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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Rust under battery tray

Posted by: peter71 Feb 24 2005, 10:04 PM

Hi, yet another question from a 914 rookie. I found a '73 2.0 that is in really good shape, except there is a patch of rust rot under the battery tray (around 3"x5")- a screwdriver could be easily pushed through. Is this a red flag, or is it a relatively easy (and hopefully inexpensive) fix? Where could i get this kind of work done and done well?

thanks for your help!

Posted by: redshift Feb 24 2005, 10:05 PM

I've never heard of that happening. It's unusual.

M

Posted by: SpecialK Feb 24 2005, 10:09 PM

QUOTE (redshift @ Feb 24 2005, 08:05 PM)
I've never heard of that happening. It's unusual.

M

Posted by: Headrage Feb 24 2005, 10:13 PM

It depends on how far it has spread. Just having a rotten spot under the battery tray is not too tough to fix but you need to find out how far into the hell hole it's gone and whether or not it has infested the suspension and long. Pics would be very helpful.

Miles I thought you were sick?

Posted by: skline Feb 24 2005, 10:14 PM

Cume on you guys, he is new, Yes it is fixable, no its not cheap, how much is the car? Or did you aleady buy it? The rust could be rally bad or it may just be minor rust. If it has gone through the longitudinal, I would pass on the car. If it has only rusted away the top layer of metal, it can be fixed. Look for sagging on the passenger side at the door jamb. Take pictures and post them here, we can tell better by looking at pictures. Look under the rocker panel on the passenger side. Look at the jack point also. See how bad the rust really is from the bottom. Its hard to say from your description.

Posted by: trekkor Feb 24 2005, 10:14 PM

This will help you.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=22699&hl=metal+fabbers

KT

Posted by: peter71 Feb 24 2005, 10:27 PM

I haven't yet purchased the car, the seller is just being up front about the car. He just discovered this rust when installing the speedometer cable. He stated: a blotch about 3"x5". It is bad enough to
be
able to poke through. The frame/floor, jackhole, rockers, suspension
points
all seem very solid.

I haven't got any pics or the problem area, just the pics posted in the classifieds.

thanks

Posted by: skline Feb 24 2005, 10:29 PM

Well, go look at the car, take pictures, poke around, ask someone from the club to go with you to look at it. You will be much better off.

Posted by: redshift Feb 24 2005, 10:36 PM

Yes, as Scott says, it can be Rally bad, or just minor.

Gint is doing one that was Rally bad, use the search function for Rustoration and Gint

M

Posted by: sgomes Feb 25 2005, 12:34 AM

I did a search on here for "rust". I got:

Fatal error: Maximum execution time of 30 seconds exceeded in D:\InetPub\www.914world.com\bbs2\sources\Search.php on line 1079

I guess there was just too much. So I narrowed my search to "rust AND battery AND tray"

I got 325 topics

Posted by: sgomes Feb 25 2005, 12:37 AM

I just noticed you're in Campbell. There is about fifty people "in the club" that live around here. I'm sure one of us would be available for a PPI. I'd highly suggest taking it up to High Performance House if it's driveable.

Posted by: peter71 Feb 26 2005, 09:00 AM

Here is a pic of the area. Its where the fuel pump used to rest (it has long since been relocated). Let me know what you think.

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Posted by: 914GT Feb 26 2005, 09:26 AM

Better throw several more 20s in there.

Posted by: skline Feb 26 2005, 08:53 PM

QUOTE (914GT @ Feb 26 2005, 07:26 AM)
Better throw several more 20s in there.

Yeah, it will take more than a single 20 to fix it. However, it doesnt look that bad from underneath. That really isnt the area to check as that is not really structural. The place to look is under the battery tray on the inside of the engine compartment. Look for holes going into the Longitudinal. It can rust out on the outside of the long and still be an easy fix. If it rusts through the long, that is not such an easy fix but it is still fixable. As mentioned earlier, there are a lot of members up there that would be happy to go check it out with you. We also have morales so dont worry about someone taking the deal out from under you. They will simply be an outside source of information. How does the car run? Engines can get expensive to repair also. Do a leak down and compression check on the car, that will tell you a lot about the engine. If you have any more questions, post them here and send me a PM so I know its here. I have a lot to do over the next few weeks and may not check the threads as much as usual.

Posted by: skline Feb 26 2005, 09:38 PM

Here is a picture of the area in question, this is one of the most serious places to look for rust. This picture has repairable rust through that would be an easy fix in my opinion. Others may not want to tackle it but I would rather fix this than one that went through the long.

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Posted by: Type 4 Feb 26 2005, 10:13 PM

Thats not Rust

This is Rust

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Posted by: Brando Feb 26 2005, 10:52 PM

is about all i can say.

Posted by: skline Feb 26 2005, 10:55 PM

QUOTE (Type 4 @ Feb 26 2005, 08:13 PM)
Thats not Rust

This is Rust

Perfect example Steve, that rust is not something I would want to fix. Notice how the long itself is rusted through? That is when the car is beyond fixing in my opinion.

Posted by: Type 4 Feb 26 2005, 11:29 PM

That Copper Car really look nice didnt scott until I showed you that.

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Posted by: redshift Feb 26 2005, 11:34 PM

HO GOD NO! AVERT MY EYES!

Ok Steve, one more assault like that, and you owe me a seeing eye dog.

Is that what an HE round will do to a 914?

-shiver-

M

Posted by: skline Feb 26 2005, 11:37 PM

Yeah, I remember that car, it was clean on the outside. It wasnt even sagging but it was just a matter of time. That is the one all cut up in your garage now isnt it?

Posted by: peter71 Feb 27 2005, 06:23 PM

Is there anyone in the south bay area that can do the rust repair in the hellhole area?

thanks

Posted by: sgomes Feb 27 2005, 07:15 PM

He's not in the south bay but I'd vote for McMark. From what I've seen on here, he does a pretty damn good job!

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=Profile&CODE=03&MID=419

http://homepage.mac.com/markd/

Posted by: peter71 Feb 27 2005, 09:50 PM

What are the plugs in the picture? is one from a battery tray support? Other one possibly a drain (maybe one of the causes of the rust)? Is there a similar plug on the driver side?

thanks

Posted by: peter71 Mar 1 2005, 08:35 AM

Got some new pics of the rust from inside the engine compartment under battery tray? Whats the verdict??

thanks

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Posted by: peter71 Mar 1 2005, 08:36 AM

another.

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Posted by: peter71 Mar 1 2005, 08:37 AM

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Posted by: peter71 Mar 1 2005, 08:40 AM

Still repairable?? At what kind of expense?

thanks
pete

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Posted by: skline Mar 1 2005, 08:45 AM

Well Pete, That doesnt look too bad. The battery tray is pretty much gone and will need a new one. They can be bought for around $60.00 and you can weld it in yourself. I have done a few of them. As for the rust underneath, it doesnt look like it got too much of the long so I would say its very repairable. As for cost? I dont know as I do all the work myself. If you were to pay someone to fix that, just for labor it could be about $300 or $400. Depends on where you take it. I hope this helps. It is easily fixable. I would go for it. If the price was right anyway.

Posted by: nine14cats Mar 1 2005, 10:19 AM

Hi Peter,

The new pics don't look that bad. I still think you should have the owner pull the rocker panels off and shoot pics of them for you if you haven't seen the jack post areas yet. Also, did he give you pics of the suspension console area (where the swing arm attaches to the body?).

I agree with Scott, fixable. You've got several ways to go here, you can buy replacement pieces, make your own pieces (a la Trekkor! ) which looked awesome by the way, etc. If you can't weld, I know several folks here in Campbell by us that can do it for you. Even some mobile welders who are car guys.

Just give that car another once over and have the PPI done. There's a tad more surface rust on the car than I'd prefer (just my preference) but if this is the only problem, it may be a solid car.

How much is he asking? If he hasn't discounted for the repairs....he should.

Let me know if I can help.

Bill P.

Posted by: bryanthompson Mar 1 2005, 10:36 AM

pfft, it's only a flesh wound.

this, is rust (and no, i haven't made any progress yet):

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Posted by: Triaddave Mar 1 2005, 10:47 AM

here is a good check for a questionable car:
unlatch the targa top at the rear only,windows both down.grab the car by the rear wheel well and pull up and notice any reveal differences between the door and the body. if there is an issue with the car, it will show up here.
i had a 73 car that broke in a 20 mph turn,interesting ride.

Posted by: riverman Mar 1 2005, 01:07 PM

I say jump right in and buy it. Then go to your FLAPS and buy 4 jack stands, 2 trolley jacks, an angle grinder, a box of cut-off/grinding wheels, a MIG welder, some POR-15, a complete set of metric wrenches, a mechanics dolley....

Then go to your FLLS (Friendly Local Liquor Store) and get a case of your favourite poison and then sit down at your computer and join the rest of poor, addicted, tortured souls.

I look forward to seeing your Progress Thread.

Posted by: scruz914 Mar 1 2005, 03:12 PM

QUOTE (nine14cats @ Mar 1 2005, 09:19 AM)
Hi Peter,

The new pics don't look that bad. I still think you should have the owner pull the rocker panels off and shoot pics of them for you if you haven't seen the jack post areas yet. Also, did he give you pics of the suspension console area (where the swing arm attaches to the body?).

I agree with Scott, fixable. You've got several ways to go here, you can buy replacement pieces, make your own pieces (a la Trekkor! ) which looked awesome by the way, etc. If you can't weld, I know several folks here in Campbell by us that can do it for you. Even some mobile welders who are car guys.

Just give that car another once over and have the PPI done. There's a tad more surface rust on the car than I'd prefer (just my preference) but if this is the only problem, it may be a solid car.

How much is he asking? If he hasn't discounted for the repairs....he should.

Let me know if I can help.

Bill P.

With Scott's post too.

You should also take into consideration that there will be more damage under what you see now. Error on the worst case scenario side when estimating time and expenses. Pulling off the rockers is a must considering the rust you are seeing in the hell hole area. The battery tray is minor, way minor, compared to cancer in the longs. You should look at both sides of the car.

What does the rest of the car look like? Have you looked under the carpet and seats, spare tire area in the front trunk, under the carpet in the rear trunk?

As previously mentioned you are in the perfect location to get some help looking at the car before you start bargaining. Is the car in the Bay Area? Just ask here if anyone can accompany you.

-Jeff

Posted by: Headrage Mar 1 2005, 04:37 PM

Yep, fixable. Get those pics under the rocker and suspension ear though. You are lucky, you live in what seems like the rustoration center of California so you have lots of resources.

Posted by: redshift Mar 1 2005, 06:33 PM

QUOTE (riverman @ Mar 1 2005, 03:07 PM)
I say jump right in and buy it. Then go to your FLAPS and buy 4 jack stands, 2 trolley jacks, an angle grinder, a box of cut-off/grinding wheels, a MIG welder, some POR-15, a complete set of metric wrenches, a mechanics dolley....

Then go to your FLLS (Friendly Local Liquor Store) and get a case of your favourite poison and then sit down at your computer and join the rest of poor, addicted, tortured souls.

I look forward to seeing your Progress Thread.

LMAO!

You are supposed to do all that before you get a car...

It's not all so bad, if you can weld, surely. If you can't weld, you can learn, if you don't want that kind of project, move on, and there is another car for around the same price somewhere, without those issues.

My take.

M

Posted by: nine14cats Mar 1 2005, 06:46 PM

I saw the ad for this car and pictures and it does look really nice on the outside. Interior is in good shape, paint looks good, appearance group, performance group options, 2.0 alloys.

My concern for Peter is that the guy is asking ~$6500 for the car. It seems a bit high for the rust....

Just my opinion. I think the price should be lower.

Bill P.

Posted by: 914 novice Mar 1 2005, 08:59 PM

QUOTE (nine14cats @ Mar 1 2005, 04:46 PM)
I saw the ad for this car and pictures and it does look really nice on the outside. Interior is in good shape, paint looks good, appearance group, performance group options, 2.0 alloys.

My concern for Peter is that the guy is asking ~$6500 for the car. It seems a bit high for the rust....

Just my opinion. I think the price should be lower.

Bill P.

Bill or Peter,
Which classified section are you looking in?
Thank You,Paul

Posted by: xsboost90 Mar 1 2005, 09:33 PM

thats not rust...

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Posted by: xsboost90 Mar 1 2005, 09:34 PM

this is rust!

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Posted by: Gint Mar 1 2005, 10:03 PM

If you don't want concourse work down there, it can be done fairly cheap. It's definitely fixable if the price of the car is right. Get a local teener whackjob to check it out with you.

QUOTE (914GT Posted: Feb 26 2005 @ 08:26 AM)
Better throw several more 20s in there.

Plenty of folks on this board have fixed far worse than that and much worse than what I'm having done to mine. Some of them even do it (GASP!) themselves. With the right tools and space to work you could do it too.

Posted by: nine14cats Mar 2 2005, 12:43 AM

Here's the car Pete's looking at.....

http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/car/60770204.html

No sniping.....Scott's orders!

Pete's asked for our help. It looks clean, but $6500 is a little high unless there are receipts for a recent engine or tranny rebuild.

What do you think?

Pete,

Do you want me to run the pictures of the rust by my welding friend?

Bill P.

Posted by: skline Mar 2 2005, 01:05 AM

I have to agree, that is too much for that car. Figure about a grand or so to correctly repair that rust. I would say if the engine compression and leak down are good, the interior is good and everything else checks out good, then maybe, 3500 to 4200 for that car tops. This is my professional opinion. Having done repairs and seen what else is out there.

Posted by: xsboost90 Mar 2 2005, 06:43 AM

wow, thats a nice looking car!