1987 3.2 Carrera Backdate project - Sladeys hotrod

[dragonfly]

Excellent! Brave indeed hitting brand new panels

Absolutely, but I look forward to seeing the end result when it's done

[roadiesean]

Mark, I have to say that is an incredible thread ! I've just spent a couple of days reading through it all. I just love the development of your bravery and skill along the way, you give hope to all us desk jockeys that we can have a proper dig at DIY welding and cutting and grinding and it makes me feel like it just doesn't matter how much hideous rust there is lurking under shiny paint.

Speaking of which, I love the blues, but I really really love that orange stripe , could you not match them up ? Or a bit too Gulf rep maybe ?

I'm suitably impressed and will be going out and buying a welder at some point soon (hope I don't need one, but it'd be nice to learn!)

Oh and how do you subscribe to threads ?

[sladey]

Thanks for the kind comments guys

Dragonfly/Al - yes I can't wait to see it in paint too. I'm at an advantage though because it's really hard to see the shape properly in the pictures - when you're holding the wing and moving it about your eye can translate it. Probably tackle one of the rear arches this week-end

Roadiesean - thanks for the comments. Welding is cool. I've always looked on acquiring new skills and tools as cheaper than paying for labour and ultimately much more satisfying. Usually the raw materials involved are cheap so you can afford to make a few mistakes along the way. The first time it might cost you as much as paying someone else, but subsequently it's a lot cheaper and much more fun. Most of the skills you learn aren't rocket science - they are about having the right tools and taking time to learn the best way to do things. If you're prepared to do that you can do most things.

On the orange stripe - yes I've mocked up a rough picture with that on. Not sure really. Nothing's set in stone yet

I'm afraid you can't subscribe to threads any more - it was causing problems with the server apparently so Thomas had to switch it off. I believe it may come back at some stage in the future. I miss it but hey ho. If you use the 'view new posts' option you can catch most things, but I miss the conversations that I used to have.

[Bootsy]

It will return when I get a chance to move DDK to a new instance (server)

Thanks

[sladey]

Brill!

[sladey]

Another weekend, some more progress...

90% of the weekend has been spent working on the sunroof drain pipe corrosion. It has been a complete pain in the arse. But I'm finally there. I bought some new pipe but I wanted it in stainless, and wide enough to fit over the existing pipe (12mm outside diameter with 1.5mm wall thickness fits OK).

With it being stainless and also a thicker diameter, it's not easy to bend. I bought a cheap bender and promptly broke it. I ended up using heat to help bend it - that went OK.

Unfortunately while fiddling around, trying to fit it etc, the end of the existing pipe broker off, meaning the new pipe I'd been bending into shape for the last hour was useless. I started again - the new version fit OK. It slips over the existing pipe neatly. I haven't joined them together as there is plenty of overlap and it isn't going anywhere.

Then I had to reattach the bits I'd cut off



Neither piece was very thick

One piece was just blowing holes as I tried to weld it, so a I made another one


After a while I ended up like this



It ain't real pretty but it's solid and will work. It's been a complete pain in the arse to sort

For a little light relief I attacked one of the rear arches - turning this



Into this




On this one you can see the new profile - happy with these

[911hillclimber]

Rear arch looks better than i thought it would.
I guess you rolled the inner flange flat too while at it?

[sladey]

Actually no - that is more or less just as it was before. The one on the rear arch is shorter/smaller that the front one, and therefore stiffer, so it didn't deform during the hammering process. It was dark outside when I was finishing it off so after a look in the daylight I might tuck it up a bit - if I space out the wheels I don't want rubbing issues

[jury]

Very nice hammering and forming Mark, it's a subtle change but a noticeable one !!

Will get cracking with the Artwork again

[sladey]

OK cool

[Nige]

Hi Mark

Good work, does the reworking of the arches actually flare them out wider?

[sladey]

Yeah it does Nige - only by about 10 to 15 mm

[Bootsy]

I've been told 10-15mm makes all the difference

[sladey]

True but it's not just the size, it's the shape that makes the difference..

[roadiesean]

Like your style Sladey ! Have you rolled the edge with wire ? If not, how will you overcome the somewhat sharp edge I imagine you would leave.....Ben Hur 911 stylee anyone ??