A Fuel Pump In Pieces

This afternoon, I ran across my friend Gerri. She told me that I could pick-up the red Porsche at any time; as her husband had been able to gain access to the interior of the car (without a key). I reminded Gerri that I still needed a title to the car and that I would most likely need an ignition key (to unlock the steering column) before the car could be moved. She said she would look into it.

This afternoon, I installed new targa top brackets in the rear trunk that arrived in the mail on Friday.

This evening, having spent a great deal of time agonizing over my fuel pump woes, I decided to remove and disassemble the fuel pump. Normally, I wouldn't attempt such a feat - especially without a diagram of the pump's inner workings. However, the thought of the Porsche sitting idle because "an impeller or something being gummed-up" didn't sit well with me. I took the pump apart with the thought that it may never go back together again.

After tear-down, I cleaned the fuel pump and the pump's internal parts then put everything back together. I was pleased with the fact that the pump design seemed straight-forward and all the little parts went back together as they should.

I very briefly applied voltage to the pump to test for functionality. While holding my finger over the intake port with the pump running, I could feel a slight bit of suction - presumably a good sign for a fuel pump. On the workbench, the pump appeared to function properly. The true test will be when I re-install the fuel pump in the car.

A Hot-Wired Fuel Pump

This afternoon, I fabricated a "Hot-Wire" wiring harness for the fuel pump - in order to apply power to the pump directly from the car battery. I tested the fuel pump and, much to my displeasure, NOTHING happened! I became extremely disappointed because I knew that a new fuel pump was going to cost me somewhere in the range of $425 (U.S.) - a major set-back in getting the Porsche started for the first time.

I walked into the house to grab a cold drink (leaving power applied to the pump). Upon my return to the car a couple minutes later, I could hear the pump motor "whirring". With the assumption that I may now have fuel to the injectors, I decided to try and start the car. Nothing happened!

With the fuel pump still running, I examined the clear plastic fuel lines underneath the car. I could see air bubbles in the fuel lines and could tell that fuel was barely moving through the system. I was perplexed by the fact that the fuel pump was running, but no fuel appeared to be circulating.

Servicing A 914's Relay Board

This afternoon, I finally purchased a car battery and attempted to start the Porsche. The engine appeared to generate spark and to build oil pressure; however, the engine would not fire.

When turning on the ignition, I couldn't hear the fuel pump run - as it should for a few seconds. With the thought that I may have a problem with fuel delivery, I started trouble-shooting the fuel pump and associated electrical system.

Underneath the car, I found that - someone in the past - had done a less than professional job attempting a repair of the fuel pump's power connector. The connector had been "rebuilt" with copious quantities of epoxy and electrical tape. In removing the "mess", I found that one of the wires was disconnected. Could that be the sole reason that the car wouldn't start?

While underneath the car, I found that the speedometer cable had been disconnected. Why? Because the speedometer cable elbow at the transmission has somehow been sheared-off! I am guessing that will be an expensive and difficult part to replace!

Now that the car had power, I was able to "tinker" with the Porsche's various electrical systems. I was pleased to see that the brake lights and reverse lights work properly. However, the turn signals, hazard lights, headlights and windshield wipers appear to suffer from "Gremlins". At this point, I'm not too concerned; as I feel as if I have "bigger fish to fry" just getting the car to run.

While testing relays in the engine bay, I decided to clean the connectors on the relay board. As work progressed, I decided to remove the relay board from the vehicle for a thorough cleaning. I am pleased with the way it turned out.

The Porsche Gets All New Vacuum Lines

This morning, I drove the poor guy crazy at the auto parts store. "I'll take ten feet of this hose, eight feet of this hose, twelve feet of this hose..." After nearly an hour, I walked out of the store ready for the day's project.

This afternoon, I replaced all of the vacuum lines on the Porsche. I found a couple of elbows that will need to be replaced. Fortunately, I have a source to order them from and they are only a few dollars apiece. I was really pleased with the way the new hoses turned out!

Vacuum Line Inventory

This morning, I labeled, inventoried and photographed all of the vacuum lines, prior to replacement. Wow... this car requires a LOT of hoses!

A "Rust-Free" Porsche 914!

This afternoon, I spent more time going through the car at a leisurly pace - looking for any hidden "gotcha's".

Porsche 914's are notorious for having rust problems - especially in the area known as the "hell hole" (which is the area directly underneath and including the battery tray). Other easy to inspect areas where rust is typically found is in the front and rear trunks and the floor pans.

Closer inspection of this car revealed NO structural rust issues. Although I haven't had the rocker panels off the car yet, the jack holes look good as does the area around the pedal cluster.

The worst part of the body I have found, so far, is the battery tray - which is suffering only from very mild surface rust. This area, I will treat with POR-15 or a comperable product.

Oh yea, there is a broken bracket on the right-rear trunk lid. Since I don't yet trust myself with a welding torch, I'll need professional help getting that fixed.

The Engine Bay: Before And After

This evening, I cleaned more of the "junk" out of the engine bay and made a first attempt at de-greasing the engine. I was amazed at how well the engine cleaned-up. Although I still have a fair amount of detailing still to do, at least I can now see where everything goes and can work on the engine without coming-out a complete mess!

After cleaning the engine bay, I was able to locate the engine's serial number. I was finally able to positively identify the Porsche as a 914 1.7 Litre, California car.

Before putting the car to bed for the evening, I pulled the driver's side carpet to inspect the pedal board; as the accelerator pedal felt as if it was binding.

The Interior: Before And After

Today, I "gutted" and cleaned the front and rear trunks and the interior. Although the car was in pretty decent condition upon delivery, there all sorts of "strange things" lurking under the carpets and mats and the engine bay was filled with pine needles and other debris. I basically spent the afternoon - at leasure - performing a general inspection of the Porsche and "getting a feel" for what I got. After cleaning the vinyl seats, rubber bumpers, wheels and tires, I put the Porsche to bed under a new car cover for the evening.

The day I entered the world of "Porschedom"

This morning, I ran-across my friends Rick and Chuck on a job site. I reminded Chuck that I still wanted to pick-up his Porsche 914 and Rick chimed-in: "Why not today?"

Rick offered to pick-up the car from Chuck's house (using Rick's trailer) and deliver it to my residence around 3:30 PM this afternoon. I gave Chuck two hundred dollars (agreeing to take care of the balance and pick-up the keys and title later) and the deal was done!

Both Rick and Chuck live within a mile of my house and transporting the car was a "piece of cake".

By 4:00 PM this evening, I became the proud owner of my first Porsche!

Well, that's not pretty!

This afternoon, my friend Gerri, her husband and I drove-out to take a look at the "free Porsche". My goal was to quickly assess the over-all condition of the car and to figure-out what it was and what it was going to take in order to get the car to my residence.

Upon seeing the car for the first time in person, I learned that it is a 1974 model year 914. The badge on the rear of the car shows it as a 1.7 litre engine (but I don't think Porsche made 914 1.7's after 1973).

"Well, that's not pretty!"

It quickly became obvious that the tires would not hold air and would need to be replaced before the car could be moved. As fate would have it, I have a set of four Porsche wheels and tires in storage (which I had originally purchased for but never used on my 1971 Volkswagon Beetle).

The car was locked, so I couldn't get inside the front trunk or cockpit. However, when the vehicle was parked (left to rot), a window was left partially rolled-down. It looks as though the interior, engine compartment and rear trunk has been used as a rodent condominium for years. Not pretty!

A quick peek in the engine bay revealed what appeared to be a complete engine. However, the infamous Porsche 914 "hell hole" showed typical signs of a rusting battery tray. At this point, only god knows how deep the rust goes in that area.

The outside of the car looked pretty straight with the exception of a little surface rust in areas and a bit of light rear-end damage.

It is going to take a bit of effort to move this car, but I believe it may be worth it - albiet at the risk of making MY yard look like a junkyard. As a minimum, there are lots of good parts on this car (i.e. original steering wheel, targa top, etc.) that could help with the restoration of the 1973 914.

As we left the sad looking little red car, I reminded Gerri that before I could pick-up the vehicle, I would need the title and keys from the owner. She said she'd work on it.

No, not another Porsche!

This morning, my friend Rick and I were discussing his "project car": a 1936 Cadillac LaSalle that he is turning into a Street Rod. During our conversation, I brought-up the topic of the "free Porsche" that was just offered to me. Rick was curious to know what model Porsche it was and when I told him it was a 914, he laughed: "You know who's got one of those for sale? Chuck! You should give him a call - his wife would LOVE to get that car out of the driveway!"

Chuck happens to be a mutual friend of ours and I ran into him this afternoon at a job site. Chuck explained that he has a 1973 Porsche 914 that he picked-up as a "project car" but that he simply hadn't dedicated much time to working on it. He explained that he had lost interest in the car and that his wife would "really appreciate it" if he would sell the vehicle; as it was taking-up valuable space in their driveway.

Chuck said that the car hadn't been started in about ten years (sounds familiar) and that after tinkering with it a bit, he hadn't got it running. Supposedly, the car has a problem with the ignition switch, but Chuck was able to "hot-wire" the car and the engine cranks but does not fire.

I asked Chuck what he wanted for the car and he said: "I don't know, I just gotta' get it out of there." After pressing him further, he threw-out a dollar figure that really peaked my interest (not free, but low enough that I feel uncomfortable publishing it here). I told Chuck that I'd be interested in taking a look at the car and drove by his residence after work.

Upon brief inspection, I was surprised to find what appeared to be a complete, unmolested and virtually rust-free example of a "teener". I called Chuck and told him to "take it off the market"; as he was already advertising the car for sale in a local publication.

"A free Porsche?"

I stopped-by to see my bartender friend Gerri after work today and she provided me with a printout of some digital photos of the Porsche. My first response was: "Oh my...", as I tried to conceal a look of disappointment.

At a quick glance, it appeared that the car was a mid-seventies 914 that had definitely seen better days. Immediately, I started counting everything that was WRONG with the car... and that was just by looking at the exterior.

As I studied the photos, my friend explained that the car is owned by her friend's son; whom parked the car "about ten years ago" with the intention of someday "fixing it up". Supposedly, it ran and was driveable at the time it was parked (left). Her son "went on to bigger and better things" and neither he nor his mother want the car any longer.

I asked and was told that the California vehicle registration had expired in 1996 or 1997 and no notice of non-operation had been filed with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. In California, that means that the amount of fees due on the vehicle COULD be more than what the car is worth! This, coupled with the fact that the car obviously needed a LOT of work, caused me to express little interest in purchasing the vehicle. In fact, at that point, I was feeling guilty that my friend had taken her time to drive-out and photograph the car for me.

Our conversation continued until finally, out of curiosity, I asked Gerri: "Okay, what's the deal - so what does your friend want for the car?" Gerri responded: "You don't understand. She doesn't want anything for it. If you want it, just come pick-it-up... you can have it!"

Suddenly, I gained a newfound interest in acquiring the car. A free Porsche? I figure it had to be worth something to somebody - even as parts on Ebay!

I told Gerri I'd be interested in the car and we agreed that we would drive-out to see the Porsche together - in order to determine what it was going to take to trailer the beast home.

"You like to fix-up old cars, don't you?"

I was approached by a bartender friend of mine - Gerri - this evening and she asked me: "You like to fix-up old cars, don't you?"

"Um... sure!", I responded. "What have you got?"

She explained that she has a friend whom is selling her home and moving out-of-state. In the back yard of her house, there is an "old Porsche" that the woman wants to get rid of before she sells the property.

"What kind of Porsche?", I asked. She responded: "I don't know. All I know is that it's old, it's red, it needs some work and it's a Porsche!"

I asked my friend to find-out more information on the vehicle and, depending on what model it is and how much the woman wants, I may be interested.