So...just about since the beginning of Nadine and I owning a 914 (17 years with Papa Smurf), all our 914's have been carbureted. Papa started as FI, but within a year was increased to a 2.4/4 and got carbs.
For those of you that have always had factory FI, you wouldn't understand.
Here is the typical procedure we've experienced with a Carbed 914:
1.Turn the key and hear the fuel pump run (hopefully)
2.Wait until it changes tone meaning there is pressure in the lines, and presumably fuel in the carb floats.
3.Pump the gas a few times
4.Turn the key further to start the engine
5.Pump gas wildly
6.Hear engine start, cough, and die
7.Repeat steps 3-6 until the engine stays running by itself - the number of times you must repeat is in direct proportion to how long its been sitting, or how cold it is, or if it's Tuesday, or .....
8.Rev the engine, and it dies.
9.Repeat until you can rev and it idles fine. Usually it lets you know for a few minutes that it preferred to be sleeping by backfiring, coughing, popping, etc. Generally being unhappy.
Yesterday, I jumped in Huey to take him to Black Forest Garage for a few minor things to be addressed. We just last month put in a 3.2 engine with all factory ignition, FI, etc. He's been sitting for about a month since Porschefest, his maiden voyage with the new engine.
So, here's how it went:
1. Turned the key, it started, and idled just fine.....
Hmmm...SOMETHING has GOT to be wrong here. I've NEVER had this happen with Huey...I mean NEVER. I sat waiting for it to stall, waiting for it to cough or make some bad noise. Nothing.
I put it in gear, and drove away.
And wow, is that 3.2 nice!!!
Just thought I would share my enjoyment with everyone...