1) I fired up my engine for cam break-in. The good is that it actually worked. The bad is several (like 4 or 5) pushrod tube seals are leaking.

Pushrod tubes are original. O-rings are viton from McMaster-Carr size 212 and 214. I still have the O-rings from the VR gasket kit but wasn't sure if they are viton. Should I use the VR kit o-rings or maybe try the square profile viton o-rings from McMaster?

https://www.mcmaster.com/1170n84
https://www.mcmaster.com/1170n86

These are kind of expensive, but if they fix the leaks....

2) From what I can tell both the clutch and throttle cable are in tubes that run along the length of the center tunnel. If that's the case can one just pull the old cables out then install the new ones through the engine compartment; no need to attack a string to pull the new cable through?

3) Can the rear axles be installed after the engine, exhaust and transmission assembly is in place? I want to install the motor first just to make garage space and so I can leave the starter in place.

1. Pushrod tube seals.
Buy a set of new pushrod tubes. They tend to get distorted over the years. Then get a set of viton seals from your favorite 914 parts supplier. That way you know they are right. Install them with a little plain grease to ease installation. DO NOT use any sealer like silicone (I am channeling the ghost of Captain Crusty here). That should fix the leaks.

2. Cables.
You disconnect them at the pedal end, then pull them out from the engine compartment end. Push the new cables in from the engine compartment, and hook them up. Beware, you can get the throttle cable wrapped around the clutch cable. This will cause your car to rev up when you push in the clutch. I always check by having Betty push the clutch while I watch the throttle body to see if it tries to open.

3. You can put the axles in after the engine. But it is much easier to do it before. If you do it after, you may have to pull the trailing arms and/or the heat exchangers to get them in.

Good luck,

Clay

Thanks for the advice.

Wonder if anyone here has used pushrod tubes from IAP.

http://iapperformance.com/product/engine/o...2000cc-914.html

They are about 1/3 of the price (Rock Auto) of Dansk tubes.

Note that there are cables out there where the ferule (the solid part at the end of the cable) is a bit long, and these can sometimes get jammed where the tubes in the center tunnel curve. I think it was the clutch cable that was more prone to this, but I am not sure.

Rust in the center tunnel can partly obstruct the tubes and make it harder to get anything through them. (Rust, in a 914? Who knew?)

--DD