914-6 steering column

[michel richard]

I am currently trying to move my 914 towards a 914-6. Well, I'll try to keep the 4-cyl and just get to 914-6 power but that's another story.

Although a ton of information is available about engines and suspension, I can't find a lot about the interior of the 914-6. I have found stuff on Pelican's authenticity guide, but that's about it.

I know the steering column on a 914-6 is different, with the ignition switch on the dash and a hand throttle etc...

So the question is: will 911 components of the same period fit ? Can I lift a whole steering column from one of those and fit it on my 914, what would then happen to ignition, etc. I guess that a hand throttle on the injection system does not make a lot of sense, but, still, how were they fitted ? etc ...

Thanks.

[Wayne 962]

There is a picture missing from our Authenticity Guide, which is now on the site, but not linked to a page. I will add this in the next few days. This is the picture of the steering column. The hand-throttle pic is also missing. The hand throttle is located on the floor, in front of the shift lever, not on the steering column. As far as I know, the steering column is unique to the 914-6, and is not your standard 911-type variety. But I could be wrong on this one...

Hope this helps,

Wayne

[Marc Le Friant]

Wayne's right. The 914-6 steering column is unique, though externally almost identical to the 911 piece. It mounts to the frame differently and its switches have different connectors than the 911 variety, though this may not be an issue in a conversion. You're going to have to figure out in any case how to wire the ignition switch, turn signal switch, and wiper switch to whichever unit you try to adapt to the car. I'd kind of like to undertake a project like this myself if ever I try to do a conversion since I haven't the heart to do any sort of great modification to my original six. If you figure out how to use a 911 steering column in a 914, I'd like to know. By the way, 914-6's built in '72 used the same steering column as the four cylinders. Use an electric windshield washer and a three speed wiper motor, and you'd be authentic for '72!

[Marc Le Friant]

Sorry, didn't catch the question on the hand throttle the first time. The 914-6 hand throttle operated by means of a long rod running from the lever mounted at the forward base of the shifter to the bellcrank actuated by the accelerator pedal, on the pedal assembly. It cracks the butterflies open on the carbs or MFI when the engine is cold so that it may idle. You might be able to fake it, putting in a lever for appearance only, by getting another heater lever and bolting it down under the shifter. Top off the look by getting a black knob from an early 911 or 912 and screw it on. I think also that early 911 or 912's (67 or earlier) had a heat lever with a black knob mounted under the shifter, in the same location as the 914-6 hand throttle. The main trouble, I've heard, in making up a functional hand throttle for the 914-6 is that the bell crank at the pedal assembly has some extra provision for the hand throttle on the original cars and is hard(read expensive) to come by. I'll have to go digging into my six to find out.

[dennis winter]

>>figure out in any case how to wire the ignition switch>>
I'd be happy with just this part, if anybody has figured it out. I go nuts looking for the ignition switch every time I change from a 914 to a 911 or vice versa.