engine bogging down

[KJSLUGGER0612]

i recently bought a 914 from my neighbor. i discovered that the fuel injection system was replaced with a carburetor. in test driving it every time i stepped on it it bogs down. i don't know if its the timing or the carb is gummed up. I haven't done any kind of work to this kind of motor in the past so every little bit helps.

[911t Fanatic]

trash in tank, clogged lines, clogged filter, gummed jets in carb. in that order. If still problem check timing.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Well, what carb and distributor does it have on it? What year 914? 1.7, 1.8 or 2.0L? Can you get a picture of the engine bay?

People tend to replace the original fuel injection system with carburetors because they dont understand how the fuel injection works. The problem with doing this is that the camshaft and timing curve doesnt work well with carbs.

[KJSLUGGER0612]

its a 1971. it was a 1.8L but i was told it was bored out to a 2.0L it has a two barrel holley carb on it and the distributor is stock

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

The problem is the carb. The two barrel carbs never work right on the Type 4. Do a search on this forum for Weber progressive carb in this forum. What you probably have is the Holley copy of the Weber progressive. I think they used to call them "Bug Sprays".

Either way, the best thing you can do is get rid of it and run dual carbs. You'll spend a bunch of time trying to get the carb you have to run somewhat decent and even then, it will never run right, because it simply isnt designed to work with the Type 4.

[KJSLUGGER0612]

That sounds like it makes sense. however how much would a used one cost and would i have to change anything else if i made the switch.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Ideally, you'd fix the fuel injection. I'm always surprised at how many people just give up on it and install carbs.

The second best option is to tear the motor apart and install a cam that is designed for carbs, like a Webcam 86b. But then you start changing everything else in the engine based on that cam.

You could go look for a set of Weber 34ICT's, but you will never run right unless you change the cam.

[KJSLUGGER0612]

i dont know why the fuel injection was taken out. im just trying to get the car drivable for now to see if its worth putting money into it. if it is then i will rip apart the engine and put in new carbs. however do you know any tricks on finding tdc because my timing marks have worn away and i cant check the timing

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

There was no 1.8L in 1971. There engine would have been put in the car later. The timing marks for the 1.8L are different from the 1.7 and 2.0L cars as well.

When you say stock distributor, is it stock for the 1.8 or 2.0L? Both distributors are different.

Read this. Also get rid of the Holley.

Pelican Technical Article: Timing 914s with Carbs

[KJSLUGGER0612]

ok that link was helpful. i will look up the casting identification numbers on the motor to see what size it actually is. i was just going on the sellers word. it was the owner before him that did all the work. so its hard to tell what was actually done to the motor. i will get back to you with the factory motor specs and distributor

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Do you have any receipts for the work that was done to the motor? It's unlikely that the engine was modified into a 2.0, as that requires swapping out the crank and rods and pistons. The popular size upgrade for a 1.7 (or 1.8) is to go with 96mm cylinders, making a 1911cc engine.

--DD

[KJSLUGGER0612]

unfortuatley i have no paper work like i said the guy i bought it from did not do the engine work . it was the guy before him. so i am just going on his word which sucks