Follow along as I build a high performance 914 engine
- Begin tear down
- Long-block to short-block
- Split the case
- Take apart the crank assembly
- Remove the oil pressure relief valve
- Clean up the fan shroud
- Remove secondary oil relief valve
- Replace oil galley plugs
- Clean case halves
- Machine oil pressure sending unit mount
- Measure piston ring gaps
- Dry assembly (TDC & crank end-play measurements)
- Electromotive ignition sensor mounting
- New TDC mark on fan
- Case clearance for connecting rods
- Prepare the camshaft
- Crankshaft assembly and rod clearance
- Rod bearing defects
- New heads arrive!
- Rebuild the alternator for $8
- Modify engine tin
- Setting up to measure valve geometry
- Installing rocker studs
- Measuring pushrod length and valve travel
- Evaluate valve-piston clearance
- Making custom pushrods
- Lapping cylinders to heads
- Modifying windage tray
- Final crank assembly
- Short-block assembly
- Installing pistons in cylinders
- Long-block assembly
- Installing sheet metal
- Distributor drive cover & CHT sensors
- Installing exhaust manifolds
- Modifying Bursch muffler
- Installing transmission
- Rebuilding carburetors
- Fitting velocity stacks
- Building cable throttle linkage
- Making oil pressure
- First start & initial tune
- Preparing for engine installation
- Engine installation
- CHT gauge
- Throttle linkage
- First drive
- On the dyno
Preparing for Engine Installation
After too long a hiatus from working on the car, I got back to this project. After syncing the carbs and adjusting the valves on my test stand, it was time to finally get this engine back into the car. First, I had to do a little prep work - like put my multi-gauge into the dashboard and run wires up the center tunnel for oil pressure, oil temperature and my cylinder head temperature gauge:
I used a large blue plastic catch can on my engine stand. While it was functional, I just couldn't figure out a way to mount it in the engine compartment and keep things "attractive" - so I made my own catch can out of sheet steel, and mounted it under my homemade battery tray. Here's the fabrication:
And here it is in the engine compartment:
Next, I had to mount my Electromotive ignition system in the engine bay. I chose to mount it next to and under the factory electric panel (so it would be easy to wire into the car's ignition). I also tilted it inwards a little bit which (hopefully) will give me adequate access to its adjustments.
And finally, I replaced my CV joint bolts (those cheeseheads that, on a good day, just strip when you try to remove them, and, on a bad day, all work themselves loose and strand you on the road...) with these ones from Ideola's Garage:
