First 914 Project, Seeking words of wisdom |
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First 914 Project, Seeking words of wisdom |
Creptice |
Sep 28 2005, 10:50 PM
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#1
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 13 Joined: 11-September 05 From: Lansing, MI Member No.: 4,783 |
I recently acquired my first 914. A 1972 with a 74 2.0 and a side shift conversion with 97K on the speedo. The car looks and drives great, my wife and I fell in love with it immediately. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)
It was a 300 mile drive to get the car home. On the way, the stereo shorted out, no big deal it needed a new one anyway. As it started to get dark I turned on the lights and tried to adjust the dash lights. The dash lights barely flickered when I turned the headlight knob and the fuel gauge popped hard over past full. Ok, I got a little electrical work to do. When I got the car home I noticed the rear passenger side suspension was about 1 – 1 ½ inches lower than the driver side and the fuel pressure sensor was laying on the engine resting on the badly cracked hoses. All of this and I still need to install the heater blower and the A/C components that were never replaced after the 2.0 was installed. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/headbang.gif) There is no way I’m giving this car up (my wife already acts like she gave birth to the thing) so it looks like I have some work to do. Now I’m not a mechanic, but a short conversation with the local Porsche dealership and I realize that I already know more about just the A/C system than they do. All confidence lost. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/screwy.gif) I already know that I have to rewire most of the electrical system, based on the amount of electrical tape under the dash and the fact that I can’t pull the instrument panel out far enough to see the wiring. The electrical system I have no problem with, but the most advanced mechanical work I have ever done is replace a water pump or alternator. I guess my big question is, can a novice mechanic safely strip down this car and replace/repair all of the things that need to be done to bring it up to snuff?? I have the time, the shop manuals, DerWhite Productions Exploded-View Part Diagram Manual and soon an empty wallet. |
SirAndy |
Sep 28 2005, 10:58 PM
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#2
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Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,642 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
i fear a cracked suspension console/ear! do a search on this topic here on the board, this has been discussed in detail before (with lots of pictures) ... if it is indeed a broken suspension ear, *DO NOT* drive the car until it gets fixed! oh, and welcome to the club! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif) Andy |
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GWN7 |
Sep 29 2005, 04:52 AM
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#3
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King of Road Trips Group: Members Posts: 6,280 Joined: 31-December 02 From: Winnipeg, MB, Canada Member No.: 56 Region Association: Northstar Region |
take pics of the suspension ear Andy mentioned and post them here......
As to the question, yes almost anyone can learn what to do when it comes to cars...... |
Sparky |
Sep 29 2005, 07:00 AM
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#4
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Mahna Mahna! Group: Members Posts: 1,134 Joined: 21-June 03 From: Spencer, MA Member No.: 847 |
let it be, let it be,
let it be, let it be, speaking words of wisdom, let it be. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/monkeydance.gif) Oh welcome to the club! My best, Mike D. |
Mark Henry |
Sep 29 2005, 07:23 AM
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#5
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that's what I do! Group: Members Posts: 20,065 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Port Hope, Ontario Member No.: 26 Region Association: Canada |
You will need a good supply of weed (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)
Oh... and jack stands (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif) |
joea9146 |
Sep 29 2005, 07:38 AM
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#6
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 663 Joined: 10-February 03 From: Denver, NC Member No.: 283 Region Association: None |
You will get a lot of Help and support from this Board you can do it yourself.
These cars are not that complicated. Just Takes lots of Time and Money$$. Posting pictures will allow people to help you better... Welcome and good luck... |
Bleyseng |
Sep 29 2005, 07:47 AM
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#7
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Aircooled Baby! Group: Members Posts: 13,034 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Seattle, Washington (for now) Member No.: 24 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Yep, take lots of pics and we will try to help sort out things out.
Geoff (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/boldblue.gif) |
tat2dphreak |
Sep 29 2005, 07:58 AM
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#8
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stoya, stoya, stoya Group: Benefactors Posts: 8,797 Joined: 6-June 03 From: Wylie, TX Member No.: 792 Region Association: Southwest Region |
welcome to the club... worst case is what Andy said... but pics will help... if you can't tell,we like pictures here... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/piratenanner.gif)
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Carlitos Way |
Sep 29 2005, 08:01 AM
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#9
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I did it MY WAY Group: Members Posts: 1,337 Joined: 14-September 04 From: Simi Valley, CA Member No.: 2,757 Region Association: Southern California |
My only words of wisdom are: look over the car very carefully. Make sure it is safe to drive. Don't take any shortcuts at the expense of your personal safety. Once you have the car up and running, you will enjoy it tremendously. But take the time to fix things right the first time around.
It might be a little too late, but you may want to ask one of the club members who lives close to you to help you take a look at your car. Many of the guys around here really know their stuff, and they could help you decide what is the most important order of business to get your car in road-worthy conditions. Be safe, and enjoy your 914!!! Carlos |
GaroldShaffer |
Sep 29 2005, 08:09 AM
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#10
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You bought another 914? Group: Benefactors Posts: 7,622 Joined: 27-June 03 From: Portage, IN Member No.: 865 Region Association: None |
There is a great group of guys in your general area. Their group goes by SMOG Southeast Michigan Owners Group. They host our Midwest classic event. If anything seems to be over your head they should be able to help you find local guys / shops that can help you. Click HERE for their website (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif)
There is alot on knowledge on this site. Take pictures (we like pictures) and ask questions we will get you through it. Oh and welcome to the insanity of the 914 world (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/aktion035.gif) |
SGB |
Sep 29 2005, 08:49 AM
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#11
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just visiting Group: Members Posts: 4,086 Joined: 8-March 03 From: Huntsville, AL Member No.: 404 Region Association: South East States |
Sure you can do it! It mostly takes persistance (and band-aids). My opinion is that my 914 is a hobby that doubles as transportation, not transportation that doubles as a hobby. Hope you have AT (alternate transportation). After the fear of breakdown is aleviated through repair or personal confidence in how to fix what may break, you will find that there is NO OTHER car available that provides the simple satisfaction of a 914's driving behaviour.
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JB 914 |
Sep 29 2005, 10:07 AM
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#12
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Daddy! Finish my car NOW!!! Group: Members Posts: 1,593 Joined: 26-September 04 From: Garden Grove, CA Member No.: 2,831 |
Welcome to the club. Lot's of resources here. i'm pretty sure Dr. Evil had an electrical diagram of the car. I don't remember if he posted it or not. you can always PM Dr Evil
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jsteele22 |
Sep 29 2005, 10:52 AM
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#13
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 727 Joined: 24-August 05 From: Colorado Springs, CO Member No.: 4,653 |
I'm new to the 914 world myself, although I've worked on other cars before. My take on getting started is to work on the safety-critical stuff first : brakes, suspension, steering. Once the car is safe, you can have a lot of fun driving it, even if it looks like cr*p (now how would I know that ?), and still has reliability problems. The most frustrating thing is getting parts : your local parts store won't have anything for a 914, so you're stuck w/ FedEx-ing everything. Oh, and try to do your work in small manageable jobs that leave the car in a driveable state. Once you tear into a car to do a full restoration, it can be years before you get to drive it again. |
jsteele22 |
Sep 29 2005, 10:53 AM
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#14
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 727 Joined: 24-August 05 From: Colorado Springs, CO Member No.: 4,653 |
Oh, and don't be too intimidated to work on it. After all, it's really just a Volkswagon...
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horizontally-opposed |
Sep 29 2005, 11:00 AM
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#15
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,432 Joined: 12-May 04 From: San Francisco Member No.: 2,058 Region Association: None |
Run for your life! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)
Seriously, welcome to the madness. And the "club," too. The 914 is a GREAT car and there are a lot of people on this board with all the answers you'll need. I learn something new about a car I've owned for 15+ years al the time here. Cheers! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif) pete |
pete-stevers |
Sep 29 2005, 11:01 AM
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#16
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saved from fire! Group: Members Posts: 2,641 Joined: 10-October 04 From: Abbotsford,BC, Canada Member No.: 2,914 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
yup.... I have some words of advice, if you take things apart....put the parts in ziplocks with a peice of paper in in the bag and a discription so that when you come back a week or more later it is all labled! and i mean every part.....
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Dead Air |
Sep 29 2005, 12:56 PM
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#17
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,268 Joined: 9-May 04 From: Buffalo, NY Member No.: 2,042 |
[QUOTE] (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/confused24.gif) That'd be the big qustion...We're still not sure |
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Grimstead |
Sep 29 2005, 12:57 PM
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#18
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Cheaky Monkey Group: Members Posts: 835 Joined: 20-March 05 From: Corona, Ca Member No.: 3,789 Region Association: Southern California |
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/agree.gif) Oooooh yeah, big time! |
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TINCAN914 |
Sep 29 2005, 01:42 PM
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#19
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Summer's Commin... Group: Members Posts: 2,440 Joined: 18-August 05 From: Colorado Springs, CO. Member No.: 4,611 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
This I learned after tearing down the interior. Great advice... Now can anyone read my writing? New here as well, this board is awesome!!! SOme much information and great people... |
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Gint |
Sep 29 2005, 04:50 PM
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#20
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Mike Ginter Group: Admin Posts: 16,075 Joined: 26-December 02 From: Denver CO. Member No.: 20 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
Welcome to the club!
There is a lot of help right here on this site. You can do it. I alomost forgot: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/thisthreadisworthlesswithoutpics.gif) |
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