What to do?

[iansale]

After a long winter here in Philly, I have finally started to regain momentum on my 914 restoration project.

My latest dilemma is what to do with the engine. Any input is appreaciated.

I am fairly certain that the engine in the car is the original 1.7L (mine is a '72), though the tranny is now a side-shifter. While it runs well, it has a lot of miles on it, smokes, and leaks oil. So, I there is no question that I need to do something. I'm considering the following:
1) Take the engine to a local shop to have it rebuilt. The two downsides to this option are that I'll end up with the same 85hp engine and I haven't found a local shop that specializes in Porsche or VW engines.
2) Replace it with a new engine such as this one from GEX. Should mean a little more horsepower, but will my stock D-Jet system supply it with enough fuel? Will I need to convert to carbs?

Any suggestions? Can anyone recommend an engine shop? Any experience with the GEX Powermaster?

[Kevin Powers]

first thing is take your car to an outfit that steam cleans cars up on a hoist. not the local spray and wash. that will be the best money well spent from square one. try and figure where the oil's coming from. if your motor runs well it could be as simple and cheap as valve cover gaskets or push rod tube seals. these cars are a lot more fun to work on if 60,000 of oil and road grime isn't covering everything. if your car has been leaking for a while there will be plenty of mess. that's the first thing i would do. i wish NOW i had done this instead of wipping everything down on the 73'.

kevin

[JWest]

GEX does not have a good reputation around here.

The best thing to do is rebuild it yourself with the info you can get here.

If you are not willing or able to do that, Jake Raby is known for quality work. If you search his name on this board you will find info on him. I am not sure if he builds an engine that works well with D-jet as he prefers carburators and higher performance engines.

[Bleyseng]

Cheapest way is to buy a good used 2.0L engine. They come up for sale from time to time from the guys that are converting to a six or v8. Try to get one with the 2.0l FI complete and you will be way ahead. Price $1000 to 2500 depending on the condition and mods for a 95hp motor.
Price to rebuild 1.7l is about $3000

Geoff

[iansale]

Thanks for the feedback on GEX and pointing me toward Jack Raby, James. I'm going to track him down to see if he has any interest in building an engine for me.

Geoff-- by finding a 2.0L engine, besides a new FI system, I'll also need to replace the exhaust system, correct? Anything else?

[Zeke]

Ian, you have good advice here so far. The smoking could be from the oil on the engine and heat exchangers. Or, if it's definately coming out of the tail pipe, then the rings are worn. the engine is not tough to work on if you have any mechanical ability. Once out of the car, and with the sheet metal off, it's just a big model airplane engine. Get the books and video talked about around here frequently and have at it. You will be one proud 914eener when you light the candles on your own freshly rebuilt motor.

Oh, BTW, I did a bunch of Type I VW engines years ago and never split a case. New top end and they ran well. They were not race engines or anything special, just drivers.

[iansale]

I'm not against trying it myself... I've done a couple of V-twin motorcycle engines. I'm just getting anxious to start driving this thing and want it done right the first time. And, it would be a bonus (but not necessary) if I could get a little more horsepower in the process.

You make a good point, though... guess I could buy new pistons and cylinders and make it a pretty quick job? Wonder if I would be sorry later?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

In my experience, mentioning GEX on most VW BBSes produces similar effects to mentioning a certain 914 specialty shop in the southeast on this BBS. Some research would be in order if you are considering them.

Personally, I only have one experience with their parts. A local shop had two GEX-rebuilt cylinder heads (2.0 ones) in stock when I was cylinder head shopping. One of them looked just fine on a cursory inspection. The other head looked to have been done by a total beginner. It was not something that I wanted on my car. Those were the only rebuilt 2.0 heads in stock in that shop at that time, so I passed.

If you want to keep driving the car, you can pick up an extra engine from somewhere (1.7 ones can be found for dirt cheap!) and rebuild that while you drive the current one. If it amuses you, you can build up a larger-displacement engine from the 1.7 core.

If you pick up a 2.0 engine, your 1.7 exhaust will work just fine on it. You may be giving up a little bit of power, but I doubt you'll notice. Just make sure to use all of the 1.7 exhaust--though I think you'll need the 2.0 copper exhaust (head to heat exchanger) gaskets.

There are a lot of things that can be done to the engine while you've got it apart...

--DD

[iansale]

Dave, am I just missing it, or does Pelican not sell an engine rebuild kit, pistons, cylinders, etc?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Bearings, gasket kits, etc.:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/9144/por_9144_engine_main.htm

Pistons, cylinders, etc.:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/9144/por_9144_piston_main.htm

...And so on.

The short version is, no. No one "kit" is going to be right for everyone. So we let you choose what you want to buy.

--DD

[Kevin Powers]

there is a motor (1.8) for sale right now in the classifieds. it's not mine. check it out.

kevin