What kind of Cylinders are these?, I bought a 914 with Nickies, but not sure what I received. Options

[mepstein]

It might be worth while to have a long talk with the previous owner who miss represented the engine! Not only the piston cylinders not as advertised but you never never use RTV in building a 914 engine.

RTV is OK under the cylinders. Also a little RTV rubbed into paper gaskets (no excess) is OK as well.

No, it's not ok at the registers. It means that when you torque the heads you actually measure the RTV elasticity. This will allow vibration in cylinders and heads worn the cylinders and create leaks when the RTV cracks.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
Over 25 years and hundreds of T1, T4, and /6 engines built, except for one cam/lifter related, no failures.
How many engines have you built?

I know it's not a six thing, don't know about 4's.

[jdm914]

It might be worth while to have a long talk with the previous owner who miss represented the engine! Not only the piston cylinders not as advertised but you never never use RTV in building a 914 engine.

RTV is OK under the cylinders. Also a little RTV rubbed into paper gaskets (no excess) is OK as well.

No, it's not ok at the registers. It means that when you torque the heads you actually measure the RTV elasticity. This will allow vibration in cylinders and heads worn the cylinders and create leaks when the RTV cracks.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
Over 25 years and hundreds of T1, T4, and /6 engines built, except for one cam/lifter related, no failures.
How many engines have you built?

There are better and more appropriate sealants available for engine assembly especially for air cooled Porsche as VW motors. Also there are locations where no sealant is better. (cylinder to case seal) BTW I have also built hundreds of four and six cylinder Porsche engines since 1973.

[Mark Henry]

Point is I've never seen a failure.
It was how Gene Berg did it, so that's good enough for me.

Besides every builder has their favorites, some like curil-T, I've tried and think it's garbage. I have a couple unopened tubes if anyone wants it.
Three bond I like, but quit using teflon dope on the PR seals, because I could see it when I cut open filters, now I use dow 55 which is way better, etc.

[Mark Henry]

BTW just an FYI I've also used both Jake's and Supertec's sealant kits.

[iwanta914-6]

Well, this thread went a bit off topic... Turned into a battle of "how many engines have you built?"

[Mark Henry]

Well, this thread went a bit off topic... Turned into a battle of "how many engines have you built?"

Whatever...someone had a different opinion based on internet knowledge. My point is there's more than one way to seal an engine properly.
Different builders different opinions.

[jdm914]

Good point... It is unfortunate that this new 914 owner started out with a very bad experience plus the fact that the previous owner misrepresented the car.

[Puebloswatcop]

I think we should all concentrate on finding the SOB that sold our 914 friend the car and have a bit of a chat with him about ethics and morals..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif)

[Mark Henry]

Good point... It is unfortunate that this new 914 owner started out with a very bad experience plus the fact that the previous owner misrepresented the car.

You're right and this is back on topic.
I've seen this and buying without a PPI, it happens so many times with the buyer leaving the hobby forever. I absolutely hate it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[sixnotfour]

If you paid nickies coin for that you have been hosed.
I'd be just a tad pissy about it.

Yes , about a $3000 difference plus machining costs..

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/flag.gif)

[Valy]

@Mark: So did the guy that rebuilt that engine...
Many wrongs don't make it right.
And if you want bravery stories, I've rebuilt turboprop engines. How many of those did you rebuilt?
The VW engines are like tractor engines. They will take a lot of abuse before they fail.
But back to the point, RTV on the registers is wrong. I'm trying to help here not to show off the size of my balls.

[Mark Henry]

@Mark: So did the guy that rebuilt that engine...
Many wrongs don't make it right.
And if you want bravery stories, I've rebuilt turboprop engines. How many of those did you rebuilt?
The VW engines are like tractor engines. They will take a lot of abuse before they fail.
But back to the point, RTV on the registers is wrong. I'm trying to help here not to show off the size of my balls.

This reminds me why I rarely offer any engine rebuild advice, not worth the bother, too many armchair experts. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
Back to the sandbox where everyone is an asshole, but no one seems to be butthurt about it.

[Valy]

@Mark: So did the guy that rebuilt that engine...
Many wrongs don't make it right.
And if you want bravery stories, I've rebuilt turboprop engines. How many of those did you rebuilt?
The VW engines are like tractor engines. They will take a lot of abuse before they fail.
But back to the point, RTV on the registers is wrong. I'm trying to help here not to show off the size of my balls.

This reminds me why I rarely offer any engine rebuild advice, not worth the bother, too many armchair experts. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
Back to the sandbox where everyone is an asshole, but no one seems to be butthurt about it.

Or is it because you don't find a Gene Berg answer for every question?
Copying is easy. Understanding why is a different story.

[r_towle]

@Mark: So did the guy that rebuilt that engine...
Many wrongs don't make it right.
And if you want bravery stories, I've rebuilt turboprop engines. How many of those did you rebuilt?
The VW engines are like tractor engines. They will take a lot of abuse before they fail.
But back to the point, RTV on the registers is wrong. I'm trying to help here not to show off the size of my balls.

This reminds me why I rarely offer any engine rebuild advice, not worth the bother, too many armchair experts. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
Back to the sandbox where everyone is an asshole, but no one seems to be butthurt about it.

At least we can all agree that the sandbox is our home (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

[Mark Henry]

@Mark: So did the guy that rebuilt that engine...
Many wrongs don't make it right.
And if you want bravery stories, I've rebuilt turboprop engines. How many of those did you rebuilt?
The VW engines are like tractor engines. They will take a lot of abuse before they fail.
But back to the point, RTV on the registers is wrong. I'm trying to help here not to show off the size of my balls.

This reminds me why I rarely offer any engine rebuild advice, not worth the bother, too many armchair experts. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
Back to the sandbox where everyone is an asshole, but no one seems to be butthurt about it.

Or is it because you don't find a Gene Berg answer for every question?
Copying is easy. Understanding why is a different story.

Valy I apologize, I didn't realize I was arguing with a 14 year old High School girl.

[Valy]

@Mark: So did the guy that rebuilt that engine...
Many wrongs don't make it right.
And if you want bravery stories, I've rebuilt turboprop engines. How many of those did you rebuilt?
The VW engines are like tractor engines. They will take a lot of abuse before they fail.
But back to the point, RTV on the registers is wrong. I'm trying to help here not to show off the size of my balls.

This reminds me why I rarely offer any engine rebuild advice, not worth the bother, too many armchair experts. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
Back to the sandbox where everyone is an asshole, but no one seems to be butthurt about it.

Or is it because you don't find a Gene Berg answer for every question?
Copying is easy. Understanding why is a different story.

Valy I apologize, I didn't realize I was arguing with a 14 year old High School girl.

You never do. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/KMA.gif)

[HansJan]

Sorry. I havent visit the site for a few days, and was not aware that so many members got upset. Im the buyer, that only got to drive this car to the state inspector. It caught on fire on my way home.

Of course I am very upset to have bought a car with Nickies Cylinders, but recieved it with AA parts instead.

One of you mentioned that they are probably not even 103 mm. How can you tell?

Btw: the seller is a member of this site (Glenn Wright, calling his operation NineOneFourRacing).

Br,
Hans Jan

[HansJan]

Those aren't 103s.
The case registers are probably unmodified.

This is a coincidence. I emailed you last night (asking about fuel supply tubing, to replace the hoses).

Please advise how you can tell that these AA cylinders are not 103mm.

Br
Hans Jan

[r_towle]

Well, the best way is to measure the piston diameter, or the cylinder.

If that won't work, or you don't want to take the head off ( might want to leave it alone for now) you could measure the outside diameter but down at the cylinder, not the cooling fins.....

Let me take another look at your pics, it may be visible near the case....

[r_towle]

I think Chris is right, the 103's just about touch the studs and yours appear to have some room.
I have a set on my motor, but it is not something I could take a picture of at this point.

Maybe
McMark or Mark Henry could show you.....they both have/had 103 mm cylinders.

Rich