Well it's over. Everyone seemed to have a great time. I know I did. It was a stressful time, and it's still not over (fuchin' Hilton). But we had a great turn out and had lots of good time to chat. And that makes it all worth it.

My car ran great and Andy's car was finished up just in time. Good stuff.

OMG 7 more days!

Today I prepped my car for the event. This will be the first 914 event I'll attend with a 914.

1. Check the valves. All were slightly loose, but that could have been from the last adjustment. I can't remember when it was, much less what I set them to. This time it as 0.006" all around. Both #3 & #1 intake valves were the worst out of spec. I hope the cam isn't dying. But after the event, the motor is coming out for a cam change anyway.

2. Oil change. 20w50 Castrol GTX with a NAPA Gold filter (1521). There was a slight amount of metallic shine, but technically this motor is STILL in the break in period, so I'm not that surprised.

3. New starter. I got an eBay starter to replace my dying BOSCH rebuilt stock starter. The one I got was not the IMI version. It was stamped "Hi Performance of America" (or some such). I had put Andy's IMI starter in there temporarily. The HPA starter seemed like it was dragging on the flywheel, so I used a couple washers to move it away slightly. The only other difference is that the IMI has the electrical connections on top, and the HPA has the connections on the bottom.

4. Fixed Alternator Bottom Bracket. I've lost the nut of the back of the bottom bolt once before. This time I used a serrated lock washer. That should solve that problem. I noticed a metallic 'tinkling'/'ringing' last time I drove the car. I thought it was valve lash, so that's why I parked the car until now. But having found this, I'm sure that's what the noise was. Bugger. But it's all better now.

This week I need to replace a couple fuel lines and a breather hose, wash the car, clean inside, and maybe clean the engine bay a little if I have time. Then I'll be ready to go on FRIDAY!

I've been trying to think of a way to bring my black 914 back to its original Marathon Blue Metallic, but keep a bit of 'custom flair' to the car. Here's what I'm thinking. Brown valences and wheels. So far everyone I've told this idea to has looked at me like I was crazy. Oh and they told me I was crazy. So I made a mock-up image to help those 'unbelievers' convert to the blue/brown cult.

Feel free to post a comment to this entry and tell me what you think.

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1. Lock Cylinders (ignition, front trunk release, glove box, rear trunk). I'm just interested in scavenging the individual plates inside to rekey other locks.
2. Odometer Reset Cable - Comes out of the back of the speedo, and connects under the dash.

3. Brake Lines - If you can pull original brake lines out without bending them, they're handy for when I have a car in and one of the ends strips out (happens too often).
4. Headlight Pivots/'Washers' - The actual pivots and the 'plate' that the bolts go through.

5. Third Seat Belt Plugs - Early cars had the bolt holes for a center third seat belt and shipped with large black plastic screw in plugs.
6. Brake Fluid Feed Line Grommets - Under the tank, the two grommets from the reservoir to the M/C.

7. OE Door Mount Bolts - Original bolts have a pointed tip. These are always handy for a restoration.
8. Plastic Plugs - The holes in the transmission mount bar as well as the suspension bolt holes in the front trunk shipped with white plastic plugs in them. If you're not familiar with these, I'll send a picture with arrows. There are three on top and two on the bottom, plus two in the front trunk, IIRC.
9. Seat Belt Bolts - Bolts, washers, plastic rings. I like having spares of these. Image Numbers: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14

10. Seat Rail Washer/Plate - The bolts that hold the seat rails to the floor had a plate with two holes in it.
11. Underheadlight Plastic Edging - The brace under the headlight bucket (two large holes) had a plastic strip to protect the wiring from getting cut.
12. Bumper Hole Plugs - Behind the front bumper, the plastic plugs.
13. Center Tunnel Covers - The two small plates that cover the access holes in the center tunnel.
14. Heater Tube Grommets - The rubber rings that seal around the heater tubes as they pass from the passenger compartment into the front trunk area.

15. Headlight Motor Knobs - If you're tossing the headlight motors, I'll take any top knobs that are there.

16. Hell Hole Drains - Black plastic drains in the engine shelf on either side. (white arrow)
17. Oil Line Hole Plug - White plastic plug for the hole used in six cylinder cars. (blue arrow)

No progress on the five lug conversion. Just a picture I took. It's not often that I take pictures, much less of my own car.

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I've decided to upgrade to five lug. I have most all the pieces, so the cost will be minimal. Here's my parts checklist:

1. Struts - I have early 3" bolt spacing Boge struts.
2. Ball Joints - I need to get some pinch style ball joints ($63 each)
3. Tie Rods - I have turbo tie rods ready to go.
4. Wheel Bearings and Seals - ($20.25 per side)
5. Rotors - ($44.75 each)
6. Brake Pads - ($23.25)
7. Struts - My Koni adjustables should be reusable with this configuration.
8. Wheel Spacers for Boxster wheels - ($?)

Total cost of conversion: ~$280 + spacers

I busted my CV that had been warning me of imminent failure for awhile. It was an un-eventful failure and didn't cause any other damage.

I had new CVs from Eric Shea on the shelf ready to install. It took me a few weeks to get around to doing the work, but the new CVs are now installed (what a PITA job) and tested. No performance improvement obviously, but it's back on the road and those should give me any problems for a good long while. I'm very happy with the kit.

I also installed the 19 mm Weltmeister sway bar that I got from Mike Mueller and adjusted the ride height in the front so the car is level.

I almost went so far as to install the new ball joints and turbo tie rods I have waiting, but I can't keep my car in the shop that long. Customer projects demand attention!

I removed the 914Club banner awhile back.

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I picked up the 72 original Aubergine 914 in 2001. I towed it home and it has sat since then.

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The is the history of my black car as I remember it...

I purchased the car from Brad Roberts, in December of 2003. I had recently totaled my green car when I hit a deer. This black car was in good shape and the price was right.

These are my earliest pictures of this car.



The first thing I did to the car was strip the floor tar, lay down some rust converter, and install a morphenspectra carpet kit.



Here are a couple pictures of the hell hole area.


We pulled out the 2.0 that was in there because of piston slap.


Speaker pods were added April 2004, also from morphenspectra. I went with Eclipse speakers.


I built a 2056 the night before WCC 2004. Unfortunately I didn't make it to the full event, just the AX. But I didn't run because I had an oil leak and was running hot.


Speakers behind seats went in June 2004.


I added a 5 panel Wink mirror in March 2005. It's still in the car, but it severely reduces forward visibility.


And finally, a 914Club banner was added in March as well.