I think I am gettin g it figured out..., 1970 1.7 Options

[Stuie]

I have been browsing the forums to research previous advice on upgrades and fixes and this is what i think I need to do. Please correct me if you guys see a funky choice!

I have had the car 4 days...

I have a '70 1.7 with a Weber progressive which I don't care for. (lousy throttle response/lame starting)

Sloppy shifting (bushings I assume)

Motor turns over slow when starting (corroded pos battery cable I think)

I believe Frt rt wheel bearings are close to shot (car pulls a bit to the right and hub shakes a little under hand load)


It's my primary car so it needs to be drivable most of the time and pulling the engine mods aren't possible right now.

From what I gather..

1. The dual solex singles should be the best for my stock engine with std cam. (better throttle response and mpg)

2. I should bag the .009 and get the Mallory distributor. (precise firing thru entire rpm range, fixing the boggy low end rpm)

3. Installing new pos battery cable to get more power to the starter ( better starting power, installed an optima red top batt on Friday)

I have the bearings and shifter bushings coming from Eric.

At the moment, I am not looking for raw power but just a dependable peppy 914 which starts every time I need it to.

Also, I saw on ebay some company selling LED gauge lights. Has anyone tried these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...em=130017582385

Stuie

[Stuie]

Thanks a million for your suggestions and offers of parts.

It shouldn't bother me (I would just need to learn about fi more) but, I feel more comfortable with carbs. I have a bunch of British bikes with carbs, had 5 Bugs, 1 bus and I feel more comfortable diagnosing problems on the side of the road if the machine is something I am sort of familiar with. Plus, for what seems to be a reasonable amount of money, I could throw on some new carbs which at least mentally seems like they should function trouble free for a couple years until worn out.

I guess the cam is an issue though with this motor and carbs right?

I suppose I should start looking for a second engine to build up the way I want over the next year or two and then do a swap out.

From the posts it seems Jake Raby is "the man" for a hot engine kit. To smoke the tires in second gear would be the ultimate!

JPB- It looks like it's too late. I have apparently been infected with the 914 disease. (I think I always have been infected since my Pop taught me to drive in his back in the early 80's)

My wife will probably kill me as she deals with my 2 1970 BSA Scrambler Projects, 1 1969 Triumph Daytona project, 2 riding bikes (my '05 Triumph Thruxton and her '67 BSA) and 1 '79 Vespa scooter project... Now this!

I don't "need" six bikes do I? Maybe sell a few for 914 components...

Ahh well, she's probably used to it by now!

Thanks again for the knowledge and sharing of it!

Stu