New User/Owner - Orange71, With lots of questions! Options

[orange71]

Hey folks, just thought i'd take this chance to introduce myself.
I'm the new owner of a 1971 914-4 that has been in my family since my father bought it new back in the day. It's floated around my family until finally coming into my hands at the beginning of this year.

It sat for the last 3 years and tooks minimal effort to get it back on the road. A fuel flush, new fuel, new battery, new tires and a tune-up and it's been a dream since I picked it up on Friday. Even took it for a long drive up the coast on sunday.

Also, I saw a thread about wood dashes, this one appears to have a solid wood dash that was installed soon after it was bought, I'll try to post some pics when the weather clears up here.

I've not got a BUNCH of questions and hope y'all don't mind me rattling them off here in hopes that everyone's experience can help catch me up quickly!

1) That lever that is just rear of the shift lever, what does it do? I can't find head not tail about it in any of my manuals!

2) I've taking the horn ring off and the 'Rubber Sleeve' that sits between the horn sleeve and the nut/steering wheel is missing. I also don't see anything that looks like a horn switch in there, not too much about it in my manuals, anyone got a picture or description of what should be in there? Any suggestions on where to go for the 'Rubber Sleeve'?

3) Shifting has gotten MUCH more difficult to the point that I can't get into 4th and 5th gears anymore! (as of last night) 2nd and 3rd gear appear to be extremely 'wide' on the shifter... does this sound like a simple adjustment or potentially a larger problem? (Mechanic who got her running/tune up did replace the transmission fluid)

4) The tab that is welded to the chassis to bolt to the engine cover just behind the seat has broken off. Does anyone make repro tabs or should i just have a body shop fab something up?

5) My rear trunk hinge on the right side has also come off it's weld and parts of it look in bad knack... can anyone recommend a body shop in/around San Francisco CA?

[SirAndy]

...
I've not got a BUNCH of questions and hope y'all don't mind me rattling them off here in hopes that everyone's experience can help catch me up quickly!

1) That lever that is just rear of the shift lever, what does it do? I can't find head not tail about it in any of my manuals!

2) I've taking the horn ring off and the 'Rubber Sleeve' that sits between the horn sleeve and the nut/steering wheel is missing. I also don't see anything that looks like a horn switch in there, not too much about it in my manuals, anyone got a picture or description of what should be in there? Any suggestions on where to go for the 'Rubber Sleeve'?

3) Shifting has gotten MUCH more difficult to the point that I can't get into 4th and 5th gears anymore! (as of last night) 2nd and 3rd gear appear to be extremely 'wide' on the shifter... does this sound like a simple adjustment or potentially a larger problem? (Mechanic who got her running/tune up did replace the transmission fluid)

4) The tab that is welded to the chassis to bolt to the engine cover just behind the seat has broken off. Does anyone make repro tabs or should i just have a body shop fab something up?

5) My rear trunk hinge on the right side has also come off it's weld and parts of it look in bad knack... can anyone recommend a body shop in/around San Francisco CA?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

now that we got that out of the way ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

1. heater lever. it has two functions, it opens the flapper boxes on your heat exchangers to let warm air into the cabin and if moved all the way up, it also switches on the heater fan in the engine compartement (if present) to pump even more air through your heat exchangers.

2. this sounds a bit confusing. i'm not sure you're talking about a stock steering wheel. could it be aftermarket? there are lots of those around. a pic would help ...

3. if your car was converted to a sideshift transmission, then that sounds like the cone setscrew at the firewall shifter coupler has come lose.
if it still is a tailshifter, the screw at the end coupler could have come lose.
also, now is probably a good time to replace *all* shift bushings, as they do wear over time.

4. / 5. Yeaman Autobody in Palo Alto. Scott Yeaman is a 914 guy himself, his guys know 914s and they do great work.
or, if you're further up north, Original Customs in Napa does great work as well. Mark (the owner) is a regular here ...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif) Andy