1974 914-4 2.0, Tackling the rust Options

[Nemisus]

Now that I have the 2.0 running adequately its time to tackle the rust issues...

When I first looked this car over I was so excited about getting it I didn't look as thoroughly as I should have. The cost of excitement I suppose...

Although what I am about to show you isn't nearly as bad as some of the amazing restorations I have seen on this site, I still feel it is necessary to show you what I am dealing with! My hopes are that I can be pointed in the right direction.

I am partially embarrassed to even show these pictures as the rot is minimal by comparison to what I've seen some members work with...

here goes nothing...

all the interior removed:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590830.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590831.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590831.3.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590831.4.jpg)

seat mount is completely gone:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590832.5.jpg)

Just behind the passenger seat... directly over the jack mount area:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590832.6.jpg)

Same area as from the previous pictures only look from under:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432591623.1.jpg)

nearly completely separated from the top of the tunnel:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590832.7.jpg)


Nemi

[Nemisus]

Under the car looking towards the front: Tunnel is in rough shape

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590844.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590844.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590845.3.jpg)

This gives a basic of what I'm dealing with.

Oddly, there is No rust in the "hell hole"... at least none that I can clearly see. The battery moved to the rear of the car and that might have saved this area...

Anyhow, this is what I have to work with. Overall not terrible, but certainly more than I had hoped for in wanting a drive-able project.

Comments welcome.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers

[mepstein]

I don't think your rot will be minimal. Pull the rocker covers and poke around some more. Our cars have spot welded seams that allow moisture to enter into the body cavities. So they literally rust from the inside out. Check out the passenger suspension console, the pedal box reinforcement, the rear trunk, and the area where the bumpers are bolted in. As you remove paint, undercoating and seam sealer, you will find more rust. It can all be fixed.

I would also buy some stainless steel fuel lines from tangerine racing.

[Cairo94507]

Rust never sleeps.....ask us how we know!

[boxsterfan]

Looks like the car was POR-15'd at some point in its life. There's going to be a lot of rust to fix. You can get many of these parts from Restoration Design.

1. Drivers and pasenger floor pans http://www.restoration-design.com/store/product/PP344 and P345

2. Probably both trunks (or at least partial pieces in both trunks).

3. Suspension consoles

You need to get a look at those longs with the rockers off and starting poking with a big screwdriver.

I hope it works out for you. Of course, fixing this car all depends on your wallet and/or your welding skills and/or your personal connection to the car (ie. it belonged to a family member). Best of luck.

[SirAndy]

you will find more rust

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

That looks pretty bad and be assured, there is more hiding. I hope you're good with a welder!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

Most parts you will need are available from RD:
http://www.restoration-design.com/


What's the VIN? A black '74 always makes me suspicious ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[Nemisus]

I was hopping for a different response but kept in the back of my mind I'd get this.

I except the challenge but am overwhelmed at this point...

Car has no connection other than I like 914s. My goal was to find something I could drive and work on... doesn't look like the case here.

The vin for the car is:

4742903791

and here is the stamp for the color code:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432599395.1.jpg)

Unless I am mistaken this is an original black 914.

I wont give up just yet. But it does look like I need to focus on finding the rust issues and start making a list of what I am going to need.

Someone asked if I can weld.... can't say that I am the best, but I have welded a time or two.

appreciate the feedback.

Cheers

Nem

[Nemisus]

Looks like the car was POR-15'd at some point in its life.

Excuse my ignorance, but what does this mean?

[boxsterfan]

It's a rust inhibitor paint. Problem is that if the car is already rusting, it continues to rust from the inside out. Note: Our cars rust from the inside out already.

http://www.por15.com/POR-15-Rust-Preventive-Coating_p_8.html

[boxsterfan]

This isn't my car, but here is a sample of the type of work you are looking at:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...;hl=fixing+rust

I'm not trying to be a downer. It all depends on your skill set. If you are a person with good welding skills, a shop (barn garage) to work in and have time then you could/should tackle the project. But from a safety standpoint, I wouldn't drive it especially with the seat rail welds rusted away from the floor pan (the seat belt connecting doesn't look great either). These cars don't have a ton of collision protection to start with, but they will crumple even more with a weak frame.

[Dave_Darling]

Oddly, there is No rust in the "hell hole"... at least none that I can clearly see.

Don't look with your eyes--look with a screwdriver. You might be surprised at what lurks under decent-looking paint. Especially in the hell-hole.

--DD

[Nemisus]

Oddly, there is No rust in the "hell hole"... at least none that I can clearly see.

Don't look with your eyes--look with a screwdriver. You might be surprised at what lurks under decent-looking paint. Especially in the hell-hole.

--DD

Found out today that there is not rust in the Hell Hole because its already been repaired...

From what I see it was decently done from the engine side, but not so well from the outside...

I came across several black widows while looking around so I wasn't able to get a good look from under the fender side..this thing is crawling with spiders and spider eggs.


If mood is good enough I may just drop the engine to get this project going. I was hoping to drive it some, but since I don't have first gear I might as well get that going too.

Curious... I have Reverse just fine... should I still consider the linkage as the cause for 1st being gone?? Or is it possible to have R and not 1st. I read that they are the same gear set and when you loose one you usually loose the other.

Anyhow.... look out for some future pictures...

[Shadowfax]

You'll want to remove the firewall backpad insulation inside and also the insulation in the engine compartment. There is more rust hiding there.
Good luck and don't be discouraged - from a fellow early '74 2.0 owner (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Nemisus]

Thanks Shadowfax!

I am trying really hard to not be discourage. The issue I am going to face is having the funds to buy what needs to be replaced... which is why I was hoping to be able to drive it for a while while I collected what was needed.

I knew this wasn't going to be a cost effect restoration, but dove into anyway.

I have always been a fan of american muscle... then one day a friends Dad gave me a 75 Porsche 914.

Since then the 914 has earned its place in my heart. While the 75 was drive-able it had its issues that took significant value from the car.

My fear is I'll get to a point with this car and not be able to continue... if that happens and it sits for a long time I'll loose focus and it will never get complete.

My goal is to have the rust taken care of by the end of this summer. I have already calculated the cost for parts and know what I'm in for. I just need to take is slow and steady when the repairs get going.

Whew... feel like I went off on a rant for a bit.

Anyhow... the weather is cold so I might not get the motor taken out today. I recently had back surgery and cold weather isn't nice to me.

Stay tuned!

Cheers

Nemi

[Nemisus]

Here is an overdue update of the my 74 2.0 restoration:

Decided to drop the engine today so I could get a better look at what might be hiding.

I think overall things could have been worse, but I am trying to remain optimistic and could be kidding myself.

The Hell Hole has definitely seen some repair... Will need more work I think as whoever repaired it only fixed what was visible.

Tomorrow if I have time I plan to clean the car as much as possible. The spider eggs and webs are everywhere.

Enjoy the progress pics!

2.0 waiting to be cleaned up!

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1433643353.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1433643353.2.jpg)

Not that I doubted the car wasn't a real 2.0... it has become hard to find a 914 intact with its original motor... at least this confirms a legit 2.0. Anyone know how to match the engine number to the VIN?

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1433643353.3.jpg)

These next few pics I was getting a glare from the sun.. sorry for the quality:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1433643353.4.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1433643353.5.jpg)

Just below where the battery tray would be... not sure of the correct term for this area... but its in needs of repair:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1433643353.6.jpg)

Battery Tray area... hard to tell what was done from this side, however its clear from the outer.. couldn't get a camera inside to truly see. Will have to get to that later.

Looks rusty... little surface rust but otherwise solid.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1433643353.7.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1433643354.8.jpg)

This side (driver) is surprisingly solid.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1433643354.9.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1433643354.10.jpg)

an interesting picture I took through the shift rode hole. Hard to see it, but its rusted to hell in there.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1433643354.11.jpg)


That about does it for today. I have been making my shopping list and I'm not sure where to shop for parts. Auto Atlanta has a lot of stuff, but so does Restoration Design. Any recommendations?

Suppose in the end as long as I get what I need it wont really matter where I buy from.

Well thanks for viewing the progress this far!

Cheers 914World

[Cairo94507]

Nice progress. Please clean out all of the spiders, nests and anything else with more than 2 legs. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

[mepstein]

Restoration design is always 1st on my list. AA not so much.

[Nemisus]

Nice progress. Please clean out all of the spiders, nests and anything else with more than 2 legs. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

Cairo,

Since getting this 914 Home I have seen some very interesting spiders... colorful is one way to put it.... along with several black widows... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) I was half considering setting off a few bug bombs... really not a bad idea!

In addition to the creepy crawlers is the ridiculous amount of excrement left by the 914's favorite four legged rodents. Its just everywhere!

Restoration design is always 1st on my list. AA not so much.

Thanks for the feedback! I will keep that in mind. I've seen many of the RD's videos on the tube and they produce some quality stuff.

[mepstein]

Nice progress. Please clean out all of the spiders, nests and anything else with more than 2 legs. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

Cairo,

Since getting this 914 Home I have seen some very interesting spiders... colorful is one way to put it.... along with several black widows... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) I was half considering setting off a few bug bombs... really not a bad idea!

In addition to the creepy crawlers is the ridiculous amount of excrement left by the 914's favorite four legged rodents. Its just everywhere!

Restoration design is always 1st on my list. AA not so much.

Thanks for the feedback! I will keep that in mind. I've seen many of the RD's videos on the tube and they produce some quality stuff.

The guys who own it and work there are top notch. I have spent a ton of money with them and will continue to do so.

[Nemisus]

The guys who own it and work there are top notch. I have spent a ton of money with them and will continue to do so.

That is good to hear. I am in the process of selling a motorcycle I no longer ride. This should help with a majority of all the items I would need for the rust.

Selling one toy to fund another.