HelmetHeads' 1977 911s rebuild thread

[HelmetHead]

This BB has been an inspirtation to me and I wanted to share my project with all of you.

I picked up this 1977 911s locally as a project....the first picture shows it in the condition i brought it home in....the 914 in the foreground was sold to fund the 911 project.



These pics show the rust issues i've got to deal with
Front Cowl area:


Rear window frame:


This weekend I got the package tray cut out, and the window frame will be next to come out. I got the replacement parts cut out of the donor parts I got (thanks again to PP BBS)...


My current plan for this car is 1974 IROC look with turbo flares, FG bumpers front and rear and a 3.6 non-vram motor...

Any tips, suggestions, or volunteers to help are greatly appreciated.

PEACE!!!

HelmetHead

[Monza_dh]

you are a better man than I to keep that puppy on the road!

[azasadny]

Good luck, looks like a great project!!

[jjwood]

Looks like you've got a hell of a project ahead. Good luck...and keep the faith. My project's been off and on for prox 10yrs, and I'm just now starting to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

[KNS]

I think it's great that there are guys out there who want to see these cars back on the road, the year ('67, '77 - who cares) isn't important. Better a long term restoration than off to the scap yard.

[Facey]

will be amazing!!!!

i started with much the same, minus a little rust, took me 3-4 years....then the mod bug hit..... you'd save time and money if you started with the build plan....top to bottom,

i went stockish, cookie cutter mods, extreme bastard, if i had jumped right away to bastard i could have saved myself some money...

[HelmetHead]

Thanks for the support guys.....

My timeline for completion of this project is also in the one or two year range....unless I for some strange reason hit the lottery...

The P-car bug has got me...recently haven ridden in JMZ's 74' 3.0L......the timeline just seems to be unreasonable.

Body work and paint will probably be done by this spring...then the nickle/dime/thousands...will start adding up during re-assembly.

I will be looking to sell the complete 2.7 motor and the narrow 16" fuchs in the not so distant future for my upgrades....also looking for 930 trailing arms..etc..etc...

Check back for updates....Its raining here again this week...perfect for working in the garage....

HelmetHead

[HelmetHead]

Monday Update: This weekend I got the lower rear window frame cut out and started fitting the donor parts.

It is just amazing that a few dozen pieces of flimsy sheetmetal pressed into shape and welded together create this work of art!!!



Thanks again.
HelmetHead

[HelmetHead]

Long over-due update....

Got the rear window frame pretty much welded in.


Ran into some pinholes on the rear package tray and I am going to have to Tig them up so I couldn't finish the rear rust repairs...so I got my grinder after the front cowl..which is now removed.


Next step will be to complete the rear package tray install after repairing the pin holes...freakin rust..GRRRR. Replace the front cowl from the donor parts...then weld on the flares. Soda blast soon to follow...then epoxy primer (or powder coat the entire chassis??)

CHEERS!
HelmetHead

[HelmetHead]

Much needed update!

I started back at it again. Did some work on rear shock mounts by adding reinforcements using 1/8" plate and 1" square tubing. All this in case I decide to run coil-overs. Also got my rear package tray stiched in and the rear firewall is also welded in...Thanks to all those who post on this board for the inspiration and guidance!!!!

a few pics to document the re-birth.



HelmetHead

[SCWDP911]

Wow, I am hoping to have the courage again to try one of these type resto-mods someday... courage to tell my wife again, "Hey honey, look what I found?!! You won't believe the deal I got on it!" It was such a project on my 63 Impala that put her over the edge and actually led to the purchase of my 83 cab. You gotta like that tradeoff!

Keep the faith and keep the updates coming. Looks like it will be a killer 911 when you are done. It is obvious you know what you are doing!

[HelmetHead]

This weekend I got the front cowl welded in..... Not to bad for a rookie welder/bodyman....

[Walko]

Brave but great to see people saving

[Jays72T]

NIce work HelmetHead, you should be proud.

[village idiot]

Nice work! What kind of rig you using to weld with? I'm curious and was thinking about buying a welding setup soon.

[HelmetHead]

Thanks guys....I did have a little of the "pat myself on the back" after getting the major parts welded back in. The next step is to get some front/rear IROC 9" bumpers so I can get my steel flares welded on in the right spot to meet the bumper corners!

Village Idiot...I primarly use my Millermatic 251 for welding in the parts using solid core wire .035 wire with 25/75% C02/argon shielding....probably could use smaller gauge wire but its what i've got. I also have a miller Dynasty 200DX which i'm still learning how to use (Tig welding is an ART!!!!!!). I've gotten decent with it butt welding light gauge steel on my work bench but i'm not to the point where I want to be to weld the flares on yet using it... But I will Tig the flares on when time comes.

Here's a picture of my setup

Peace,
Helmethead

[kach22i]

I'm exhausted just looking at it, good luck and make us proud.

[PorschePilot]

Keep the faith.

I have a 74 Targa that I bought as a basket, very much like yours. Stripped it down, addressed the rust (luckily the pan was in good shape) prepped and painted the body.

New interior, recovered everything.

I did a very high quality 2.7 rebuild with many upgrades. The end result is a very strong engine. I'll take on a 3.0 SC any day of the week.

I love having a very close to original narrow body car.

3 years and a bucket of money, but less than buying the car in the shape it is now. Plus the satisfaction of knowing every inch of the car.

[village idiot]

Originally Posted by HelmetHead

T
Village Idiot...I primarly use my Millermatic 251 for welding in the parts using solid core wire .035 wire with 25/75% C02/argon shielding....probably could use smaller gauge wire but its what i've got. I also have a miller Dynasty 200DX which i'm still learning how to use (Tig welding is an ART!!!!!!). I've gotten decent with it butt welding light gauge steel on my work bench but i'm not to the point where I want to be to weld the flares on yet using it... But I will Tig the flares on when time comes.

Here's a picture of my setup
[IMG][/IMG]

Peace,
Helmethead

That's quite a setup! I've been mulling over getting my own welding equipment for my project so I don't have to wait for the shop that I work to get their asses in gear updating our old and broken equipment.

[David]

Looks like it's time for me to come over, drink your beer, and check out the progress .