Ian Karr's Porsche 914 Project Bumblebee Videos

How to Restore a Porsche 914 LE [Project Bumblebee Ep 01]

Welcome to the first episode of "Project Bumblebee". In this series we'll tackle the total restoration of a rare Porsche 914 LE. This is one of only 167 known survivors, so it deserves some TLC. The car is pretty much just a shell and needs everything...so if you're curious about restoring 914s, please subscribe and we'll probably cover it here.

Porsche 914 LE Project Bumblebee Ep 02 Prep for Paint

The car is already pretty stripped down, but still needed to remove some bits before sending off to the shop:

Back pad
Knee pad
Dash assembly
Engine grille
Turn signal and ignition switch.

Porsche 914 How to Prep the Dash, Body and Engine for Rebuild [Project Bumblebee Ep 03]

My Porsche 914 LE Bumblebee is finally buzzing again. This ep shows prep going into the dash and body work...and getting the engine ready for a rebuild. The case is headed to HAM for decking.

Porsche 914 How to Restore the Dashboard [Project Bumblebee Ep 04]

You probably spend more time looking at your dash than your paint. So fix that cracked top and peeling vinyl on your Porsche 914! It's easy to DIY and you can restore your dash in a weekend. This is from my bumblebee and I'm getting it ready while the car is in the paint shop. New upper dash foam and vinyl, new dash face basketweave and metal backing, and a new dash top.

Porsche 914 How to Tear Down Seats for Reupholstery (Part 1) [Project Bumblebee Ep 05]

If your Porsche 914 seats are ripped, these next two episodes are for you. In part 1, we'll strip the seats down and install new mounting hardware from 914 Rubber to get them ready for new upholstery. Even if you're going to send them out to a professional shop, it pays to take the seats down and prep them yourself.

Porsche 914 How to Reupholster Seats Part 2 - Project Bumblebee Ep 06

Here's a step-by-step DIY on how to re-upholster your Porsche 914 seats using the kit from 914 Rubber.

Porsche 914 VW Type 4 2056 Engine Build Part 3 and FAIL [Project Bumblebee ep 09]

The engine build continues...but it's two steps forward, one back. Watch as I assemble the left half of the engine case, install the windage tray, apply sealant and attempt to torque the two case halves together. It didn't go as planned, but all should be sorted by the next episode!

Taking Delivery of my Porsche 914 LE [Project Bumblebee EP 10]

My bumblebee is finally out of body and paint. Watch how it escaped the Bronx and made the journey home. Now the fun really begins!

Porsche 914 Teardown - Brakes and Trailing Arms [Project Bumblebee Ep. 11]

The battle of the bolts begins as I continue to rebuild a Porsche 914 from the ground up in my home garage. In this episode I remove the calipers and get them ready for rebuilding by PMB Performance. I also pull the axles, press out the hubs and bearings and remove the trailing arms so they can be prepped for powder coating.

Check out all of the 914 Calipers: Click Here

Porsche 914 - Suspension, Steering and a New Tool! [Project Bumblebee ep 12]

Ride shotgun with me as I restore a rare Porsche 914 LE ”Bumblebee” in my home garage. In episode 12 we tear down the front suspension, create a special tool and drop the steering components so they can be refurbished. The work is coming along fast and furious…and so will the episodes.

Porsche 914 Splicing a Harness, Fuse Block restored with Vinegar! [Project Bumblebee ep 13]

Hang with me while I restore a rare Porsche 914 LE ”Bumblebee” in my home garage. In episode 13 I replace the fuse block, show you how to make a super strong wire soldered splice so you never have to use a crimp connector again, and we have fun with some simple but amazing chemistry. The car is really coming along…and so are the episodes.

Porsche 914 How to Restore the Engine Grille [Project Bumblebee Ep 14]

Time to fire up the grille! In this episode we'll repaint it, add new PORSCHE letters, and the rubber bits to make it look right.

Porsche 914 How to Restore Trailing Arms, Rear Bearings and Dash Switches [Project Bumblebee Ep. 15]

Hang with me while I restore a rare Porsche 914 LE ”Bumblebee” in my home garage. In episode 15, I replace the trailing arm pivots and wheel bearings. And while the parts are at the powder coater, I finally get to install the dash (restored in episode 4), route the harness and install the switches. The car is really coming along…and so are the episodes.

Control Arm Bushings: Click Here -or- With Shafts: Click Here

Porsche 914 How to Rebuild CV Joints, Remove Roll Pins & Safety Wire Bolts [Bumblebee Build Week 16]

Restoring a Porsche 914 LE in my home garage. In this episode we'll tear the CVs down, powder coat the axles, reassemble everything, safety-wire the bolts and go through rolls of shop towels. Bonus: how to easily remove a roll pin.

Porsche 914 Pop Up Headlights - How to Build, Test and Install [Project Bumblebee Build Week 17]

The '74 LE is looking more like a car every day. In this episode you'll see how to test the headlight motors, assemble the mechanism, install it in the car, check the gaps, adjust the stops, and fit with an LED bulb.

Porsche 914 / VW Type IV 2056 Engine Build Part 4 [Project Bumblebee Build Week 18]

The engine is finally back from the machinist…but does the crank spin freely? Check out episode 4 of the engine build and find out! We’ll also set the crank end play and install the clutch. Jorge at European Motor Works makes a guest appearance as well!

Porsche 914 VW Type IV 2056 Build Part 5 Pistons, Cylinders, Heads & Len Hoffman [BB Build Week 19]

In this episode we'll set the ring gaps, measure the deck height, install a modified type 1 oil pump and cover, fill the cylinders with KB pistons, and put the cylinders on the case. We'll also visit with the undisputed king of type 4 heads...Len Hoffman from HAM (Hoffman Automotive Machine).

Porsche 914 How to Restore 73-76 Doors, Glass, Handles, Fuzzies and Seals [Bumblebee Build Ep 20]

914 doors have more components than you'd think! In this episode I restore the 50 year old, water spotted glass to like-new, install re-keyed door handles, the squeegee track, window regulator, fuzzies and door seals. Buckle up! Note: this is for "late" cars (73-76 using the scissor mechanism), but the general principles are similar for early cars.

Porsche 914 VW Type IV 2056 Build Part 6 - Valve Train Geometry [Pr. Bumblebee ep 21]

Here's how I used Jake Raby's process for setting valve geometry on the 2056 I'm building for my Porsche 914 LE...with tips and tricks from Jake himself! In this video I set the shims and build the valve train, use an adjustable pushrod to achieve maximum lift from the cam, and achieve proper valve geometry for smooth running. Plus Jake gives me some pointers on how to do it. If you're building an engine, or just driving one this is a must-see episode. Enjoy!

Porsche 914 Windshield and Trim Replacement on a Porsche 914 [Project Bumblebee Ep 22]

Many states have outlawed butyl for professional glass installers, so if you want to replace the windshield on your classic Porsche the way it was done at the factory, you may have to do it yourself. It isn't difficult. You just need a helper, some butyl tape, the right clips and trim pieces. Watch this video and see...

Porsche 914 VW Type IV 2056 Build Part 7 - Pushrod Tubes, Cooling, Alternator [Pr. Bumblebee Ep 23]

In part 7 of my VW Type IV 2056 engine build, I pop in the pushrod tubes, finish the oil system, put on the cooling tins and install the alternator / belt. With the tins off, you can see how the cooling flaps work and why they're such an important part of the engine's design. Also, if you need to replace your alternator and/or belt, you'll have a clear idea of what's involved.

Porsche 914 Rear Suspension & Brakes DIY [Project Bumblebee Ep. 24]

Let's build up the rear suspension by pulling the hubs into the trailing arms. Setting up the shock absorbers, torquing the pivot shafts, installing the axle shafts and rear calipers.

Caliper restoration: https://www.pmbperformance.com/brake-...

Porsche 914 Brake Line, Master Cylinder and Pedal Cluster Install [Project Bumblebee Ep. 25]

The bumblebee gets some serious stopping power with a new master cylinder, all new "OEM green" lines and a rebuilt pressure regulator from PMB Performance. I used the OEM style master cylinder in this build, so you'll see how to install the supply line fittings into the grommets...and why the easy install version is probably best when replacing parts in a running car.

Porsche 914 Steering, Front Suspension and Brakes Install [Project Bumblebee Ep. 26]

Let's get some shoes on this girl! In this episode we install a rebuilt steering rack, refreshed a-arms, Bilstein shock inserts, powder coated spindles and freshly rebuilt calipers.

Brakes and lines: http://www.pmbperformance.com