Questions regarding my new /6 Options

[smontanaro]

Folks,

As I mentioned yesterday, I have a few questions about my new /6. Sorry, no more (new) pictures yet, though you can see more from the P.O. on the eBay auction I won. That will also give folks who asked a rough idea how much I paid for the car... There are also more pix on Armando Serrano's 914/6 gallery from the previous time it sold. Those should hold people until I get a chance to take more. (They may also be enough to satisfy everyone...)

At any rate, on to the questions:

1. The P.O. had the engine resealed and Carerra chain tensioners installed. (Good P.O. Long time PCA guy.) At the time they also recommended replacing the shifter bushing and pedal bushing. Are these easily reachable? I'm fairly competent wrench-wise, but have never worked on a 914 before. (Triumph yes, 356 yes.)

2. Looking at the carburetors I noticed a hose leading nowhere, capped off by a screw. What is it supposed to connect to? I saw nothing in the immediate vicinity.

3. While the battery shelf and the nether regions look fine. I'll still put a gel battery on my Christmas wish list. Optima seems to make two sizes and don't list a battery that's supposed to fit 914s. What are my options (Optima or otherwise)?

4. The front trunk lid doesn't hold in the full up position. Is the solution as simple as pulling (very carefully) the hood springs out another notch, or do I need to buy a new pair? Being the sort of person who is leary of the energy stored in springs, I wonder what I'll have to grab onto the springs to safely move them out a notch (or install new ones). I'm not anxious to put an eye out...

5. Many people commented on the Mahle wheels. They are kinda cool, and quite distinctive. I have no idea if they were original to the car. Fuchs wheels always seemed like the cats pajamas to me for early 911s and 914s. Is there any chance the Mahles were original to the car? (The spare is also a Mahle with an apparently unused 165HR15 Pirelli Cinturato tube-type.) I do have a 1st edition copy of Ludvigsen's PEWE. Maybe it's time to drag it out to see how far back the Mahles appear in photos...

6. I'm sure some or all of these questions could be answered by appropriate literature. What do people recommend for addition to my personal automotive literature collection?

7. Finally, and OT, is there some way to turn off all these smilies when I'm composing posts? All they do is heat up my laptop with their constant animation...

Thx,

Skip Montanaro