Rennsport Reunion 7 Breakdown Thread, 914 trials and tribulation break downs and car issues thread Options

[Steve]

Since some of us are nuts and drive our 50 year old cars on lengthy road trips, I thought I would start a thread on car problems. Maybe this will help us figure out what spare parts to bring:
1. Spare Tire
2. DME relay for 3.2
3. fuses, wire, volt meter, crimp-er, connectors, Electrical tape
4. spare ignition switch
5. Clutch and throttle cable

Trials and Tribulations:
Before the trip, I changed the oil and looked the car over for loose bolts, etc.
A week before the trip the steering wheel would shake abruptly, depending on the road surface. I noticed the right front wheel bearings were loose. Tried tightening the nut and it made no difference so I changed the bearings, that problem was solved. Took it for test drive it felt better.

Six hour drive to Rennsport, the steering wheel still shakes at times. Keith (914toy) said that's definitely a wheel/balance issue. I found an American Tire store in Salinas. They said the tires are 7 years old and down to the wear indicator, so they replaced all four tires. No more vibration. It also rained on my parade lap on Sunday and the lead car was taking the corners at 60 plus, so I was glad I had new tires.

Also over the weekend my brake light started flashing. It was the master cylinder. I pushed in the button and it stopped for a mile, but the light came back on. Brakes are fine and no leaks, so I disconnected the wire. Problem solved for now.

Drive home... I had a full tank, played cat and mouse with some newer 911's up to 130. I was very surprised how my 3.2 with stock gear 915 wanted to fly to red line in 5th like there was no wind resistance. I backed off around 5500 rpm's. I thought I would refuel around 1/4 tank. It got to a 1/4 tank and then the reserve light came on. Oh crap!! I drove at least 20+ miles to find a gas station. Car took 13.8 gallons. I thought the tank only held 13? Besides that drama... the car did great, glad I brought it.

Funny, but I drove the same car to the WCR in Tahoe a couple of months earlier with no issues. That was a 9 hour drive. I also had no issues going to previous WCR's. 12 hours to Petaluma and 6 hours to SLO.

I also read John's Elvira thread, but who else had drama with there car?