Expert help from you body guys PLEASE, Door Gaps Options

[xperu]

I know door gaps is an old story, but I am at a crossroad in regard to what I am going to do with my beloved 914. I had inner stiffing kit installed and the guy did not install temp bracing to prevent heat shrinkage thus my door gaps puled in, so now I have very little gap between door and body. This problem is more prevalent on the passenger side then the drivers.
Later I had the Restoration Design long clamshells installed by another shop to stiffen the car. We also would attempt to possibly move the door gaps a little in the process. This did not work, but the long stiffeners really improved the stiffness of the car and it handles very well.
My real question here is can anything be done to the car at this point to widen the door gaps?
Other than the gap issue, the car is pretty much a new, all the bushing, suspension, engine rebuild etc. are done, the interior is in very good condition.
I have had this 914 for 10+ years “my 4th one” it’s excellent for autocross, but the value of the car may be in jeopardy if I can’t resolve the gap problem.
Any suggestion for you body guys would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Mike

[burton73]

I am not an expert but I have to say something as a warning to members.

A welder did a demonstration where he took a very strong thick pipe 6 ft. long and welded a line (bead) on it going the long dimension. As it cooled it curled in. A lot.

You have strengthened the shit out of your longs and I think you would have to cut some and bend your car and weld it back with great care. Very slow letting it cool after each short weld.

This is a major worry on buying a used 914 that has been welded by POs as far as what is going on with the past repairs?

I think you will need the help of a pro.

Bob B
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[914_teener]

I am not an expert but I have to say something as a warning to members.

A welder did a demonstration where he took a very strong thick pipe 6 ft. long and welded a line (bead) on it going the long dimension. As it cooled it curled in. A lot.

You have strengthened the shit out of your longs and I think you would have to cut some and bend your car and weld it back with great care. Very slow letting it cool after each short weld.

This is a major worry on buying a used 914 that has been welded by POs as far as what is going on with the past repairs?

I think you will need the help of a pro.

Bob B
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

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You can cut them ....camber the car in the opposite direction and then reweld it. I would take it to somebidy that has done it before and can make sure your tub is straight. Not the local muffler shop.

The longs are nothing more than formed 18 gauge sheet metal. Welding those kits in especially the amount of weld and way the welding is done....can have a tremedous effect. The stressed induced is in KIPS.

I.ve done two Engman kits and you just cannot under estimate the time and amount of caution required to do it. Particulary on somebody elses car.