Introduction
 

Let's see, where to start. First, a bit about me. I'm a 24 yr. old software engineer living in Olathe, a suburb of Kansas City. Second, my car. A 1974 2.0L. And, that's about all I know about it. I'm getting married on Dec. 28th, and the car is my fiance's wedding gift to me. Through the finding of a title, etc., it came out just a few days ago that a 914 is what her gift is to me. I know a few more details, but not much. Don't even know the color. And, to top it all off, I've never been closer than about 10ft to a 914. Talk about jumping in with both feet...

Introduction, continued
 

So, here's the story as I know it. The car was purchased through ebay, in San Antonio. A friend of mine, living in Dallas, went and picked it up and drove it to Dallas. At that point, my fiance's dad and brother traveled down to get it. On their way back up to Kansas, a valve cover gasket failed, as mentioned in this thread:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-914-914-6-technical-forum/74765-blown-head-gasket-question.html
Note, my friend is not in Pheonix, as his info says. Anyway, the valve cover gasket has been repaired, by my fiance and her father. Apparently, there is some black smoke coming from somewhere still, but I don't know any more details. And, that's where the story ends for now. I get the car on the night of the 27th. There is much more to the story than the little bit that I know. I will try to fill in the details when I learn them.
So, I know there are members that have cars, some members that used to have cars, even members who have cars but have never driven them. But, are there any who have a car but have never seen it or driven it? :)

I think this guy is going to have a long and happy marriage. His bride-to-be not only buys him a 914, she gets her hands dirty and repairs the valve cover. Bravo! You found a keeper!

Now, for some very important advice. She has obviously gone out of her way to get you a special wedding gift. You better have gotten her something even more special. A big-honking diamond is one thing, but that was expected. You need to get her something that will make her cry because she is overcome with emotion. I would suggest a 800-piece Snap-On Mechanics Tool Set. ;)

Welcome to the board and 914 ownership.

Make sure every time your friend from Dallas, who's info says he's from Pheonix, comes to visit - you toss him the keys. ;)

Paul: thanks for the welcome. I'll get the tool set on order. :)

maclif: Of course.

Welcome,

You will love the car they are a lot of fun, I just wish mine ran.

I stayed in Olathe one time, I hope they buldozed that Holiday Inn.

Any way, I was no help at all, but welcome to the group, congrats on the marraige, and cool wedding gift.

Duck

SmileWavy

Edit: oh yeah, hope for Zambezi Green! :D

This is probably something every true 914 fan should know, but why Zambezi Green?

Because that's the color people settle for when they can't find a Ravenna Green car.

Yellow cars go faster.


But it's probably white.

:cool:

I suppose Ravenna Green would be safer when driving near big trucks, kind of like wearing a bright orange safety vest. :)
My fiance did say the original color was a dark green, kind of a kelly green, which she found when replacing the valve cover gasket. I do know that it is not that color now. Looking at
http://homepage.mac.com/markd/914/colors.html
I see that the only dark green that was available for 74 was Zambezi Green, so it seems likely.

Is that why mine won't start?



I just like it lots! No other reason really.

Yes! Welcome!!!SmileWavy Tis a fine fine wedding present and, what Paul has said about getting her that special gift is very true & to the mark. Yer gonna hafta go some to do her justice! Sounds like she's really worth it.
My wife found mine for me. I had flown down to Medford to look at a 914. Once there I realized it was not THE CAR. So I rented a car and drove the 6 hours home. Whilst halfway home she called to say I found one on the net. It just so happened I was 20 miles away at the time so.... away I went. The rest is history. I love my 914 (even when it doesn't run). Hope you have the same luck.
bruce

Congrats on both accounts.

Now a question all the single guys on the BBS want to know...
Does she have a sister who is also as generous???

Girl + 914 = :)
Im jealous. My girlfriend has attempted to be so cool, but I guess I just need to work on her a little harder....the car too.
You are a fortunate man Scotty, welcome to the board for misplaced finances...I mean 914 enthusiasts. SmileWavy

Congrats. She sounds like a keeper.

My wife wants floor mats for her Jeep for Christmas. Gotta love her.

Well, I mentioned the idea of a snap on tool set to my fiance, she said that it was exactly what she wanted. I may have noted a little sarcasm, but I'm not really sure. I think I better get it to be safe, and if it turns out she was kidding, I'm sure I can find a place for it. :)
Sorry guys, she's the only daughter. Thanks for all the welcomes and the well-wishing.

Welcome Apple, errr should I say green apple,.........errrr or the apple of her Eye.

Okay....anyhow I live in Columbia, MO and have a Zambezi Green 914...I come to K.C. often to visit my daughter who's a teacher there.

PM me sometime and maybe we can get together over coffee and watch people check out our cars. :cool: :cool: :cool:

I'm not near as knowledgeable (can't spell either) as many posters here. but I've owned her for 9 years and learned a lot along the way. In fact I'm just putting the engine back in as we speak.

Besides if you get those Snap On's for Christmas.........

Serriously pm me if you ever want to hook up.

Waiting for what????????????????
 

DON'T WAIT ANOTHER MIN. MARRY THE GIRL TODAY, THE HE__
WITH THE 28th. THERE ARE GUYS ON THIS BOARD WHO WILL KIDNAP HER BY THE 28th. Concrats on the car and your soon to be wife. Offer thanks on your knees to the 914 God every night that ( SHE PICK YOU). Sounds to me like your on your way to a rich, full and exciting life togeather. Dave SmileWavy

sacook: We'll definitely have to get together sometime. I know that there will be much to learn.

Dave: I definitely am thankful. I hope she's still this generous when money starts dissappearing into the car. :)

introduction
 

congradulations to you on your fine choice . What a lucky guy you are to find a gal that likes 914's and will get her hands dirty ! Seems as if I am the only her that logs on here so maybe ......
anyhow welcome aboard and don't worry about the money down the drain oops goes into the car, have wife order the parts! that is what my friend does but it is not a porshce that he is working on it is a 68 camaro with a stroked 3 something it .you get the drift. welcome

Way to go!!! Now if she also owns a boat, I'd say you just won the triple crown!

My wife bought me my third 914 for Father's day last. I think I've got a set of the new Craftsman ratcheting sockets coming for Christmas too!

Pictures
 

Finally, some photos.

Pictures
 

Another:

Pictures
 

And, now, for the nice pretty shot:

So, the wedding went well, and after a honeymoon cruise to the western carribbean, I'm back to play with my 914. It does have some rust on the rear passenger long, and also on what I think is the jack point? Looks like a PO did some repair under there near the trailing arm pivot points. I think it will need some repair before it's really driveable. If you back it up, the right rear wheel tends to walk out a bit. There doesn't seem to be any body flex, so that's good news. The engine runs pretty well, although by the looks of the engine compartment, it's definitely a driver, not a concours car. I'm just waiting for this cold weather to pass so I can have some fun! :)

"Back wheel walking"

Right rear as in battery side?

I don't want to be the one, somebody else tell him...

Let's hope not Scott.....

Ahhh.... have you per chance checked the suspension console for rust Applescotty? That "walking out" stuff sounds like trouble...

It does look nice,

Glad that the honeymoon went well.

Right rear "walking" sounds serious. :eek:

Well, that's kind of where the previous owner did some repairs. Any decent chance of fixing it, or is it somewhat hopeless?

Can you take some good pics of the area and post them? Suspension console rust is quite a serious thing, but it CAN be fixed in some cases. It's a very difficult fix for an inexperienced person though. It depends on how far it has spread as to whether or not you should actually bother to fix it.

Post some pics of it.

I will take some pics of it when I get a chance. I have no experience with those types of repairs, but I'm willing to learn, and have plenty of patience.

There are patch panels available for most of the common areas. If you want to tackle it, go for it. If it doesn't go well someone here can help you find a doner shell to transfer parts to.

Either way, consider yourself initiated into the 914 addiction.

Since the car was a gift, it has some sentimental value, and so it's worth a little more to me to try and fix it, rather than finding a roller to swap stuff in to. I'm more than willing to spend time fixing it. Anyway, guess not much more can be said until we survery the damage. I'll try and get some pics of the area posted soon.

Your pictures look great!

Sounds like you do have a serious suspension issue, but don't despair, worse things have been repaired on these cars. This can be a significant bonding opportunity for you and your very cool new wife.

We're all speculating at the moment what you're dealing with, so those extra pictures will give us more to go on. A couple of suggestions. First, avoid driving your car for the moment, potentially not safe to drive. Second, jack up your car carefully, you don't know what other rust is waiting to be discovered, ie the panel you are applying the jack to. I'd suggest using a floor jack with as long a 2x4 as you can fit to spread out the jack pressure on the underbody. Chances are the right-rear corner of the floor pan may be weak also, so be careful. Use jack stands.

Photograph as much of the underside of the car as you can, post the pix.

There will likely be welding required, so start looking for someone who can do automotive sheet metal work for you, or use this opportunity to convince your new wife of the need for a family welder ;) . Welding is actually kinda fun (it's the setup that's a b*tch).

Memorize the Pelican website and get a copy of "Excellence" magazine for sources of parts. Maybe other guys can chime in with sources of repair panels, etc...

Welcome to the "club"!

I nearly ripped the console ear off of my car a couple of months ago at the track. The good news is it's been repaired and is back on the road, so your car is not terminal. The bad news is the engine had to be dropped to gain enough room to work properly, the rear suspension needs to be disassembled and some serious welding needs to be done by an experienced person. I wouldn't learn welding on a suspension repair. Don't give up on the car. After you get it fixed it will have even more sentimental value and you'll realize that there's nothing on the car that can't be fixed with a little effort. Sort of like a marriage, well not mine, but I might get a little misty anyway.http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/smlove2.gif

And watch where you put the jack stands before you get under the car. If you can stick an ice pick thru the metal anywhere, that part is probably going to have to come out or some metal scabbed over from good solid metal to same. Pelican has most of the pieces you will need. Some can be had from a parts car, but most of these cars rusted in exactly the same place. So, it is rare that a car that is being cut up will yield good metal in the area in question. (The right rear console under the battery tray.)

more pics
 

Well, here's some pics of that area. Looks pretty bad. I haven't driven it since I found out about the rust problems. So, just how bad is it?
This pic is of what I think is called the suspension console. Appears that there were some previous repairs done there.

Here's another shot of the 'suspension console'? Looked like maybe it was this weld that cracked. Up until about a month ago, there didn't appear to be any problems with that wheel.

And, just for fun, more rust pics. Nice and scaley, just like all rust should be, right? :) Obviously, this jack point is not very useful. I tried the 2x4 on the long, that worked okay. Previously, I placed the jack near the engine mount, that part at least seemed solid. It wasn't actually on the bar, but on the piece of metal that it's attached to.

One last, showing some rust in the floor. I could swear that all the rust has gotten worse since I looked at it last week. :)