Need some experienced advice, One last obstacle before paint Options

[Phoenix914]

Hello, group. This is my second post here, the first being in the "How did you get into 914's?" thread. I've been mostly lurking for the past few weeks since signing up on 914 Club just before the time of troubles. Today I'm appealing to the collective for advice and possibly real-person help with what to me is a big problem. I'm so close to sending this car to the paint shop, but one obstacle is in my way. The original owner at some point had the front turn signals filled in. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif) I wish to un-fill them. I thought it was maybe just body filler, but you can see below there is some steel welded in place below all that bondo.

I'm not good at any kind of body work. I don't have the expertise or tools to cut this metal out of my way. Can any of you guys give me some advice or assistance to get this problem fixed? I know one of my problems is that I live in southern Delaware. Don't know if anybody is close to me or not, but I'm willing to drive to someone's place. It would also be nice to just have one of you more experienced guys take a gander at this car, since I've been working on it for almost four years now with almost no help at all, and nobody who knows anything about 914's.

Well, take a look and tell me what you think...

From the side


From the front


From under the fender


The other side


Thanks for any help you can offer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

Bryan Greenly

[andys]

I would be inclined to start cutting through the added on piece just above the braze joint. That would reveal what's underneath, and determine the next step. I would likely then get that HF angle grinder and start gringing down to the original flange. Braze is more difficult to grind than one might suspect, but just take your time. You don't want to grind away or damage the original flange. I would also tend to stay away from trying to melt the braze to pull away the metal; I suspect that would be more difficult than it seems. Anyway, this is an entirely do-able project. I (we) invite you to post progress/what should I do next pictures, and I (we) can help you along step by step.

Andys

[Phoenix914]

I would be inclined to start cutting through the added on piece just above the braze joint. That would reveal what's underneath, and determine the next step. I would likely then get that HF angle grinder and start gringing down to the original flange. Braze is more difficult to grind than one might suspect, but just take your time. You don't want to grind away or damage the original flange. I would also tend to stay away from trying to melt the braze to pull away the metal; I suspect that would be more difficult than it seems. Anyway, this is an entirely do-able project. I (we) invite you to post progress/what should I do next pictures, and I (we) can help you along step by step.

Andys

Looks like I'll be getting a grinder to do it rather than trying the torch method. I may use a propane torch to help soften the body filler, but I won't try to melt the braze. I don't have the right torch for that anyway. I checked out Harbor Freight, as jasons also suggested, and they do have some stupid cheap grinders, but I don't want to pay for or wait for shipping at this point. I still have a $25 gift card for the mall left over from Christmas and that's where Sears is!! Sounds like a Friday night shopping trip to me.

edit:
And I will post more pics or anguished questions as soon as I can. Thanks for your help, Andys.