New owner! Having some issues..., lorem ipsum porschum boxum Options

[detective_snakes]

Hi! I'm detective snakes, and I'm grateful to be a new member here!
I've come into possession of a 1970 914/4. Unsure of the finer details, but... I've run into a few roadblocks. I figured I should ask here just in case some of these problems are fairly common. If you don't mind my inquiry...

- The car was running the last time it was driven, around 6-8 years ago. I've replaced the battery (yes there is a rather small hell hole (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) ), but nothing else has been done to the car. I did put around a gallon of new gas into the tank.

- Turns over, won't start. I'm fairly certain this is the fuel pump! I don't hear the whirring when I leave the key turned at idle. But I'm unsure of the specs of this engine, and I'm not sure whether or not this even has an electric pump.

- Shifter feels like it isn't connected... maybe linkage? But I don't know why a working car would randomly have it's shifter just do nothing.

When I turn the key, both the alternator light and oil light come on, but I'm guessing those always turn on when the key is turned before the engine is started.

As for the engine this car has... I'm unsure. It has a twin carburetor setup where they stick out high in the engine compartment, but that's all I know.

I'd be glad to provide any more pictures of the car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
I appreciate any answers given, this is my first real project car!

[burton73]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

I would get this book on 914s that has so much info for a new 914 owner. You can get it from there web site of ebay or who knows always ck Amazon done by George Hussey AKA Dr. 914

Welcome to the world and the fuel pump is 12 volts.

Best Bob B

[SirAndy]

'70 with non-appearance group trim and steel wheels is a rare sight these days.

It should have had a 1.7L engine with D-Jet injection when new, but who knows what has happened in the last 54 years.

Post some pictures of the engine bay and the engine/transmission area from under the car. That should help with the trouble shooting.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

PS: I second the book mentioned above. Also, get the Haynes manual.

PPS: (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

[930cabman]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

" a few roadblocks"

Stick with us, we will assist in getting this diamond in the rough rockin down the road

[Dave_Darling]

Carburetors are not stock. The fuel pump should be replaced when a carb swap is done, and at that point wiring and plumbing for the pump is at the discretion of whoever is doing the swap.

The pump will be electric, as the hole for the mechanical fuel pump in the 914 engine is cast over and not drilled.

The 914's shift linkage is long and kind of complicated. That of the 70-72 cars even more so. If a couple of the plastic bushings have disintegrated over the years, it's no surprise that the shifter doesn't feel like it's connected to anything.

Keep asking questions! Post photos so we can help figure out what you've got.

--DD

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

non appearance group! Pretty rare these days

Hi! I'm detective snakes, and I'm grateful to be a new member here!
I've come into possession of a 1970 914/4. Unsure of the finer details, but... I've run into a few roadblocks. I figured I should ask here just in case some of these problems are fairly common. If you don't mind my inquiry...

- The car was running the last time it was driven, around 6-8 years ago. I've replaced the battery (yes there is a rather small hell hole (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) ), but nothing else has been done to the car. I did put around a gallon of new gas into the tank.

- Turns over, won't start. I'm fairly certain this is the fuel pump! I don't hear the whirring when I leave the key turned at idle. But I'm unsure of the specs of this engine, and I'm not sure whether or not this even has an electric pump.

- Shifter feels like it isn't connected... maybe linkage? But I don't know why a working car would randomly have it's shifter just do nothing.

When I turn the key, both the alternator light and oil light come on, but I'm guessing those always turn on when the key is turned before the engine is started.

As for the engine this car has... I'm unsure. It has a twin carburetor setup where they stick out high in the engine compartment, but that's all I know.

I'd be glad to provide any more pictures of the car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
I appreciate any answers given, this is my first real project car!

[Spoke]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)


If it's not run in 6-8 years, first item is drain the oil and add new oil.

You have dual carbs so the fuel pump will either be on the pass side by the engine under the tin, or if relocated in the front trunk area. For carbs there is usually a jumper wire on the relay board.

Some pictures would help. Take pictures of the relay board on the driver side engine bay.

[iankarr]

Congrats and welcome!

If the car hasn't run for a while, and it has carbs, there's a decent chance they're gummed up with old fuel and in need of a rebuild. Here's what I would do, in order...

– Drain the fuel tank and change the filter. Look into the tank with a small flashlight and confirm that it's not all rusty and cruddy.

– Drain and change the oil and filter

– Pull and replace the plugs

– Replace the fuel pump. Decent chance that's gummed up, too. You'll need one for carbs, which runs at lower pressure than FI. The pump and filter are below the battery, under the engine tin, or possibly up in the front trunk / gas tank area, depending on if the previous owner moved it.

– Pull the jet stack out of the carbs, soak in cleaner / blow out and reinstall

– Hook everything back up and turn the key so that the pump is on. Check around the carbs for any fuel leakage. If the floats are stuck from gummy gas, they can overspill.

– Check the linkage and make sure both carb throttles are pulled in synch. you'll need to adjust this later.

– Hopefully the car starts. Once it does, you should sync the carbs (will need a snail meter for that) and verify the timing.

If the car doesn't start, and you know you've got good fuel and spark, you may need to rebuild the carbs.

Anytiime you resurrect a car it's possible for there to be several points of failure so don't get discouraged. Just be methodical and I'm sure you'll be on the road soon!

I've made a bunch of videos (and a special series for newbies) on my youtube channel. Link in my signature below...

–

[Shivers]

Any chance you’re in the Coachella valley?

[windforfun]

"lorem ipsum porschum boxum"

What's the translation?

[bkrantz]

Do be careful with old fuel system parts and hoses. A small leak can lead to a big fire. Too many 914s have ended that way.

[PaIsa]

I am a fairly new owner here as well. I would support the advice of getting the Tech Tips from Dr914. Had it for a month now a was able to solve a few small issues with it. Haynes manual seems to be a must as well. I have yet to source one, but will be on my list for my next order.

For your issues, I have not enough experience on what should be done, but you got good information from a few but I guess that changing oil in the engine and I would also change it in the transmission, change plug, verify the distributor, cables, etc. for ignition (spark) and for the fuel system, verify that the pump is actually working and I would install a pressure gauge on the fuel delivery (just before the split for the carb) to help in troubleshooting. Mine is running at around 3 psi.

For the carbs, I would take them out and fully dismantle, clean and reinstall. I have done this lately on our car and it made an incredible difference.

For the oil & alternator lights: yes they light up with ignition ON and hopefully go out with the engine running and reved up a bit. If Alternator light stays on, check your strap (ask me how I know!). If oil light stays on, then it is a bigger problem. All this is assuming you have been able to get the engine to start and run.

Good luck.

[brant]

Drain all of the fuel
Replace the fuel lines
And rebuild the carbs

Going to need to go through all of the brakes and shift linkage bushings also

[FlacaProductions]

Haynes manuals are frequently on eBay - there's at least 10 on there now - the good thing is that they come pre-greased and already have that workshop smell.....

[Spoke]

"lorem ipsum porschum boxum"

What's the translation?

New Porsche Owner; Now Broke

[infraredcalvin]

Any chance you’re in the Coachella valley?

Plastic fence and green ivy don’t spell desert to me…. I could be wrong… (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[Artfrombama]

Haynes manuals are frequently on eBay - there's at least 10 on there now - the good thing is that they come pre-greased and already have that workshop smell.....

The electrical schematic alone in the Haynes manual is worth the price. Not as good as the FSM but plenty of information for general maintenance and repairs.

Buy a cheap circuit tester. Good for checking voltage to the coil and fuel pump.

[Osnabruck914]

My best advice to you would be to find a Mechanic/Mentor who is willing to guide you through the procedures the other members here are recommending you to try. You can eventually figure all this stuff out, but it will take you 10 times as long. Also, get on the internet and read, read, read, everything out there on 914s. Best of luck.

Osnabruck914

[Shivers]

Any chance you’re in the Coachella valley?

Plastic fence and green ivy don’t spell desert to me…. I could be wrong… (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

Hahaha, it might surprise you. My town is one of the top destinations for golf. They like their green. I have desert landscaping, because I am cheap.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7EJ1oOCCz1w&a...gY2EgOTIyNTM%3D

[detective_snakes]

Ah! Sorry for being gone, hectic couple of work days. I appreciate the conversation generated here! This is BEYOND helpful for a new wrench turner like me hahah.

burton! Thanks for the book recommendation! Just ordered it from Amazon, should be here within a few days. I've been looking for good a good physical manual, this is just what the doctor ordered.

SirAndy, a picture of the... dusty... engine bay should be right at the end of this comment! Apologies for the delay, I wasn't really sure of how to add a second picture lol. Haynes manual will be in the cart as well!

930cabman... yeah. This won't just be a few roadblocks, I'm sure this'll be a long enough story to sell in multiple volumes! Future kids/grandkids will never hear the end of it from me about this damn car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Dave! I wrote all of this down in my notepad, especially about the pump and shifter. I'm going to have jack stands and ramps soon to get a look from under the car, and I have a couple of enthusiasts nearby who wanna help. I'll definitely make sure to keep you guys posted as this develops.

Spoke, on it! Already prepared with my oil. Found the fuel pump, curiously something else was wrong with the fuel line (a clamp had gone bad connecting the line to the filter). I'll do my best to find that relay board and post it right here.

iankarr, yes this was actually SUPER correct. They are extremely gummed up. The throttle will not move without serious effort. Got new sparks, once we get this lifted I'll be sure we replace those, along with the filter + pump. That youtube link is going in my personal 914 bible though! I'm excited to hit the failure points, personally. I've got nothing but time here, and it's always going to be a new learning experience.

Shivers, sadly no. I'm a few hours West of that, closer to the Thousand Oaks area.

windforfun, it translates to... blah blah porsche boxer!

bkrantz, yeah it's something I'm worried about. I'm going to have a mechanic I know make sure my fuel related work is good before we even try starting it up. I'll gladly pay the safety tax when it's owed.

PaIsa, it's great to see another new user here! Hearing your success with the book encourages me, and makes me feel great about my order. Definitely looking to dismantle the carbs and clean them out 100%. The throttle feels like it's full of gummy bears hahah. Noted in regards to alt light though.

brant, on it! Carbs are currently the first priority, followed by fuel. Definitely something needed.

Flaca gotcha! Good to know they're on ebay, I have some leftover credit that I think gets to fulfill a purpose today.

Osnabruck, I've been so unfathomably fortunate in this regard. One of our neighbors restores cars from this era quite often, and is willing to lend tools and a hand. I'm more than happy to sit back and learn (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

SO! Again! Thank you for the replies! I've taken notes of everything, and ordered those manuals. As for parts I've ordered:
- trunk latch cable
- accelerator cable
- fuel hose + clamp
- fuel filter
- oil
- battery
- gas pedal
- spark plugs

As time goes on I'll make sure to update this thread with progress! Or, I'll get stumped and ask more questions hahah. All part of the fun. I can't express my gratitude for this help enough, truly