New 914 Owner, some photos and questions Options

[scottthephotog]

Hello Everyone, Just picked up a 1973 yellow 914 the other night. Short story, previous owner had bought it a couple years back, drove it on and off, and was working on restoring the car.


(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-22667-1542830646.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-22667-1542830646.2.jpg)


Outside looks very nice. Paint is in good condition. He had the targa top, rocker panels, bumpers, and rims all refinished. New weather stripping everywhere execpt the front targa seal. He had pulled the interior and started putting it back when he had to sell the car.


(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-22667-1542830646.3.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-22667-1542830646.4.jpg)


Interior has the seats (driver side is brand new), dashboard, and that's pretty much it. The gauges have been redone and look absolutely beautiful, however the speedo sticks at zero sometimes. If you tap it, it will move to where it should be. He said the person who redid the gauges put too much grease on it?

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-22667-1542830647.5.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-22667-1542830647.6.jpg)

Engine, runs well, but he said a previous owner removed the cold start valve so it is rough at idle and starting when it is cold. After a minute or 2, it's good. Still running the original EFI, which was also cleaned about 2 years ago. New stainless steel fuel lines (no more plastic!). Transmission and clutch feel good. He checked linkage bushings in the last 2 years, and they all look good. Some oil/gunk buildup on the underside. Possibly a leaky oil cooler seal? No visible oil dripping from the underside, or puddles under the car, which is good. Very little rust as well. Small rust whole in the battery tray (top section), but no where else. Just put in new water drain lines this morning for the engine cover.

Lots of extra parts. The original driver seat. A second set of bumpers. Second set of suspension parts. Almost all new interior pieces and carpet just needing to be installed.

On to questions.

1. He gave me a part that he said was the cold start valve (see picture). Is that the correct part, and if so, where does it go?

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-22667-1542830647.7.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-22667-1542830647.8.jpg)

2. Storing the targa top in the trunk. What way does it go? I'm having trouble getting it to fit and close the trunk all the way.

3. Speedometer gauge. Would too much grease cause the problem I described? How easy would that be to fix?


Those are the questions jumping to mind currently. Thanks everyone! Look forward to joining in conversations about these fun little cars.

[scottthephotog]

the windshield top seal is an easy replacement, and someone has fitted a new dash from the later production as the grain is not the same as the original, but this car is so nice that it deserves careful attention, looking at the car I would believe the miles as well

Previous owner said a new upper dash was installed.

Which shade of yellow is that? Looks great. Would love to see those pics re-posted at a better sizing.

Not sure about the exact shade. I know there are paint codes. On my 944 it's on the tag in the hatch. Are the 914 color codes located on the driver's side door vin area?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

The thermostat installs on the side of the engine, near the bottom left. If you click on the link in my signature, you'll find a video of the thermostat in action.

Enjoy the car! And now would be a great time to get new targa seals from 914 rubber. Their black friday sale is always amazing.

Awesome video, and thanks for letting me know where the thermostat is supposed to be. Got under the car, and turns out there is one already there and hooked up. Perhaps the previous owner bought the wrong part (thermostat instead of cold start valve?)

I'll definitely look into that. I know there are some heater hoses that I need to buy. I saw Auto Atlanta was having a sale as well.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

I am in Hurst if you want some help/advise on the car. I have been around these cars for 33 years now.


We have a lot of 914 owners in the area too.

Awesome! I'm in the mid-cities area as well!


Fixed the front lenses. Thanks to the many people who pointed out they were upside down.

I haven't decided yet about the carpet. I'm leaning towards installing the new carpet because I've already got it. I'll probably then keep the original stored nicely that if someone ever decides to install the original carpet back into the car, that can be done.

My wife pointed out to me today that the windows aren't quite sealing properly with the targa top. There's a slight gap. The top is locked in place and seems to be right. I'll have to figure out what's going on with that.

Second issue I noticed. Front and rear indicator lights work fine when the headlights are off (although the rear lights are quite dim - already cleaned the lenses and reflectors). When the headlights are turned on, all of the rear lights blink at the same time (on both sides) when you turn on the indicator in either direction. Front lights work as they should. Thoughts? I know the previous owner installed a new headlight switch. Maybe the wires aren't connected back as they should be?

[bbrock]

Awesome video, and thanks for letting me know where the thermostat is supposed to be. Got under the car, and turns out there is one already there and hooked up. Perhaps the previous owner bought the wrong part (thermostat instead of cold start valve?)

First, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) and nice car!

When you were looking at the thermostat that is already on the car, did you notice if it was pulled in tight like the new one you have? It should be shrunken down tight when cold and then expands when it gets warm to open the cooling flaps. When they fail, they don't contract when cold anymore. Just wondering if the one on the car failed and the PO didn't get around to swapping it out. Either way, hang on to that NOS thermostat, they are expensive.

[scottthephotog]

First, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) and nice car!

When you were looking at the thermostat that is already on the car, did you notice if it was pulled in tight like the new one you have? It should be shrunken down tight when cold and then expands when it gets warm to open the cooling flaps. When they fail, they don't contract when cold anymore. Just wondering if the one on the car failed and the PO didn't get around to swapping it out. Either way, hang on to that NOS thermostat, they are expensive.

Thanks! Great question. I think it looked contracted. Easy enough to double check. Thanks for the heads up of how to spot a failed one.