Widebody LS6 rebuild., long time 914 world car desgned and built by B. massaged and refined by Paul, now entrusted to me to rebuild and repair the front end and make my own. Options

[Andyrew]

Once the inner fender was removed, I saw an opportunity to increase the foot pedal space by removing a boxed section. It’s already been reinforced with the pedal mount and I’ll add more to it by tying it into the long. I may even sacrifice some more inner fender to gain foot space. The tire can’t reach that section and its one area that I want to improve.

I can't say I've seen this before but it shouldn't be an issue for your caged end result. Plus I'm sure you'll box it in appropriately when everything else is done (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I like the progress on cutting it all out! Spot welds will make things easy to reweld.

[dan10101]

Once the inner fender was removed, I saw an opportunity to increase the foot pedal space by removing a boxed section. It’s already been reinforced with the pedal mount and I’ll add more to it by tying it into the long. I may even sacrifice some more inner fender to gain foot space. The tire can’t reach that section and its one area that I want to improve.

I can't say I've seen this before but it shouldn't be an issue for your caged end result. Plus I'm sure you'll box it in appropriately when everything else is done (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Yeah, it would probably be fine, but I'll probably add some reinforcement to this section between the long and the inner fender. I'm surprised that factory left the inner top portion of the long unattached to the inner fender.

[ChrisFoley]

Looks good Dan!

[tygaboy]

NICE work! That has to be a bit nerve wracking to slice off that much of your baby. Crunched up, but still... good on you.
Keep up the great progress! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[Zippy69]

Wow Amazing dissection Dan! I am actually seeing some parts of the car that I have never seen before. Just when I thought I have seen every inch.

Incredible amount of progress in 3 short months. You have been very busy. It is clear this car landed in the right persons hands! Keep up the good work and updates.

Thx,

Previous owner (and guy who wrecked it) Paul

[dan10101]

Thanks everyone.

I know there are those that could do it better, but I have a good mentor looking over my shoulder keeping me honest. I probably wouldn't have taken it down this far, but I'm glad I did. Yeah, it was tough cutting it up, but I had plenty of time to prepare myself for it.

Eye on the prize..

[dan10101]

Ok, at least I feel like I'm making some progress.. Believe it or not I've been working almost every day. My days aren't as long as others, but as long as I don't stop, it will eventually get done.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif)

I still have a bunch of cleanup work. Drilling spot welds, trimming different sections. figuring out the strut tower.

[My 914]

I admire your patience in working on this project.

[tygaboy]

GREAT shot! Makes me feel like I'm sitting in an operating theater, privileged to be observing MAJOR surgery! Wait.... I am!

Keep up the awesome work, Dan. As you said, continual progress, little though it may be at some times, and all of a sudden, it'll be done! Thanks for taking us on this journey.

[dan10101]

I admire your patience in working on this project.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) my patience is driving by body man mentor crazy. He keeps telling me it would be done by now if he was doing it.

I will admit to changing directions several times.

[dan10101]

GREAT shot! Makes me feel like I'm sitting in an operating theater, privileged to be observing MAJOR surgery! Wait.... I am!

Keep up the awesome work, Dan. As you said, continual progress, little though it may be at some times, and all of a sudden, it'll be done! Thanks for taking us on this journey.

Right back at you Chris.
However,
I feel like I'm doing this build for the rest of us mier mortals.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif)

[tygaboy]

I admire your patience in working on this project.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) my patience is driving by body an mentor crazy. He keeps telling me it would be done by now if he was doing it.

I will admit to changing directions several times.

I hear you on the changing direction thing! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

[KELTY360]

I admire your patience in working on this project.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) my patience is driving by body an mentor crazy. He keeps telling me it would be done by now if he was doing it.

I will admit to changing directions several times.

I hear you on the changing direction thing! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

Isn't the best thing about the 914 is the ability to change direction?

[sixnotfour]

I admire your patience in working on this project.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) my patience is driving by body an mentor crazy. He keeps telling me it would be done by now if he was doing it.

I will admit to changing directions several times.

I hear you on the changing direction thing! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

Isn't the best thing about the 914 is the ability to change direction?

Isn't the best thing about the 914 is the ability to change direction?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[My 914]

I admire your patience in working on this project.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) my patience is driving by body an mentor crazy. He keeps telling me it would be done by now if he was doing it.

I will admit to changing directions several times.

I hear you on the changing direction thing! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

Isn't the best thing about the 914 is the ability to change direction?

It's also one of the best things about life.

[dan10101]

I admire your patience in working on this project.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) my patience is driving by body an mentor crazy. He keeps telling me it would be done by now if he was doing it.

I will admit to changing directions several times.

I hear you on the changing direction thing! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

Isn't the best thing about the 914 is the ability to change direction?

It's also one of the best things about life.

Yep, nothing like a good directional change to get the adrenaline flowing.

[dan10101]

Progress is being made. Yay!
So I trimmed off the excess metal bracketry and removed the strut towers. So the areas where the ‘spot welds are just about ready. What’s left is to determine where the metal to metal connections will be made. The area in question will be just ahead of the vin on the RF inner fender. So about 12” of fine metal work should hide the seam. The rest can be not so fine, but will be plenty strong.



At this time I realized I had a lot of paint prep to do. I chose the easy way out and took it to my local media blaster. They did a fine job of cleaning up the pieces. The big one and a few smaller ones.





The next step is to dust off my paint gun and give priming a whirl. I'll have to get creative and put some heat into the job to get it to dry. At least we have some sunshine during the days. I'll close off a bit of the garage and turn up the space heaters.

I know there are other ways to do this, but I had to stop thinking about it and just do it. (as Michael would say) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

Side note: I met a guy with a 914-6 tube frame race car as I was at Napa buying paint. This was in White City, OR, anyone know someone in the area? We had a nice conversation but did exchange names.

[Andyrew]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif)


Put space heaters on the metal about an hour before your painting. Take them off when the panels are about 90deg consistently, right before you spray. Should cool down quickly to about 70 so you will want to mix your primer before removing the heaters. I imagine you'll have about a 10 min window. Unless you can get the garage to about 70deg..

[dan10101]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif)


Put space heaters on the metal about an hour before your painting. Take them off when the panels are about 90deg consistently, right before you spray. Should cool down quickly to about 70 so you will want to mix your primer before removing the heaters. I imagine you'll have about a 10 min window. Unless you can get the garage to about 70deg..

I have 2 good space heaters. Have my heavy plastic to make walls to confine the heat and the overspray. I was going to do it outside, but it's likely to be 50-55 when I shoot. I forgot to have them blast the door, so I'll likely do that by hand.

I'm glad I picked it up last night. It would have been sitting outside in the dew and the frost. Safe in my shop. Nothing seems to rust in there.

[dan10101]

For those that missed the 'door' thread here's what I've been working on.
Trying to get the doors ready so I can prime them at the same time I do the rest.
(I hate cleaning guns and such)

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=334383

So I took a timeout from the doors and helped my buddy install a 6" lift on his Jeep.
But back at it today.

I trimmed a bit of sheet metal off the white car, and while cleaning it up to get ready for welding with the wire grinder I caught a lip and spun it into my stomach. Fortunately it ate my new T-shirt and ended up with only a minor rash on my tummy. But, also twisted my thumb. It could have been much worse. I think taking it easy for a couple days and I'll be back full speed.

So it looks like the rust is holding off on the bare metal. Should I prime it anyway, or just get it connected to the car and finish the welding then prime the whole assembly?

I expect some rain in the next few weeks and colder weather. Maybe that's my answer, do it while the weather is 1/2 way decent.