Resto-Thread: '73 Marathon Blue 2.0 Options

[FlacaProductions]

Hey Jeffrey - did you change the fresh air controller since the day I was there?

I was pretty sure you'd go back and re-do the dash face basketweave but wasn't going to say it out loud....

It looks really great. Still.
I'm out of town now - actually getting to tinker with MY 914 in Indiana - and when I get back, I'm tied up thru March 9 - wish I could help again!

[arne]

Hope to be on the road by end of March to shake this thing down. Seems strange to be this close and so mentally fatigued by the project at the same time. Looking forward to completion. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

I understand, Jeffery. The final details can be very tiring. One of the reasons I generally shoot for "nice driver" level on my projects. Pretty sure you are finally going to beat me this time, though.

[914_7T3]

Speaking of details, when @FlacaProductions was out here back in December we figured out that the fender opening for the antenna was too small to fit a NOS Hirschmann that was acquired.

End result was that the old and tired looking original Bosch Blue Tip was reinstalled. Came across a NOS Blue Tip on Evil Bay out of Sweden at a great price and could not resist. It is these details that are really upping the level of this project.

Can't wait to get all the remaining pieces/parts back on the car.

[FlacaProductions]

Hubba hubba. That’s perfect!!! Your patience and internet sleuthing is amazing.

[bbrock]

Nice find! Completely empathize about installing the old and tire antenna. Went through something similar myself.

[914_7T3]

Two sets of incorrect wiper blades & clips later, finally received the correct clips so that the Bosch blades now fit the NOS arms and got those on the car.





Also have the engine lid on the car after wet sanding the original rain tray down to 7,000 grit and its silky smooth. Used some new hardware and better release cable than what was on the car, but need to reposition the grill badge as its sitting too high. Is there a correct placement for grill badges?






Next problem is that after going through the trouble of getting the Optima R battery with terminals closer to the lid opening, the rain tray doesn't clear the battery connections. So now it has to be turned to sit like the non-R battery. Grrrrrrrrr (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)



Moral of the story is everything was a certain way for a reason in these cars. So when you think you are improving something, you're just scewing up something else, but don't know it yet!


Ended up removing the 914 Rubber door stay kit and going back to an original replated set supplied by @bdstone914

Driver door is still crunchy as the hole on the body where the pin sits has worn larger so will need a solution for that, but that's for another day.


Targa latches are on with the roof in place to properly seat the front targa trim.



A couple of more tweaks then off to the interior shop, final mechanical tweaks and to sort an exhaust leak. Then its shakedown time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[bbrock]

Next problem is that after going through the trouble of getting the Optima R battery with terminals closer to the lid opening, the rain tray doesn't clear the battery connections. So now it has to be turned to sit like the non-R battery. Grrrrrrrrr (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

I flipped my battery around too. I don't think it's a big deal but I need to get a longer ground cable so I can route both cables out the same side of the battery to install the battery cover.

Good job finding those wiper adapters! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[914_7T3]

Had a weather window to wash the car for the first time since it came out of the body shop in June of 2018 and she looks pretty good in the daylight (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

Even without an interior, drove it a couple of blocks and that was pretty cool. Problem is that my flasher relay went on the fritz on start up. No parking brake indicator, no turn signals and no 4 ways. What a PITA! Need to drop the fuse box and get in there before the car goes off to have the interior installed on Thursday. Also going to need to leave the door cards off as the window fitment is still pretty FUBAR.

[FlacaProductions]

FANTASTIC!!!
Call me this week if we can stay 6-feet apart and still get something done....

[bbrock]

WOW! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif) That car is absolutely amazing!

BTW, did you see on another thread that someone mentioned a bad flasher relay can cause the turn signal indicators to both flash at the same time? I meant to bring that to your attention but got sidetracked.

[euro911]

Your car is looking fabulous, Jeffery (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

[raynekat]

Yes, adjusting those windows/doors so that everything closes nicely is a pain.
It took me a long time to get something I could live with.
You just have to thinking about it and which way everything needs to move.

I also had a lot of issues with the 914Rubber door stays.
They were making all kinds of noise and snapping.
Finally tracked down a set of these Porsche door stay pins and drove them home.
All is quiet on the western front....as least for now.
Just google Porsche door stay and you'll see that different folks carry these.

[arne]

Finally tracked down a set of these Porsche door stay pins and drove them home.
All is quiet on the western front....as least for now.

The Porsche pins are quieter when new, but after a few years the popping will return. That's been my experience, anyway.

[914_7T3]

Finally tracked down a set of these Porsche door stay pins and drove them home.
All is quiet on the western front....as least for now.

The Porsche pins are quieter when new, but after a few years the popping will return. That's been my experience, anyway.

@raynekat & @arne

Thanks guys, so after a quick web search, the new style pins pictured are Porsche part #911.531.275.01 that supercedes the original door check pin with cotter at the bottom part #911.531.275.00

I have an order in already with my local dealer so will add a set of these as well, but what happens after the hole widens and they snap, crackle pop again? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[914_7T3]

Received a replacement relay this week to trouble shoot the intermittent one. Also got the new door pins for replacement. Didn't get to either project over the weekend though.





Got the replacement antenna installed and had to use all hardware from the old one to get enough thread for the mounting nut to grab onto. Took way longer than it should.




Moved onto the seat belts and went with the best example of each from my stash. Got some tech tips and support from 914World seat belt expert @flacaproductions to get them installed. Once in, got them cleaned up and lubed the center mechanism with silicone spray. They will still need the tension adjusted and @flacaproductions has offered to do that so they are on their way to him (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)





Next up was the clean up of the receivers and they came out looking really good.






Hopefully more can get done in the coming days.

[DRPHIL914]

looks great!! - you have a sickness sir!!! (not viral but i think contagious!)
ask me how i know, takes one to know one. it seems i keep looking for things to fix replace or refurbish (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) but seriously that car is awesome and what i appreciate most is that you’ve done most of it yourself. nothing wrong with getting help or paying for stuff to be done but it’s cool to see people do this stuff themselves and really cool share it and help show other’s how to do it as well. thanks for the awesome documentation. my next project will be the seat belt receivers !

[914_7T3]

@DRPHIL914

Appreciate the kind words, but truth be told I have not done nearly enough of the work myself. Turns out my sweet spot has been sourcing parts and light refurb, cleaning, & painting of small projects and working along side those more knowledgeable.

Outside of choosing a great mechanic, trans rebuilder & body shop, I have relied heavily on the community for their help and have learned a ton in the process. Prior to this project, I have never wrenched and that is what has made it so difficult and exetnded the timelines.

Without the support of the 914World community, the level of this build would not be possible. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grouphug.gif)

[bbrock]

And you have sourced a few crucial parts and provided plenty of wisdom for my build and others too. It's all reciprocal. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[raynekat]

Looking good on your seat belt resto/install.

[914_7T3]

Had a nice chat with @bbrock on Saturday who was kind enough to point out that I should verify the window stop adjustment on the regulator to get the window to raise the extra 1/4" that was needed. TBH, didn't even know what that bolt to nowhere was for...

Thanks Brent (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)




Got the seat belts back from @flacaproductions and was super appreciative of his offer to adjust the tension and happy to report they are really good. I am going to send him one of my old ones to crack open and experiment with the spring mechanism.

Reinstalled the belts and driver seat and went for a drive yesterday for a couple of miles. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)




Was super cool, but once up to operating temperature ended up heading back because I was unsure as the whether or not the burn off from the rebuild was normal. Apparently it is, so all good.



Going to get it over to @jbcottrell at TRE Motorsports by the end of the week to give it a once over. Still needs the timing adjusted from when the distributor was off trouble shooting the non-spark issue back in August.

Although she shifts really smooth, the bushings need attention as I really need to go hunting to find first gear some of the time. Finally able to trust the transmission and downshifting into second without a grind is Aaaaaaamazing!

Once that's done, I'll address the exhaust leak before getting back to the interior.