What have I gotten myself into, New old 914 Options

[Puebloswatcop]

Welcome to the insanity of 914 Ownership. Sounds like you have the right mental attitude it takes to live in this world. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

[steuspeed]

That's a pretty serious project! You are in the right place though. Facebook has a 914world group as well. Some parts sources are AutoAtlanta, 914Rubber, Sierra Madre Collection and Pelican Parts. The 1974 cars and earlier are more desirable. Early bumpers and no emissions. The fuel injection componenets have been removed and replaced by a carb. You are probably looking at a resto-mod outlaw build. Do whatever you want.

[rick 918-S]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

[brant]

Need to see a picture of the rocker covers removed and what it looks like underneath

Honestly I have said for years
Don’t buy a car without removing the rockers

[930cabman]

Need to see a picture of the rocker covers removed and what it looks like underneath

Honestly I have said for years
Don’t buy a car without removing the rockers

+1

I looked at one outside Atlanta a couple years ago, seemed ok. Requested to remove the rockers, most of the screws came off somewhat easily with a slotted screwdriver. One or two needed a vise grip. Removing these should be a must prior to exchanging $$

I bought the car for cheap with a bunch of extra parts, awaiting to get on the lift

[SirAndy]

I have heard some people say not to jack up the car on the doughnuts (the raised bits emergygt350 is talking about - I'll attach a picture to make it clear) but I think most of us do.

The donuts are not jack points, they have no structural support. The front ones literally just sit on the bottom side of the front floorpan and the rear triangle isn't much better.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[SirAndy]

I wonder if it will turn over.

I wouldn't try that on an engine that has sat for so long without at least taking the heads off to get a feel for what the inside of that engine looks like.

You try to "turn it over" the way it is there's a good chance you'll ruin the crank, bearings, cylinders and pistons.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[Rick H.]

I spent a little time on it this morning just trying to lubricate all the hinges so they operate sort of smoothly and don't make so much noise. Fortunately I have no plans at all to make this into any kind of a show car, just a fun car that drives well and looks good. Thanks for information on the jack points, I need to crawl around under there and see how it looks. What are longs by the way? I talked with a friend today who has worked on cars for a living all his life and he has a couple of other friends who can do some sheet metal welding for me. I can do a lot of things but good welding isn't on that list. I think their prices won't be out of hand and if the work is good it's worth it to me.

Ricdk H.

[fiacra]

I have heard some people say not to jack up the car on the doughnuts (the raised bits emergygt350 is talking about - I'll attach a picture to make it clear) but I think most of us do.

The donuts are not jack points, they have no structural support. The front ones literally just sit on the bottom side of the front floorpan and the rear triangle isn't much better.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

@SirAndy . All well and good to say that, and to give someone the over top of the glasses librarian look, but not helpful if you don't actually share what jack points you are using/recommending (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[SirAndy]

@SirAndy . All well and good to say that, and to give someone the over top of the glasses librarian look, but not helpful if you don't actually share what jack points you are using/recommending (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

In order:
- Stock jack posts (probably excludes a large number of 914s due to rust)
- Grooved metal/rubber top floor jack under the pinch welds on the longs (probably still excludes a lot of cars)
- Production assembly line "donuts" (who needs a straight floor pan anyways)
- Solid outer motor mounts (yeah yeah, i know)

If you want to jack up both sides either in the front or back, i prefer a piece of wood to spread the load.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif)

[iankarr]

Hi, Rick,

As you’ve already discovered, this community is amazingly helpful so I’m sure that, with determination and cash, you’ll be able to save and enjoy this 914.

If you can post a bunch more pics, we can all chime in to give you a general idea of time and expenses. That way you can make a more informed decision of whether you want to make the commitment.

Be safe and enjoy!

[emerygt350]

I have heard some people say not to jack up the car on the doughnuts (the raised bits emergygt350 is talking about - I'll attach a picture to make it clear) but I think most of us do.

The donuts are not jack points, they have no structural support. The front ones literally just sit on the bottom side of the front floorpan and the rear triangle isn't much better.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

So what are they?

[bkrantz]

@SirAndy . All well and good to say that, and to give someone the over top of the glasses librarian look, but not helpful if you don't actually share what jack points you are using/recommending (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

In order:
- Stock jack posts (probably excludes a large number of 914s due to rust)
- Grooved metal/rubber top floor jack under the pinch welds on the longs (probably still excludes a lot of cars)
- Production assembly line "donuts" (who needs a straight floor pan anyways)
- Solid outer motor mounts (yeah yeah, i know)

If you want to jack up both sides either in the front or back, i prefer a piece of wood to spread the load.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif)

Even though my stock posts are solid, I get nervous about the insert sliding out, especially with the car angled sideways. So I prefer using the longs, with a 1x2 piece of hardwood to protect the pinch welds and spread the load.

I do use the donuts for my Esco jack stands, but I also reinforced the inside of the floor above the front donuts.

[SirAndy]

I have heard some people say not to jack up the car on the doughnuts (the raised bits emergygt350 is talking about - I'll attach a picture to make it clear) but I think most of us do.

The donuts are not jack points, they have no structural support. The front ones literally just sit on the bottom side of the front floorpan and the rear triangle isn't much better.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

So what are they?

@emerygt350

That's where the factory attached the chassis to the conveyor on the assembly line ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

[bkrantz]

I have heard some people say not to jack up the car on the doughnuts (the raised bits emergygt350 is talking about - I'll attach a picture to make it clear) but I think most of us do.

The donuts are not jack points, they have no structural support. The front ones literally just sit on the bottom side of the front floorpan and the rear triangle isn't much better.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

So what are they?

@emerygt350

That's where the factory attached the chassis to the conveyor on the assembly line ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

Hmm, those 914s look rust-free, but I want them to pull off the outer rocker covers before I buy one. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[fiacra]

I have heard some people say not to jack up the car on the doughnuts (the raised bits emergygt350 is talking about - I'll attach a picture to make it clear) but I think most of us do.

The donuts are not jack points, they have no structural support. The front ones literally just sit on the bottom side of the front floorpan and the rear triangle isn't much better.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

So what are they?

@emerygt350

That's where the factory attached the chassis to the conveyor on the assembly line ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

So, in other words, they are where the manufacturer decided was the best place to support the weight of the car.....

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif)

[SirAndy]

So, in other words, they are where the manufacturer decided was the best place to support the weight of the car.....

A partially assembled car with the weight equally distributed to all 4 mounting points.

So unless you have a lift in your garage, that ain't how you would jack up your car.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[wonkipop]

I have heard some people say not to jack up the car on the doughnuts (the raised bits emergygt350 is talking about - I'll attach a picture to make it clear) but I think most of us do.

The donuts are not jack points, they have no structural support. The front ones literally just sit on the bottom side of the front floorpan and the rear triangle isn't much better.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

So what are they?

@emerygt350

That's where the factory attached the chassis to the conveyor on the assembly line ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

So, in other words, they are where the manufacturer decided was the best place to support the weight of the car.....

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif)

the factory had the luxury of the 5 minutes the russian steel the 914 was constructed with was rust free. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif)

[fiacra]

So, in other words, they are where the manufacturer decided was the best place to support the weight of the car.....

A partially assembled car with the weight equally distributed to all 4 mounting points.

So unless you have a lift in your garage, that ain't how you would jack up your car.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Got it. Makes sense, although at some point they almost certainly had to have been supporting a fully assembled car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) I do have a lift in my garage so it has been a long time since I've used a floor jack on either of my 914s. I just want to reiterate to the OP that you need to make a careful assessment of structural integrity before you pick the place to put your jack.

[Bruce Hinds]

I kinda read through this quickly, but did anyone answer the "longs" question? Longitudinal is the term for the box section that runs from the firewall forward on each side, it's the main structure and formed by an inner and outer u shaped channels that are spot welded together.

Leaves and debris collect at the outboard lower forward corners of the firewall and will hold moisture when the little drain holes are blocked. Right side is worse since it mixes with battery acid and it will get down into the "Longs" They are also attacked from the bottom where crap gets stuck between the Long and the rocker panel. The Jack points are usually the first to go. I'm not referring to the discussion of the jack point "donuts" discussed earlier, the stock jack goes through the rocker panel just below the aft rear corner of the door.

It all can be fixed, but this is the place to start. Good luck.