My Rust Diary
February 14, 2008
When I purchased the car, I knew there were going to be rust issues to be addressed (Ya, like that's rare for a 914).
The previous owner had cut out the floor from the front seat support (cross-member) to firewall and had purchased a new floor panel. He had also picked up a replacement (from a parts car) lower firewall section. I think the reason he decided to sell the car was that it was more work than he had the energy to do. There were other issues that were known about prior to the purchase. (the seller was a very nice guy and I got the car for a good price, for a project car)
On February 9th, the engine and transmission were pulled (by me and the guy buying them). That was the first that I could view the "hell hole" area. The battery tray and support pretty much fell out.
February 20, 2008 the ugly reality;
After digging into the car it seems like there were two major things that went bad over the years.
One was that water managed rot out the floor and also the bottom edge of the firewall cross-member. The following photo shows how the PO had cut out the floor (this is how I got it).
That big grey area is my garage floor!
The next two photos are from the underside looking at what is left of the center console.
Then there is what is left of the firewall box section.
Then there was the problem caused by the placement of the battery (where when you wash the car, battery acid runs down onto the frame rail). The next two photos shows what was left of the battery tray, which fell out when we pulled out the engine, and what was under it.
Until you look close, this doesn't look that bad.
Here are two photos where I was able to push a screwdriver through the inner fender panel.
The frame rail doesn't really look all that bad (keep in mind that the doors still align correctly and that implies that the frame hasn't sagged).
Now this next photos shows a major problem!!
Obviously, the engine tray has rotted out.
The big thing is that area where the arrow is pointing. If you think that's just surface rust, you would be wrong. The battery acid ate through the engine tray and then got between the frame rail and motor mount. That rust is from being eaten from the inside out!!!
Nightmares tonight!!
That's it for now.
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Wes Vann