Starting a 1971 IMSA 914 Restoration, A privateer run 914 with Sebring and Daytona history Options

[FourBlades]

I am finally starting on the build thread for the IMSA 914. This is a 1971 914-4
that was bought in 1975 or 6 as a used car and turned into an IMSA GTU car.
It is a well crafted but not big budget car with a lot of clever touches that helped
it to beat a lot of more famous and undoubtedly better financed teams.

My wife and I plan to restore the car to racing condition and then enjoy the
heck out of it without abusing it any further (its clearly had a hard life).

Our priorities are (1) make it safe and legal for current vintage rules (2) keep
it original as practical (3) keep it period correct, in that order. We also want to
avoid over restoring it too much, but it is easy to understand the temptation
to cad plate, power coat, and perfectly repaint everything. I think this last issue
will be the biggest, other than going broke or insane first (either one would
be a short trip at this point).

I plan to post way too many photos, the best quality I can, until people flame
me big time to stop. I also expect you, yes YOU!, to help me figure out what
to do and give me ideas and comments. I may not always do everything people
want, but I will consider all ideas. I'm really just a novice restorer and I know
I can't do this without your help.

OK, so screw the BS, lets see some pictures. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

Competing at Sebring as a 4-cylinder (changed to a six soon after).



T.C., who found the car in a barn, passes it on to me (what luck!).



I had to turn to a close friend for the financing, but it worked out.



Huge ATL 500A fuel cell. The hood just closes over this.



TC, URY914, SMG914, and I working on my Explorer flat six conversion.



Fiberglass flares and paintwork need a little bit of work.



Wife: Are you sure we are buying the right car? Why don't we just buy this one
from T.C., it actually has an engine inside the car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)



I have started to dissassemble the car so it can be soda blasted and I have tons
of pictures to post.

So what do you all think?

John

[Al Meredith]

About 4 years ago I bought a 2.4L "T" engine that last ran 10 years ago. It turned over OK . My son installed it in a 914 with center mount and all the dry sump plumbing. We took the MFI off and installed 40MM webers. If I remember correctly it got 160HP at the rear wheels. A 2.4 T is rated at 140 flywheel. So we took it apart, Polished Rods, dovetailed bearing bosses and a lightened flywheel. Then the surprise. The pistons were 87.5 MM Mahle pistons. This was a 2.5L IMSA engine. Two of the aluminum cylinders had chunks out of them from boring out the stock cylinders where the stock 2.4L head gasket goes. Too thin. Our solution was to have custom "nickies" made. I have all the reciepts for a total rebuild including CE case refinishing and ballancing. Are you interested in a period correct 2.5L engine? You would have to speak to my son who rebuilt the motor to get the full scope of work. Al