Porsche 914 1.8L engine: Inspecting the crankshaft, camshaft, cylinder heads and valves

1975 Porsche 914 restoration, part 6
Inspecting, measuring and making decisions on what to do with the main internal engine components.

[@scottbrewer4827]

Just found your videos and am enjoying them. It's been 25 years since I did anything with VW (erm, Porsche) engines and rarely with the type 4. I had a baja that I started assembling a 2.0l from a bus for. I remember part prices even back in the early 90's was 4X the cost of type 1/3 engines.

[@sethbarnes7608]

Also, when you order your camshaft, make sure you order the valve Springs. They recommend for the camshaft that you're using. And do not reuse the stock valve Springs.

[@michaelconnolly2403]

Appreciate the videos. I'm working on a 1973 now and facing the same sorts of questions.

[@AutoDIYdactic]

Thanks! Just taking small steps, watching lots of experts, making mistakes, fixing mistakes, it's all part of the journey.

[@sethbarnes7608]

All in all it looks pretty good. Don't worry about that bearing shell imprint, it just tells me the shell is fitting nice and snug like its supposed to be, and any attempt to remove it might make the saddle out of round. The heads look good, just have the seats done,and while new valves are always nice, yours look pretty good, id just clean em up on the wire wheel, and have your machinist regrind em.

[@AutoDIYdactic]

That's all great to know, thank you!

[@sethbarnes7608]

Also, bear in mind that if you're gonna use a new cam, you absolutely must use new lifters. I would definitely suggest spending the extra money to order the cam case hardened, it'll be much less touchy about the break in, and will make the cam and lifters last longer, and it will reduce drag coefficient as well.

[@sethbarnes7608]

When you install the pistons into the cylinders if you use WD40. As opposed to engine oil, your piston rings will seat a lot quicker.

[@sethbarnes7608]

When you order valves, if you can get what are refered to as "back cut" valves, or valves that don't have that ridge on the port facing side, you'll have much better low lift flow, and she'll have much better torque output

[@AutoDIYdactic]

Thanks for all the tips! Really appreciate it.

[@mikedx2706]

All Type 4 engines in Porsche 914's wear out their camshafts much more than other types of engines. The camshafts must be viewed as a consumable item that needs to be replaced whenever the engine case is opened up. As someone else noted, a new camshaft needs to be installed only with new lifters of the type/brand recommended by the maker of the camshaft in order that the hardness of the metals work well together.

[@sethbarnes7608]

As far as the crank goes, just have the journals polished, and youre good to go

[@sethbarnes7608]

Having your camshaft case hardened might be an extra 65 bucks. But it will cost a lot more than 65 bucks to bring the whole engine back out of the car after you wipe a cam shaft.😮