Looking at a 914

STP · 01-19-2006, 08:18 PM

So, I went to look at this 914 that this guy had about 45 minutes away from school today. He sent me some pictures the week before and all in all they looked pretty good.

It had been painted pretty recently and painted well. Everything from the trunks, to the engine compartment, to the door jambs, were all painted a deep british racing green.

So I get there and the story goes like this: This guy, has owned the car for 10 months. He sort of bought the car on a whim from his old neighbor who was the original owner and who had had the engine rebuilt (20 thousand miles on it now) and the car painted and just generally gone over so it would be a nice weekend car. He changed over to carburators which I'm not a big fan of. The original owner was an old guy, which leads me to believe that he was just not sure how to work on the FI himself. But he did install two oil coolers and bursch exhaust. He's forced to sell becaue his wife wants the money to remodel their bathroom.

So everything looked okay until I went to drive it. Now I've driven these cars a few times and am finally ready to buy so there are a few things I need to know before I even consider this one.

Firstly, the engine does leak oil. Not very much but enough to where if he drives for a week during a heat wave he has to put a quart in. I'm guessing its just the valve covers but is there any other common places where oil would be leaking from?

Another thing, the most troubling really is that before he let me drive the car he told me that its important to shift into 3rd gear to "align the synchros" so it'll slide easier into 1st gear. This didn't seem right at all to me. Is this common? Does it just need adjusting or will the transaxle need to be rebuilt? Another thing I noticed which seemed odd is that alot of times you would have to bury the clutch into the floor to change gear or to get it into gear at all. Is this just a simple adjustment or will this require major overhauling?

This guy is a nice guy, dispite his lack of knowledge for 914s and Porsches in general. He was asking 5500 which seems quite high for the amount of things wrong with it.

Anyway, any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated can't wait to be a proud owner!!

trojanman · 01-19-2006, 09:33 PM

need more info........
year
engine
rust
?

Headrage · 01-20-2006, 05:57 AM

Valve cover gaskets do leak sometimes and push rod tube seals are also a common source. Both are fairly easy fixes for the do-it-youselfer but you will need to make sure that is where the leak(s) are.

It's also not uncommon for the 1st gear syncros to start acting up after 30 years and shifting to 3rd before going to 1st will keep the tranny from grinding in most cases.

Pics of the car would help in giving you opinions on it's condition and value...

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

"Align the synchros" is the same BS one guy tried to tell me back when I was 914 shopping. Pure and simple, it means the 1st gear synchros are weak or shot. The good news is that those can be replaced without tearing down the whole transmission; take a look in the Tech Articles section of this website for more info.

Leaks: Valve cover gaskets, pushrod tubes, oil pressure sender, oil cooler seals, sump plates (the two round plates on the bottom of the engine), and possibly others are all possible. Trace the oil to the highest and furthest-forward point you can find it; the leak is probably around there. A quart in a week is a lot of oil! There should be large puddles from that level of leaking. If they're not there, then the car is burning that much oil which is not good at all. (Probable problems with the piston rings.)

The clutch thing could be a simple adjustment, or it could be as bad as the clutch cable guide tube in the center tunnel having come loose. It is welded into place and eventually the welds can break. This means the clutch adjustment can vary a lot pretty quickly. Open up the inspection plates in the top of the center tunnel and look for tubes that move when you push the clutch pedal. You can get an idea of which tubes are where by checking the "Center tunnel tour" article in our Tech Articles section. There may also be some interference between the tube and the shift mechanism when shifting into 4th or 5th.

Good luck!

--DD

STP · 01-20-2006, 08:48 AM

Its a 1973 2.0

The paint has a few scratches in it which you can't see here but all in all it looks good. He didn't send any pictures of the engine, allthough there is no oil puddling or anything that would cause immediate alarm as to it being in lousy shape from the top.

Thanks for your replies by the way. It looks like I might have to take it some where to have someone look at it, which is what I was thinking after I saw it.

STP · 01-20-2006, 08:51 AM

He put Koni adjustable shocks all the way around, all the chrome and weatherstrip is new, the dash board is new, it all looks nice. That's all well and good but if the things not mechanically right what's the point?

teenerted1 · 01-20-2006, 09:25 AM

Definitely get a PPI one before you exchange any money

trojanman · 01-20-2006, 10:42 AM

looks like a nice ride, but you should have it checked out.

Headrage · 01-20-2006, 03:27 PM

It is a very nice looking car but as was recommended, get a PPI on it before you commit. There are alot of 914 people in the bay area. If you don't get any assistance post this on the 914club.com board.

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

If the chassis of the car is solid, it can be worthwhile to get the car even if the engine is on its way out. Engines are, after all, replaceable. You can get a used 2.0 for a couple'a grand (search the classifieds for a realistic range of values). But you'd want to knock that amount off the price if it really does need a motor.

--DD

STP · 01-20-2006, 09:36 PM

Well, the thing about the motor is that it's only got 20 thousand miles on the rebuild. So what I'm thinking is that when this guy bought the car he just didn't really know about cars, or maintaining them for that matter and for the last year has just kind of, let it go. The transaxle's 1st synchro is definitely bad, after reading about it and hearing from you guys I'm pretty well convinced of that.

So going on the fact that that would have to be dealt with, which is something I can do by the way, and that the engine is still good just needs a good going over, what do you think it's worth?

Like I say the exterior of the car is truly beautiful, the pictures proove that well I think. and the interior needs a little work but nothing I'm not willing to take care of.

I bought a project about 4 or so months ago, that I still haven't finished, and was trying to avoid another one though honestly. I was just browsing one day and came upon this one and the only reason I even contacted the guy was because everything that was done to this one was what I envisioned for my own 914 one day (save for the Webers).

So I guess what I'm asking is, and this question was sort of brought on by Mr. Darling here:

Is it worth it to buy the car given the fact that the body, chassis, paint, and suspension are excellent even though there are things wrong with it?

How often do you come across a 914 like this really?

It seems like a lot of the ones you see these days are in truly lousy shape. I'm starting to think this is more a question for me to answer not you people.

I'm definitely going to have to have someone look at it. That's for sure. After that however, If my suspicions are correct about what is wrong with it, I'll probably offer him 3500 or so. This guy needs the money and I feel He's willing to deal. We'll see though, I'll keep everyone posted.

And thanks so much for all your help, This is truly a great forum with a great group of people for members.

boxstr · 01-20-2006, 09:44 PM

Extremely nice looking car. Not much to do to it to have yourself a very presentable driver.
The main thing you have to look for are rust. If the body is void of rust or it has been removed and patch panels welded in place then I would say buy it.
Getting a 914 with a good body is the mainthing this car has a lot going for it. Personally I would buy this car, love the color.
Craig

trojanman · 01-20-2006, 10:21 PM

trannies are expensive to fix. if you plan on opening it up, plan on finding things you won;t like.

Howard Agency · 01-21-2006, 09:15 AM

Looks good to me. Agree that the body structure is most important. Mechanicals can be fixed, and you don't really need first gear synchro. I rarely use first in my 2.0, and then only from stop on an incline.

But having a 914 as a daily driver isn't for sissies. 30+ year old cars break! Try to find someone local who knows the cars to go with you to take a look. Try the 914club.com, too. I think there are lots of members in your area.

OOps. See Alan posted the same advice

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

If you don't want a project, this might not be the perfect car for you. But most 914s turn into projects sooner or later, IMHO.

I probably would offer him 3500 and see if he jumps. But do the research--find out what motors cost and at least look into what's involved in the 1st gear synchro change.

--DD

smooth_eddy · smooth_eddy's Garage

I'm surprised nobody has said to pull the rocker panels and look at the rust on the longs. And how is the area under the battery? I think it is a great looking car and the 73-2.0 is the most desired car out there (except the 6's). I like the color. I don't think it is a factory color though. Do you have any interior shots? PS......all 914's leak oil. Eddy

swl · 01-21-2006, 06:05 PM

I agree with Eddy. The chassis is the most important part of these cars. I would be optomistic given how much care has been put into the visible part of the car. But you don't know for sure until you explore the longs, inside and out. And look in the hell hole. If all those are solid and unmolested you would have a real winner. I come from the ancestoral home of rust. Up here that car would be worth $5000 even with engine and tranny work needed.

goodwood73 · 01-24-2006, 07:03 AM

What size tires are those? What wheels? I like the stance of that car, looks good.
My 73 ran like crap until I found all the vacuum leaks and grounded out frayed wires. The first gear problem is common and you can drive it that way using the third gear to sync the tranny until you save up some money to fix it right. If you are grinding into first gear you will ruin many more parts than just first gear.

Look for overspray on the engine as this is a sign of a covered up rust problem. Mine was Fiberglassed and looked great, I had to replace from seatbelt bolt to trunk hinge on passenger side. Otto helped me out with a frame splice.

Paul

STP · 01-27-2006, 08:50 AM

Hey so I took it to this european mechanic in Antioch (where the car is) named Warnner. Who was VERY German. Anyway, I have to call him today, but from what owner has told me from the diagnostic: (he brought it in on his day off)

Compression is good, 140 all around, but it needs a tune up.

The clutch is missing some bushing and that's why you have to plant your foot on the floor to put it in gear.

I'll update after I call him this afternoon. I'm excited though, I'm hoping this will work out well.

I'm going up to Antioch on Saturday to see the car again and if all goes well I'll be driving it home that night.