bkrantz

Victory (if a bit bruised) on the inner fender wall. A few touch ups and grinding spots, and time to move on.

bkrantz

Next is the top of the sill. Here is the middle layer patch fitted.




And welded in place.

bkrantz

And here is the outer layer patch, test fit.

bkrantz

More progress. After a few tack welds, I welded the flange of the patch to the inner fender wall. Nice to have the car on the rotisserie so I could have the flange and fender wall horizontal.




Did grinding along the flange to confirm weld success, and then welded the seams and spot welds on the main section. Still a bit sloppy where trying to weld to the pitted original metal.



I will grind this all down and deal with any spots that need more welding, but I have closed up the hell hole almost 6 months since I cut a hole in the top layer to explore for rust.

bkrantz

Here's the complete patch job, not the neatest work I have done but should be functional and reasonably tidy, after prep and paint. No more hell. No more hole.

bkrantz

On to the firewall. Cardboard template for the lower patch.

skl

Too bad Restoration Design doesn't make more 914 stuff. You could have kept them in business for the next 10 years...

bkrantz

Don't joke that way. Though I do wish they make an upper firewall panel...

bkrantz

Lower patch cut and formed. with holes for plug welds.




Final fitting.




Welded and grinding done.

bkrantz

After an hour forming the upper patch, including the diagonal raised ribs. Still needs work in the corner.

bkrantz

Just a bit more time to play body shop today. The corner fold looks better.

bkrantz

After the initial trim, I spent about an hour adjusting the gap fit--about a dozen times in and out. Here's the final fit.

bkrantz

And tack-welded in place.

skl

Any idea when you'll actually be done with the welding and body work and ready for paint?

bkrantz

Hard to say. Next is the section of the right engine shelf (see pic). Then the engine lid hinge brackets and the right trunk hinge bracket, plus all the extra holes in the firewall. After that the last big job is remounting the front right fender. Both doors and the rear trunk lid need a little work. And the rear panel and right rear fender will need some attention to be pretty.

Before paint I need to strip at least some of the old paint, treat the surface rust on remaining panels, primer(s), seam sealer(s), and anything else!