How hard / nasty to replace front clip? |
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How hard / nasty to replace front clip? |
Tdskip |
Dec 1 2017, 10:18 AM
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#1
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,674 Joined: 1-December 17 From: soCal Member No.: 21,666 Region Association: None |
Hi folks, first time on this forum so be gentle if I ask especially dimwitted questions. Grin.
If I had the missing front section from another car that was straight, how nasty of a job is it to put that on and make this one whole again? The rest of the car is really straight so it's worth some effort, just not sure where this fits in the spectrum of things you don't really want to have do to your 914... Thanks! Attached thumbnail(s) |
ConeDodger |
Dec 1 2017, 10:27 AM
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#2
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Apex killer! Group: Members Posts: 23,543 Joined: 31-December 04 From: Tahoe Area Member No.: 3,380 Region Association: Northern California |
This is a question we can’t answer as we don’t know what your abilities are.
But for a good body guy, not too bad. Check with some of the SoCal guys. There is an excellent 914 body and paint guy down in your area. |
mgphoto |
Dec 1 2017, 10:28 AM
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#3
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"If there is a mistake it will find me" Group: Members Posts: 1,330 Joined: 1-April 09 From: Los Angeles, CA Member No.: 10,225 Region Association: Southern California |
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Tdskip |
Dec 1 2017, 10:36 AM
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#4
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,674 Joined: 1-December 17 From: soCal Member No.: 21,666 Region Association: None |
Thank you for the fast response and coaching, I’ve clearly found the right place to ask!
I am decent with a MIG, but this strikes me as a pretty key area to make sure the car is straight etc. Is there a jig required? |
ConeDodger |
Dec 1 2017, 12:47 PM
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#5
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Apex killer! Group: Members Posts: 23,543 Joined: 31-December 04 From: Tahoe Area Member No.: 3,380 Region Association: Northern California |
Kent Simmons is the go-to in your area. 914350 on here if you want to seek him out...
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Tdskip |
Dec 1 2017, 12:52 PM
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#6
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,674 Joined: 1-December 17 From: soCal Member No.: 21,666 Region Association: None |
Thanks, will try to connect with him.
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SirAndy |
Dec 1 2017, 01:06 PM
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#7
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Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,581 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
Is there a jig required? Maybe not, but as someone who has had to deal with bend cars in the past, i'd be worried that the frontal impact may have tweaked the front suspension mounts. The front of the a-arms is close to the clip you already removed and the front mounts are somewhat easy to bend. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) |
Tdskip |
Dec 1 2017, 01:39 PM
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#8
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,674 Joined: 1-December 17 From: soCal Member No.: 21,666 Region Association: None |
Is there a jig required? Maybe not, but as someone who has had to deal with bend cars in the past, i'd be worried that the frontal impact may have tweaked the front suspension mounts. The front of the a-arms is close to the clip you already removed and the front mounts are somewhat easy to bend. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) Good consideration, was not aware if that. BTW - not my car yet, I didn’t have anything to do with it’s current condition or how it got to be like this. Thanks! |
bbrock |
Dec 1 2017, 02:01 PM
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#9
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,269 Joined: 17-February 17 From: Montana Member No.: 20,845 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
Well... my very first adventure in welding was replacing the clip on my first 914 after I hit a patch of black ice and wrapped the nose around a fire hydrant. I can't say I did a good job, but it drove straight and handled well for years after.
There is a funny (only because I'm still alive to tell it) story that goes with this. I was in college at the time and doing the repairs in my parent's garage on the weekends. After I got the clip welded in, I was in a hurry to drive it back to college 60 miles away. Just after getting on the Interstate, the left corner suddenly pitched to the ground and sparks were flying. I was sure my welds had failed until I saw one of my wheels go flinging down the highway in front of me. Dummy me had forgotten to tighten the lug bolts before driving off, and the left front had launched to freedom. I managed to pull to the shoulder, as did my now wife who was following, and thought she was witnessing my firey death. And a stranger's van also pulled over. The van had smacked into my girlfriend's Honda. I assumed he did so because he was dodging a rogue Empi. But no. He simply had changed lanes without looking, and had not noticed the pyrotechnic show I was performing. It was pure coincidence. The poor officer who had to fill out the report was really scratching his head. As for me, I retrieved the wheel, bolted it back on with some spare bolts, and went on my way. So if you move forward with this project, my only advice is... tighten the lug bolts when you're done! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) |
Tdskip |
Dec 1 2017, 03:08 PM
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#10
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,674 Joined: 1-December 17 From: soCal Member No.: 21,666 Region Association: None |
Point noted!
I had a similar thing happen on a TR4a where the past person to touch it reserved the hubs and the wheels became self loosening. |
Tdskip |
Dec 2 2017, 01:58 PM
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#11
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,674 Joined: 1-December 17 From: soCal Member No.: 21,666 Region Association: None |
Any other shops I should be trying to connect with on this?
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Cairo94507 |
Dec 2 2017, 03:19 PM
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#12
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Michael Group: Members Posts: 9,650 Joined: 1-November 08 From: Auburn, CA Member No.: 9,712 Region Association: Northern California |
Well it isn't tough if you have the right guy/shop doing it. Take a look at my build thread, Parts 1 & 2 (in my signature line) and you will see the front end, fenders and nose, were replaced in Part 1 and in Part 2 they were replaced again.....
Kent Simmons is doing my car. He is definitely the go to guy. But you make that call on your own. My thread should be illustrative of the issues that can arise and what it takes to correctly solve them. Good luck - and (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) Oh, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) |
Tdskip |
Dec 2 2017, 07:26 PM
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#13
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,674 Joined: 1-December 17 From: soCal Member No.: 21,666 Region Association: None |
Well it isn't tough if you have the right guy/shop doing it. Take a look at my build thread, Parts 1 & 2 (in my signature line) and you will see the front end, fenders and nose, were replaced in Part 1 and in Part 2 they were replaced again..... Kent Simmons is doing my car. He is definitely the go to guy. But you make that call on your own. My thread should be illustrative of the issues that can arise and what it takes to correctly solve them. Good luck - and (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) Oh, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) Thank you |
914350 |
Dec 3 2017, 07:46 AM
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#14
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 548 Joined: 21-April 14 From: Torrance Ca. Member No.: 17,275 Region Association: Southern California |
Hi Tdskip,
I noticed you said it's not your car yet, sometimes free or cheep can be very expensive. I'm never one to discourage someone from a purchase, I have bought many cars just for the challenge rather than the profit or value. For the money it takes to replace the front clip area, you could probably buy a better 914 with less damage. I got your message and I'll message you back with my number in case you want to talk in detail about the car/damage. Kent S. |
Tdskip |
Dec 3 2017, 08:01 AM
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#15
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,674 Joined: 1-December 17 From: soCal Member No.: 21,666 Region Association: None |
Hi Tdskip, I noticed you said it's not your car yet, sometimes free or cheep can be very expensive. I'm never one to discourage someone from a purchase, I have bought many cars just for the challenge rather than the profit or value. For the money it takes to replace the front clip area, you could probably buy a better 914 with less damage. I got your message and I'll message you back with my number in case you want to talk in detail about the car/damage. Kent S. Thanks Kent. Sage advice, and I do understand that cheap ones are often the most expensive. |
Tdskip |
Dec 6 2017, 08:00 AM
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#16
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,674 Joined: 1-December 17 From: soCal Member No.: 21,666 Region Association: None |
Good morning, hope everybody’s having a good week so far.
Kent and I have not connected yet, but I was wondering if I could get a rough ballpark on what replacing a clip would run? $2000? 4000 horse? $6000? Not trying to get a specific number, because that’s impossible as it will vary by car and condition and who does the work etc., just round numbers that would give me some sense of ballpark would be a big help however. Thanks! |
Andyrew |
Dec 6 2017, 08:26 AM
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#17
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Spooling.... Please wait Group: Members Posts: 13,376 Joined: 20-January 03 From: Riverbank, Ca Member No.: 172 Region Association: Northern California |
Personally I wouldnt buy a car that needed that much work unless it was a parts car for something else. Way to many good rolling chassis in California to consider this kind of work.
Case in point, This one is 1k.. http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=307807 |
Tdskip |
Dec 6 2017, 08:44 AM
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#18
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,674 Joined: 1-December 17 From: soCal Member No.: 21,666 Region Association: None |
Personally I wouldnt buy a car that needed that much work unless it was a parts car for something else. Way to many good rolling chassis in California to consider this kind of work. Case in point, This one is 1k.. http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=307807 Good morning, thanks for the response. Good advice for sure, but the car I am looking at is otherwise complete and runs. Balancing that against, for example, that purple shell with flares that are not to my personal taste. If a rough ballpark for replacing the front clip is lower than bring that purple shell to same running condition that impacts my thinking. Make sense? They are all ultimately expensive. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evilgrin.gif) Thanks! |
Cairo94507 |
Dec 6 2017, 05:59 PM
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#19
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Michael Group: Members Posts: 9,650 Joined: 1-November 08 From: Auburn, CA Member No.: 9,712 Region Association: Northern California |
If the purple one is the one I am thinking of, I believe the flares are glass. That would eliminate it for me unless I was building a track car.
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JeffBowlsby |
Dec 6 2017, 06:28 PM
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#20
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914 Wiring Harnesses Group: Members Posts: 8,439 Joined: 7-January 03 From: San Ramon CA Member No.: 104 Region Association: None |
Personally I wouldnt buy a car that needed that much work unless it was a parts car for something else. Way to many good rolling chassis in California to consider this kind of work. Case in point, This one is 1k.. http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=307807 Good morning, thanks for the response. Good advice for sure, but the car I am looking at is otherwise complete and runs. Balancing that against, for example, that purple shell with flares that are not to my personal taste. If a rough ballpark for replacing the front clip is lower than bring that purple shell to same running condition that impacts my thinking. Make sense? They are all ultimately expensive. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evilgrin.gif) Thanks! Is this the white 914 that has been floating around online for sale for awhile? |
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