newbie 1.7 question(s)

[crash813]

Guys, I've been lurking for a while and I'm considering the purchase of a '72 914. I'm definately new to the aircooled stuff so please bare with me. It seems like a good deal, $500 with a little rust and has been sitting up for about 6 years. He has replaced the tail shift with a side shift and at some point re-sleeved (if that's the proper term) the 1.7 to a 1.9 and has a single 2-barrel carb. He said it ran before storage and he thinks it still will.

My question is what to expect if the engine needs work? . How much should a basic rebuild cost? I looked into the Raby kits (very sweet) but way outta the $$$ range. Can I expect to get it back up and working for $1500? Can I squeeze a little more power out of it while I'm at it?

I appreciate any help or advice. I'm trying to get the car up and running, in good shape for between $3k and $4k and if not, will simply pass it up. TIA

-tommy

[Rouser]

I've never seen a $500 914, so I don't know what to say about your find. Since you (or the owner) didn't say why it was laid-up for near 6 years (?), I have to assume it's for something you (or the owner) will have to fix to get it running/driveable. If it's (now) a 1.9L, than the owner installed a big-bore kit (larger pistons & cylinders). It's not usually the incidentals that'll eat up your $1,500 budget, it's the accidentals:

A Few Incidentals

• Haynes manual before starting; to curb enthusiasm, and never leave home without it.
• Draining/fresh-refilling fuel tank/system, new filters (air/fuel/oil), oil change, etc.
• Freshening-up the ignition (checking/replacing plugs/points/cap/rotor/wires, etc.), new battery, etc.
• Checking braking system (decent pads/rotors/lines/fluid), tranny fluid levels/leaks, and clutch action.

A Few Accidentals

• Cracking/replacing brittle fuel lines (914's burn to the ground real good).
• Praying alternator/voltage regulator/electricals work fine (most of the time they fair sitting well).
• Praying carb isn't gummed-up, requiring rebuild/replacement.
• Praying any brake calipers aren't frozen/locked-up (again, most of the time they fair well), and lines have been replaced SOMETIME during its life.
• Owners surprise response, "Oh, THAT'S what was acting up; I couldn't afford to fix THAT. See, THAT'S why its been sittin' fer 6 years."

Squeeze a little more power out of it? Hold off and get it running first; hopefully, IT won't put the squeeze on you first. Good Luck!

[rfoulds]

Instead of getting it up and running for $3-$4k, buy one for the same price. If you can't spend it all now, wait until you can.

In my experience, what looks like $4,000 to rebuild is more like $8k when you are done.

Or at least start with something that is road worthy now. I have seen decent 914's for $1500 that would be good starting points for a project.

Unless you really want to do it for the joy of it.

[Fred Flintstone]

Crash,

Take a look at my $500 '75 914 1.8L here.