I have a chance to buy a somewhat decent 914 from a friend of a good friend. The car is rough, but can be made roadworthy with a little work. The engine is a 2 liter with twin Webers. I'm going to pull the engine and save it for my Pre-A and just toss a "runner" back into the 914.
Since it's going into the '55, I'll tear it down just a bit and check things out and clean/detail the obvious stuff. It makes sense to build the engine up just a bit while it's out and apart. I was wondering if it can be used "as-is" with regards to the tin and fan housing and such. I really don't mind at all trimming the engine bay sheet metal to facilitate the installation, but I was wondering if anyone has gone through this before and knows if the 914-style cooling set-up will work in the '55 engine bay?
The rear deck lid already has seven louvers added to either side of the grill and the rain tray has been cut away, so there's a lot of air available from the top. I plan on cutting the sheet metal away behind the number plate and replacing it with a cut down lid grill, so there ought to be some extra air moving around towards the rear as well. I haven't done it yet, but I thought that slots cut into the lower rear valance similar to the Carreras might be another thing to try. I could even open up the wheel wells for more air movement if needed.
I just wonder if this will be enough? I don't have the extra coin to spend on a DTM setup, but if the stock assembly is a complete no-go I could look for something similar. I just HATE to fill Raby's pockets with any of my hard earned scratch if I don't have to.
Any help here? Can I use the stock assemblies and not look back or am I doomed? Looking for some empirical knowledge here, not what you read or heard or what was recommended by someone selling an alternative to stock. Just wondering if stock will fit and if stock will work.
Thanks ! !
ForUM PRicK
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