Curious where you got them re-dipped?

The engine bay quietly awaits the return of the Weber. Yes, I suppose I could have tried to correct the leak but at this point I wanted to take no chances. If you have been following the thread you will recall the many unexpected challenges that have reared their ugly head along the way.

I was close to the first start (hopefully no other issues), in the middle of the carb leak, and on the phone with my carb guy who really wanted to see where the problem was, so I agreed to send the carb back. Slow me down, yup, for sure, but the way things have been going, maybe another surprise awaited me under that leaking cap. Maybe not. He stands behind his work, something that seems rare these days. Should be back mid next week so I'll pick it up from there.

Gives me time now to replace that fuel pressure guage I was not totally comfortable with to a higher quality Marshal guage. I said good enough for the short term start up but I want to feel more confident in the desired 3.5 PSI pressure to the carbs.
I appreciate all the comments and support.

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The seal under the brass covers should be a red fiber material not copper or aluminum.
In my experience new ones will leak when first installed.
If you soak them in gas before install they will swell and seal better.

My understanding is that it is an aluminum crush seal. Could be wrong.


I think it is these two shown here:
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aluminum......

Today was the big day! I finally fired up my 6 for the first time!

Because I had cranked it before it was lubricated, and because I had pressure checked the fuel system, fuel was in the carbs, and the pressure regulator was set.

I tuned the key and it sputtered.

Like it wanted to start, so I turned the dizzy just a bit and tried again and it fired right up, it was almost surreal.

It started right up to a very nice high idle. After a little over 4 years it runs and sounds fantastic!

I have tried to the best of my ability to post videos but they are just too big, even at only 19 seconds long, and I have tried everything I know to shrink them with no success.
Maybe later I can. This was the good news post.........

Now for the bad news post, I just can't catch a break.

So after a reasonable run in, I decided to back it into the garage.

Put it in reverse and it wants to go forward. Hmmmm...

You know whats coming. Right?

Yup, I have one speed forward and 5 speed reverse. I knew right away what was wrong but called my buddy to commiserate and confirm my worst thoughts, the ring gear is in backwards. again.

Now, understand the trans came with the project from the PO where he had sent it out for the following, and it even had a tag on it from the builder which clearly said:
901
Install intermediate plate
1 gear
1 needle bearing
Gasket
Machining.

PO had stated the trans had been checked out thoroughly. This was one item I had not been concerned about with my build.

So there won't be any of this for a while longer.

Unbelievable Jim, truly unbelievable. What a kick in the teeth that must have been. The only positive I can think of is that it's nothing terminal and it can be fixed relatively quickly without too much cost. At this stage you just have to say it could have been a lot worse.

Appreciate your weighing in. Sure didn't see this one coming.
I don't know at this point if this is something I can tackle myself or not, first step is to drop the trans. Might be someone local I can take it to as I think special tools may be required. I got a couple leads today for local trans folks to check out.

I have also reached out to Dr Evil and waiting to hear back.

I understand the trans can come out while leaving the engine in, so that is a relief.

Heard back from Dr Evil and good news I can remove the trans and flip the ring gear myself.

Here is what the Dr said:
"If it was a 914 trans to begin with, you simply have to pull the transmission, pull the gear stack, plop the diff in the right way, put the stack back in, and yer good to go as the dimensions for R/P and backlash were likely conserved."
Many thanks to the Dr for his quick reply, info and reassurance.

Confirmed it is in fact a 914 trans.
So, last night I had been in contact with the PO sharing both the joy and down fall of the first start up run and I could tell my trans discovery really bothered him. He searched and sent me similar info to the Dr which I appreciated. The Dr provided a bit more credibility and confidence to the flip. Thanks Rob!

I forgot to take any pictures at the Phoenix Club this weekend so I was really glad to see someone got a picture of me!

Yup that is me behind that cool 6
Photo credit to 914-300Hemi. He was probably saying to himself get out of my picture! Sorry about that.

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Transmission hiccup now behind me. Well, it's back in the car at least.

Had a few other priorities and just took my time to feel my way through the trans “issue” with the extremely patient helpful Dr Evil. He walked me through many questions and details. Suffice it to say there was a bit more to it than “just pull the stack back and flip the ring gear” as it started out. He has done so many that it is all second nature to him I am sure. Many thanks Dr Evil much appreciated.

Crud, back out the trans came leaving the engine in place.

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Some how I managed not to get a picture of the backwards ring gear but here is the differential correctly now!


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The process

I applied Prussian Blue to 3 areas of the ring gear in 4 tooth sections

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Difficult to get a good picture of the resultant pattern but contact appeared to be correct and consistent. The hardest part was cleaning off the blue when done.


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The process allowed me to make a few more improvements along the way. Namely better fit of headers, muffler, and muffler bracket, half a day there.

And the home to which it returned. All in all, these are pretty good cars to work on because at first I thought I would have to drop the engine AND trans.
Not too bad really, I was just not in the mood to do it. Schnoor washers and repacking the CV joints and all.


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That's one clean car.

Finally got the start up video with he help of a buddy of mine.


This was shot the day of first start up which was Mar 4. I love the sound

https://youtu.be/0iJWc_0Xwyw

Excellent Jim,contantly checking your updates,funny how aircooled engines sound like a rotating tin full of bolts on YouTube must be a sound recording buggered if I know why,seems they all sound like that .
So I'am assuming that if the side cover gaskets are replaced with same the diff go's from one side to the other ? or did you need to recheck diff bearing pre-load ?
Congrats and well done on a very clean tidy conversion,you must be really keen for a test run ,have you run in your cams yet?
.

Thanks Mark! Only had about 2 hours of engine run time in the driveway at that point when I figured out the ring gear was in backwards!
Funny now but no so much then.

Great day today! Drove it for the first time today around the neighborhood!
Does the term shit eating grin sound about right here? What a feeling.
Hope to post a video tomorrow. It was a very good day, insurance, DMV at AAA. Everything just clicked for once.

Great news!!

Thanks for checking in!!!
Yeah, I don't know why the sound is not right on You Tube and you are not the first to tell me that. Well it sounds like a beast in person even with the stock muffler.

Like I mentioned in the last post reply, I drove it for the first time today and looking forward to much more of that!

Did not check bearing pre-load and here is why.
I knew the disassembly was done to replace the mid plate with 914-6 mid plate, and a first gear and bearing. So it was more than likely that the ring gear was accidentally flipped. Doesn't say much for the shop I know but there was a tag on the trans stating what had been done. I figure if he was used to 901 trans for a 911, it was an honest mistake. I had a lot of helpful guidance and assurance from Dr Evil on the trans.
Now should it not pan out over time, maybe I see a 915 trans in my future.


Dc 40 cams seem to be coming along just fine. Hoping to post driving video tomorrow!

Congratulations.

Great news Jim, I'm so pleased for you to finally have the car driving. Enjoy every second of it! Looking forward to the video and more photos of the car in the wild!

Fantastic! I'm living vicariously.

Excellent!. Perhaps you should rename this thread to “finished a 914-6 conversion”.

Yes I remember, it does feel good - well done

Thanks much! Yours will be there too some day! I look at every one of your updates and all the great work being done to your car. Was hoping to meet you in Anaheim but missed you somehow. Thanks for looking in.

Please do!
Well my friend I would say you are meeting the challenges well on your car. Your car is coming along very nicely. Your welding skills far exceed mine and thankfully I did not have that hurdle. I shall never again complain about it being cold in my garage here in So Cal. after seeing your winter pictures. I see you started in 2017, so, far less time than I have been working on mine and hopefully it will be done in a shorter amount of time. Mine has only been off the road since Clinton was in office. Different hurdles we faced for sure but in the end you will have the pride of doing it yourself. Congrats on your progress and having the presence of mind to post the picture of fornicating frogs on your thread. Keep up the good work and I shall follow you more closely from now on.

LOL

Thank you! Finally having a driving 914 is fantastic!
Was really hoping to get a driving video this weekend but had trouble lining up a willing participant, buddies were tied up.
Having never driven the car since I purchased it (had no engine installed) it was truly something to drive it for the first time.
Please keep the updates on your car progress coming! I know your goal for paint.

Well not a bad idea but it is not finished yet! There is more to come so stay tuned!

Driving Video as in today

https://youtu.be/dZnHasrS5Ps

Oh what a great feeling it is!!!


Jeff B

Terrific Jim...time to party

Oscar

Sometimes things just get done out of order.

Should I have installed my MaxJax before getting into this car? Probably, but I absolutely knew it would be more involved than just drilling some holes in the floor and making it level. Unfortunately, I was right, as it proved to be even more work than I anticipated, but now it is done. In actuality it is far more useful at this point because the car really pretty much was on jack stands anyway for the better part of 3 years. It wasn’t until near the end of the major work that it needed to go up and down a few times.


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I was not willing to trust the relatively small foot print and 5 anchors on each post with my cars so I tied into the wall and ceiling on one side and to the ceiling on the other side. Now I trust it. Uprights are 2” X 2”, 1/4"angle iron welded back to back together to make a sturdy beam.

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MaxJax is intended to be a more portable but I am mounting it permanently to eliminate the cart and will mount the control unit to the wall this week.
It is a bit tight I know but the best I can do.
At least I got a lift now!

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That is both nice and SMART.........

A few more pictures.

Ceiling mounting brackets shown here. Yeah, that antique garage door opener is going away soon and a side wider opener will be going in and really clean up that ceiling.

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And a view from the rear.
I should note those license plates are just temporary and my personal plates are on order. I will unveil them when they arrive in 8 to 12 weeks.
Cant Wait.


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Is this the new plate for the beast?

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Actually that was the one I wanted for the turbo but someone has it...

No but cool plate.
Hey when you coming down?
Thought you were coming for first ride?
Still working out a few bugs but the engine runs great!

I was going to come down for the first ride but you had five reverse gears at that time, and I don't know your driving skills well enough to determine if that would have been a fun outing or not.

Things have been a bit hectic the last few weeks, and the next three weekends are pretty much shot.

It looks like Cinco de Mayo is the next open weekend - which would seem to work perfectly for a celebratory cold beverage and drive. I may have to substitute Negro Modelo for the Jackstand Ale though, in honor of our neighbors south of the border.

Excellent ,sounded great IMO none better,was that a cop in the layby...looked like it .
About time you told us how well it go's ????,I know it will be quick but how ....
Well done really pleased for you.

Thanks! No, there was no cop there.
Planning another video for "how well it goes" soon.
In the mean time, suffice it to say, it goes!!
However, in all honesty, it is taking me some time to get used to the 901 with a short shift. Way different from the 915 in my 78 911 SC and my daily driver Scion XB 5 speed. Getting better but its been years since I had a 901.

Short list of bugs to address:

1.) Latest discovery is the front Weltmeister sway bar drop link bushings crumbled. Saw bits on the floor of the garage and knew there was definitely a problem. 20+ years off the road sitting is not good. New ones on order due this week. Need to check all the others now.
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2.) Fuel guage is very erratic so got to get into that. Probably the sender. Did some searching here on 914 World and found some good info to work with.

3.) Speedometer works but not odometer, so got to replace that little nylon gear in there.

4.) And an exhaust leak between the right header and the muffler, leaking from the top of the flange. I've tried a few things to fix it already and now I got another plan. But I contacted Marty at MSDS and he suggested a few ideas to fix it and even offered to "repair or replace". Hope it doesn't come to that. But think about it, this is a guy that really stands behind his product! I did not directly buy the headers from him, the PO did and like 7 years ago! What a great guy! Thanks Marty I'll keep you posted!


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It does look like the flange got trashed some how. For now you could double up on the gaskets.

Car looks great.... nice lift as well.

Flange is not really trashed just a bit thinner on top on this side so will do some filing and maybe try a bit of JB Weld and yes that's a good idea to try extra gasket.
Thanks

Thanks!
I have to say the convenience was worth the effort. There are a few short comings with the lift but all in all for the price it was a good choice and it does the job. It was surprising that their tolerances are pretty wide as far as how out of level the two lift sides can be. I am continuing to strive to make them as level as possible, right now I am at about 3/4" difference off side to side and their tolerance is 1.5" which would never be acceptable to me. Instructions could be vastly improved and I made numerous calls to their technical department for clarification. Have to say on the plus side that their technical department is very helpful and will take thew time to work with you in great detail.

Like I said I was not willing to trust my cars to their relatively small foot print and 5 anchors (per side) which by the way are not the most straight forward to install correctly. I felt additional insurance was needed and bracing a must. It had been years since I arc welded so I had a bit of a re-learning curve to make my side beams but rather enjoyed the welding.