[JP Noonan]

Most people (me included) find out that the car is fuel injected and automatically blame it and forget to start with the basics. The engine is an electric FI but still has standard points and condensor, for $5-10 change both. Set point dwell with a feeler to get close enough to start, then check static timing by having #1 on DTC and turning the dizzy until the points are just ABOUT to start opening. Then turn it to 5 degrees and the points should now just be opening. A test light can help, or do is visually (Note: I have been up for a few days now and don't have my books in front of me, best bet is to look at the Haynes manual). That done, check for spark at the coil. Dwell and timing are now close, use a dwell meter and timing light to get them right on. I've had my car sit for 2-3 months and the points go bad (Miami, go figure, it's humid) so 20 years...

Which reminds me, I've started a few cars after long storage, if you would like to stay alive there are a few key points.

1. CHANGE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE FUEL HOSES, YES EVEN THE ONES THAT LOOK O.K. sitting in a pool of gas isn't fun BTDT.

2. Spray some lube into the spark plug holes.

3. I remove the lifters and use engine lube on them, while there I change the O-rings, then a valve adjust. It lets me see what condition the cam/lifters are in, and the O-rings are ussaly bad after sitting for so long.

4. Plugs foul really quick sometimes. If the car won't start after 10-15 tries, pull the plugs and see if they are fouled.

5. Either drain the tank and clean it (you need to pull it out anyway to get to the fuel hoses under the tank) or at least use gas from a jerry gas.

6. Once things start and are warmed up (2-5 minules of smiling to ones self) change all the fluids and filters. Use regular oil, synthetics are great, but remove wax buildup which is most likely the only thing keeping the engine oil tight, also the synthetics have smaller molecules that leak easier.


Look up on the archives about "starting a 914 after long storage" (smething to that effect) about a year back. Also look on the 914 club forum. I think it was a year or two back we were talking abou this subject.