Removable Backpad to Access Engine

douglas robbins · 03-11-2003, 06:24 PM

If you've been visiting all914.com, this issue is a rerun. But check out my removable backpad project, completed last weekend.

boxstr · 03-13-2003, 07:00 AM

Great idea, I would have had the upholstery shop fill the hole in the top pad.
CCLinLOO

Biggy72 · Biggy72's Garage

ya what's that hole for any way?

boxstr · 03-13-2003, 02:43 PM

A VW dome lite. worthless.
CCLinLOO

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Biggy72
ya what's that hole for any way?

Well, if ya got a six....the easiest way to change the alternator belt.

boxstr · 03-13-2003, 03:41 PM

That hole??
CCLinLOO

Biggy72 · Biggy72's Garage

so that's where the dome light is....I've been tryin to figure out where the dome light went but my car doesn't have one. I'll probably put it somewhere a little better than right there though.

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

To change a fan belt thru the dome light you would have to be a gynocologist, Craig.

Geoff

mikester · 03-13-2003, 09:04 PM

my dome light works great.

Damn well better too, took me the better part of an afternoon to get it rewired to the doors.

=-)

douglas robbins · 03-14-2003, 12:11 PM

Just to clarify, the little hole in the leather in the first picture is for the dome light. The large hole, (reproduced below), sealed by an aluminum panel, lined with screws, is how you access the engine compartment to change the fan belt and to manually crank the engine, using the alternator nut in order to perform a valve adjustment.

The reason why valve adjustments are such a pain in the ass in 914s is largely because its a ***** to turn the engine over manually (because the alternator pulley/crank pulley is hidden against the firewall. That's why people sometimes chip the fan trying to turn the alternator/crank pulley and that's why PP has recommended that you jack the car up and turn one of the tires while in gear. All of this is to get around the problem of hand turning the engine.

Douglas

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Bleyseng
To change a fan belt thru the dome light you would have to be a gynocologist, Craig.

Geoff

ROFL-AL-AL-AL!

James

Andyrew · Andyrew's Garage

Speeking of that....

A gynecologist had a burning desire to change careers and become a
mechanic. So he found out from the local tech college what was
involved, signed up for evening classes, attended diligently, and
learned all he could.

When the time for the practical exam approached, the Gynecologist
prepared carefully for weeks, and completed the exam with tremendous
skill.

When the results came back, he was surprised to find that he had
obtained a mark of 150%. Fearing an error, he called the instructor
and said, "I don't want to appear ungrateful for such an outstanding
result, but I wondered if there had been an error which needed
adjusting."

The instructor said, "During the exam, you took the engine apart
perfectly, which was worth 50% of the total mark. You put the engine
back together again perfectly, which is also worth 50% of the mark. I
gave you an extra 50% because you did all of it through the muffler.

skline · skline's Garage

Ok, So you cut a hole in your firewall to do valve adjustments easier? I made a T out of a 2X4 and a 4X4 to hold one of the wheels while I turned the other one to rotate the enigne. It fits perfect between two lug bolts to hold one wheel while it is up in the air. With the marks on the flywheel I can see underneath throught the small hole in the case. Do a complete valve adjustment in about 15 minutes alone. Works great.

douglas robbins · 03-14-2003, 04:42 PM

The wooden stilt idea sounds interesting but I'm having a hard time picturing it. Love to see photos.

Douglas

skline · skline's Garage

2 nails, 1 2X4 about 2.5 feet long, and one 4X4 about 2.5 feet long. Took 2 minutes to build and works great. I feel safer with the car on Jack Stands rather than taking the chance of rolling over or off a ramp.

D7N7MASTER · D7N7MASTER's Garage

All creative ideas... How 'bout one car ramp & one jack stand?

D7N7MASTER · D7N7MASTER's Garage

The REAL reason why valve adjustments are such a pain in the ass in 914s is largely because its a ***** to get your hand/hands inside the tin to reach the adjuster. I cut the **** out of my arms every-time. Am I tryin' 2 hard?
G

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

I only put one side of the car in the air at a time.

I get to most of the valves from the rear of the rocker box area, with my arm laying on the heat exchanger. A couple I can get to from the front of the rocker box. And on one side, I can get to one or two valves directly from the side, sort of.

--DD

Mountain914 · 03-15-2003, 09:14 AM

hey Douglas, I like it!
Here's some pics of mine. I haven't yet put a metal panel in, I have been flip-flopping between aluminum and stainless.
Makes distributor work, belt change, etc... much easier!

M. Hendrix · 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bleyseng
To change a fan belt thru the dome light you would have to be a gynocologist, Craig.

ROFL! Thanks man, I needed that.

People with A/C could probably benefit from the extra cooling of just leaving it open, the extra heat in the winter is also a plus.

M