It's Alive........

J P Stein · 04-19-2002, 07:40 PM

Took a day of vacation the get the 914 runnin'.
Didn't plan to start it tonight, but the son-in-law was here......what the hell...let's give it a shot.

As usual, the dizzy was one tooth retarded.......and as usual, I moved it the wrong way....must be somethin' about being upsidedown when in the "work on the dizzy position".

Anyhew, the S-I-L sits and cranks while I dodge flames coming out of the carbs and turn the dizzy till it fires.....er runs.....poor choice of wurds.

I had installed a new RS spec dizzy, Magnecore wires, MSD 6AL and coil, pulled the motor to "fix" an oil leak, adjusted the valves......so I had lots of places to screw the pooch.

WHUMP.....she's off and running........and .....hack, hack...smoking (hadn't started it since October).

Cleared out the plugs in about 30 sec and settled down to a nice 1100 rpm idle......wohoo......that's new. Maybe there's something to this MSD thang. Nothing definitive yet, but so far, it looks gud.
Tach even works without an adaptor.

Tommorow I'll time it and go for a drive.....gotta bed in the new brakes and generally get ready to go play AX on Sunday.

BTW.....no oil droolin' out anywhere.....but I'm not convinced. It's prolly just hiding from me.

Jim Smolka · 04-20-2002, 03:19 AM

Congrats on getting the beast running...
Nothing quite like working on a car and then hearing it fire up.

J P Stein · 04-20-2002, 08:07 AM

I *had* to get it running.
My jaws been flapin' and I have a couple of irate owners of modified 9elebens that are looking for a peice of me at Sundays AX.
Gettin' whupped is one thing, but a "no show" would dishonor the breed (such as it is).

Now if I could just get the driver fixed.........

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Wooohoooo.....just in time for some more rain, huh JP?

J P Stein · 04-21-2002, 03:02 PM

Rain?
Hasn't rained were for all of 3 or 4 days......must be one of them droughts.

Got the Ax done.....dry but cool.
I wuz first looser again. A Boxster S got me by 2 tenths.
Car ran gud, motor just keeps getting stronger, but the brakes still need work......so does the driver.

I could also use some more negative camber. I'm only using 2/3 of the tires width. The rear is easy to get, the front is gonna be a problem. Anybody have a good plan for getting another 1-1 1/2 deg negative at the front?

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Cut/elongate the holes of the strut tower in the trunk....allows for a bigger adjustment....

DSPTurtle · 04-21-2002, 06:28 PM

What makes you say the rear is easy to get? I took all the shims out and only have -1 of camber. Tell me your secret as I do not see any further way to adjust the rear

sammyg2 · 04-21-2002, 06:47 PM

cool JP, at least this time you got bit by a Porsche instead of a neon :-)

If there isn't room to get enuff Neg camber you might want to get a strut brace and pull the shock towers together a little. Along with the elongation of the holes might just do the trick.
i wouldn't go too far, maybe another degree. if you go too far bad things could happen.

What kind of tire pressure you runnin in them thar Kumhos?

3D914 · 3D914's Garage

DSPTurtle,

I had a similar problem with my 74. I could get only -1 deg camber on the rear passenger side - with no shims, and plenty on the driver side - with three (4mm shims) & one (2mm shims).

First inspection indicated worn bushings. The factory rubber ones won't last 20+ years. I went with the poly bushings. However, this alone helped, but still didn't provide sufficient camber. Further inspection revealed a bent suspension mounting point (the inward one) on the passenger side. It can be straightened, and then will be reinforced.

A thorough inspection of all rear suspension components may reveal a deeper source of the trouble.

Good luck.

J P Stein · 04-21-2002, 11:47 PM

I *assumed* there would be no problem at the rear......sounds like I could be wrong. It wouldn't be the first time.

Sammy:
30/32, front/rear. I just set it and go drive. I know where I left a half second on the table and it twern't tiar pressure.
I only wish my driving was up to the capabilities of the car......need lots more butt time. A demonstration from someone
that is really gud would be a big help, also.

I have 2 problems at the front. One is the fact that I'd have to hack up the nut plate(upper strut support thingy). The other is little clearance between the inner fender (towards the top) and the shock/strut hood. Looks like major surgery to me.

I have a few minor issues to work out with the car, but other than those, I'll prolly leave it alone this season and work on "driver ed".