914 Resto/RHD Conversion/Engine upgrade by hopeless optimist

Bewildebeest · Post by **Bewildebeest** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 4:45 pm

This is partly to check that I can post pictures and partly to show you my basket case just after I discovered it at the bottom of my garage.
It has now moved to a new abode where work may start but not soon. (you know the probs - toys to mend, shelves to put up, earn a living etc).
Note the non standard grill(e) on the front which gives away the fact that the intended engine is not a VW or a Porsche.
Unfortunately, after the worst house move in history - which still continues, my poor little porker has disappeared under another pile of sediment in the new garage and even shifting all the 'stuff' is a long way down The Management's list of priorities.
I've been re- inspired by the newbie 'mot' who not only restored a 356 after an 18 year lay up (mine's 23 so far), but put a water pumper VW diesel in it as well ! Brilliant !! So anything is possible. I'll go and tell the wife now.........

912uk · Post by **912uk** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 5:00 pm

Storing stuff in and on the car is nothing unusal infact it's the norm I think all that free space and the " I will move it later " seams to mean that I will put it here and 5 years later it';s still there.

I must keep my 356 project free of stuff

good luck with it all

Bewildebeest · Post by **Bewildebeest** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 5:08 pm

OK before you all shout at me I haven't got the picture thing quite right - something to do with the number of pixies is it ?

Have I got rid of that 'newbie' tag yet ?

Bewildebeest · Post by **Bewildebeest** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 6:03 pm

OK now I've cracked it - you can see the whole picture without having to stand up and look round the edge of the electronic computing device.

And I'm not a 'newdie' any more. Oops - Freudian gymslip.

Bewildebeest · Post by **Bewildebeest** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 6:11 pm

Obviously 'hopeless' applies to more than my optimism.

Lightweight_911 · Post by **Lightweight_911** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 6:36 pm

OK now I've cracked it - you can see the whole picture without having to stand up
and look round the edge of the electronic computing device.

Are using a 42" plasma TV screen as a monitor ?

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 12:06 pm

Looks like the DDK initiation continues to baffle. I restored my car in the time it took to post my first pictures

.

Bewildebeest · Post by **Bewildebeest** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:41 pm

If it doesn't work this time, I'm buying a ..a...a....an Edsel !

Dummeeeeee !!! Yes it works but I've just noticed the stonking great button that says 'Preview' so I could have practiced in private (eh ?) and made less of a prat of myself.

Tomorrow I will be mostly tackling Avtars !!

In a weekend or two I'll dig it out of the new garage and show you some photo's of vintage rust.

Lightweight_911 · Post by **Lightweight_911** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:55 pm

That's better.

Bewildebeest · Post by **Bewildebeest** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:13 pm

Things have been happening in my garage recently and I need some opinions and advice on the hopelessness of my case. The car is still trapped behind, beneath and between all kinds of 'stuff' as you can see.

but I've taken a few pics so as to get some expert feedback.
First off is the scuttle/windscreen surround

How bad is that - new frame or repairable ?
Next is the hell hole.

I'm not sure what this area is supposed to look like but the battery tray appears to have left a long time ago (battery under the bonnet I guess)which may be a good thing for what was below it.
Finally, for now, the right hand sail.

The visible rot is actually on the wing just below the vinyl covering.
What do you think peeps ?? I just need to know if you've seen (and repaired) worse or should I give up now. I'll post some more pics as the crud clears, particularly of the underside.
I'm planning on going 'back to metal' so I'm assuming anything is possible. Opinions and support please. Thanks

Nige · Post by **Nige** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:17 pm

Have you just bought Pablo's Jake Raby DVD

Bewildebeest · Post by **Bewildebeest** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:34 pm

No I haven't. A quick google tells me that it's Type 4 engine related, yes ?

To be realistic - something I struggle with as Nigella (my wife) will tell you - what I do in the engine bay is so far down the line that I won't be making any decisions, much less doing anything about it, for a long time yet.

Thanks for the tip anyway - it's now in my 'favourites'

Nige · Post by **Nige** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:40 pm

yup

http://www.aircooledtechnology.com/

good read also

http://www.tunacan.net/t4/

fourteener · Post by **fourteener** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:01 pm

I'm really frightened by the look of that windscreen frame rot. I haven't seen a car with rot that bad in that area before -there's normally a small bit there and on the rear wing below the sail panel.
The 'hell hole' area looks like the battery has been moved before it's rotted through & appears sound -You'll have to have a poke with a screw driver to be sure.
Anything's repairable though with enough skills, time & £££

porker914 · Post by **porker914** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:35 pm

have to say that looking at your photos the worse part will be the windscreen area. The hell hole is something i am used to having done the whole job on 2 914's now one involving taking the rear wing off to access the inner wing correctly. I would say that the front wing will have to come off to do the job correctly or...... and i dont condone this but have seen too many where the scuttle panel and the wings magically become one! i.e. they are welded together and filled. Not the "right" thing to do, but one way of doing it.

It is all repairable but takes time and money.

David

DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

914 Resto/RHD Conversion/Engine upgrade by hopeless optimist

914 Resto/RHD Conversion/Engine upgrade by hopeless optimist

Don't look, I'm trying again.