How do you remove the crash bars on late doors? Options

[Jeff Hail]

I used a three inch cuter wheel...pretty easy to get most of it, just left the stub..

Is that pull-strap an old serpentine belt?

[Mike Bellis]

Here's some pics in my thread. It's kind of hard to see all the details where it mounts right above the front suspension mounts and ties into the tow bar tabs. The bars are welded to 1/4 plate, that is welded and gusseted to square tubing that ties above the suspension mounts.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...7914&st=420

EDIT: front bar is 1" 0.120 wall DOM tubing. Rest of the cage is 1-5/8" tubing.

[dan10101]

Full cage, empty doors...... full interior....four speaker stereo ? 2600 lbs. ! Very confusing. What is it ?

Actually, I was saying that everything was fiberglass except the doors and the other things mentioned.

but Now they will be empty! Mostly...

In my Signature is the (re-)build thread.
But it's this car on it's way to a new life after a unfortunate meeting with some pine trees.



looked like this when I got it.


check my thread for the latest update.
I started this thread because I had a need for additional info on doors.

[dan10101]

Here's some pics in my thread. It's kind of hard to see all the details where it mounts right above the front suspension mounts and ties into the tow bar tabs. The bars are welded to 1/4 plate, that is welded and gusseted to square tubing that ties above the suspension mounts.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...7914&st=420

EDIT: front bar is 1" 0.120 wall DOM tubing. Rest of the cage is 1-5/8" tubing.

I'm sure it will be as strong or stronger than it was a year ago. But the extreme stresses on the suspension i feel this could be a weakish point. Can't hurt, right?

Thanks for the link I'll check out your build.
Dan

[rgalla9146]

Full cage, empty doors...... full interior....four speaker stereo ? 2600 lbs. ! Very confusing. What is it ?

Actually, I was saying that everything was fiberglass except the doors and the other things mentioned.

but Now they will be empty! Mostly...

In my Signature is the (re-)build thread.
But it's this car on it's way to a new life after a unfortunate meeting with some pine trees.

looked like this when I got it.

check my thread for the latest update.
I started this thread because I had a need for additional info on doors.

Now I know why it weighs 2600 lbs......an LS engine.
I drove the car when Paul owned it.
I didn't notice the four speaker stereo.
I'll bet the pine trees ran out onto the road.

[dan10101]

Here is the latest on the door lightening.
I did as suggested and just cut it as close to the edge as possible with a 3” cutter. I kept chipping away until I could get no more. My total door bar/beam weight removed was about 13-14#.

As is with a door latch, no windows 21#


Add-in the glass windows guides and door latch 35#


All items removed beams, window mechanism, sheet metal 20#


Seems consistent since I started with 55# for the full 1975 door.

[dan10101]

Now I know why it weighs 2600 lbs......an LS engine.
I drove the car when Paul owned it.
I didn't notice the four speaker stereo.
I'll bet the pine trees ran out onto the road.

Realllly?!

You're one step ahead of me. I've only driven it up and down the driveway. (and left some marks.)

So tell me your impression of the car overall and I'm curious of your thoughts on the engine tapping. It seems to have been there even when Bill first built it according to youtube videos.

Yeah the speakers are top notch, not the lightweight cheapies. I'll likely replace them with easily removable pods that will go behind the drivers head. between the stereo and the door work, I just saved 100#. Yay Me!

[rgalla9146]

Now I know why it weighs 2600 lbs......an LS engine.
I drove the car when Paul owned it.
I didn't notice the four speaker stereo.
I'll bet the pine trees ran out onto the road.

Realllly?!

You're one step ahead of me. I've only driven it up and down the driveway. (and left some marks.)

So tell me your impression of the car overall and I'm curious of your thoughts on the engine tapping. It seems to have been there even when Bill first built it according to youtube videos.

Yeah the speakers are top notch, not the lightweight cheapies. I'll likely replace them with easily removable pods that will go behind the drivers head. between the stereo and the door work, I just saved 100#. Yay Me!

I don't know much about the engine. It is not stock. It had been disassembled and
some incompatible or non-streetable parts were changed.
Tapping ? don't know.
The clutch was heavy and difficult to modulate. The pan around the pedal cluster
was flexing. A fabricated reinforcement bracket was a 'bandaid'
The gearshift linkage barely worked. My efforts were experimental with existing
equipment. Little if any improvement. Limited time and budget.
The car then went to a well known east coast shop.
Big opportunity for development.

[dan10101]

Realllly?!

You're one step ahead of me. I've only driven it up and down the driveway. (and left some marks.)

So tell me your impression of the car overall and I'm curious of your thoughts on the engine tapping. It seems to have been there even when Bill first built it according to youtube videos.

I don't know much about the engine. It is not stock. It had been disassembled and
some incompatible or non-streetable parts were changed.
Tapping ? don't know.
The clutch was heavy and difficult to modulate. The pan around the pedal cluster
was flexing. A fabricated reinforcement bracket was a 'bandaid'
The gearshift linkage barely worked. My efforts were experimental with existing
equipment. Little if any improvement. Limited time and budget.
The car then went to a well known east coast shop.
Big opportunity for development.

Thanks for your insights. I really appreciate it.

A couple of those items were worked on when Paul owned it. I don't know if they were done before or after you drove it. the clutch was changed to a lighter one. A smaller cam was installed but it's still over 500 crank hp. The gearshift brackets were improved. But I agree that there is room for improvement in the shifting. Seems stiff to me. The engine is still a bit noisy, but it could be forged pistons/rod/crank in an aluminum block with headers and aluminum heads. or so the "Internet" says...

[wndsrfr]

I used a three inch cuter wheel...pretty easy to get most of it, just left the stub..

Is that pull-strap an old serpentine belt?

Yep, the pull strap is an old belt...good eye....
Sorry for the slow response...was running at HSR Daytona race this weekend ...over 150 thru the tri oval...awesome place.
I fabbed up lexan windows to seal up the car...just as crude a the door pulls...only use them trailering to events.

[tazz9924]

Just got back from Club NARP where my build thread is and it did not show how I got the bar out just that it weighed 11 pounds. looks almost exactly like yours. I think I used a small grinding wheel. the thread over there is in the garage under Carerror.

Thanks Joe, I think I'm going the same way you did on the door. it rains too much to go without windows. I just need to find a good thread on making lightweight windows.

I can see why people have different weights of their bars. Some get a bigger bite and leave less material.

For lightweight windows remove your window and trace it onto lexan cut it out and re install
At least that makes sense to me

[dan10101]

For lightweight windows remove your window and trace it onto lexan cut it out and re install
At least that makes sense to me

I hadn't really thought about that part, but it makes sense.
I probably won't even mess with the wing, they are pretty light. but the window is about 7 or 8 lbs. I may just try to cut out some lexan if I can find some that will work and be safe at a reasonable price.

Anyone have suggestions on where to buy Lexan Sheets?

[mepstein]

There is a company in England that sells a lexan window kit for 914’s. I believe their side windows are formed with the correct curve for the door.

[sixnotfour]

Boom
FYI This fiberglass door weighs in at 8 lbs. on my lying bathroom scale.

also they need hinge holes drilled and tapped, latch holes cut and lots of trimming and finish work.

[dan10101]

Boom
FYI This fiberglass door weighs in at 8 lbs. on my lying bathroom scale.

also they need hinge holes drilled and tapped, latch holes cut and lots of trimming and finish work.

Now that's really going over to the dark side... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[wndsrfr]

Anyone have suggestions on where to buy Lexan Sheets?

Some local independent windshield installers have them & will cut a piece if you take your window in to them.....they outfit the circle track guys all the time.

[sixnotfour]

https://www.tapplastics.com/

[dan10101]

https://www.tapplastics.com/

Thanks, I might have something like that close to me. If not. Mailorder isn't a bad thing...

[Andyrew]

lying bathroom scale.

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

[dan10101]

lying bathroom scale.

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

HEY! I DID loose 57#, and that was before I touched those doors...

It's all relative... Son...