1973 2.0L Rustoration, Restoration turned OT garage build Options

[Superhawk996]

I purchased my first 914 back in 1987 (1973 1.7L) and had that car for nearly a decade and I personally put over 100,000 miles on it before it ultimately fell victim to a negligent driver that drove into the back end of it at about 40 mph while the vehicle was stopped at a red light. That rear end crash totaled the vehicle but what is amazing is how well it crumpled (early crush zones!) due to the kink in the frame where the halfshafts are. Everyone walked away unharmed.

I replaced it with a 1991 Miata. Great car in its own right but I've always missed my 914.

Purchased this "replacement" in May 2018 as a known poster child for a complete right side longitudinal rustoration.

This vehicle had been put into storage inside a pole barn around 2004 as far as I can tell.

Vehicle initially purchased in non-running condition:
Engine couldn't be started.
Transmission shift linkage was disconnected
Half shafts and CV's were in pieces, and the wheel stubs were not installed therefore the vehicle couldn't even be rolled without risking having the rear wheel separate from within the bearing.
Fiberglass laid into the floorpan . . . that can't be a good sign.

Vehicle looks great . . . until I got under it.

I spent the better part of the summer putting the items above back together and trying to confirm that it would:
1) Run under its own power
2) Drive though the neighborhood and shift though all gears.



Looks pretty nice eh?

Here is what is lurking underneath once the rockers came off.



and when I started cutting back the rust. Oh my . . . .

[tygaboy]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) with all the "can't see = can't weld". I'm living some of that now, too.
From my experience, I will say that in some of these situations, I've found MIG is my friend (vs TIG) in that it was easier to find a workable position, I didn't have to worry about how to work the pedal or find room/see the filler rod.
If I could TIG everything, that would be my preference but...

Your build is looking great, btw. Really nice work!

[Superhawk996]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) with all the "can't see = can't weld". I'm living some of that now, too.
From my experience, I will say that in some of these situations, I've found MIG is my friend (vs TIG) in that it was easier to find a workable position, I didn't have to worry about how to work the pedal or find room/see the filler rod.
If I could TIG everything, that would be my preference but...

Your build is looking great, btw. Really nice work!

@Tygaboy

I'm a TIG lover due to the flexibility to weld so many types of metal and for the control it offers. If I burn holes I can't blame the equipment - It's my fault.

But boy is it slow for this type of work! Every week I contemplate buying a MIG but I haven't rationalized it yet. I do think that if I do I would sell it once this is done and try to recoup some of the cost.

For you other TiG lovers, I have to plug this product. It is a pressure sensitive Amptrol. No need to move finger to control amperage - just press harder or lighter.

I really haven't done much out of position TIG welding in the past. Most of it has been on a nice comfortable bench. I couldn't live without this.

When I first started to weld up my build cart, I was using my standard footpedal and doing all sorts of Yoga to try to weld and control the pedal with my knee, leg, elbow or whatever. I was pretty much impossible and led to the purchase of the TIG button.





http://www.6061.com/tigbutton.htm