New Owner with Engine Question

[racetruck]

I am sure that this question has been asked and answered many times already but I have not been able to find the answer after looking for several days, so here goes. I just bought a 1974 Porsche 914. The previous owner told me that it had a 1.7 liter motor in it. From my checking I have found that the 74 year model only came with either an 1.8 or a 2.0 motor. There is a sticker in on the side of the motor compartment that says that the car came with a 2.o motor. The engine that is in the car now has straight spark plugs in the heads. A friend of mine said that this indicated that this is a VW motor not a Porsche motor. Is he correct. If so, how can I tell which motor I have.

Thanks,

[Joe Bob]

Fire your friend...the 2.0 will have three studs holding the intake manifold to the heads, one on each side and one in the middle.

The 1.7/1.8 will have four, with two of them in the middle....now this just tells you what heads you have...

The best way to tell what motor it is to check the serial number on the block.

[Germain]

I would look at the serial number on the engine case. Check it against the manufactured engine numbers. Go to http://www.dgi.net/914/ and check out the Tech specs on the 914. It says a 1974 should have engine serial numbers like so

1.8l engine EC 0000001 - EC 0037551
2.0l engine GA 0006766 - GA 0015021

I hope this helps

[JP Noonan]

I don't know if I'd fire him, maybe a slight repremand in the file though.

If the spark plugs are an equal distance from the tin ware it is the 2.0L heads which have a shallower angle to the head ("shallower" I guess depending on how you look at it). If the two front plugs seem deeper in then the two rear it is a 1.7/1.8/or 2.0L bus head. The three stud/four stud is an easier way.

Just to add: anything starting with a "W" or "E" is a 1.7L or 1.8L. The 1.7L were the same preety much across the board. The 1.8L 914 motor had larger valves then all but the Eruopean carbed 411 and bus motors, only real way to tell if it is a bus engine or 914 is to look at the casting number next time you adjust the valves.

Anything starting with a "G" is a 2.0L but only the
"GA" (USA 73-74 95hp)
"GB" (Euro 100hp)
"GC" (USA 75-76 914 and 912E 88hp due to all the emissions equiptment, the heads have four small tubes for the air injection on either side of the intake ports).
Are 914 motors.

Any other "G" block is from a bus.

[DK914]

Just a word on the location of the engine's serial #--it's on top, ahead of the oil breather box/filler, and behind the fan shroud casting. You either need to lean way into the engine compartment, or use an inspection mirror, to see it. Good luck!

[randoid]

FWI

All four banger motors sold with the 914 including the 2.0 are VW motors, though the 2.0 was different then the 411 motors sold with VW cars. Porsche did offer a 2.0 six banger for two years that was not a VW motor.

--
Randy

[JP Noonan]

I guess I didn't make that clear, they are all VW block motors. I personally consider the 914 2.0L four cylinder motor a Porsche motor because the heads are unique to the car and were designed by Porsche. In reality they all have VW part numbers.


Besides, didn't Dr. Porsche work on the original Type-I motor for the Nazi Type-I/Bettle just before the war?

[Joe Bob]

Just to clarify....the 2.0/6 was manufactured from 70-72 (3 years) but not imported to the US by Porsche in 72, only available in Europe....there are rumors of special order 914/6s being made up into the 80s...

[racetruck]

Just a note to tell everyone Thanks for all of the good information. I have determined that my motor does at least have the 2.0 heads on it. I have not yet been able to track down the engine serial number. The weather has been very raining around here. Just a follow-up question. My engine has a single two barrel carburator on it. I thought that the 2.0 motor came fuel injected. Which is better. Or is that a loaded question. Thanks again.

[randoid]

Do you have a soltex carb on the engine? If so, FI is a normally considered better. Do you have any problems with low-end torque?

And to answer the first part of your question, yes, all four bangers that were imported to the US came with FI.

--
Randy

[mejulihn]

From the "Buyers Guide" for 914's on Pelican parts website (courtesy of Tom and Wayne):

All of the original 914s were sold with fuel injection on the engines. You may find in your travels that this fuel injection system has been removed and replaced with a set of carburetors. This is usually a bad sign for a number of reasons. Firstly, the removal of the fuel injection system indicates that there was a problem with it that the owner either couldn't or didn't want to fix. The fuel injection system (when running and properly maintained) makes for a superior fuel delivery system. Replacing it with carbs makes the car run less efficiently, usually coupled with a loss in power. If an owner of a 914 replaced the fuel injection with carbs, they might have done it because he rebuilt the motor to be a racing motor. The regular fuel injection cam will not work well with a set of carbs, and likewise, if you place carbs on the motor, then you should use a cam ground for specifically for carburation. If there is a carb cam in the engine, replacing the original fuel injection will not make the car run well. The cam needs to be matched to the injection system. This is of special concern to smog-conscious owners. Replacing the fuel injection on an engine with a carb cam inside will not make the car pass the smog test. In California, it is illegal to install carburetors on the 914 engine for cars 1974 and newer. The car will not pass the visual smog test, and most likely will not pass at the tailpipe. It is important to remember that replacing the fuel injection will most likely cost a minimum of $750. Higher prices may be paid if the engine is a 2.0L motor.


[This message has been edited by mejulihn (edited 04-17-2000).]

[roadtrp204]

The single center mounted two barrel progressive carb is the least expensive and also the least desirable setup. The long unheated intake runners allow the fuel mixture to drop out of suspension on the way to the head, causing a lean condition at low rpm. While the power valve is meant for an inline four with greater vacuum, causing a rich condition at higher rpm.

My car, unfortunately as many do, came with the single setup, seems to be fairly common in states with lesser degrees of smog control (Nevada has tail pipe test only '68- ). After a couple of years I found a used set of Weber IDF 40's. It was a completely different car, not to mention the looks of the carbs alone on the engine made the change worth it.

Now to keep the FI people happy, FI is by far superior to carbs. Anyone who doesn't think so can count the amount of car manufacuted today that come with carburation.

The hard part is the diffculty of completely replacing a nonexcistent stock setup or the cost of aftermarket units. In addition, stock FI units limit the amount of modification to an engine. Both systems, in my view, have a place on the 914, just avoid the single carb setup.

I finally went with an aftermarket kit from CB performance. Can't wait to see how it works, car should be back together this summer. Just sucks that the kit cost more than the car did
Chris

[racetruck]

Once again, I must say thanks for all of the good info. I am a new Porsche owner and I am finding that I have a lot to learn. I am wanting to get the 914 back to stock condition. I am not concerned with speed modifications at this time. I am thinking of racing it on some motorcross courses but it will be in the stock class. I must remember that my billfold will not allow me to go too far. Also I am just enjoying the fun of rebuilding the car. Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

[Alpine]

Chris,

I'm very curious to know how well the CB Perfomance fuel injection system works on your car. Is it the Ultra Competition Fuel Injection
( http://216.111.121.85/cb/catalog.asp?ProductID=280 ) ? Please keep us posted.

Alpine



[This message has been edited by Alpine (edited 04-17-2000).]

[roadtrp204]

That's the same setup, I will keep you posted. I am quite curious myself.
Chris