Resurrecting a Bumblebee and me, A slackers attempt at keeping Pandora in the box Options

[Cairo94507]

Nice car. Were it mine, I would pull the rocker covers and see what's what. If nothing else, I would want to clean everything up and get any/all the dirt and more out of there. Additionally, if there is rust, I would want to know the extent so I could decide how best to address it.

As for painting the yellow bits, I would shoot them all at the same time- even the rocker covers.

The Bumble Bees are my favorite LE cars. Love the look. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Jett]

Nice car. Were it mine, I would pull the rocker covers and see what's what. If nothing else, I would want to clean everything up and get any/all the dirt and more out of there. Additionally, if there is rust, I would want to know the extent so I could decide how best to address it.

As for painting the yellow bits, I would shoot them all at the same time- even the rocker covers.

The Bumble Bees are my favorite LE cars. Love the look. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

+1 most buyers would want to know that the rockers are solid, and the new plastic rivets are identical to the originals. I would also pull the script off and after having the minor parts (door and headlight cover) repainted, would wet sand the car and buff back the paint. I suspect that you will be surprised how well that single stage will come back.

Btw. I need some yellow paint and new script… maybe if you use EuroTech we can split the paint material cost. I can call Mark to ensure he informs the new shop owner of the correct color.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I need the entire car painted

[Geezer914]

Nice find. I would check the inside of the fuel tank by removing the filler neck and using a flash light. Can't be too sure if the car was sitting all those years. Also spray some fogging oil in the cylinders before cranking it over.

[KELTY360]

Also spray some fogging oil in the cylinders before cranking it over.

It’s been started and driven many times since it’s deep sleep.

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions. Certainly illustrates the difficulty of resisting mission creep. I don’t want to cross the line into restoration but there’s lots of value judgements along the way. Take the rocker covers for example; I recognize the importance of clean rockers but I also don’t want to impair the originality of the rivets on the covers. The battery tray is cleanly intact and the hell hole is very solid. The jack posts are not compromised and viewing the longs and underbody show no signs of problems. So, my educated guess is that if I pulled the rockers I’d see shiny black paint.

[JeffBowlsby]

Also spray some fogging oil in the cylinders before cranking it over.

It’s been started and driven many times since it’s deep sleep.

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions. Certainly illustrates the difficulty of resisting mission creep. I don’t want to cross the line into restoration but there’s lots of value judgements along the way. Take the rocker covers for example; I recognize the importance of clean rockers but I also don’t want to impair the originality of the rivets on the covers. The battery tray is cleanly intact and the hell hole is very solid. The jack posts are not compromised and viewing the longs and underbody show no signs of problems. So, my educated guess is that if I pulled the rockers I’d see shiny black paint.

Nothing precious or sacred about common aluminum rivets, especially when the health of structural elements are unknown. I encourage you to R/R the rivets and confirm if those screws into the chassis bottom below can be removed. They are known to rust in place.

[KELTY360]

Also spray some fogging oil in the cylinders before cranking it over.

It’s been started and driven many times since it’s deep sleep.

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions. Certainly illustrates the difficulty of resisting mission creep. I don’t want to cross the line into restoration but there’s lots of value judgements along the way. Take the rocker covers for example; I recognize the importance of clean rockers but I also don’t want to impair the originality of the rivets on the covers. The battery tray is cleanly intact and the hell hole is very solid. The jack posts are not compromised and viewing the longs and underbody show no signs of problems. So, my educated guess is that if I pulled the rockers I’d see shiny black paint.

Nothing precious or sacred about common aluminum rivets, especially when the health of structural elements are unknown. I encourage you to R/R the rivets and confirm if those screws into the chassis bottom below can be removed. They are known to rust in place.

Makes sense. It can’t hurt to post pics after I wax the longs. If the longs are as nice as I think they are it would only ad to the value.

[wonkipop]

Also spray some fogging oil in the cylinders before cranking it over.

It’s been started and driven many times since it’s deep sleep.

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions. Certainly illustrates the difficulty of resisting mission creep. I don’t want to cross the line into restoration but there’s lots of value judgements along the way. Take the rocker covers for example; I recognize the importance of clean rockers but I also don’t want to impair the originality of the rivets on the covers. The battery tray is cleanly intact and the hell hole is very solid. The jack posts are not compromised and viewing the longs and underbody show no signs of problems. So, my educated guess is that if I pulled the rockers I’d see shiny black paint.

Nothing precious or sacred about common aluminum rivets, especially when the health of structural elements are unknown. I encourage you to R/R the rivets and confirm if those screws into the chassis bottom below can be removed. They are known to rust in place.

Makes sense. It can’t hurt to post pics after I wax the longs. If the longs are as nice as I think they are it would only ad to the value.

it was in hawaii. may not be salt on the roads but a sh$tload in the atmosphere coming off the spray at pipeline and mr lightning bolt/late take-offs tail fin. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)
best to have a peek in there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[altitude411]

*Subscribed* Thanks for the link Marc. Very cool project and looking forward to see where it leads. Also, next time thru Montana give some notice and dinners on me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[914werke]

Nothing precious or sacred about common aluminum rivets, I encourage you to R/R the rivets .

There are no aluminum rivets on 914 rocker(s)?
if you have have any it means the outer rockers have been off prior & the PO didn't but them back on with the correct OE plastic rivets.

[JeffBowlsby]

Nothing precious or sacred about common aluminum rivets, I encourage you to R/R the rivets .

There are no aluminum rivets on 914 rocker(s)?
if you have have any it means the outer rockers have been off prior & the PO didn't but them back on with the correct OE plastic rivets.

The plastic rivets are on the upper threshold plates. Clear or black depending on year.

Mill finish aluminum rivets were factory stock on the 'rocker panels'.

[KELTY360]

*Subscribed* Thanks for the link Marc. Very cool project and looking forward to see where it leads. Also, next time thru Montana give some notice and dinners on me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

That invite sounds good Keith. I've even had my 914 in Montana for some epic drives. Maybe we could even drive down and rattle @bbrock 's cage.

[914werke]

Nothing precious or sacred about common aluminum rivets, I encourage you to R/R the rivets .

There are no aluminum rivets on 914 rocker(s)?
if you have have any it means the outer rockers have been off prior & the PO didn't but them back on with the correct OE plastic rivets.

Mill finish aluminum rivets were factory stock on the 'rocker panels'.

NOPE (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[KELTY360]

In true slacker fashion, I haven't updated my progress in the last few weeks. Not only has it been hectic with medical appointments and an epic road trip to Colorado, but I can't seem to get my photo app to perform the way it previously did.

I have successfully removed the bumper top with all studs intact. Huzzah!




I've completed the first phase of cleaning the interior, which consisted of clearing out all the debris from 35 years of sitting. That also included visors, driver's door storage box, coco mats, busted inside mirror and assorted screws, bolts and fuses left in the console storage box.

I've taken pics of the aluminum rivets in the rocker covers and the newly separated bumper top, but alas I can't seem to post them at present. I know, I know, if there's no picture it didn't happen. You'll just have to wait til I get it figured out.

Trust me...lots of foolish people have. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

[Root_Werks]

Glad you are on the mend along with the Bumble Bee!

Yes, pictures, especially of the interior after some cleaning. If I remember correctly, I couldn't find one popped stitch or crack anyplace.

[914werke]

I've taken pecs of the aluminum rivets in the rocker covers and the newly separated bumper top, but alas I can't seem to post them at present.
Trust me...lots of foolish people have. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) Ok call me foolish if you will, @dr914@autoatlanta.com George care to chime in?

[KELTY360]

I've taken pecs of the aluminum rivets in the rocker covers and the newly separated bumper top, but alas I can't seem to post them at present.
Trust me...lots of foolish people have. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) Ok call me foolish if you will, @dr914@autoatlanta.com George care to chime in?

Ok, you’re foolish, but I promise it’s true: bare aluminum rivets on both sides holding the covers on. Strangely, the threshold plates are secured by Phillips screws, but they show signs of being turned at some time. Once again, pics to follow.

[JeffBowlsby]

Nothing precious or sacred about common aluminum rivets, I encourage you to R/R the rivets .

Mill finish aluminum rivets were factory stock on the 'rocker panels'.
NOPE (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Ok Rich, tell me what you know. What I know is that the photo below shows aluminum rivets (with a peculiar head shape not available in todays marketplace from any place that I have found anyway) in the 'rocker panels' and black plastic riviets in the threshold plate as correct for a 1974 car. i *think* the clear plastic rivets are for 1973 and earlier cars.

Car acquired with ~40Kmi from the orig owner who told me the rocker panels had never been removed. VIN 4742914536

[KELTY360]

Nothing precious or sacred about common aluminum rivets, I encourage you to R/R the rivets .

Mill finish aluminum rivets were factory stock on the 'rocker panels'.
NOPE (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Ok Rich, tell me what you know. What I know is that the photo below shows aluminum rivets (with a peculiar head shape not available in todays marketplace from any place that I have found anyway) in the 'rocker panels' and black plastic riviets in the threshold plate as correct for a 1974 car. i *think* the clear plastic rivets are for 1973 and earlier cars.

Car acquired with ~40Kmi from the orig owner who told me the rocker panels had never been removed.

Mine look just like Jeff's:



Question?: If there is no precise replacement for the rivets, what is the preferred fastener?

[914werke]

The OE fastener is the Plastic rivet also used on the threshold.
I looked for an isolated image I may have taken of my car but didnt find one.
Id take one post it, but car is remote.

Perhaps this will help -

[bkrantz]

Of course, for owners not pursuing concours restorations, screws make it easier to pull the outer rockers for cleaning.