First Teener, Crooked rear Options

[jetboy]

Finally got my first 914. Its a '71 and was originally Irish Green. Since its been painted at least once (found traces of Gemini Blue on the trunk) i will go with Adriatic Blue or maybe even Oxford (dalmation) blue from a 911 color. Any ways, I need opinions about my rear end. Please look at pics and tell me what can be done.

First, here is my $400 puchase. Had engine fire, minimal damage but not running.

[michel richard]

These projects are fun. Judging from the pictures, it looks like you have something very nice on your hands, and that you got a very good deal. A few checks can confirm that.

First thing I would do is take off the outer rocker panels (a few rivets on the door sills, 3 screws per side, underside, and a couple of other little bolts near the ends), and remove the floor carpeting inside. This will give you a good idea of how strong the longitudinal box sections are on each side of the car. If they're good, you got a smoking deal ! If not, the amount of rust and your skill level will determine is you should part or save the car.

Assuming the longitudinals are fairly good, I would then look at the left rear suspension. There's a trailing arm that holds the wheel in position. The trailing arm is attached to the body by a single bolt at the inside front end: it bolts to a part of the body we call the "inner ear" or something like that, you'll know it when you see it. Look at this inner ear very carefully to see if it's cracked or what not. If it's fine, then most likely you simply have an alignment problem, and you can adjust it by loosening the three bolts at the outboard front end of the trailing arm where there's a sort of "cup" that holds the trailing arm to the frame.

As for the tweaking of the front hood, I suspect that you can adjust things with some creative massaging of the front hood itself.

Apart from that, the other things are the engine, of course, and the injection system. If those were'nt damaged in the fire, things will be real easy.

You have the nice wheels.

Let us know what you find !