Time to Re-Think?
 

Guys/Gals, what would you do? I've got a '69 912 non sunroof coupe without an engine/trans that is very straight and almost rust free. It has a complete correct interior (orig slate gray w/black int) that I was going to turn it into a hot rod with the Polo engine set up. In beginning the teardown process I've discovered that the front clip was replaced many moons ago. The welds look ok, but how do I know? It has kinda soured me on using this car as the candidate for this build project. What do you think? Strip it and move on, or continue? http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348266669.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348266686.jpg

It depends on you because you have to live with it but personally I'd look for a better platform to build on.

I'd get an expert in welding to look at it.

Those welds do not look Ok.

I would want to be taking all that back to metal and inspecting and then repair if economically viable. Worth it if you are doing a resto back to factory..........These are special Cars.

I agree, I need to get an experts opinion. Thanks for the input.

If you are going to spend megabucks on a Polo, you might as well locate a good tub. By good I mean almost flawless in your case. If you have the engine & transmission, you could put them back in & sell it to somebody who would like it as is.

Maybe its just me but, how can you guys tell the welds are no good? I guess my untrained eye it just looks like a weld with that rust proof coating garbage on it. Id say strip that stuff off and then see what you are working with if youre like me and not and expert have someone take a peek at it.

Oh back to the question, Since its a 912 i honestly wouldnt worry to much about it. That in itself is gonna hinder the resale if you ever decide to part with it.

Its a tough question to answer, to me i would find a 911 if i was gonna go the porsche purist route and the driver/ builder in me says eff it, clean it up...build it....drive it!

With a welded on clip.....it would not make sense to me to consider this as a restoration project......but if, after an inspection of the welds, it turns out to be structurally sound or can become structurally sound .....i'd continue down the hot rod path. It sounds like the rest of the car is in good shape.

I am a welding engineer, or used to be. 'Looks okay' are two words I never like to hear in regards to a structural weld.

Grind it out and get it professionally welded and inspected. It might be fine, it probably is, but I wouldn't assume it is.

+1

In my experience...if you can see that it has been welded at all...then it's probably NOT a good job.
I have seen welded assemblies that for all purposes are one piece.
I had to be told it was more than one piece joined together.
Bob

IMHO, that's a very poor job of clip replacement and I'd be looking for another donor for a project car.

I've seen such work before and you can really see how badly they are done on the alignment rack.

If I welded it, I you could barely notice it when I was done. The correct klecos and a mig with minor grinding would not look like that. My .02.

Most people didn't consider this little 912 worth saving either. I'm just saying...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/345183-swb-911r-beginning.html

does look a bit boogered up. I agree clean it up and inspect it you can probrobly fix it up to an acceptable level. as long as the front end measurements are somewhat in spec. Its no worse than people replacing entire sections of a rusted out chassis.