[jcolr]

hello, I received a 71' 914 as payment for working on another car. when the former owner drove it to my house, it was overheating and smoking. upon investigation, I found about 1 1/2 quarts of water in the sump when I drained the oil. also, car would not start after he brought it to me. Found "0" compression on all cylinders. Thinking I had some stuck valves or piston rings stuck in the grooves I started to disassemble the engine.no stuck valves, no stuck rings. Pistons did look like they were dripped in mud. But ,my question rihgt now is-with the thermostat bellows completely removed from the engine,will that cause it to overheat? the former owner said he had benn driving the car for years that way and didn't know it was missing. I know I have alot of work ahead of me , but I am asking one question at a time. thanks,jim