My personalized hell hole, Need advice on the best fix... Options

[saigon71]

Disclaimer: It is clear from these pictures that I did not read the "How to buy a 914" book before before buying this car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

Dropped the engine and tranny last week, drilled out some rivets on a few sheet metal patches in the hell hole and found it to be even worse than I expected.

My ultimate goal is to have a safe and reliable daily driver that can be used for the occasional autocross. Not looking for a show car.

At some point, the right rear suspension ear most have rusted off so the PO had a new one welded in. Additionally, some sketchy metal work was done to the bottom of the long, the right jack post area and right engine bay area. Repair pics:




Pics of the long and hell hole:




Does it make sense to try to patch the existing long up in the hell hole or am I looking at a complete replacement? The area where the engine mount bracket attaches is pretty rusty at the top.

Thanks,
Bob

[realred914]

practicew welding on scraps, get real good before you lay the tourch on the car. I got fairly good at it doing my VW Bus years ago and a frineds 914.

the mian thing is go slow, do not let too much heat get into the metal, allow lots of cool off times between welds. using compressed air to help quench a weld is a good idea, do alittle weld, then cool, then a little weld then cool.. never ever ever use water to quench a weld, the thermal shock is too great, the metal will become hard and brittle if this is donw,a dn if you got too much heat and quench it, it can shrink and warp really really bad. take your time with welding.

I just had to pull my car from a nut fuck shop that was doing just that, too much heat and then he'd dump cold water on it, what a damn mess (Stay away from Rennsport vintage werks in Pleasatnon CA, His bodywork is a disaster)

so take your time and practice, you can get it, but dont be fooled, you got a big project here. take yoru time, think and measure three times before each cut, make sure panels are hung right from all angles before you weld., make sure car is supported such that it will not be twisted / warped when welded up.


good luck (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)