valves and thermostat

[ado]

74 2.0 F.I....engine is out for top end rebuild.
Are valve seals needed or not ? I understand they don't last long so i get different opinions on this.

Thermostats: i don't plan on driving the car in the cold, so should i bother with the hook-up or just leave them unhooked and both flaps open or off?

Thank you............

[luskesq]

I cannot address your first question. As for the thermostat and I am no expert, it is my understanding that it is wise to keep it functional. It enables the engine to come up to proper temps faster which is better for the longevity of the engine as well as I suppose economy.There may be other (and better) reasons for keeping it functional that I'm not recalling right now. If you elect not to use it, the cable would be disconnected (or removed) so the flaps will go into their default mode allowing for the best cooling. You may want to go to the following link, scroll down to Mr. Bowlsby's section(s) on the air cooling flaps, replete with pics. 914/4 Tech Notebook

Keith

[Joe Ricard]

Air cooled 914's do not have valve seals.
Just valve guides and you need to pull the springs to get an accurate condition assesment to see if new guides are needed.

Getting the air cooled motor up to temp quickly reduced wear. Functioning flaps are key to a long life.

[Ronnie's.930]

There is absolutely no need for the thermostat in warm climates (such at Texas) and any/all 914 and VW techs in this area will advise you to remove it as the typical failure mode for them is in the retracted position (leaving the flaps closed - obviously not a good thing) . . .

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Ronnie, you are completely wrong on this.

The thermostat operates at a much higher temperature that you see even in Texas. It is actually doing something while it is closed--helping the engine to get into the correct operating range. No 914 tech that I respect would tell you to remove it because it isn't used.

I know some techs who insist that the flaps aren't needed at all. But if you look carefully at them, it is obvious how critical they are...

Second, the failure mode for the factory thermostat is to fail in the OPEN position, so you get maximum cooling. If you have had a thermostat fail in the closed position, it is either a very odd rarity, or you were using a crummy aftermarket replacement and not the original style of t-stat.

--DD

[John Rogers]

I would suggest installing everything including the cooling flaps, springs and other necessary stuff. If you have a thermostat then hook it up and be happy. If you do not have one then do not panic as no matter what many folks say, the car can run long and be happy without one since with no thermostat and cable the flaps fail open as Dave says. My daughter's 914 2L ran over 150,000 miles without one and never had any issues. The trick is to do as the factory says, get in the car, strap in, start it up and drive away quickly to let the engine warm up to normal temp fast. Our cars are not meant to start and let sit and idle to warm up before driving as per the original 74 owner's manual I have some where?

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by Dave at Pelican Parts

Ronnie, you are completely wrong on this.

The thermostat operates at a much higher temperature that you see even in Texas. It is actually doing something while it is closed--helping the engine to get into the correct operating range. No 914 tech that I respect would tell you to remove it because it isn't used.

I know some techs who insist that the flaps aren't needed at all. But if you look carefully at them, it is obvious how critical they are...

Second, the failure mode for the factory thermostat is to fail in the OPEN position, so you get maximum cooling. If you have had a thermostat fail in the closed position, it is either a very odd rarity, or you were using a crummy aftermarket replacement and not the original style of t-stat.

--DD

Point taken, but based on my many years of 914 experience here in Texas (25 +), there is very little to be gained from using the thermostat in a warm climate (regardless of the theoretical benefits of having it in place) - the small amount of oil in that tiny sump still gets real hot, real fast.

[ado]

okay........

no valve seals and use the thermostats..

Got it and thank you.............