Ok so I have a confession . I am not really a DIY kinda guy . For instance I just picked up my car from the good folks at HPH . I had them do:
1. Koni Yellows front and back
2. 100# rear springs
While they were in there they discovered many "issues" and recommended lotsa fixe s, and at this time I opted to have them:
1. Replace tranny mounts with "sport mounts" (sounds vaguely sexual)
2. New ball joints (definitely sexual)
I am having them do tranny rebuild and a Raby/Brad 2056 (I think?) on a core I sent them so I will postphone the other recommendations:
1. braided brake lines
2. Tie rod ends
3. Speedo cable replace
4. Tranny seal repair

I understand that these were "comfort" mods as opposed to performance mods . She rode home from Redwood City to the east bay smooth as buttah and crying for re-power ! Was happy to write the check to HPH and looking forward to having the motor tranny combo installed SOON and to join y'all on the asphalt at the old Naval Air Station tarmac! Does this make me a bad person ? I have a lot of admiration for those who pound and cajole these little cars into shape totally on your own and feel lucky to be able to afford to pay the pros to dress mine up !

story of my life (or at least the life of my 914)

We love you still. This group is all about enjoying 914's. That often can be better done if you don't have to work on 'em!

What I also wanted to convey for those of us lucky to be in the SF bay area is thanks to Rich and Brad and HPH. What a resource! Other shops would groan when I drove up in my 914. These guys are smart enough to write up the work order and call a couple of days later to let me know the car is ready to pick up.

I tried folks, I am 6ft4 and pushing hard on 240#'s and I have problems stuffing my large ass frame into the engine compartment and underneath the car. I figure if Rich and Brad don't go into the medical device business, I will let them have the 914 market.

We look forward to seeing you at the autocross events. The event this last weekend was my first one in a 914 and I had a blast.

-Britain

You have a good solid tub. It will be REALLY nice when we get the engine/tranny combo in place.

It is amazing when people bring in cars for the first time and I get to see everything worn out. Most people dont know what NEW feels like. They just drive around on old worn out parts. Easy to impress them when we get the green light to replace all the crap.

I wish I could send out daily warnings so people would CHECK their ball joints/tie rods/tranny mounts. I dont LOOK for things to replace on a car but nearly every single car for the last 10 have needed at least one tranny mount. I honestly dont think people even know what to look for.

Glad your happy. I'm trying real hard to get things rolling here so we can all have some fun..like we did at the AutoX.


B

Thanks for the nice words Patrick. We appreciate people who appreciate our work! Were looking forward to making you a car you can be proud of and have a lot of fun.

You guys haven't seen a slightly rusty 914/6 tub layin around there have ya?

That might have been the one I threw in the garbage this last weekend...you wouldn't want it anyway, too much rust!

-Britain

Well ya don't have to worry much about ballast, do ya....

It always amazes me on how many big and tall people have 914s and can actually FIT in them....

Nothing to be ashamed of at all....heck, I'd have a running car if I was smart enough to let someone else work on it

Mike, that falls under the heading...
"if you want something bad enough........."
Or,
"this is gonna hurt but I don't give a shit"!

If I had the means to have the work done I certainly wouldn't be crawl'n around on the shop floor wishin' my bones would quit hurtin everytime I had to get up to get a tool. gawdam concrete floor is hard on da knees

..........b

Bruce...I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one who is sore & tired after a weekend of dicking with the 914. I thought it was just the old-timer's disease kicking in.

After hanging upside down from the rollcage cutting and drilling metal, or squirming around on the concrete under the car, I am beat!

The wife says it's because I'm "too out of shape" aw, what the heck does she know?

MikeG. Your tub was last seen heading north on a flatbed.



B

Hey Brad,

What do worn out tranny mounts look like? Just cracked, or is there something special to look for? I don't think I've checked mine yet (please don't hate me), but I'll check em tonight.

What he said. What DO you look for???

Any sign of a tub heading south on a flatbed?

Mikey

Aren't you glad that you finally came out?!?




Not that there's anything WRONG with that!

My sphincter aches just looking at THAT....yeesch...

I have a couple of extra tranny mounts, slightly used, and was going to try an old "stock car trick" on them. I was thinking of filling the voids with RTV silicone to stiffen them up. Has anyone tried this? Will it buy you any time until new ones come in?
I don't even have my car on the road yet but I am always trying to think of ways to improve it.

I throw them away.. so I *might* or might not have one for pics.

I have seen people fill them in with a hardening clear epoxy to stiffen them up.

Let me check my archives of pics.


B

With the mounts out of the car, is there a good way to test them? I was thinking of putting a rod through one with it in a vise and wiggle it around but without have a brand new one to compare it with.......?

Cracks.. Thats what I looked for. Any cracks and their gone. Check your motor mounts as well. Mine where ok, but I replaced them anyways, its all insurance..

Andrew

I have been a DIY guy most of my life. I bought a '72 914 off the showroom floor and proceeded to build the engine as big as I could go at the time. After grenading the trans I rebuilt that. When you are young you have no fear as long as you have some kind of manual to show you the way. I would not take any of my vehicles to any garage to work on. Whatever it was I would fix it. Rebuilt motors, trans, rear ends, whatever. As I got older I grew tired of this for the daily drivers. I got to a point where I would not touch anything. Take it to the dealer. (What a rip-off). I picked up the 914 about a year ago and have had a ball with it. Feels good to turn the wrenches again. Nothing wrong with letting a reputable garage do the work. Depends on where you are in life. Afterall the fun is in the driving. I believe this and one other forum gives you the confidence to dig into it yourself. Venture out and do what you can and leave the stuff that is beyond you to the professionals. There are some really good people here that can help you through just about anythig.

Welcome to the board klink! Post some pics of your 914!

Hi Mike. Thanks for the welcome. Here is a not too recent picture of our project. Made some improvements since then. New lenses and an early style front bumper. Not to mention a 2.2L six sitting in the garage awaiting conversion parts. Having problems attaching the picture so I don't know if this will work. If it doesn't happen can you give us some help on this. I guess that's why they call us 'newbies'.

You did just fine. Nice car! Go to the top of the Tech Forum page and post some more pics in the Members 914 pictures thread. There's quite a collection there and you might as join in.