 Starting a 1971 IMSA 914 Restoration, A privateer run 914 with Sebring and Daytona history |
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| FourBlades |
  Jan 21 2009, 08:54 PM
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#1
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From Wreck to Rockin  Group: Members Posts: 2,056 Joined: 3-December 07 From: Brevard, FL Member No.: 8,414 Region Association: South East States 
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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 |
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Replies(20 - 39)
| wertygrog |
Jan 24 2009, 12:05 AM
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#21
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wertygrog Group: Members Posts: 429 Joined: 12-November 05 From: Long Beach, CA Member No.: 5,114 Region Association: Southern California |
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| FourBlades |
Jan 24 2009, 07:32 PM
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#22
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From Wreck to Rockin Group: Members Posts: 2,056 Joined: 3-December 07 From: Brevard, FL Member No.: 8,414 Region Association: South East States
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Thanks T.C. for the pictures. You know I will be calling you with questions.
Here is the dash area. Notice the old halon fire system. I am a little nervous about disconnecting it. I guess the worst is that it triggers and sprays halon, which I think it pretty inert and non-staining.  Weird roll over fuel cut off device which uses ping pong balls.  Twin coil ignition system. I'd like to run a twin plug six motor but I guess this is much more expensive than a single plug? Also notice the dzus fastened motor access plate in the firewall. For safety, I will either weld this back up or install some better sealed panel.  Wide, fiberglass flares are pretty cracked and beat up. I think I will cut them off while the car is being blasted. There is a lot of rust underneath the fiberglass. I plan to repair the flares and reattach them once the car is expoxy primered. I used to shape and laminate surf boards, so this should not be too hard. The flares were rivetted and glassed originally. I think I will just glass them to eliminate the rust holes created by the rivets.   John |
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| FourBlades |
Jan 24 2009, 08:04 PM
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#23
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From Wreck to Rockin Group: Members Posts: 2,056 Joined: 3-December 07 From: Brevard, FL Member No.: 8,414 Region Association: South East States
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Found some wide, three piece Gotti wheels with Porsche center sections and caps.
I think T.C. had some pictures of 914s from the same era running Gottis.  These suckers are wide. Tires have no wear but may be too old to use.    Rear tires are rubbing even with 1" spacers.  I haven't decided if I like the red accents or not. John |
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| FourBlades |
Jan 24 2009, 08:11 PM
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#24
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From Wreck to Rockin Group: Members Posts: 2,056 Joined: 3-December 07 From: Brevard, FL Member No.: 8,414 Region Association: South East States
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Time to pull the fuel cell.
 A vintage racing rats nest. I'll be saving this to sell on ebay soon. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) These rats knew how to live. There had to be 50 snail shells in there. They must have taken them back to their lair for some tasty dinners.  Cleaned it up wearing a respirator and gloves. Don't want any of the humma humma (sp?) mouse borne virus another member posted about.  There are a lot of holes and pieces cut out of the front to make room for various things. I'd like to see something besides the fiberglass bumper between the front of the car and the fuel cell. John |
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| FourBlades |
Jan 24 2009, 08:15 PM
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#25
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From Wreck to Rockin Group: Members Posts: 2,056 Joined: 3-December 07 From: Brevard, FL Member No.: 8,414 Region Association: South East States
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If anyone out there has pictures of this car from any event, I would love to have
a copy and find out what you know about it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) I'd also like to see more pictures of period 914 race cars, especially the privateer run cars. That is it for tonight. John  |
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| Lavanaut |
Jan 24 2009, 09:23 PM
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#26
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Hungry Mind : Thirsty Gullet Group: Members Posts: 916 Joined: 20-June 06 From: Bend, OR Member No.: 6,265 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
This is sweet, keep on posting them pics! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)
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| FourBlades |
Jan 24 2009, 10:16 PM
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#27
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From Wreck to Rockin Group: Members Posts: 2,056 Joined: 3-December 07 From: Brevard, FL Member No.: 8,414 Region Association: South East States
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QUOTE(Lavanaut @ Jan 24 2009, 08:23 PM)  Thanks man, I found one more to post... Not sure why they cut this big hole from the trunk to the gas tank area.  Don't be shy if you have any comments, people. John |
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| markb |
Jan 24 2009, 10:43 PM
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#28
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914less :( Group: Members Posts: 5,449 Joined: 22-January 03 From: Nipomo, CA Member No.: 180 Region Association: Central California
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| jc914 |
Jan 25 2009, 08:46 AM
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#29
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Member Group: Members Posts: 289 Joined: 15-September 08 From: Miami, Florida Member No.: 9,548 Region Association: South East States |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) I will be following your rebuild you have work to do. GOOD LUCK
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| FourBlades |
Jan 29 2009, 07:42 PM
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#30
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From Wreck to Rockin Group: Members Posts: 2,056 Joined: 3-December 07 From: Brevard, FL Member No.: 8,414 Region Association: South East States
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Pulled the fuel cell and checked it out. Might need some work.
 The fuel cell has a very sturdy rubber bladder filled with foam in it, or maybe not.  I guess that is what 33 years of soaking in racing fuel will do to something.  Looks like it was bought in 1976 and is a 500A model.  I'm pretty sure the receipt for the cell came with the car. Do you think ATL will honor the warranty still???  Back of the front bumper shows layers of fiberglass repairs and bondo. Sorry about the poor photo quality. You can also see the mounting brackets for the main head lights.  John |
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| FourBlades |
Jan 29 2009, 07:50 PM
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#31
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From Wreck to Rockin Group: Members Posts: 2,056 Joined: 3-December 07 From: Brevard, FL Member No.: 8,414 Region Association: South East States
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I screwed up the pictures in that last post about 4 times and had to keep editing it. Sorry about that if you saw it when it was de-ranged. John |
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| ssstikircr |
Jan 29 2009, 07:57 PM
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#32
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Member Group: Members Posts: 210 Joined: 11-January 09 From: Fair Oaks, Ca Member No.: 9,920 Region Association: Northern California |
The pics are great keep them comming.
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| carr914 |
Jan 29 2009, 08:21 PM
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#33
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Racer from Birth Group: Members Posts: 122,966 Joined: 2-February 04 From: Tampa,FL Member No.: 1,623 Region Association: South East States  |
I'd send that Fuel Cell back to ATL for warranty replacement (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
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| FourBlades |
Jan 29 2009, 08:24 PM
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#34
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From Wreck to Rockin Group: Members Posts: 2,056 Joined: 3-December 07 From: Brevard, FL Member No.: 8,414 Region Association: South East States
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Don't laugh, I am going to try it... I read somewhere how they helped refurbish a cell for some other race car restoration. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) John |
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| FourBlades |
Feb 26 2009, 08:22 AM
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#35
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From Wreck to Rockin Group: Members Posts: 2,056 Joined: 3-December 07 From: Brevard, FL Member No.: 8,414 Region Association: South East States
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I need some help from you all. I am planning to use braided steel lines and AN fittings for plumbing the car, for safety reasons. What dash sizes will I need to use for the oil and fuel lines. I will be using a carburated six engine. I bought a used RX7 oil cooler. I'll take it to a radiator shop to be cleaned and tested and get the right size fittings welded on. Can the normal steel brake lines be used? I will probably replace all the brake lines throughout the car. I would like to start collecting the fittings for this. I want to get some reusable AN fittings (used) to save some money, but I will use all new hose. How many feet of each kind of hose (approximately) will I need? Thanks, John |
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| carr914 |
Feb 26 2009, 08:35 AM
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#36
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Racer from Birth Group: Members Posts: 122,966 Joined: 2-February 04 From: Tampa,FL Member No.: 1,623 Region Association: South East States |
John, I'll look through my receipts on my last racecar build to see how much Steel-braid lines I bought and I'll see what extras fittings I have in my box.
This is a picture off Glenn's site. I heard he came by to visit a couple of weeks ago. T.C.  |
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| KevinP |
Feb 26 2009, 08:46 AM
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#37
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Member Group: Members Posts: 205 Joined: 16-November 04 From: Orlando,FL Member No.: 3,127 |
John,
Have you thought about the engine yet? I know nothing about IMSA- was the car raced as a 4 or 6 cyl? Keep up the great work and keep the photos coming! KP |
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| FourBlades |
Feb 26 2009, 10:01 AM
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#38
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From Wreck to Rockin Group: Members Posts: 2,056 Joined: 3-December 07 From: Brevard, FL Member No.: 8,414 Region Association: South East States
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T.C. Glenn came by and took a bunch of pictures and had a lot of helpful advice about how to restore the car. What a knowledgeable guy! Kevin - The car was originally raced with a 4 cylinder. That lasted part of one season. Not sure if they blew up the 4 or just wanted more power. Later they ran with a twin plug 2.5 liter 6. This allowed them to stay in the GTU class, which was for under 2.5 liters. If someone wanted to donate a high performance 4 (like a big Raby) I could see using that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Most likely, I will use a 2.7 or smaller 6, how hopped up depends on budget. I have a ton of receipts for the parts used to build the car which I am trying to organize into a chronological story of how they built the car, then what broke and was replaced when, etc. I am going to post a summary of this when I get it all done. John |
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| Al Meredith |
Feb 26 2009, 05:43 PM
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#39
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 969 Joined: 4-November 04 From: Atlanta, ga Member No.: 3,061 |
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
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| FourBlades |
Feb 28 2009, 07:44 PM
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#40
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From Wreck to Rockin Group: Members Posts: 2,056 Joined: 3-December 07 From: Brevard, FL Member No.: 8,414 Region Association: South East States
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Al, I would be very interested in an IMSA motor. Is that your son Blake I need to talk to about it? Funds are pretty tight at the moment so it kind of depends on how much you all have into it. John |
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