How does one remove the round "taco plate " from the bottom of the engine of a 1.8L ???? Can it be done with the engine still in the car ??? Or does it have to have the engine removed and torn down to be done ???

Will be buying a 914 with 1.8L engine that needs to have the taco plate removed because it is slightly damaged/bent.

It's just 2 10mm bolts. Shouldn't be a problem pulling it with the motor in.

Drain the oil first...

Two screws hold it in place. Remove those, and out it comes. It's quite exposed on the bottom of the engine, so yes, it's possible to remove it with the engine in the car. Note that the engine oil has to be drained first, or you'll drain it quick by pulling that plate.

Thanks for the info. I'm glad that it can be done this way. The car is a '72 914, of course, that needs some cosmetic work done to it. It's silver and rust free ! ! ! ! ! Rust free and 914, now there's an oxymoron if there ever was one.

Ahem! Those would be 6mm bolts. BTW, there are copper crush washers under the heads, and an o-ring that should be replaced. The Cap'n

[color=#CC33CC]And how did it get bent???? WTF[/color ]

How did it get bent ????. . . . . . Well the PO said he bent it a little when attempting to install an oil temp sensor on the taco plate and bent it a little. Until I can get under it and remove it I can not confirm that. Thje question from me would be why put a oil temp sensor on the taco plate and not antoher place that is less vulnerable to damage by being so exposed to the elements ???

Also, I am puzzled why there are only 2 screws/bolts attaching it to the engine. 2 screws don't seem to be enough to apply a good sealing pressure/effort around the whole plate. 6 or 8 would seem to mwe to be better. Of course one should always r and r the seals. BTW , where can one get a new seal and plate ?

the sensor is not in harms way under normal operating conditions..it sounds like the only reason for it to get damaged was due to the PO messing it up. It is not a design flaw

Depending on how badly it is tweaked, you should be able to unbend it, install a new o-ring along with 2 new copper crush washers (available at the dealer or most of the good on-line P-car specialist) For part numbers, buy a PET disc from the dealer, they are about $10 to $20...don't get ripped off and buy 1 from ebay for $75 or so (no, I didn't buy one, it irks me to see people screw others out of money)

Its not in the way and never should be struck by anything! its located there cuz the sensor pokes right into the hot sump oil giving accurate oil temp readings of the bulk of the oil vs in a head or off the pressure sender gallery. There is no pressure so 2 small bolts hold it in place with no problem.
If the PO bent it wow, thats hard to do unless you smack it!