What do I have?

[galto]

Once registered as a '72, now a '74, some parts here and there from a '73 maby a '72, but the 7 pin L-jet from a '75.
VIN says 0474.... how do I decode a VIN, what *should* be installed in the car? I am thinking the 6 pin L-jet from a 74 because, after all, the VIN does say April of 1974.
One day she will live again, or I will die trying. But not untill I can work on her without getting soaked with cold water.
This car has me very confused, anyone out there that can clarify?
Would picture(s) of anything help?

[jamcleod]

VIN is 47429XXXXX so 3rd digit is year of manufacture. date should also be on drivers door jamb. you don't say, but all your FI references are for a 1.8 L-jet. what should be installed? whatever it takes to get it on the road. unless it's a CW car, 6- pin, 7- pin, doesn't matter.

[galto]

Probolem: Doesn't run
So, what did the factory have in it to make it run? I was thinking because it is a 74 VIN, and that's what the door jamb says, it should be a 74. Thus, I look up 74 in my auto manual and I make it like the 74 manual says, or is it a 75 sold in 74?
But it's the start of 74, so why would a 75 be out?
So let me rephrase,
Can anyone help me figure out what came installed in the car?

[cshogen]

OK I'm trying to follow you here... you are trying to make sure that you are referencing the manual for the correct year engine?

If you have L-Jet it is almost definitely a 1.8L engine, which is the only 914 engine to get the L-Jet from the factory. Those were available in 1974 and 1975. It is odd that you have a 7-pin AFM plug, but other than that the engines really aren't that much different at all. Just look in the section for 1.8L engines and you should be fine. As an FYI, the VIN generally references the model year of the car, so it would be very rare to find a 1975 car with a 1974 VIN. What could have happened is that a 1975 engine was put in your car to replace the original, but I would bet the Air Flow Meter was replaced with a 1975 unit and corresponding plug. What is the engine number? Should start with EC and then some numbers.

[D7N7MASTER]

Find the Engine Code - (located on the engine, way in the front, on top of engine) and post it on this bbs. Add a pic of your engine compartment. If it's fuel injected & a 2.0 it should have a square looking air cleaner located sorta to the drivers side of the car. And congrats!!! Hope u got it for cheap & with minimum rust... it's there somewhere!

[bowlsby]

474xxxx is a 1974 model year car. Unquestionably.

The Pet CD and factory parts list show the engine serial number when the FI changed...tell us the engine serial number and we can determine which FI set-up you should have for your engine.

An L-Jet 1.8L engine will have the serial number starting with EC....not EA...

There were three different EC FI harnesses...

[svandamme]

the porsche model year starts in september

so you can have a 75 model
in 74

my 911 is made in '72, but no oil flap on the right, it's a 73 model
the Vin indicates the model year , not the manufactured year

[galto]

Got some pictures
It does have a square air filter near the driver side, not in car now, but here is what it looks like.

Not sure where the engine SN is, I found some form of a number on the top side of the car, psngr side. (Above photo)
ZUNDFOLGE 1-4-3-2

[galto]

Some more pictures:
Injector:

VIN:

Stuff I don't like:

And there is lots more where that came from.

[Acox914]

zundefolge = firing order "1,4,3,2"

[bowlsby]

What is the original color of your car Galto?...I am curious...

Also, then engine serial number can be found ona raised-smooth boss opn the topside, rear passenger side of the engine, on the case, near the center seam. It begins with EC....

[galto]

Topside on psngr side on the rear, I will look again.
Didn't see anything that started with an EC, could have mised it.

[cshogen]

It's not the easiest number to find that's for sure. If you have the Haynes Manual it shows the location in a photo.

How about that paint code (great idea Bowlsby!)? Should be on a plate right by the driver's door hinges (front part) It usually contains a letter (L), 2 numbers, then a letter. Mine is L50C (Laguna Blue).

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

It's def. a 1.8

[galto]

After discovering a new way to cram my self in the engine bay, I got a picture of the engine SN: EC030694
So... what does this tell me? Sorry about not getting the color code all, will get it next time I get to visit.

I believe the car started out yellow, but it is now blue.

[cshogen]

It tells you that you have a 1.8L engine for sure. Nice job! Yellow is a good color too!

[galto]

So, that means I can replace my FI system (a 7 pin now) with a 6 pin, as long as the entire unit, ECU, harness and air box is changed?
What probolems might I have?

[bowlsby]

The PET CD lists 2 different part numbers for the 1.8L ECU and FI harness, with the break occuring at engine serial number EC037551, which is why I asked. It appears, though the PET CD does not specifically say it, that the 1974 cars with engines through EC 037551 came with the earlier (6 pin AFM?) FI setup and from EC 037552 onwards, came with the later (7 pin AFM?) set-up. I can confirm however that there is at least one other harness, because I have seen them, but it is similar to one of the others...it has an extra branch for an optional altitude compensator...not critical.

I think its most important that you have a complete system, one or the other, not a mismatched set-up. So check all the part numbers on all FI system components and be sure they all match for one year or the other, and replace ones that are mismatched or faulty.

It sounds like a PO just swapped in an odd part or two and you probably have most of a correct, complete system already.

[mikester]

Well, That was fun. I think I'm gonna go look at my engine now.