New member with 1974 2.0, Making progress but still work to do Options

[Shadowfax]

Hey everyone. Been lurking here for a month or so and finally had the courage to post (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Picked up an original '74 Light Ivory 2.0 liter that was sitting for about 15 years. Appears to be a Texas car that made its way up to Arkansas, which is where I found it.
Walked the first time I saw it because of rusted rear floor pans but it ran and everything was there, including the owner's manual (missing front cover) and tool kit (surface rust on all tools except tow hook).
Went back the next weekend after much thought and some discussion with a guy at church who restores vintage VWs and "cut his teeth on 914s" (sounds painful). He's busy cutting out the cancer and I've been busy ordering replacement panels from Restoration Design haha.
Anyway wanted to introduce myself. I'll get more pics up as the restoration progresses. Engine and tranny are out, as is most of the interior.

Here's one of when I picked it up. More to come later.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422798623.1.jpg)

[Mike Bellis]

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[Cairo94507]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) That car looks pretty darn nice just sitting on the trailer. Seems you have hit the ground running with the rust work and panel replacement. That is the best way to proceed as you want to make sure you have a sound structure before you start building the car. Please keep us in the loop with pictures.

[saigon71]

You've come to the right place - Welcome!

From the pics, it looks like you have a decent starting point. Keep us posted on your progress.

For any significant "cutting out the cancer" you want to brace the body to keep everything square & true while welding in new panels.

[PanelBilly]

Welcome to the fun. I think buying a complete car with rust may be a smarter starting point for someone new to 914. Better than buying a project that someone else has worked on. The later may be a way to save lots of money, but nothing beats the experience you'll learn taking the car apart.

[Vysoc]

Congratulations on your new 914. I was fortunate enough when I picked up my project to have an ex-VW mechanic that helped me.


Your car looks great enjoy the journey!!!

Vysoc (IMG:style_emoticons/default/flag.gif)

[914Next]

Welcome! Enjoy the ride. Love seeing new owners enjoy this great car.

[914forme]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) Nice looking 914

[Hank914]

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Nice car! Picked the right color, too. I think statistics show that the Light Ivory color repels rust 53% more effectively than darker shades! I think it has to do with the evaporative effect of the suns rays or something. I'm sure the experts can fill in the details.

Lots of smart people in this community to help you with their advice and access to rare parts. These really are great little cars.

Welcome, and post more pics!

[dlee6204]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) Good luck!

We also want more pictures!

[Maltese Falcon]

Nice find with the original steelies (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sunglasses.gif)
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Marty

[zambezi]

looks nice. Where in LA are you? I hope to have mine done this year (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) There are a few of us here in Louisiana.

[Shadowfax]

Thanks for the kind words. It is a solid car even with some of its issues.

One of the first things I did when I got home was start removing the interior to check for rust. Here's the interior after removing most of the carpet.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.1.jpg)

Removed the front trunk carpet and spare and found that the floors are pretty solid.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.2.jpg)

Found a little bit of rot around the headlight bucket and the front of the cowl.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.3.jpg)

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Rear trunk has some surface rust but it can be wire wheeled and treated.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.5.jpg)

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This is what scared me off initially -- the passenger's side floorboard is bad and the driver's side had a previous "repair".
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.7.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.8.jpg)

Thought I could get away with just the short rear pan but the guy working on it recommended getting the full rear pan -- there are some pin holes just North of the e-brake area but he said the reinforcement, tunnel, and front pans (including the pedal box) were all in good shape. This is after he cut out the previous "repair". Reminds me of Fred Flintstone's car a little.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.9.jpg)

So this thing came out:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.10.jpg)

And we were able to get a closer look at the problem areas. Passenger's long is repairable and the rockers are solid, but will need a little work. He also said he could repair the engine shelf, including the separated seam.
Pass jack tube:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.11.jpg)

Pass rocker:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.12.jpg)

Pass long:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.13.jpg)

Driver's jack tube and rocker:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.14.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817142.15.jpg)

No battery tray, but suspension console below is solid:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817142.16.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817142.17.jpg)

Almost had a stroke here but this is all repairable:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817142.18.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817142.19.jpg)

Engine bay and bottom of rear trunk:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817142.20.jpg)

Should have some more pics soon. Restoration Design has sent me rear jack points, seat and hinge reinforcements, hinges, ebrake cable surround and short rear floor pans. Returning the shorts for a full rear on Monday and also getting a battery tray, the battery tray support and jack tube surrounds.

Also ordering the Tangerine Racing stainless fuel lines and other hoses. Really don't want this thing to burn up haha.

Have ordered some parts from 914rubber and will be ordering more -- first will be the engine bay seals then eventually (after it's structurally and mechanically sound) window, trunk and Targa top seals, probably other goodies too.

Ordered new seals for the motor along with all the necessary tune-up parts and shifter and pedal bushings.

Here are some of my other cars:

Daily driver
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817142.21.jpg)

Weekend and sunny-day toy
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817142.22.jpg)

[Shadowfax]

looks nice. Where in LA are you? I hope to have mine done this year (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) There are a few of us here in Louisiana.

Thanks -- I hope to have mine this year too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I'm in Shreveport.

[Dave_Darling]

Nice! That could be a whole lot worse--I've seen worse used as daily drivers in the Midwest... Heck, we'd even want to save that out here in CA! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

--DD

[Tom_T]

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... from a fellow Light Ivory/Beige 73 914-2.0 & E30 owner! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The floor & trunk pans look good so far!

Tom
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[Drums66]

...WELCOME,Lots of work ahead (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)
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[SirAndy]

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[turk22]

big fan of the Light Ivory...

Like your tan interior too!

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[Shadowfax]

Have made some progress in the past few weeks. Lots of metal work and also got the chance to work on the motor.
Ended up getting an engine shelf from RD in addition to the other parts. They make great products and are great to deal with.

Some more carnage. My buddy said it's not as bad as it appears. I still almost started having buyer's remorse but felt OK once I saw the repairs in person.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1424638870.1.jpg)

The inside of the longs were treated and then buttoned up.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1424638870.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1424638870.3.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1424639690.1.jpg)

A little more grinding discovered this:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1424638871.4.jpg)

More (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) and (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1424638871.5.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1424638871.6.jpg)

Floors and jack points are in and inside of frame is treated.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1424638871.7.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1424638871.8.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1424638871.9.jpg)

Next time I do this, I'm springing for a rotisserie...

We replaced all the hoses, fuel lines and ignition parts (used Bosch or Bremi except for NGK plugs), along with injector seals, and intake gaskets and seals. Fuel lines and clamps came from Tangerine Racing, who I also highly recommend. Still need to install the stainless lines but motor refresh (except front and rear seals) is done.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1424638871.10.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1424638871.11.jpg)

Removed the transaxle and found the flywheel had seen better days. Was able to get it resurfaced for $75. Hopefully it has another 40 years left haha.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1424638871.12.jpg)

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The clutch had plenty of meat left but my buddy suspected it was from the late 70s or early 80s because it had Audi markings on it. Regardless, I got a new kit from Sachs as wells as new flywheel bolts, clutch fork bushing, locking plate, felt washer, flywheel seal and pinion bearing. New front and rear seals and alternator belt will be going on soon.

Also got the engine weatherstripping and other goodies from 914 rubber. Will install those when we reinstall the drivetrain. The guys from 914 rubber are great too. It's really nice to have so many good resources for these awesome cars.

Should have some more updates soon. I know the structure is the priority right now but I'm still sending the steering wheel off to get recovered. Also splurged on one of those fancy stainless steel keychains. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/white914.jpg)