914-6 Hole in Firewall Options

[morehills]

I'm doing a fairly large project on the interior of my 1971 914-6 GT clone this winter. I'm converting to 911 steering and ignition, adding a GT roll bar and harness mounts and a few other bits and bobs.

While it's open, should I cut an access panel? Is there any impact on the structural integrity of the firewall? How difficult is it to lean over the engine and adjust timing without the access panel? While it would be more convenient, I wonder if it's really needed to properly time the car every few years. It's a '71 2.2 liter "E" cam engine.

Thanks for any advice. John