914 road trip opinion

[Rob914]

I'm questioning whether or not my 76 would make the trip down here to myrtle beach from ohio. Im currently going to school at coastal carolina and im driving my 84 318........I've got my 76 914 back at my house in ohio....just sitting there. Case and point is ive decided to live down here and Im wondering what the chances are of it making it down here. The cars got 111 on it, runs great, burns but doesnt leak oil.... thanks

[sean_V8_914]

was she a daily driver or Sunday driver?

[Rob914]

i drive it daily throughout the summer.. it think its in good enough condition to make a daily

[sean_V8_914]

go for it! brign tools

[sean_V8_914]

carbs of FI?

[Rob914]

carbs

[bd1308]

i've got a dialy 74 2.0L (FI) ....works fine Tools are a must. I hate when the deck lid pops up. But that 10mm wrench does the trick

[SGB]

make sure valves are properly adjusted to prevent cylinder head heat soak and subseequent sparkplug ejection (ask me how I ...).
Truely, stopping every couple of hours for a little cool down might be good, but a valve adjustment is critical!

[schosh]

Rob,
The key to a trip like this is preperation and an adventureous attitude. Start with a well tuned car, (especially the valve gap!).Keep an eye on the oil and head temps . Join triple A (always a good thing...one tow and you've saved money.) Carry a good basic set of tools. There's always a little fiddiling and tighting required.
Avoid long runs on the expressways..you'll discover that the older US numbered highways are more interesting as well as allowing your engine to work at different rpm ranges .Besides you wil probably get to talk to folks who want to know more about your car. ( Ya mean the gas tanks under the hood ?)
Don't ignore the car , pop the hood every time you refuel and check the oil, and look at things like the coil wires fuel lines ect. early detection keeps small problems small.
Keep a loose schedule so you don't feel stressed if haven't reached point A in x amount of time. Follow your instincts , if a road looks curvy and or hilly,consider it even if it might not be the shortest route.
Remember , the trip can be as enjoyable as you want it to be, but if you are simply trying to get somewhere in the least amount of time , fly.
I've made 6 2000 mi+ trips, along with twenty 200-400 mile trips in my type 4 powered vehicles in the past 5 years. Biggest problems, a fuel pump failure , several flat tires ( usually from contact with big rocks or the curb) , and once a freak occurence when the points broke! I think the 914 really shines on long crosscountry jaunts, especially when you can go topless.
Good luck..
ps if you want some tips on cool roads in South Kentucky, East Tenn or west Carolina drop me a line.
Schosh

[sean_V8_914]

this will be a memory you carry with you for teh rest of your life. even if you have some hic-ups along the way, they will only add flavor to the experience. Preperation is key.
I went through southern KY in a rented Galant. every curve made me dream of my 914

[bd1308]

yeah man....I have many many memories of my 914. I would never trade that 914 for anything. After I get out of college and move into a actual place....I am going to get on the track of keeping the 914 around for many many years to come. Enjoy my friend, and MAKE sure you have a good set of tools with you. My back trunk is my tool chest complete with dwell meter and timing light too....

[Rouser]

i drive it daily throughout the summer.. it think its in good enough condition to make a daily

Unless you have this overwhelming gut feeling to the contrary, it'll probably make it just fine.

Before the trip, change the oil, and give it a real good once over. Pack a tool case, AAA card, your choice of credit card(s), and a cell phone with plenty of minutes.

You should get there in one piece.

[Conrad W Peden]

Positive attitude doesnt hurt either, kinda like talking to your plants....

Took my 72 from Victoria BC to Disneyland and back 1200 mi each way.
Mostly 60-90 mph on I-5 with jaunts on 101 PCH and a couple other twisties on the way there and back. Only problem was the hot start, and I popped a pushrod tube(what a mess)

[Rob914]

thanks for all the help and advice... i plan on making the trip in april hopefully all will go well

[SGB]

Once my coil clamp vibrated loose on one side, swung around and disconnected one of the the spade jacks from the wire. May wanna check those. I've also had the carb linkage (if you still have FI this don't apply) knock the wire off the top of the spark plug because of the really short manifolds on my car. Also, missed a shift and the not tight enough alternator belt jumped off once. Last road trip, I had voltage regulator problems and the GPS thing I had with me helped me find a succession of parts stores until I hit one with a replacement VR.

Take duct tape.

[MarkGC]

I say go fot it! I made several multi-thousand mile road trips in my Ferrari, and plan to do same in the 914! The memories are priceless.

[sean_V8_914]

add to list:
spare belt and tools to replace it.
spade connectors
wire cutter/stripper
hose clamps
fuel hose
points
feeler gauge
camera

...
we want to see the pictures of the trip!

[bd1308]

yeah man don't ever limit yourself....live life to the fullest. I do....and i have so much fun! my dialy 914 has all kinds of things, but they all make for a learning experience. Before this, I have never used a feeler guage or set dwell...now i have my 16 year old brother goosing the throttle while i go deaf trying to move the dizzy! Those were the good ol days.....-Wierd Al Yankovich