engine overhaul or swap?, engine choice on a rebuild Options

[timofly]

We have a 1974 914 2.0 in need of an engine. The car has been sitting for 30+ years. It will run, sort of, but leaks oil like a cardboard tanker. The F.I. checks out electrically, but the engine won't accelerate. So, if we have to fool around with it, we should consider the following choices:

1. overhaul the existng engine
2. replace the engine with a rebuild from ?
3. try to resurrect the F.I.
4. just carburate it.

Who has experience with overhaulers they'd share? How about "new" engine providers? I gather from some postings here that "Import World" doesn't enjoy lots of support from this group? Who else? We are looking for a stock engine or maybe a mild warming for street use.

What say you, O Mighty Tribe?

[McMark]

Check compression and leak down before tearing into it. It might need only something simple in order to get it running.

[dbgriffith75]

Check compression and leak down before tearing into it. It might need only something simple in order to get it running.

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If it's been sitting for 30+ years, a compression/leakdown test will basically give you the answer you're looking for. I don't know exact numbers, but at a minimum you should have at least 90 on each cylinder. My money is on, at the very least, the rings being stuck.

But, I DO have to ask- you did make sure to put some fresh oil in it before firing it up, didn't you? Although it's generally not considered a 914 unless it's leaking oil from somewhere (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) it's probably leaking because you have some seals that are dried out. Who knows, maybe if you get the engine going and run it nice and hot, some of them will expand and soften up again.

Let us know what you find out, and....

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

[timofly]

Check compression and leak down before tearing into it. It might need only something simple in order to get it running.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

If it's been sitting for 30+ years, a compression/leakdown test will basically give you the answer you're looking for. I don't know exact numbers, but at a minimum you should have at least 90 on each cylinder. My money is on, at the very least, the rings being stuck.

But, I DO have to ask- you did make sure to put some fresh oil in it before firing it up, didn't you? Although it's generally not considered a 914 unless it's leaking oil from somewhere (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) it's probably leaking because you have some seals that are dried out. Who knows, maybe if you get the engine going and run it nice and hot, some of them will expand and soften up again.

Let us know what you find out, and....

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

Thanks for the response.

Yup. We soaked it with Marvel Mystery oil for about a week, just rocking the car back and forth in gear before even trying to start it. Drained all that, filled with new oil and filter, installed new plugs and wires and cleaned the injectors. It starts ok, but will only idle. I think it's gotta be vaccuum leaks because the sensors all seem to check out OK. It will either idle very fast or very slow, depending on whether I plug the vaccuum line from the intake manifold to the air cleaner or not.

The seals around the pushrods are the main leaks. Good point about running it to see if they will seal better with some use.

I'll do the comp test and let you know.