Tips for rocker panel delete in a 911 3.2

[gliding_serpent]

I am chasing this look.



Thing is, that is an SC, and I understand that the sheet metal around the rear torsion bars of a 3.2 are a bit hideous. Any solutions/experiences?

My plan would be to remove them, fill the holes, find a cosmetically satisfactory solution for the torsion bar, and then use Carrera side stripes to hide a respray of the lower portion (to cover up the patched holes).

[DaveMcKenz]

Hi John,
The sheet metal around the TB covers is not that bad. It's worse around the jack sockets. To me it's not that bad. I got some pop rivets and painted them to match my car, then used them to fill the sheet metal screw holes. I chose a lower belt line to obscure the pipes and a/c lines and brackets and painted them satin black. It's not perfect by any means, but looks pretty good. Of course you could have the holes welded shut, body worked and then painted. That would be the best.
Your call.
Good luck,
Dave

[gtc]

Forgive my ignorance, but i thought the sheet metal (not sure what you're even referring to here) was the same for SCs and '84-'86 Carreras?

[Arne2]

Yup, the change around the torsion bar holes was in '87 with the G50 transmission. An '84 looks exactly the same as an SC.

[Ferrino]

I have a question about the holes that are covered by the rocker covers. There's obviously a series of holes for the self-tapping screws that fasten the covers themselves. But there's also another couple of holes that presumably lead into the "chamber" that contains the heater ducting. Can these holes by welded shut with no ill effects?

[DaveMcKenz]

Originally Posted by gtc

Forgive my ignorance, but i thought the sheet metal (not sure what you're even referring to here) was the same for SCs and '84-'86 Carreras?

Due to the rear Carrera flares, the sheet metal can be pretty different. This does not have anything to do with the OP's desire to lose the rocker panel covers. That is similar from year to year up to 87.
Dave

[Elombard]

This is an 84, my buddy welded up the little holes and I ground the welds flat. Minor prep and paint blend, we did the mirrors and sunroof delete at the same time.

The biggest thing is trimming the jack support hole, there is all this "stuff" around it that looks like a huge weld but its just some kind of foam. Clean out the foam and some careful work with a whizz wheel. Its really not too big a deal.

I have since stripped the oil coolant lines to their natural copper/bronze. I like it kind of a steam punk theme with the green.

I believe we had an issue with "blowing through" when welding up one of the holes, the metal is kind of thin. had to use a few tricks.

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by gtc

Forgive my ignorance, but i thought the sheet metal (not sure what you're even referring to here) was the same for SCs and '84-'86 Carreras?

Originally Posted by DaveMcKenz

Due to the rear Carrera flares, the sheet metal can be pretty different. This does not have anything to do with the OP's desire to lose the rocker panel covers. That is similar from year to year up to 87.
Dave

Graham, you're correct. The SCs and Carreras up to 1986 are the same body sheet metal, including rear flares. The difference lies in the '87 through '89 911s. With these, the torsion bar hole is an odd shape and rather ugly. Cover plates can be fashioned, but it's still a bit of a PITA.

[gliding_serpent]

Originally Posted by Arne2

Yup, the change around the torsion bar holes was in '87 with the G50 transmission. An '84 looks exactly the same as an SC.

Great news! I was anticipating the fugly TB holes.

I expect having to re-paint under my rocker panels as it was a respray, and I highly doubt they were taken off for that. If this is the case, I will have the holes properly welded closed.

I too like the copper lines showing, and painting everything else satin black is a great idea.

Thanks everyone!

[HorstP]

Don't forget there is not only that ugly torsion bar cover, there is also a hole size of a quarter in front of it. Up to now I don't understand the purpose of the hole or why the cover has an opening in it as it can be removed anyway.

[Jonny H]

[gliding_serpent]

Originally Posted by HorstP

Don't forget there is not only that ugly torsion bar cover, there is also a hole size of a quarter in front of it. Up to now I don't understand the purpose of the hole or why the cover has an opening in it as it can be removed anyway.

Now, is your car a 87-89 car? I am suspecting so.

[HorstP]

Sorry, my fault. I have a G50 with the ugly cover and the hole. You are in much better shape.

[fred cook]

I did this on my SC coupe. I had the body shop fill the holes when it was in for a paint job. I painted the ac and oil cooler lines black to minimize their appearance.

[Tippy]

Originally Posted by Jonny H

Stunner!!

[Sliver911]

here's my SC

[gliding_serpent]

All these photos are helping me decide that my plan is an excellent one.

I like the flat black idea, but will see how my oil lines clean up. The carrera stripe will be needed to hide the lower paint work.

[pdtweeks]

I did same on my SC, but also put on a coat of the factory-type rubberized undercoat, then body color paint over that. It hid all of that fine work that the bodyman did....just an idea if you want a "line" to paint to.
[IMG][/IMG]

[Ferrino]

When painting a rocker-delete car, it seems most folks coat the pinch-weld and surrounding area of floor pan. I wonder how it would look with that painted black, so as to get a clean horizontal line under the door?

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by Ferrino

When painting a rocker-delete car, it seems most folks coat the pinch-weld and surrounding area of floor pan. I wonder how it would look with that painted black, so as to get a clean horizontal line under the door?

I think if you go too high with anything you paint black it will visually raise the belly of the car, especially if you run a larger spoiler on the front, or even the factory plastic lip.