'73 2.0, a yellow storage unit find Options

[arne]

Well, as I posted at the end of my intro thread ( http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...=303932&hl= ), I bought my 914 over the weekend. We've all heard of barn and garage finds, this car was found in a large storage unit.

Details - '73 2.0, 4732924138, yellow. Appears to me to be Saturn or Chrome yellow, but I never looked at the paint plate to say for sure. Will confirm that and correct later. Confirmed, L13M, Saturn or Chrome Yellow. Odometer shows just over 72k miles, seller claims that is correct, but I haven't gone through the paper trail to verify. The car does look like that could be accurate. I am the fourth owner.

Rust seems limited to the battery tray, passenger floor and right sail panel (where water obviously got trapped behind the vinyl). The hell hole looks solid at this point. None of the rust appears to be holes yet. Definitely some work to do there.

The car was said to run when it was parked in the unit, other people not involved in the sale confirmed that it drove in under its own power. Been sitting for 6 years or so. After it got in, the seller began very rudimentary prep for restoring it, but life got in the way. So about all that was done was to pull all the lenses off.

I'm waiting for a flatbed to gather it up now, should have it in my garage later today. Here are a couple of pictures to show the beginning.

[arne]

Looks Great!

Yes, and even better after cleaning. Moving to the scary side now.

[arne]

Right side. Very nice as well.

[ConeDodger]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif) one of those oh thank goodness moments!

[arne]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif) one of those oh thank goodness moments!

No kidding. It was really about what I had expected, based on crawling under the car prior to purchase, but in the back of my mind there have been these doubts....

[bigkensteele]

It's always nice to have some help doing this, although it's not impossible to do alone.

My method for engine removal and installation never requires an assistant. Just two pieces of threaded rod and a floor jack. Piece of cake.

Search "threaded rod", and you will find it.

[euro911]

It's always nice to have some help doing this, although it's not impossible to do alone.

My method for engine removal and installation never requires an assistant. Just two pieces of threaded rod and a floor jack. Piece of cake.

Search "threaded rod", and you will find it.

Well yeah, experienced guys can do it in their sleep ... but really, who likes drinking beer all by themselves (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

[arne]

Engine drop prep continues. Exhaust is out today.



Man, that is much heavier than I would have guessed.

Actual drop itself will be postponed a day or two. Another local 'teener (JB620) has contacted me, offering to loan me a brand new, never used Tangerine Racing Engine Lift Plate as soon as it arrives in the next day or two. I will gladly wait a bit for that kind of much appreciated help!

In the mean time, disconnecting all the other stuff will continue.

[mepstein]

Engine drop prep continues. Exhaust is out today.



Man, that is much heavier than I would have guessed.

Actual drop itself will be postponed a day or two. Another local 'teener (JB620) has contacted me, offering to loan me a brand new, never used Tangerine Racing Engine Lift Plate as soon as it arrives in the next day or two. I will gladly wait a bit for that kind of much appreciated help!

In the mean time, disconnecting all the other stuff will continue.

I used the tangerine engine lift plate when I helped Zach - vacca rabbi, with his engine install. It's definitely worth waiting for.

[euro911]

I always remove the muffler before the heat exchangers ... because, yeah, the whole enchilada will be unwieldy.

[arne]

I will probably put them back on that way, but didn't want to fight the rusty bolts to pull the muffler off. Easier to cut those off out here in the open.

Which reminds me - one fear was unfounded, I didn't break any exhaust studs during the removal! 5 of the 8 studs came out of the heads, but I am totally fine with that.

[arne]

Other observations -

The little thermostat bellows works fine (tested with heat gun), but the wire cable that it pulls on is either disconnected or broken, so the flaps are in the hot engine position all the time. Will need to address that while it is out.

Want to replace the taco plate o-ring and crush washers, but it doesn't seem to have slack in the wire to pull it down far enough to get at the o-ring. Will need to look at that while it is out also.

Most of the rest of things looks pretty good, aside from oil leaks. Was thinking that I might be ready to put it back in soon, but then I remembered that I need to look at the hell hole closely while I have easier access. That could delay things...

[euro911]

Other observations -

The little thermostat bellows works fine (tested with heat gun), but the wire cable that it pulls on is either disconnected or broken, so the flaps are in the hot engine position all the time. Will need to address that while it is out.

Want to replace the taco plate o-ring and crush washers, but it doesn't seem to have slack in the wire to pull it down far enough to get at the o-ring. Will need to look at that while it is out also.

Most of the rest of things looks pretty good, aside from oil leaks. Was thinking that I might be ready to put it back in soon, but then I remembered that I need to look at the hell hole closely while I have easier access. That could delay things...

The wire has a push-on connector. You should be able to pull it off by hand, or reach in the hole with a pair of needle-nose pliers or hemostats to grab the connector.

[mepstein]

The thermostat wire is a derailleur wire available at any bike shop.

[arne]

The thermostat wire is a derailleur wire available at any bike shop.

I wondered if that might not be so. I probably have some in the garage somewhere. Will get that connected while I have it out and easy to work on.

[arne]

Engine down!

Thanks to the following, it was a relatively painless process, even solo.

• McMark - for the great how-to drop article in the tech section.
• Racer Chris (Tangerine Racing) - for designing the awesome Engine Lift Plate.
• JB620 - for the gracious loan of the above mentioned TR Lift Plate.

That Lift Plate is a super tool, makes it a simple one man job with just a cheap floor jack. Well worth having if you have thoughts of dropping more than once in a blue moon.

No surprises yet, but the exploration is just beginning.

[mepstein]

Get 12mm copper plated exhaust nuts. They are easier to install than 13's.
You might also want to replace the ss soft brake lines with new rubber ones. SS don't last forever - the rubber inside can still collapse. It might help your brake issue.

[arne]

Roger that on the copper plated nuts, I've used those on previous projects.

Will consider the rear hoses while I'm under there. The SS hoses appear to be quite fresh, they lack all the road grime that covers the rest of the suspension and brakes, so I'm leaning towards leaving them be.

Separated the engine and trans, no unpleasant surprises so far. Clutch looks fresh, input shaft and rear main seals are both appear to be dry now, will know more once I get it farther apart. Will likely replace those now anyway, just due to age.

[arne]

More progress today. The clutch is fine, does not need replaced. Input shaft seal is not leaking now, but looks a bit sketchy and will be replaced. Rear main seal was starting to leak, so this was well worth the time. Replaced pushrod tube seals on the right side today, will next tackle the oil cooler seals before moving to the left side.

Building a list of parts for little things I want to address prior to reinstalling the motor.

[cary]

Looks like a great car and gifted owner. I too (Jamie) would like to find some time and come down and see it.
Keep the pedal down .................

[iankarr]

Engine down!

Thanks to the following, it was a relatively painless process, even solo.

• McMark - for the great how-to drop article in the tech section.
• Racer Chris (Tangerine Racing) - for designing the awesome Engine Lift Plate.
• JB620 - for the gracious loan of the above mentioned TR Lift Plate.

That Lift Plate is a super tool, makes it a simple one man job with just a cheap floor jack. Well worth having if you have thoughts of dropping more than once in a blue moon.

No surprises yet, but the exploration is just beginning.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) tangerine plate is essential

congrats on all the great progress!