I removed both rocker panels on my recently acquired '74 2.0 914 today. The passenger side longitudinal was as clean as a whistle, and that panel had evidently been off in the recent past. The driver's side panel was a bit harder to get off, but with the help of some judiciously applied PBBlaster, eventually yielded.

This is what the area around the jacking point looked like:



That's about 2lbs of dry and crumbly dirt. It doesn't appear to have had any detrimental effect, as there is no evidence of any rust after clearing it away.

I can't decide if the dirt got in from around the jacking hole, or if it entered via the rear wheel well. The jack holes have the plugs in them, which seem to seal around the hole edge quite well.

In any case, is there an advised method for preventing stuff lodging behind these panels?

Thanks!

Jackstands are very effective.

Just take them off like 2x a year to clean. Seems like the debree likes to collect in there. Light ivory, great color.

1st.

2nd, As far as dirt buildup, put the Rockers back on with screws vs rivits and clean the area every year.

T.C.

Thanks for all the replies, welcome and

The car is in nice fettle, as the PO is a seasoned 914 expert, so it needs little. I have it up on jackstands at the moment to carry out a few cosmetic jobs, and also to check the timing, fuel pressure etc.. But I don't plan on it being on the stands for long

Do you remember the movie "The Great Escape" with Steve McQueen and Jame Garner? When they were digging the tunnel to get out they needed a way to get dirt out and dispose of it. They would put it in the pants legs and let it fall out in the yard. This is sorta the same thing.

OK, it's a stretch I know....

On the top, I use SS screws.
On the botton I use screws and rubber washers a bit less than 1/2 inch....about 3/8 in thick.
Put the washer between the rocker and the long to pull the long off the bottom of the rocker.
Run the screw through everything into the long.

Now you have a place for the future dirt to go, and you can shoot a hose in there...water will have an escape route.

Rich

Oh, that's clever! I will do that - thanks

Nice tip Rich
I am so glad I read this seemingly simple thread...
My rockers are off now, just sprayed all the rust with acid, and I was "thinking" of getting rivets, but probably not.