Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

> 1974 914 Rust Repair Project
sreyemj
post Feb 7 2020, 04:14 PM
Post #1


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 87
Joined: 12-January 20
From: SA, TX
Member No.: 23,821
Region Association: None



This will be an attempt to document a long and sordid history of my 1974 1.8L 914. It's been with me a long time, and suffered many ills both before and during my ownership.

My initial interest in Porsches came after reading "Porsches For The Road" as a young child, I still have the book!
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-23821-1581114089.1.jpg)

I really wanted a 911 or 912, but even project cars were beyond my budget of about 2k. I thought I had it made when our elderly neighbor parked a neglected yellow 1984 911 Targa under a tarp in the alley between our houses. He didn't want to sell it, but I used to keep the tarp tied down in the hopes I could one day purchase it. Unfortunately, we never made a deal and when he died several years later the car disappeared.

After that, I started shopping for 914s, and this 1974 914 car popped up for $800 on craigslist. It was garaged, had awful brown paint, and the passenger door closed nicely. The seller mentioned he wasn't the original owner and that he parked it when the motor became "tired" in the mid 1990s. A deal was made, and I brought it home in a torrential downpour. I was about 15 years old at this point.

First restoration efforts (2007ish):
My first attempt at getting the 914 back on the road included painting it a red I picked out of the Sherwin-Williams catalog instead of the original Marathon Blue Metallic (unfortunately!).

Upon further investigation, there were some pin holes in the bottom of the passenger long as well as some small holes under the battery tray. The door closed fine and it didn't look like the really ugly pictures I had seen, so I figured it was at least structurally sound.

I remember pouring a rust converter into the small holes under the battery, then welding a plate over the top. There were some holes in the rear trunk, so I cut that metal out and welded sheet metal in. The bottom of the passenger long looked fine, so I left that as is. 15 year old me was not a talented welder.

While removing the paint, I discovered the car had been in an accident, and that the driver's front fender/headlight cavity were not-so-artfully grafted on from another car. I also found accident damage on the passenger rear quarter panel and rear trunk. The seller did not admit to any accidents, so I assume these are from a previous owner.

After painting, I never really put it back together and the car sat for about a decade. During this time I was off at college, then the military, and then more school. My younger brother wanted to use it as a getaway car at his wedding, and almost completely reassembled it with a 1.7L engine I had purchased from a guy doing a V8 swap. I sold the original 1.8L during one of several moves over the years…

I drove the car exactly once with the 1.7L engine, I remember it ran poorly with high idle and leaked a fair amount of oil.

Getting started, one of the only early pictures of the car:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-23821-1587745562.1.jpg)

Car after painting (side skirts never made it on):
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-23821-1581113671.1.jpg)






Second attempt (2020ish):
It had been almost 15 years since I bought the car. I had moved many times for school, military, more school, and then more military. The car mostly lived at my dad’s house during this time, but I now had a small garage I could park it in. I brought it home and got to work.

It quickly became obvious (thanks to browsing 914world!) that the rust problems were not minor, and would require significant work to repair before anything else. I decided to move front to back. The bottom of the car was coated with a thick bed-liner type coating that I removed from the bottom of the floor pans and much of the front trunk. You can see some of the original paint in the wheel well where the coating was removed with a putty knife.

As it sits today:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-23821-1581113672.2.jpg)


Passenger long, looks fairly solid from the outside. The hole is where I used a cheap endoscope to look at the inside (lots of rust).
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-23821-1581114160.1.jpg)


The 1.7L motor. Not sure why it's blue, definitely needs some help.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-23821-1581114090.3.jpg)

User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
 
Reply to this topicStart new topic
Replies
sreyemj
post Feb 15 2020, 09:07 PM
Post #2


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 87
Joined: 12-January 20
From: SA, TX
Member No.: 23,821
Region Association: None



The driver's side front corner was repaired with a welding in section. Unfortunately, the repair was less than perfect and there are large areas of overlap (similar to a lap joint) that are welded on only one side and have rust in the gap. I'm starting the process of cutting through the welds, trimming the overlap, and re-welding with butt joints.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-23821-1581822473.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-23821-1581822474.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-23821-1581822580.1.jpg)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post

Posts in this topic
sreyemj   1974 914 Rust Repair Project   Feb 7 2020, 04:14 PM
sreyemj   Rear trunk, back is fairly lumpy and has a lot of ...   Feb 7 2020, 04:27 PM
jimkelly   man, find a safer way to work under that car. be ...   Feb 7 2020, 04:43 PM
sreyemj   man, find a safer way to work under that car. be...   Feb 7 2020, 05:10 PM
sreyemj   Hell hole looks ok, this is what I welded in a lon...   Feb 7 2020, 05:53 PM
Mark Henry   If you have the bottom that clean use epoxy paint ...   Feb 7 2020, 06:31 PM
sreyemj   If you have the bottom that clean use epoxy paint...   Feb 7 2020, 06:59 PM
IronHillRestorations   About a year ago I got some Kirker Enduro Prime ep...   Feb 8 2020, 08:47 AM
914forme   POR 15 with come off in sheets, even with the best...   Feb 8 2020, 11:13 AM
IronHillRestorations   POR 15 is good for rusty metal, but not so for cle...   Feb 8 2020, 12:04 PM
rjames   POR 15 is good for rusty metal, but not so for cl...   Feb 8 2020, 12:59 PM
sreyemj   I'm looking into an epoxy based solution. I...   Feb 8 2020, 06:56 PM
sreyemj   Front trunk patches welded in: http://www.914world...   Feb 15 2020, 08:50 PM
sreyemj   The driver's side front corner was repaired wi...   Feb 15 2020, 09:07 PM
bkrantz   I have a front left corner you can have for the pr...   Feb 15 2020, 09:13 PM
sreyemj   http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.img...   Feb 15 2020, 09:14 PM
sreyemj   I have a front left corner you can have for the p...   Feb 15 2020, 09:22 PM
cuddy_k   One more reason to avoid POR-15...it can kill you ...   Feb 15 2020, 09:29 PM
sreyemj   One more reason to avoid POR-15...it can kill you...   Feb 15 2020, 10:10 PM
sreyemj   Slow going, but finally got to peel back some of t...   Mar 1 2020, 10:38 PM
StarBear   Best wishes and providence on your effort! Def...   Mar 2 2020, 09:30 AM
sreyemj   Cleaning up the last rusted section of rust on the...   Mar 14 2020, 11:03 AM
rhodyguy   Walk over to my place if you need to take more pic...   Mar 14 2020, 03:07 PM
sreyemj   Walk over to my place if you need to take more pi...   Mar 14 2020, 11:11 PM
bkrantz   What did you use to strip the paint inside the fru...   Mar 14 2020, 08:30 PM
Superhawk996   Keep going. Such a bummer to have to fix previous...   Mar 15 2020, 04:15 AM
sixnotfour   1st love, hard to get over, I still have my 1st 91...   Mar 15 2020, 07:00 AM
sreyemj   1st love, hard to get over, I still have my 1st 9...   Mar 15 2020, 12:02 PM
sreyemj   Replacement piece welded in. This would have been ...   Mar 15 2020, 10:10 PM
sreyemj   I purchased a large lot of parts with another car ...   Mar 30 2020, 10:33 PM
sreyemj   I removed the interior so I could weld my door bra...   Mar 30 2020, 10:47 PM
Superhawk996   It looks like someone has cut into the inside lo...   Apr 1 2020, 06:14 AM
sreyemj   I know you probably don't want to hear this b...   Apr 1 2020, 10:51 AM
rhodyguy   Is the new car at the house on 40th? I peeked over...   Apr 1 2020, 06:04 AM
sreyemj   Is the new car at the house on 40th? I peeked ove...   Apr 1 2020, 10:50 AM
sreyemj   Car is on a rotisserie now, planning to cut into t...   Apr 1 2020, 11:36 PM
sreyemj   I used the rotisserie to lower the car on to the f...   Apr 2 2020, 03:03 PM
Costa05   I used the rotisserie to lower the car on to the ...   Apr 3 2020, 10:22 PM
sreyemj   You are brave. Be careful if you lean up against ...   Apr 3 2020, 10:37 PM
sixnotfour   So the heater tube is gone and the long is stuffed...   Apr 3 2020, 03:08 AM
sreyemj   So the heater tube is gone and the long is stuffe...   Apr 3 2020, 09:27 AM
CoolAirVw   encouragement for you! Keep on trucking!   Apr 3 2020, 09:57 PM
sreyemj   Finally opened up the longitudinal. I tacked some...   Apr 3 2020, 10:55 PM
bbrock   Unfortunately, that heater hose isn't the orig...   Apr 4 2020, 08:31 AM
doug_b_928   The duct tape was to hold the tube on because it...   Apr 4 2020, 08:32 AM
doug_b_928   You beat me to it, Brent.   Apr 4 2020, 08:33 AM
sreyemj   Ah, makes sense. I guess I'm looking for a re...   Apr 4 2020, 09:41 AM
bbrock   Well, it isn't the first time someone's be...   Apr 4 2020, 11:24 AM
sixnotfour   Well, it isn't the first time someone's b...   Apr 4 2020, 11:49 AM
FourBlades   You are doing a great job! :welder: When yo...   Apr 4 2020, 11:45 AM
Superhawk996   You are doing a great job! :welder: When y...   Apr 4 2020, 12:40 PM
sreyemj   When you finish it will be all done right and rea...   Apr 4 2020, 05:21 PM
bbrock   Apparently ospho doesn't play well with some ...   Apr 4 2020, 07:24 PM
sreyemj   Apparently ospho doesn't play well with some...   Apr 4 2020, 08:36 PM
bbrock   Did you do anything to the ospho'ed surface b...   Apr 4 2020, 10:12 PM
sreyemj   [quote name='sreyemj' post='2800982' date='Apr 4 ...   Apr 4 2020, 11:19 PM
bbrock   I'll try that. The ospho bottle just says dr...   Apr 4 2020, 11:43 PM
Luke M   Looks like you need one of these. http://www.rest...   Apr 4 2020, 11:50 AM
sreyemj   Looks like you need one of these. http://www.res...   Apr 4 2020, 12:23 PM
bkrantz   I wonder if all those big round holes were made by...   Apr 4 2020, 09:13 PM
sreyemj   Done with most of the cutting. I had to back off ...   Apr 4 2020, 11:36 PM
Superhawk996   The rear suspension console has some welded repa...   Apr 5 2020, 09:07 AM
bbrock   :headbang: Scary stuff. I found braze in my su...   Apr 5 2020, 09:14 AM
sreyemj   I took a few steps forward and one back. I did we...   Apr 8 2020, 10:53 AM
Superhawk996   Yup, Most people don't believe that these ca...   Apr 8 2020, 12:46 PM
sreyemj   Yup, Most people don't believe that these c...   Apr 8 2020, 09:01 PM
sreyemj   Fabricating the piece for the outer long. Not sur...   Apr 10 2020, 02:39 PM
Superhawk996   :Qarl: Keep going. The hours are endless but yo...   Apr 10 2020, 04:40 PM
sreyemj   I'm hoping to drive this from Washington to Te...   Apr 14 2020, 12:04 AM
jaredmcginness   Really great progress. Having a little bit of PTSD...   Apr 14 2020, 07:26 AM
sreyemj   Really great progress. Having a little bit of PTS...   Apr 14 2020, 09:49 PM
FourBlades   More great work! :beer3: John   Apr 15 2020, 06:33 PM
sreyemj   More grinding away, literally. Removed the passeng...   Apr 17 2020, 11:40 PM
sreyemj   Getting ready to replace the suspension console. I...   Apr 18 2020, 08:50 PM
sreyemj   The inside longitudinal behind the engine bar moun...   Apr 18 2020, 09:01 PM
Tdskip   Thanks for the updates, making great progress...   Apr 19 2020, 07:04 AM
sreyemj   Thanks for the updates, making great progress...   Apr 19 2020, 08:27 AM
sreyemj   I decided to cut out the piece of the long behind ...   Apr 20 2020, 11:16 PM
jaredmcginness   This progress is seriously awesome. I like that ...   Apr 21 2020, 06:00 AM
sreyemj   This progress is seriously awesome. I like that...   Apr 21 2020, 08:54 AM
sreyemj   Getting closer, welded the engine bar mount and su...   Apr 21 2020, 09:36 PM
sreyemj   Finished some minor weld grinding and started rebu...   Apr 22 2020, 11:59 PM
sreyemj   Reattached the passenger door sill and repaired th...   Apr 24 2020, 09:57 AM
sreyemj   I've been cleaning off the bottom of the car t...   Apr 28 2020, 08:37 PM
ctc911ctc   WOW, master-level Skilz, very impressive! ...   Apr 29 2020, 07:53 AM
jaredmcginness   Nice piece, that looks bad ass.   Apr 29 2020, 09:51 AM
mbseto   Great work, love watching new metal take shape.   Apr 29 2020, 12:52 PM
sreyemj   Spending way too much time cleaning up random bits...   May 1 2020, 12:28 AM
sreyemj   Some new stuff from 914rubber, and a replacement c...   May 1 2020, 12:32 AM
sreyemj   Tried making a front firewall mount to relocate th...   May 1 2020, 02:01 PM
sreyemj   Been awhile since I posted an update. I stripped e...   May 11 2020, 11:53 PM
sreyemj   Putting on the epoxy primer. I was going to spray...   May 12 2020, 12:00 AM
sreyemj   More pictures after epoxy primer Front trunk: htt...   May 14 2020, 03:33 PM
sreyemj   This car is moving from Washington to Texas in 2 d...   May 18 2020, 02:27 PM
sreyemj   I put a new rubber snorkel from 914rubber on, does...   May 18 2020, 02:28 PM
sreyemj   Paint ended up being more shiny vs the primer than...   May 18 2020, 02:32 PM
trojanhorsepower   Looks good!   May 18 2020, 02:45 PM
sreyemj   Car made it safely to San Antonio. Only passed on...   Jun 3 2020, 11:06 AM
FourBlades   Congrats on the move! :beer2: Great work yo...   Jun 4 2020, 12:09 AM
sreyemj   Quick update on this project. Long story short, I ...   Jun 4 2023, 08:43 PM
2 Pages V  1 2 >


Reply to this topicStart new topic
3 User(s) are reading this topic (3 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 



- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 31st October 2024 - 05:45 PM