Help! battery installed backwards! Options

[Petros]

Hi all,

New to this forum, but not new to fixing old cars. I was told you might be able to help, I am helping a young friend who has a 1976 Porsche 912E with the FI system that I think is the same as the 914. It has not been running for some 5 years except for the rare occasional start and short run.

Somehow the battery was installed backwards during one time when it was removed for recharging (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) . I came over to help get the car started after it had not been running for about 8 months, the owner installed a new battery (swore he put in it in the same way it came out (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) ) and he was cranking and cranking it when I arrived. I found no spark and no fuel, and noticed the dash lights did not come on with the key in the "run" position. I inspected the battery and discovered the leads were connected to the wrong terminals. We corrected that and now the dash lights came on, but of course the car still would not start. Appears to have no spark since it would not even sputter when I sprayed starter fluid into the air cleaner (as a test).

So my question is, what most likely has to be replaced? I was surprised to find that this model still had the points and condenser distributor (rather than electronic ignition) even though it has the bosh electronic fuel injection system. It seems the ignition system should have not been harmed but it appears I am getting no spark. Also, how much damage would have been done to the fuel injection system? Anything else we should check or be concerned with?

Thanks