Back to the basics, Its the little things in life... Options

[grayson]

I just repaired my door handel mechinism. My hands are covered in red grease, and black grease. Its a simple job, but it took me an hour or so.

Thats not the point though, I've been driving my new toy to work since my daily driver (saab) cant hold a charge and my mechanic is of course on holiday. Driving the 914 more and more I realize jeez, theres a lot I need to have fixed, or looked at...

First of all, new oil and filter. What is a good recommendation? There is a bottle of 10W30 already from the seller, so I'm assuming I'll stick with that. What kind of filter? I cant get to the filter without a jack I assume, since I cant find it, and my Haynes book says its around the underside.

What does it mean when shifting into 2nd gear too soon makes the engine rattle? Same thing can happen in 3rd sometimes.
(I'm assuming this is because something on the engine is loose)

What does it mean when 1st gear almost always grinds when starting from a stand still after warming up? The only way I can avoid this it seems, is to shift into 1st before the car rev's to an idle speed.
(I'm assuming this is the synchromesh dieing)

Turning on the heater to full heat makes the cabin smell like its on fire! Does this mean the heater box is causing some kind electrical fire? Fan works, and pushing all the sliders to about half way doesnt heat up or cause the smell.

I think thats all I got for now. ANY help would be appreciated!

OH and can anyone recommend a 914 mechanic in the East Bay San Francisco area? I'm just on the other side of the Caldicott tunnel.

The engine is a 74 1.8 FI but the tranny is pre-73 linkage (its a hybrid really)

Again, thanks for any help at all!