Area51Werks starts another Autotopsy Resurrection of a Factory 6, Welding is Done! Fixtures are removed Onto the cleanup and paint work. Options

[rick 918-S]

I wanted to start another build thread for the 914-6 I purchased from Ethan. When we were able to put together a deal I could hardly wait to come out and collect it.

Last year our Titan was totaled. So Sandy and I took our little truck with trailer and headed out. We drove straight through to Vegas. We met up with John Peterson and stayed in the 914 room. Sandy was calling it our room. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)

Half way to Vegas the brakes started grinding. There was no way we were going to make So Cal and all the hills with dead brakes. So while Sandy was at her meeting in Vegas JP and I rebuilt the front brakes on the mighty Ranger. Thanks again for all your help and hospitality John!

Our first stop on the way to pick up the 6 was at Ron's shop. Ron set me up with a 2.7S and goodies. Thanks to his generosity I have most everything to put the car back in running condition when the chassis work in done. And congratulations to Grandpa Ron and the new baby girl they just welcomed into the world.

When we arrived at Ethan's we were pleasantly surprised by the weather. Beautiful Sunny California makes it hard to leave and come back to the cold and snow. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) Yes, we were greeted by a nice light dusting of snow when we arrived home. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

Anyway, it was great to spend the day with friends, eat brisket and tell stories.

Kent, Rod and Wayne came to help with the fun.

I received a project from Rod while I was there. More on that in another thread.

Rod was a wealth of knowledge about the history of this car. I really need to spend some time on the phone with him now that I am back and talk more about the cars origin and past.

Kent lead the way and got us back on the road heading out of So Cal to points east. It was a great day in the 914World. Thanks all!

Now on to the car. I have it home now. My son Aric and I spent some time doing forensics on the chassis. We dropped the suspension and started removing some of the bolt on stuff that will have to be cleared in order to repair the chassis.

I plan a full on documented chassis rebuild showing the process involved in determining how and where to pull, what to remove and the importance of proper technic when splitting panels welding things back together. To some this may be basic but I get a lot of questions about chassis repairs and felt it would be a good place to start a discussion.

For now, here's the car:



My favorite place to stop for a photo of my 914's. I have taken a photo here with every 914 I have.

[rick 918-S]

When the metal has been ground thin, how thin can it be and still be usable?

It was on the bumper recess. I will need to cut out the edge and repair it. There were holes that were welded up that opened up we I was moving the metal back where it belonged. I did no welding here. that is what I uncovered. You can still see the pick hammer marks. The repair is at the level of high build primer over the surface with the exception of the recess.

[rick 918-S]

Time for an update. I spent several hours working over this right fender. Besides someone slicing it open, there was an extensive amount of damage both from the accident I am repairing and a prior collision. There was about 3/8" of body filler across the section above the wheel lip from a prior repair.

I was unable to swing a hammer to knock the damage out. The planishing hammer I made for the inner wheelhouse repair was to big to fit inside the tight space as well. So I made another one.

I used a needle scaler and the dies from the bench top Harbor Freight planisher I have.



This photo show the extent of damage just past the hammer.



You can see how flat and concaved the fender was over the wheel opening.



Welding up the Cut



Roughing in the damage



Nearly Repaired.



Along with the planisher I used a shrinking disc and lots of time working the surface with hammers and blocks. I can say now that I will be keeping the original fender with the car. I really doubted I would be able to bring it back into a usable condition.

[Cairo94507]

Simply amazing skills. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[gms]

Well done Rick!

[DaveB]

I really doubted I would be able to bring it back into a usable condition.

Great job on this. I assume you were hammering left handed with the dolly to work that area. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

DaveB

[DRPHIL914]

@Rick_918-S

Rick, i think you are a glutton for punishment!! I mean, something about minnesotans maybe? I mean anyone that subjects themsselves to such climate by choice is just different (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) (former reformed minnesotan talking here) just kidding, but the reason i say that is it would be less time and effort almost to just take a donor fender like you did in the front and replace the whole thing and you dont have that damaged hammerd out metal, BUT i know your goal is to keep and repair as much original metal as possible. If not for it being an original six, i am wondering , would you on a different car take that approach instead?

Phil

[rick 918-S]

@Rick_918-S

Rick, i think you are a glutton for punishment!! I mean, something about minnesotans maybe? I mean anyone that subjects themsselves to such climate by choice is just different (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) (former reformed minnesotan talking here) just kidding, but the reason i say that is it would be less time and effort almost to just take a donor fender like you did in the front and replace the whole thing and you dont have that damaged hammerd out metal, BUT i know your goal is to keep and repair as much original metal as possible. If not for it being an original six, i am wondering , would you on a different car take that approach instead?

Phil

Hey Doc!

We both left Minnesooota. Me, not s far. I still look across to Downtown Duluth from my deck in Superior WI. Still have snow in the winter. Except this year.



Here is our house from the street. i designed it with the help of my friend at ARI. in Duluth. It's a SIP house. I was the general for the build and did much of the work myself.



Here is our view across the bay.



I am a crazy guy with a lot of ideas. Some good, some not so good. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Which brings me to the 6. It would be much easier to change the fender. I have an NOS one on the shelf. But if I don't need to remove the factory fender I would rather not. And if this was a 4 cylinder car that was crashed this hard I would have to have a real personal attachment to it to even entertain a repair.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/assimilate.gif)

[DaveB]

That's a really beautify MCM and great choice to use structural insulation. I have a happy place for glassy mid century style; had one for many years in Northern CA.

DaveB

[TRS63]

Amazing house..not to forget the incredible metal work here!

Bests

Antoine

[DRPHIL914]

@Rick_918-S

Rick, i think you are a glutton for punishment!! I mean, something about minnesotans maybe? I mean anyone that subjects themsselves to such climate by choice is just different (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) (former reformed minnesotan talking here) just kidding, but the reason i say that is it would be less time and effort almost to just take a donor fender like you did in the front and replace the whole thing and you dont have that damaged hammerd out metal, BUT i know your goal is to keep and repair as much original metal as possible. If not for it being an original six, i am wondering , would you on a different car take that approach instead?

Phil

Hey Doc!

We both left Minnesooota. Me, not s far. I still look across to Downtown Duluth from my deck in Superior WI. Still have snow in the winter. Except this year.



Here is our house from the street. i designed it with the help of my friend at ARI. in Duluth. It's a SIP house. I was the general for the build and did much of the work myself.



Here is our view across the bay.



I am a crazy guy with a lot of ideas. Some good, some not so good. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Which brings me to the 6. It would be much easier to change the fender. I have an NOS one on the shelf. But if I don't need to remove the factory fender I would rather not. And if this was a 4 cylinder car that was crashed this hard I would have to have a real personal attachment to it to even entertain a repair.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/assimilate.gif)

thanks for the reply, sorry for a hijack of your build thread,truth be told growing up i did dream of someday having a home on a lake up in N. Minnesota, we used to spend a lot of time on Pelican Lake, Breazy point , but friends owned a resort across the lake from it. i LOVE that house and saw the build thread you posted, the view is awesome, i really dont blame you for staying, in some weird ways i miss the winter a bit, i forgot you moved across the border!. I have a friend that retired from active practice a few years ago, he was from that area originally but spent 40+ years in St. Louis, they built a beautiful cabin on a bluff overlooking a lake up in N. Wisconsin near the Canada boarder and they LOVE the winter experience, and stay most of the winter. anyway carry on..... that fender will look new and i look forward to seeing the end result.

The dream now for me upon retirement is a cabin in NC or TN area.....with a shop....

[Root_Werks]

Very cool! Only knew one person who could shape metal like that. It's an art to say the least.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

[rick 918-S]

Just some boring repair work over the last several days. Some previous owner did some seal channel repair that kind of wrecked the back side of the right headlight bucket. Luckily I had a second front panel I got from Garold that had a good bucket for the section I needed. Still have some finish grinding but it's close now. Typical rust in the seal channel. I still have lots of clean up grinding to do but I thought I would save it for last.

[Root_Werks]

To see what the damage started as to what it is now is amazing! Thanks for posting all the pics!

[rick 918-S]

Left Headlight Bucket had an issue where the headlight cover extension mounts as well as some seal channel replacement needed.




Almost ready for epoxy Primer. I should have all the welding done on the front repair this weekend. I have 3 days off!! Wooo Hoo!

[KELTY360]

That's a big step forward Rick. Very nicely done. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)

[East coaster]

Phenomenal work man!

[rick 918-S]

All the seal channels have been repaired. I had to re-drill the the holes for the eyebrow rubber bumpers.



Test fit the eyebrows.





Probably another week before it goes into epoxy primer. Lots of little details to complete. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/assimilate.gif)

[tygaboy]

I am in awe at the level of skill. @Rick 918-S , count me as one of your biggest fan-boys!

[Shivers]

Great work and a great work enviroment. And you just keep pulling out the right tool for the Job. Cool

[rick 918-S]

I am in awe at the level of skill. @Rick 918-S , count me as one of your biggest fan-boys!

Thanks but your no slouch yourself. I like that cooler your doing for Michael. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)