New guy to the Porsche world

[Hogger]

Just picked up a major project 914 to finish off my German trifecta.
It's a 1973 with a toasted 1.7l. I'm not sure which tranny it has, I'm still doing a lot of research.
It has a Rayco body kit on it, and came with another body kit, but I'm not sure which one. But I like the front clip on the other kit better than the Rayco.
I know I've got a ton of work ahead, but I figure I'll just work slow, and learn this car as I go.

Plans are to put in a Chevy 4.3l V6, change out the suspension, change out the front body kit panel, customize the interior, new wheels, etc...
Plus a custom dash. I found a guy online that has a blog about his, that's called the Anklebiter. LOVE the look of that thing. I'm aiming for a look close to that.

[etcmss]

welcome to you and your project, learn a lot and enjoy

[BobbyQ]

Welcome!

[Cairo94507]

Welcome to the madness. These little cars are addictive. Take your time and do the research first so you fully understand what you are getting into. I would carefully check all of the trouble spots for rust first.

[arkitect]

Like to see your progress. The anklebitter thread on the world I have followed, he has serious talent.

Dave

[Hogger]

Thanks.
It's going to be a fairly slow build.
Since its a '73 does it have the side shift transmission? How can I tell?
And what's the little lever beside the stick shift? It's like a mini parking brake handle. Is that to open the rear trunk? I haven't got a battery in it so I haven't figured out how to open it yet.

[markyb]

That's your heater control lever, it opens the flaps from the heat exchangers, and at about halfway open also triggers your heater blower motor that is connected to the heat exchanger ducts...

You can open the engine hatch with the small knob on the rear edge of the driver's door jamb when the door is open, no electricity required.

[Scrappy]

Originally Posted by Hogger

Thanks.
Since its a '73 does it have the side shift transmission? How can I tell?

If the PO hasn't messed with it, you will have a side shift tranny. Shift linkage will be 3/4 the length of the drivetrain assembly. If it goes all the way to the tail end of the tranny, it is a tail shifter.

[Hogger]

Cool. Got it.
I can open the engine hatch. I can't open the rear trunk. I heard it needs electricity to open it. There isn't a key hole back there that I can find.

[Tobra]

I would put that thing up on stands and look it over really well for rust. They tend to collect dirt and leaves stuck in the nooks and crannies in the body which promotes rust. You can save a lot of heartache by staying on top of that in a car like a 914.

there is a way to get into the rear trunk through the engine compartment, I think.

[Hogger]

Ya, I'll have it on jacks next week, and start stripping it.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by Hogger

I can open the engine hatch. I can't open the rear trunk. I heard it needs electricity to open it. There isn't a key hole back there that I can find.

In stock form, there's a very obvious silver (chrome) push-button with a keyhole in it in the middle of the panel. A relatively popular modification is to put a cut-down 911 rear reflector (there were also some made specifically for the 914) across the back panel. In that case, an electric solenoid is often used to pop the lid open.

Another option was to use a pull-cable release, similar to the one for the engine lid, but the electric solenoid is somewhat easier.

The problem, of course, is finding where the button was installed. Because it could go literally anywhere, in the engine bay or under the dash or...

Check for a hole in the middle of the reflector. Sometimes a little hole is left there as an emergency release, or sometimes there is a backup pull-cable under the trunk near the muffler.

Worst case, you go in through the engine bay--push the plastic cups (where the latches for the top go) into the trunk. Use one to shine a flashlight in, use the other to either trip the release if you can figure that out. If not, then use a whole bunch of extensions taped or wired together and a 10mm or 13mm socket to unbolt the receiver from the rear panel.

--DD

[Hogger]

Thanks Dave. That explains it. I do have the rear reflector.
I'll dig around for some of those options.

Jordan.