The future survival of the species...

[RichMason]

I love my 914 and would like to continue driving it well into the future. I am curious to see what people's thoughts are about the greatest challenge (s) we will face in keeping them on the road in large numbers and some possible solutions. For example, I actually lose a little sleep about driving a 30 year old car around that doesn't have a catalytic converter (I ordered my 2001 TDI Golf with the CA emissions controls because of concerns about the future of diesel emissions) but I assume we could all add the catalysts from the later cars if we had to. Any other immediate or distant threats to the 914 on people's minds (parts availability, rust, an uprising by 911 owners)?

[Paul_Heery]

The top three things that concern me are:
[list=1][*]Rust[*]Rust[*]and Rust.[/list=1]

The other components in the vehicle can be replaced by salvaging them from donor cars or buying non-Porsche products. BTW, some of the non-Porsche products are often far superior to the original being replaced. However, the chassis of the 914 has always been prone to rust and unfortunately will continue to do so. Once a 914 adopts you, you have started your lifelong quest of searching out and battling rust. I think that you should be given a copy of Neil Young's CD "Rust Never Sleeps" whenever a 914 follows you home.

[Rouser]

The catalytic converter (and air pump, and exhaust system, for that matter) hoisted on the '75 - '76 914's for "emissions" sake were junk and did nothing but strangle an already hard-working engine. Besides, more and more 914's are falling off the emissions requirement rolls, so save yourself the sleep worries.

Rust is the major torpedo sinking 914's, in that it sneaks in from every port you discover. Sure, there're replacement panels available from different sources, but the work (and cost) can sometimes become frustrating.

The 914's that suffer the most are the "daily drivers", if only because they're just that, daily drivers. That, with 30+ years of wear-and-tear (along with some previous knuckleheaded owners), and you're starting to see major maintenance being performed just to keep them roadworthy. Parts are still available, and 914 owners are a creative lot; adapting and cross-mixing solutions everyday.

A 911 Owners Uprising? Please; they've probably more to fear from hot Boxster owners than us. Unless they happen to come across some sleeper 914-6 3.0L somewhere ...

[Kevin Powers]

next to the plymouth road runner the 914 was the most abused and neglected car on the planet,imo. you almost have to think porsche did some of the stuff on purpose. putting the fuel pump with fabric lines under the bat.yikes. i would like to hear a first hand story about a line failure while motoring down the road with the top off.

[JP Noonan]

BTDT.....

But it was the center fuel lines, besides the smeel the fact that the moon was reflecting off the gas on the floor boards is what was worrysome.

[pbanders]

Another component in short supply is the NOS manifold pressure sender, and it costs >$500. Rebuilts are available, but for how long? Might be a good idea to buy 2 or 3 if you plan on keeping your car forever (as I plan to do).

[Rouser]

Oh God; I owned a '74 Plymouth Road Runner 'bout a thousand years ago.

Had a monster 440, GTX Package, converted (by PO) to 4-speed with that Hurst Pistol-Grip shifter, Hookers-to-Thrush-to-silencers clean to the rear, Zoom clutch, 8-track player and all. Black as sin, with that partial vinyl top and white stripe along the fender line.

The wifey got her driver's licence with that car, learning with a stick at that! The examiner made her do a few more runs, amazed at her prowess. She HAD to toot the "Beep, Beep" horn!

I guess that doesn't say a whole lot about my choice of vehicles ...

[JmuRiz]

I don't know about you guys but people driving full size Ford and Dodge pickups, jacked up scare the hell out of me, also soccer moms driving Excursions. Driving my car home from ATL after buying it was nerve racking...going through SC and NC looking eye-leval at bumpers

But seriously I think rust is the key, but saying that is like preaching to the choir. I think as long as people on this board are around the 914 will be around

Nathan

[Otto]

64% of the total production of the 914 series came to southern CA. There are still alot of jewels out here. I will post some pictures of a car a customer found last weekend. A baby blue 2.0 914 1973, in storage 3 years. You are not going to believe it. OTTO

[soapguy]

Sheesh... talking about storage, my father in law gave me the 914 I am working on that he hadn't driven in 7 years because of some "minor electrical problem" that blew fuses when you adjust the volume on the stereo with the head lights on. (i later found a loose wire and taped it)

But get this, stored 7 years outside under a tarp, at 4500 ft, where it SNOWS, not started... anything!!! Started first try with new battery, then I discovered those leaky fabric fuel lines!!!

No rust except for the battery tray and a spot on one of the rockers.

[Otto]

[mike mueller]

That looks like Dave Darlings car !!!

Well, at least this one will be running soon...hahaha

[Otto]

So far today, we have changed the gas tank with one that has been blasted, soaked and coated, changed the fuel pump and injectors, gas lines and did a compression check. All is well!! We will be driving this puppy tomorrow!!!! OTTO

[J P Stein]

As a 914 voyeur (that's a French word for preevert....I went to parochial school too) the first thing I do when looking an unknown 914 is stick my hand down into the hell hole. ....down there in front of the ECU. Ya can't see, so ya gotta' feel for thru and thru sucking chest wounds. Could be a NW thing.

I been trying to quit
Maybe if I moved to Califorina.......

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Funny, Mueller, that was exactly my thought!!! "Wow, that looks eerily familiar! Except I bet this one is actually driveable..."

BTW, I did start it the other day. Still runs like crap. I really have to call up B and borrow his trailer, and drag that sucker up to Rich. Seems to be the only real way anything will actually get done on it.

--DD

[Otto]

JP, if it weren't for the Colorado River and the California Aquaduct this place would look like Southern Arizona. We are really fortunate that we are in the desert here in so. cal., but we still have the same problems that the rest of the world has with rust. Usually if there is a hole under the battery/ ecu mount, there is a problem with the suspension pick up point on the inner ear. All you teeners out there be sure to check this spot, because the hole under the battery is just cosmetic(about like waking up in the morning with a pimple on your nose)but the rust damage on the suspension console is a major hit. Carefully check the seam on what we call the ear, which is the suspension pick-up point where the thru bolt on the rear trailing arm is mounted on the inside. OTTO

[StormBringer]

SUV's

I am truly affraid to take my 72 out for a spin. I have been run off the road three times in thae last year. I drive less then 1000 miles a year and it never even sees mist. But just think a limited number of cars that are driven hard. They decease in numbers untill they get very rare and then we never see them again. I think that a lot of us are very techincally trained but with the realitive cheapness of the car to start I feel that we are losing a uphill battle. 914 are realitivly rare to begin with, with us modifing most of them and steve cutting them up to save the few nice examples that are still around I don't really have a light at the end of the tunnel. But we will survive. Maybe in a few years it will turn around.

Onm a side note california is looking at crusing all cars 15 years or older that don't pass smog. this is going to ruin collectors if this spreads.

[Kevin Powers]

jp, think about it. all the precip, people that used 914's for daily drivers and parked them outside all the time, lights wipers radios and aux fans all running at the same time,an engine compartment that turned into a steam bath laced w/ hydrocloric fumes. it is a wonder that any have survived up here at all.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Stormy, you need to do more research. The bill you are referring to is about a voluntary scrappage program, and is Federal.

...I've been over this on another BBS--don't rely on places like Summit Racing for your political info. If you hear something that concerns you, check it out for yourself.

--DD