Possible New 914 How-To Book...

Perhaps even a seperate pamphlet that has a 'by the numbers' how to do it. I would think that the sheer number of alternatives that are available would make even an overview more than a few pages. It seems to me that a lot of the conversions are done with the odd mix of parts that were reasonably available, either cost or performance driven. Then I guess the question is whether folks that weren't necessarily going to do a conversion right away would buy a how-to up front. The market for the book would be larger with inclusion of info about 'big 4' and turbo, but where do you stop?

[Wayne 962]

Cool, glad to hear that everyone is excited. With respect to suggestions - they all sound really good, however, you must remember that a book is not like a website - I am SEVERELY limited by page counts, word counts, and photo counts. I had to carefully balance a lot of words and other things on the 911 book...

-Wayne

[tbil]

You bet, $20 bucks is nothing. The book would easily pay for itself. Don't forget us L-Jet guys.

[Rouser]

Put me down for a couple of copies.

I have some friends who own 914's but don't frequent the usual websites (?!); I'm constantly being milked (dry) for just the very same info you want to provide.

Make it available before Christmas '02, and I can give 'em out as gifts, with a request that they delete my name from their speed dial!

[WOODPIE]

Yes, a good idea, and I'll take one. You should make every attempt to keep the photos one the same page, or at least the facing page, as the related text. Don't necessarily exclude B&W photos--sometimes B&W is easier to see. Is there any chance the pages could be coated or plastic laminated to keep them clean? Maybe as an option or an add-on DIY kit? How about a watertight case to keep it in, so I could carry it around in one of the trunks or behind the seat? You know, anywhere there is likely to be large amounts of standing water......
How about a Scratch and Sniff section, for things like rich/lean exhaust, electrical fire, burnt tranny oil. Helpfull when you're out driving and out of the blue your passenger screams "Oh, god, what's that smell?"

No, but really, yeah, I'll buy one.

Ed

[CHAZZ]

Sounds good. I only hope it has clear pictures that correspond
with the text.

Chuck

[unclerichy]

Xlnt idea. I'm in.

Rich
'73 1.7
'74 2.0

[JP Noonan]

I agree with PBANDERS. Also I have the following observasions (my one and a hlh cents)

Three ways to go.

1. A warm fuzzy (not saying its a bad thing, just the way I see it) book, with a very none technical lame mans text. Nice but has a limited market to non-mechanical John Muir types.

2. A Haynes manual with references that are obscure to all but the seasoned shade tree mechanic. Very helpful but also condensed and skims or out right skips basic proceedures.

3. Maybe a high bred, similar to the sites tech articles. The first third of the book is warm and fuzzy, oil change, air filter, basic stuff. Then change the format into a factory tech manual. limited background reference, photos of interior parts that aren't readily apparent, "Step 1. Remove Engine. Step 2. remove the 6 pressure plate bolts....etc." No antidotes or background info, just dry tech lingo.


P.S. yes I'll buy it, if nothing else to support the site, and to add to the "Noonan reference library", as my so called friends say.

[Wayne 962]

JP - It doesn't sound like you've seen the 911 101 Projects book. Check out the sample chapters at:

http://www.101projects.com

-Wayne

[SummerSledSix]

Wayne, yet another suggestion - any chance of including (or adding as a 2nd volume) a compilation of the 914 articles from "up-fixin", assuming copyright permissions are granted?

Also, with all the cool things we can do for our teeners, something sorely missing is some wisdom on rust prevention / mitigation, ie how do we keep those 3.5 dead spaces (tunnel, bulkhead, and long's) from rotting out from the inside?

[GregS]

Tomorrow would be just fine, because I can't get to the bookstore tonight. Could I also suggest something, maybe in the brake section regarding proportioning valve replacement/improvement?

[ein 6er]

yep ... i'd buy one ... and the upgrade!!

i'm in!!

doug

[dheinz]

Count me in.The "101 911 Projects" is a great book and I am expecting the 914 book to be signed also.
I realize you're limited on space, but what how-to book would be complete without the Scratch and Sniff section that Woodpie so aptly suggested?

[rich]

May I suggest lots of detail at the risk of fewer topics. Then you could turn the 914 books into a series. Specially with regard to the all the fuel injection. The lack of info on that subject alone has caused the abandonment of many an injection system.

[rjsmith530]

Hey Wayne,

I would buy one also. I have already used the "101" book for my Carrera and a 914 version would be great. I might suggest that you "step out of the box" on the 914 version. For instance, moving from FI to Webers would be good, 19mm MC upgrade, etc.

RJ

[retro74]

Im not in on this one. The internet has opened up so many articles that you could not cover what is here in a single book. My printouts from the web would make a book cost prohibitive. I am saying that in regards to the 914, the web is a virtual book. Best examples include this bulletin board, Type4rum, PBAnders page on D-Jet, etc.

The book How to Restore and Modify your 914 and 914/6 (a shameless Pelican advertisement) is covered 50 X over by this web site alone.

I do recommend more pictures on the how to articles at Pelican. Examples would be the Longitudinal Replacement article or the Fuel Pump Relocation articles that have no pictures. I think an entire web site or forum (or book) area could be devoted to rust repair alone. A heated debate could ensue over rust converters, POR-15 vs. RasONil, Epoxy primers, MIG welders, flange vs. butt welding, etc.

Recently, I've been conversing with Ray Greenwood about rebuilding and modifying ignition distributors (fuel injection type) and believe me, there is a possible web site or book book on that topic alone.

With the web being so good, why not make it better here at Pelican? Add more pictures of projects, add a "Pelican Chilton's Enhancement" where readers could fix, expand on and greatly improve on the Chiltons manual. The tech articles section could be improved (trust me it is good now, just improved more) by splittng past bulletinn board posts into key categories. Imagine a virtual article on key sections? Look at what Paul Anders did with D-Jet updates on his awesome page. Virtual, not static like a book. You can't ask a book questions and the reprints are still old.

Second best feature of the bulletin board is the SEARCH option. Best is the people here. Combine the two to get more. But don't water all of this down to 200 pages it will only suck.

My 2 sents again.

Joe

[alphacrimedog]

I'd buy one for sure.

[JWest]

It's about time! I'll get one for sure.

But come on Wayne, you know 914s compared to 911s - it should be 202 projects! Why do the publishers get to deprive us of info anyway? I stinks that they determine word and page count, not the author.

[bludden]

I'd get one sight unseen as well as most of us.

One request though - My 914 was converted to carbs by the PO, and I have to live with it for a while. But when I try to get any data, all I see are disclaimers about how bad they are and how you need the FI. The various books on Webers themselves are great, but whats missing is the "put it all together" aspect.

IMHO thats why you see so many carb ??s here on the board.

I would kill for a decent treatise on carbs in the 914 written in the same clear manner as the 911 book was. Maybe I'm not alone?

[Bruce Allert]

YES, absolutely.. it would be added to my library of info.
Suggestion: Add a transporter button on the back cover so we could transport anyone we choose to help when we get stuck or just need an extra hand when 3 hands are better than 2!
bruce