Dumbest Thing Options

[bkrantz]

I know we have threads about PO stupidity, but how about the dumbest 914 thing you have done?

I will start with a, ahem, senior moment I had today. When I tried to add oil after my recent engine re-installation, it would not go in. Short version: I forgot to remove the paper towels I had folded up and tucked into the breather recess while the engine was out of the car, to keep anything from falling into the case.

I still can't believe that I installed the breather and did not see and remove paper towels.

[Craigers17]

I did something very similar a couple months ago. I was changing out manifolds, carbs, and air cleaners. I installed the new manifolds and then put the gaskets on top. At that point, I stuffed a balled up blue shop towel down each manifold intake to keep from dropping anything into the engine while I did the other side.

SOMEHOW, when I placed the carb down onto the manifold, I forgot the towels were there, even though they were in plain sight. Luckily, when I went to hook up the throttle linkage, I started dicking with the throttle and it wouldn't open freely. The throttle plates were hitting on the towels. That's when I realized what an idiot I am.....again. Crisis avoided. I'm just getting old apparently.