How To Awaken a Long Term Stored 914?

73ess · 08-08-2006, 04:25 PM

Just picked up a '74 914 with ~45K original miles! It's been sitting since 1997, so not sure how to go about awakening the engine. With such low miles, my guess is it's still in good shape and it does turn over. Also, the PO stated that he "lost the speedo gear in the nose of the transmission". So the tail end of the tranny is separated from the rest of the transmission and is in parts.

Any good books that would show me how the transmission nose and it's contents fit back together?

73ess · 08-08-2006, 04:27 PM

Oh, if anyone's interested in this '74, let me know. I may consider selling for the right price. It's as straight as they come. California car with blue plates. Fuchs, tools, jack, etc..

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

I would do a basic tuneup, rotor and points(or switch it to pertronix like I did) sparkplugs, oil and filter, adjust valves, new fuel filter and fuel, you will have to replace all the rubber fuel lines and fuel injector seals(Bigguns and Littleuns, both ends), new rubber brake hoses when you bleed the brakes, replace all the fuses in the fuse block(bit of steel wool on contacts to remove patina of age), new battery(you will likely need to install a starter, use the 911 one, and possibly a new ignition coil(only about $30, might as well get one as you will eventually need it with all those aircooled cars.

Oh yeah, get a fire extinguisher

RandyLok · 08-08-2006, 08:04 PM

Heck, I don't think I could resist trying to fire it. But I suppose you should at least drain the old gas, put some fresh in, give things a once-over, and see if it fires!

Then dig deeper, into the rubber stuff, and other previously mentioned items.

Let us know!!!

Will98D · 08-09-2006, 06:02 AM

Problem with not resisting firing it is you may create a fire in it. The one thing I'd say is absolute is to change all those fuel lines with new FI-rated line, they get old and brittle and tend to pop open. Gas spraying into engine compartment at 30psi = not good.

73ess · 08-09-2006, 07:04 AM

Yep, definitely will replace the fuel lines. How about the brake calipers? How do you know if a caliper needs to be rebuilt or replaced? Are calipers as sensitive to long term storage as old wheel cylinders for drum brakes are?

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Calipers can freeze up, you work it in and out if it sticks, may need to dismantle and clean them up

RandyLok · 08-09-2006, 12:52 PM

I'm with you Will. I assumed the "once-over" I mentioned would include inspecting the fuel lines.

If the lines look OK, I would do the fresh gas treatment and see if it starts, just because I would be anxious to know. I would keep an eye on it with the engine lid open and wouldn't run it long enough to get hot. That's just me...

Definitely go through things as mentioned before driving it though.

73ess · 08-09-2006, 09:12 PM

Ok. Will let you all know how it goes. I've got two other 914's to play with in the meantime. :^)