Intro from Montana: '73 2.0L rustoration thread Options

[bbrock]

Thanks Chris, you are too kind. It was fun. My only regret is that I didn't do a good job of mentioning the many people who have donated to the cause along the way. I should have pointed out the wiper switch you sent for example!

And keeping with the theme of doing everything over at least once... Right after the live tour, I thought I'd investigate the annoying click when opening the rear trunk lid. All my 914s have had that and maybe it is just part of the charm, but I quickly found this.



To be clear, those torsion rods are supposed to go THROUGH that metal hoop. What dumbass put this thing together? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Off came the deck lid and out came the torsion rods. Now installed right.



Still clicks so little accomplished other than quieting the OCD voices. Oh, also confirmed that the battery cover does NOT fit an Optima battery. Time well wasted (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) I may wind up swapping that battery to another car and getting the one @raynekat installed. Or maybe not.

[BPic]

Wow! I’m amazed that someone (you) took off the torsion bars, put them on, took them off again, and put them back on! When I took mine off it scared the crap outta me and I went with gas struts. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

BTW where can we see the Quaranteener videos? I saw the drive video but can’t find anything else.

Nice work as always!!

[914_7T3]

And keeping with the theme of doing everything over at least once... Right after the live tour, I thought I'd investigate the annoying click when opening the rear trunk lid. All my 914s have had that and maybe it is just part of the charm, but I quickly found this.



To be clear, those torsion rods are supposed to go THROUGH that metal hoop. What dumbass put this thing together? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Off came the deck lid and out came the torsion rods. Now installed right.

Are you running brass or nylon rollers?

[bbrock]

Wow! I’m amazed that someone (you) took off the torsion bars, put them on, took them off again, and put them back on! When I took mine off it scared the crap outta me and I went with gas struts. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

BTW where can we see the Quaranteener videos? I saw the drive video but can’t find anything else.

Nice work as always!!

Ha! The first time I ever tried taking the torsion rods off, I damn near lost a thumb. I'm fairly certain I cracked it and the flesh looked like a squashed tomato. Not something you ever forget. As always, it's just a matter of having the right tools.



The bottom tool is from McMark and makes the whole deal easy. The crescent wrenches are not the right tool, but ironically, is the only reason I have them. Wait - what? When my wife bought her 914, that red handled wrench was dangling with one of the torsion rods strung through the handle. Obviously somebody had successfully used the handle to install the rod and, realizing their mistake just said, "fuch it." The small wrench came similarly installed in the car I have now. I was starting to think these were factory original (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

As for the video, I'm not sure it is up yet. I would assume Steve would post it on Ninemotoring.com

Are you running brass or nylon rollers?

Running nylon rollers from 914Rubber. Do they tend to click more? I really haven't tracked down where it is coming from.

[914_7T3]

Are you running brass or nylon rollers?

Running nylon rollers from 914Rubber. Do they tend to click more? I really haven't tracked down where it is coming from.

No idea! I've got a set of both, but not yet installed.

[bbrock]

@KELTY360
Picked up a package from the locker on our weekly run to Zombieland or groceries (our mail and packages are delivered 3 miles from our house). I knew what it was so set it aside until just before going to bed. When I opened it, I laughed and I laughed.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

It was Marc's tit. It is a firm handful and you can see from his careful packaging that it is a D cup. I can tell you this. It is real, and it's spectacular!!!

Thanks Marc! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL2PicT9Kng

[BPic]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

[KELTY360]

You have to promise to go braless.

[bbrock]

Welcome back boys and girls. It's time for another round of CAN HE FIX-IT!

First up is the driver's door map pocket. The fiber board split at the end screw causing the pocket to sag.



I know people love to reach for the fiberglass making these kinds of repairs, but as a woodworker I know for repairing plant fibers, it is hard to beat good old fashioned wood glue. I started by tearing up a bit of a shop towel into dime sized pieces and tossing it into an electric coffee grinder to create a pile of fluffy fibers.



Then I mixed it with waterproof wood glue to make a gooey paste.



That got smear into and across the break to create a crosslink of fibers across the tear.



Into a clamp it goes to compress the new fibers into place and make sure everything sets straight.



After the glue set, the repair was sanded down smooth. Oh look. Photo bombed by Marc's tit.



I happened to have some black India ink handy so what the heck, let's make this repair invisible.

[bbrock]

Okay, that one was too easy. Let's kick it up a notch. Do you think a bit of 303 can salvage this?







Okay, maybe a little prep is needed before the 303. After stripping off the vinyl and scrubbing it a bit, I sprayed both sides with water and let it soak in to soften the fiber board. Next, I worked it with a steam iron to get it close to back to shape. Luckily, I still had the upper piece that was missing in the box so glued it together using the fiber and wood glue method. Then I cut a buck out of a scrap of MDF to use as a form. I sprayed it down with water again. Just enough water to soak in and make the board pliable but now so much that it falls apart. Then I sandwiched the piece between a flat surface and the buck, clamped it into place, and left it to dry.



After pulling it out of the clamp, I brushed a coat of wood glue on to provide a bit more strength. I also cut a new/old piece of fabric from the back of one of my original seat covers.



Some material had been lost from part of the fiberboard and seemed a little flimsy, wo I reinforced with paper mache using thin layers of cardboard torn from a box and wood glue. Some good old US Postal Service on my vintage German armrest.



The surface of the fiber board was a bit pockmarked. I suppose the right thing to do would be to smooth it with body filler but I took the easy route and glued on two layers of poly batting using the light tack adhesive I used for the door plastic membranes. The idea here is not to add padding, but just enough filler that when the vinyl is stretched on, it fills the craters.



The vinyl was a fiddly little f'er to staple on. The pocket was equally fiddly to install, but I prevailed. I'll let you be the judge.





That's it for this round. Thanks for playing.

[Superhawk996]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

Wow

I would have just posted WTB.

Your patience is amazing. You repeatedly prove that anything can be fixed with time or money. I love that you do it with time and prove it doesn’t take big money!

[mb911]

Wow great job.. Clearly a man on a mission .. I would been happy to send you mine that I won't be using.

[bbrock]

Thanks guys. I can't tell if you are praising or making fun but either seems legit to me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) I did strongly consider a WTB to replace that ratty thing and definitely would have taken Ben up on his offer, but I kind of ran out of things to do on the car until I get some supplies and better weather (it is snowing and raining at the same time right now). Anyway, I had more time than money or common sense on hand. I'm not 100% satisfied with that pass side pocket though. You can see there is a bit of a gap between the arm rest on the front end. I'm probably the only one who would notice but might have to pull it and try to do a bit more reshaping.

[Superhawk996]

Are you kidding? I’m truly amazed at your ability to resurrect parts that I would consider beyond saving. That is an amazing talent! You make me think more about what can be done with only basic tools.

There is going to be a time in my life where I will have more time on my hands and less cash. You’re teaching me how to maximize what can be done when I find myself there!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

With respect to any gaps. Even good parts have gaps. 70s build quality and fiberboard parts weren’t exactly know for durability or close tolerances!

[FlacaProductions]

Another amazing chapter. Most would look at that, chuck it and find one to buy. What I really can't believe is that Marc just let's his tit hang out like that.

[raynekat]

Still clicks so little accomplished other than quieting the OCD voices.

too late now, but some shrink sleeve over the engine lid spring rods especially where they touch and go through the hoop might quiet the clicking down

[Jamie]

Still clicks so little accomplished other than quieting the OCD voices.

too late now, but some shrink sleeve over the engine lid spring rods especially where they touch and go through the hoop might quiet the clicking down

But that would potentially trap water and rust from the inside out, just like most of the rest of our 'teeners! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon8.gif)

[KELTY360]

Another amazing chapter. Most would look at that, chuck it and find one to buy. What I really can't believe is that Marc just let's his tit hang out like that.

It’s not hanging out....safely supported in a D cup.

[bbrock]

Another amazing chapter. Most would look at that, chuck it and find one to buy. What I really can't believe is that Marc just let's his tit hang out like that.

It’s not hanging out....safely supported in a D cup.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) That's a good one.

I posted most of this next bit on another thread but figured I'd document it in the build thread. My plan was to have these parts chrome plated by a somewhat local guy in Helena who looks to do very nice work. None of the pieces are terrible but have their share of fine scratches and a few blemishes.



About 1.5 seconds after receiving a quote of $800 to plate this handful of items, I rather suddenly adopted @Superhawk996 's fondness for "patina." Yep, that sure is some nice patina. You just can't get that with an over restored car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

So I polished them up a bit and bolted them on. A local shop cut a new side mirror glass with safety backing for ten bucks.





Interior bits



Then the fun bits. That's a lie. The driver's door handle fought me for over 2 hours. The allen screw kept trying to cross thread in that soft pot metal. The location of that little bastard up inside the door makes it impossible to get a good straight shot. I unleashed the B-bomb, the GD-bomb, carpet bombed with the F-bomb - even the C-bomb and a few bombs that were invented on the fly. Then the oaths against my German relatives and ancestors started to fly. The soft squishy silicone 914Rubber chose to use for the handle gasket instead of natural rubber only complicated things. That f'er ended up torn in half in the process but I managed to piece it together. Finally, that SOB screw went in and the handle was in place. I decided to get a night's rest before tackling the passenger side. Next morning I went to the garage loaded with dollar bills for the swear jar and ready for a fight. Stuck the handle and gasket in place and screwed it right in. No muss, no fuss. Whole thing took maybe 3 minutes. Go figure (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) So with that, here's a pic of the passenger side. That @#$% on the driver's side doesn't deserve a pic. Okay, there really isn't enough space on that side of the garage to get a good pic.

[raynekat]

Brent.....I'd go back and redo the driver's door handle now. Bet it only takes 3 minutes to do. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)


OBTW.....every time I see that "green" safety film on your car, I think you've repainted the car in green or are working on some mad 2 tone.

So you saved $800 and walked away with a bucket of patina? Niceeeeeee

Looking good as always and you never fail to lighten up my day and give me a good laugh or two.
Wondering what those "bombs made up on the fly" were? Could use those myself I'm sure.