a car bbq. While Rich would be the path of least resistance, and probably have the best end result, I am now kind of excited about getting to spend the day with a bunch of guys who appreciate the quality of dirt and grime that only an old, air-cooled, oily German motor can produce.

Proposed date is 11/21/2015
location is SW Fort Worth (near Hulen Mall), all are welcome, adult and non adult beverages will be provided. I will fire up the grill and produce charred meat of several varieties.
I have 914 themed thank you gifts for those who are getting dirty, chairs and camaraderie for those who just want to watch.
If I can get at least 2 people who RSVP that they can help, then I will say it is a go. I figure with 2 or 3 people who know what is going on, we should be able to make some serious headway before the beer and BBQ make us too sleepy to work.
Who is in?

Posted by: bandjoey Oct 13 2015, 09:21 PM

I'm a Tue Sun days off guy. I might uget the day off so it's a maybe for now. Sunday cleanup if it's not all done? Leftover BBQ is ok too

Posted by: theleschyouknow Oct 14 2015, 09:08 AM

if I'm available, I am in
I don't know of anything I have goin on but I am not really in charge of my weekend schedule
I don't have much experience with ac cars & I'm pretty much a R&R mechanic but I can follow directions and I'd love chance get some experience
oh & I am close -off 183 in Ridglea Hills area

cjl

Posted by: 02loftsmoor Oct 14 2015, 09:42 PM

Darn, I didn't knew about Zims swap meet, I'm in the Charlotte area on business.
Let us know on the engine swap.
I'm in Keller

817 715 3436

Posted by: mr2by4 Oct 15 2015, 10:01 AM

If you think that you could make it on Nov 21. That is the plan for the swap party. I may get my car together, but at the least its an excuse for a party!

Posted by: Cody914 Oct 15 2015, 06:46 PM

If you have Clay going then you are in great hands and will probably get a whole lot more done than you would ever expect! I will try to make it out too and lend a hand as well. I think Clay could probably pull the engine blind folded, maybe we should test him and see...

Posted by: mr2by4 Oct 15 2015, 07:35 PM

Let's hope that my date works with Clay's schedule. If not, maybe I should reschedule! I will find out for sure this weekend at the swap meet.
How late does that usually run? If I can't get by until after lunch is it a loss? I usually try to get there super early but this year I don't think that I can.

Posted by: Rob-O Oct 17 2015, 06:40 AM

Let me check my schedule. Scratch that, let me check the kids schedules. I'll try to come out as well. I'm in Mansfield, so not too far. What all do you need part wise? Maybe I have some things on hand.

Posted by: Rob-O Oct 17 2015, 07:19 PM

Well that was easy...I'm in.

Posted by: ClayPerrine Oct 17 2015, 10:17 PM

Wow! Cody has a lot of faith in me........

I can't do it blindfolded, but I can certainly get it done quickly. If you want, we can make this a tech session on how to remove and reinstall a 914 motor.

Anyone have a camera we can setup? If you have good bandwidth, we can live stream it so everyone on here can watch.

Posted by: Rob-O Oct 17 2015, 11:26 PM

I have a nice DSLR, but can't really stream with that.

Also, if you want to spend more time on the car and less in front of a grill, let me know. I can bring pizza (own a pizzeria here in Mansfield).

After your car, in going to try this. My car looks great, needs work. It runs like total crap, 009 distributor, not timed correctly and has a crappy single barrel carb. Plus a ton of exhaust leaks and a (too loud for me) Sebring exhaust system. Not to mention I need to replace the clutch cable and replace the MC. But I'm in the same boat, no time!!