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Posted by: andrewck Jul 26 2020, 11:30 AM

Greeting from Denver. I was at a 996 meetup a few weeks ago and started talking to a guy selling his 914 project car. A week later, I am said owner of a 1975 Laguna Blue 914 with two 2.0L motors, a couple of transmissions, and lots of parts to put it together. To top it all off, I made a new friend in the PO and have had a warm welcome into the 914 world.

PO spent a lot of money and effort to addressing rust so I'm starting off with a fantastic chassis. I'm spoiled as I come from the 996 world where I don't have to worry about many of the issues that come with 45+ year old cars. I'm decent with a wrench, though I have no fabricating skills and have never rebuilt a motor, so this is all a learning experience.

The plan is to clean the "complete" motor and redo seals, belts, gaskets, other basic things to get it running and just drive it. Meanwhile I'll explore options on the second block, and am already looking into a 2056 build. Step one of getting the car back on the road looks relatively straightforward, but the catch is I don't have a garage/shop to work on the car, so much of it will be done in my livingroom and parking spot.

Already appreciate all the knowledge posted here and I'm finding inspiration in a lot of your builds. The search function has been my friend, but I'm sure I'll be asking questions going forward.

-Andrew

Posted by: andrewck Jul 26 2020, 11:37 AM

Yes, I do mean it when I said I'm tearing down the motor in my livingroom. I have a very understanding girlfriend.

Posted by: Nojoah Jul 26 2020, 11:44 AM

Looks like you have a great car to start with. You definitely picked the right girlfriend.

Posted by: Cairo94507 Jul 26 2020, 01:45 PM

What a terrific color and nice chassis. I don't think I could get away with the engine in our home, but you got a keeper there if she allows it.

Posted by: andrewck Jul 31 2020, 02:27 PM

Just a few days in and I already have a scare. I’ve pulled tin off the engine, cleaned everything I could, and ordered hoses, hardware, and seals. I just opened the oil filler neck and saw something at the bottom of the chamber. I grabbed a magnet, and this 1” piece of metal shot out.

Does anybody have a clue as to what this might be? I’m hoping it’s a foreign object and not a piece of the case, but I’m stumped as to where it came from. My hope with this motor was to run it without splitting the case, but that plan is in doubt now. The metal piece has jagged edges and is shiny. Any guesses are appreciated.

Posted by: Root_Werks Jul 31 2020, 04:46 PM

Looks like a solid starting point (little to almost no rust). Love that color!

Posted by: andrewck Jul 31 2020, 05:18 PM

Opened the sump plate and it’s metal city! Looks like it’s time to split the case and check the damage.

Posted by: Jamie Jul 31 2020, 07:54 PM

I hate to say it, but that looks like a piece of a bearing.

Posted by: bkrantz Jul 31 2020, 08:05 PM

Congrats, welcome, ,and good luck. Tearing down a 914 motor is not that difficult (actually, very easy to tear down and only moderately harder to rebuild).

And I love your work location. We my wife and I were still kinda newly-weds I tore down a BMW 4 cylinder in the apartment kitchen. 40 years later, we are still married (but I am not allowed to bring motors into the house any more).

Posted by: andrewck Aug 1 2020, 07:33 AM

What are all the manuals that I need? So far I have the 1) original workshop manuals, 2) Haynes manual, 3) 700 tech tips. I am thinking of buying the Bug Me video as well. Think between those and the knowledge on this board, I should be in a good position.

Posted by: Tdskip Aug 1 2020, 07:48 AM

Shoptalk has a good Type4 community too, worth taking a look.

Might also be worth connecting with a good local shop.

Welcome and please keep up posted on your porgress.

Posted by: andrewck Aug 2 2020, 09:54 PM

I'm well on my way towards splitting the case and still no sign of where the metal originated from. I am hung up on removing the pistons now and stopped for the night

1) can anybody recommend a good set of snap ring pliers? The ones I purchased at Harbor Freight dont seem to apply enough pressure to remove the snap ring. Is it easiest to use the straight or 90 degree attachment?

2) do i need to label cylander heads when I put them away. Understand most other components it's critical to label, but unsure if that matters here.

The house is much dirtier than I promised my girlfriend, and hoping to have this motor completely broken down this week. Then time to break down the other motor and see if it's a better starting point

Posted by: cuddy_k Aug 3 2020, 10:52 AM

Wow...engine work INSIDE the house? I salute you!

I really like this upgraded snap ring I got from HF. One knob to change direction....

https://www.harborfreight.com/snap-ring-pliers-with-reversible-action-63938.html

Highly recommend Jake's type iv video - volume 8 from Bug Me....

If you end up needing pistons and cylinders, go with KB (european motor works carries them). The ones I got from AA were out of spec...

Posted by: ctc911ctc Aug 3 2020, 12:23 PM

GIRLFRIEND?

Marry that girl!

Posted by: andrewck Aug 3 2020, 04:33 PM

If I were a betting man, I’d say this could be the problem. The remains of piston #1...how does this even happen?

Posted by: IronHillRestorations Aug 3 2020, 08:11 PM

Friction from worn rings, or a bad rebuild