BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Another 914-GT Conversion Project, I finally drove it this weekend! Options

[jkb944t]

I am working on restoring a 1973 914 and converting it to a GT clone with the flares and chassis stiffening. Here is a picture of where I am on it.

Jeff B

[jkb944t]

I removed the tar sound insulation on the floor panels per a suggestion I saw from Scotty and I am glad I followed his advice. I did find some rust but fortunately it was fairly minor with only one 1/8 hole that I welded up last night.

Jeff B

[jkb944t]

I can see rust inside the center tunnel but it is still solid. What would be the best way to approach addressing this rust so that it doesn’t get any worse? Here are some pictures of the rust that I have in the center tunnel.

Jeff B

[type47]

I think Eastwood, probably among others, offers a rust converter that has a wand or hose to get into areas like the central tunnel. Maybe there was a thread here about it as this is where I read just about everything. (more caffiene needed...)

[proto31]

Nice start! Are you going to keep it Tangerine? This will be a fun build thread to watch (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Dan

[jkb944t]

I am going to keep it the same color but it is actually Phoenix Red L32K. It sure looks orange to me too.

[jasons]

I can see rust inside the center tunnel but it is still solid. What would be the best way to approach addressing this rust so that it doesn’t get any worse? Here are some pictures of the rust that I have in the center tunnel.

Jeff B

I don't know if its best, but I sprayed Ospho up down my tunnel. I had already cut an access hole to fix the clutch tube and that helped me get better distribution. Honestly, I'm not sure what else you can do? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[FourBlades]

That is a very solid looking car.

Looks like you are off to a good start.

I would just get the inside of the tunnel damp with ospho or better yet, metal ready (which contains zinc). You are supposed to rinse ospho or metal ready off after it is done reacting, which is hard to do inside the tunnel. Getting a lot of moisture in there would be a bad idea.

I sprayed metal ready followed a few days later by eastwood rust encapsulator into areas I did not open up. Not perfect solution but it has to help.

John

[ellisor3]

I used the Eastwood Rust Converter followed by the Rust Encapsulator and it produced a very smooth finish. I used it in the floor pans as well. Not cheap, but I think it works well.

http://www.eastwood.com/rust-solutions.html

[nsr-jamie]

need more pictures...looks very good for now. I hope to see more updates and pictures soon (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[jkb944t]

Thanks for the help and encouragement.

The car is very solid other than a few minor spots. Here are some pictures of the front trunk seal repair around the headlight. I had to grind out the rusty front channel.


Then I made a new piece of channel and fit it.


Then I welded it in and finished it.

[stugray]

You can spray the insides of some of the cavities with a tool like this:

http://professionalautomotivetools.com/hus...washer-sprayer/

You just hook it to pressure, drop the hose in the "paint", and spray away.

It can be used to apply paints/coatings as well, just wear clothes you never want to wear in public again if you restrict the flow with the nozzle too much ;-)


Stu

[jkb944t]

Made some more progress on the front swaybar improvements. Here is the cutting open and fitting part:


Then welded it back together:


Then the fitting of the outside reinforcement pieces:


After welding and some grinding:


Then I worked on the rear of the car and did the dog ear supports.




One of the next things I need to do is check some dimensions on my GT flares. Is there anyone anywhere near the Canton, Ohio area that has steel GT flares on their car?

Jeff B

[jkb944t]

I am finishing up the rear camber adjustment links.





I also bought another 914 a week ago to get parts off of but it is already pretty well stripped.



It is a 1973 with the 1.8 L motor. I plan to cut the parts off that I need and then part out the rest of what is left of it.

Jeff B

[jkb944t]

I thought that since I am converting a 1973 I would document how I reinforced the area where I cut out the 4 cylinder motor mounts for anyone interested. I ended up making custom reinforcement plates for this area.



Then I tacked them and heated them up to form them around the rear suspension console.





I also had to put in a new engine tray piece that I got from Restoration Design.



Next I have to weld the battery support bracket and the battery tray back in.

Jeff B

[0396]

very interesting project- good luck!

[Eric_Shea]

Looking good... I'd say the Eastwood Internal Frame Coating w/Spray Nozzle would be the trick setup for your tunnel.

[PeeGreen 914]

I thought that since I am converting a 1973 I would document how I reinforced the area where I cut out the 4 cylinder motor mounts for anyone interested. I ended up making custom reinforcement plates for this area.

That looks very similar to what I did on my car when I removed the mounts (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Looks nice. Actually a much cleaner job than I did as I had to get the car ready for the AX season (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

[fasthonda]

Excellent work. I really like your approach and the quality of work done on the chassis. I'll be following your thread.

I would add a plate over the ears if your not already planning to.

This is a project I would buy if you consider selling at any point.

Regards,

Michael

[jkb944t]

I have been travelling a lot for work over the past year but I have gotten some work accomplished that I thought might be worth documenting.

I have been working on the front of the car where the oil cooler will be going. I have studied all of the photos on Armando Serrano’s web site for many hours. This site is an amazing resource for GT info.

I cut open the front trunk area to get access to add the reinforcement bars and marked the area that needed to be opened up.





Then I custom fit the first reinforcement bar in.



Next I fit the filler panel and the second reinforcement bar in. Then I welded the filler panel in place.





Next I fit the filler panel and the second reinforcement bar in. Then I welded the filler panel in place.





Next I have to fabricate the oil cooler shroud which I am not looking forward to doing. I may move to the back of the car to do some more work there.

Jeff B