overheating engine
 

hello, I received a 71' 914 as payment for working on another car. when the former owner drove it to my house, it was overheating and smoking. upon investigation, I found about 1 1/2 quarts of water in the sump when I drained the oil. also, car would not start after he brought it to me. Found "0" compression on all cylinders. Thinking I had some stuck valves or piston rings stuck in the grooves I started to disassemble the engine.no stuck valves, no stuck rings. Pistons did look like they were dripped in mud. But ,my question rihgt now is-with the thermostat bellows completely removed from the engine,will that cause it to overheat? the former owner said he had benn driving the car for years that way and didn't know it was missing. I know I have alot of work ahead of me , but I am asking one question at a time. thanks,jim

jim...if the thermostat is missing or cable fails the cooling vanes will open to the full cool position....was this thing under water or flooded??

The drip pan was left and breather hose was off the left head. I suspect rain got this way.

probabely is the source of the water

With having it in the full cool position,will it hurt the engine?

not really....it helps the engine warm up faster and stay at the proper temp....usally they run hot anyway and need all the cool they can get....it works just like the thermostat in a water cooled engine...