First of the Texas Twins, First Build Options

[autopro]

I look at those pictures and I remember all the work it took to get those right. Having just recently done all this work myself I can see you are doing a great job.

[Puebloswatcop]

I look at those pictures and I remember all the work it took to get those right. Having just recently done all this work myself I can see you are doing a great job.

Thanks...in fact after seeing your car a couple of months ago I liked the way the rino went on and decided to follow your lead. I really liked the fine texture on yours.

[Puebloswatcop]

Well finally back from a vacation with my parents and sisters. Last stop was Colorado where a substantial portion of my 914 stash is still located. Somehow two checked bags of luggage came back to Texas in the form of 914 parts....

[Puebloswatcop]

Its reall surprising how much of a 914 can be packed into a couple of suitcases

[Root_Werks]

Checked bags are probably cheaper than shipping, neat idea.

[bkrantz]

Car parts in checked luggage? Seems perfectly normal to me.

[Puebloswatcop]

Started out today tinkering with the E-brake handle I just brought out from CO. It was definately a bastardized repair job done by the PO. Most of the parts are there, but some parts were definitly improvised. And now the search begins for replacement parts. Some of the retaining pins are badly worn as is the plastic sleeve that goes on the pivot point, all of which are NLA. The pivot sleeve is also cracking away from the body of the lever.

[Puebloswatcop]

First I blasted all the parts, then rewelded the pivot sleeve to the handle. Cleaned the handle and then painted with etch primer. All the other parts will make the next trip to the plater to be replated.

[Puebloswatcop]

Then I worked on some of the thousand miscelaneous body issues that need attention before paint. Starting with the front trunk seal channel and the front air intake panel...
Someone used silicon to fasten the rubber seal into the channel and when I blasted the car allot of the silicon did not come off. SoI had to manually scrape as much of it away as possible using a small screw dirver.

[Puebloswatcop]

After scraping the majority of the silicon off, then I went to work sanding the inside of the channel as well as the front vent. What a PITA to hand sand these small spaces.

[Puebloswatcop]

Today was just a bit too hot to do any body work on the car, so I decided to tinker around with some small stuff and the parts I brought back last week.

I got the E-brake handle re-painted for starters

[Puebloswatcop]

After that I decided to see if I could re-plastic the latch piece for the roof. Wanted to see if I could get close to the factory covering. I had a latch that had already pealed, so I media blasted it clean. Then I used black plasti-dip. I was bit disapointed when I first pulled it out of the dip because it had a big run down the middle.

[Puebloswatcop]

But after setting for a few hours, It was totally smooth. I am not sure how it will hold up in the long run, but I am happy with the result, so will give it a try.

[Puebloswatcop]

Then I decided to play with the brake calipers I brought back. The are pretty filthy so it will take some serious cleaning to get them ready.

[Puebloswatcop]

Started with the disassembly of the rear Calipers.

[Puebloswatcop]

I actually had the adjustment cover for one of the rear calipers. I think I might have another stashed somewhere.

[Puebloswatcop]

Got all of the pistons out and they were pretty nasty, but not all rusted.

[Puebloswatcop]

Here is a picture of the piston and bleeder valve. Not sure what one has to do to turn a bleeder valve into a banana, but this one was close.

[Puebloswatcop]

Then I decided to clean the Caliper body. So after taping off the mating surfaces and the piston hole and plugging all the passages, I media blasted one of the bodies. It is a pretty long process but it's amazing what a difference it makes.

[Puebloswatcop]

Even the specialty hardware that is correct for the brakes got blasted and will go to the plater for black zink plating.