Acid Damage

[914Hugh]

While I have my engine out, I am doing some cleaning and welding in the battery tray area from the acid damage that has occured. The longitudianl is intact, but the metal on either side is pretty far gone after I started grinding on it.

Here is the engine bay with the battery tray and support removed:


Here is the custom acid etching done to my car along with the help of my grinder to remove some rust (the black is the paint I used on the metal that was under the hole:


I was thinking about putting a plate over both of these holes to simplify things. What I was wondering is if anyone ever thought about putting a drain hole in this area and welding on a tube to send the acid and water on its merry way instead of settling on the longitudinal. Where is the water that gets inside the engine bay supposed to go anyway?

I realize that the best thing to do is probably to move the battery and put it in a box, but I don't want to put it in my rear trunk nor run lines up to the front trunk.

So does having a drain in this area sound like a good idea or are there pitfalls that I have not thought about? Thanks- Hugh

[Bleyseng]

Actually there is a drain hole in that area of the engine shelf. It is rusted away in the picture. It came from the factory with a rubber drain hose about 1" long. If is still on the driver's side shelf, rip it out. After 30 years they are rock hard and do not let water out. If you can weld, I would put in a new engine shelf.(Pelican Parts sells them) Get a spot weld cutter and cut out the spot welds. Only cut thru the first layer of metal! Then pull out the old shelf, keeping the rubber engine seal to re-install later. Grind everything smooth and clean it ready for welding. Test fit the new shelf several times to make sure it fits just right. Weld it in, I used some stitch welds along the edges. I also drilled some holes in the new shelf and rosette welded like the orginal spot welds. Prep work is the key of course to a clean job. Por-15 is a good way to prime paint the area.
Good Luck!
Geoff

------------------
76 914 2.0L

[Va914]

This brings up another question..

If the battery has been relocated does the original battery location need to have the battery tray and supports installed? My '74 looks like the one shown above and the battery in in the trunk.

I just removed all of the rust and Pro-15'd the heck out of it.

Thanks

[Joe Bob]

You can eliminate the acid problem by purchasing the new gel filled "Optima" batteries. They can be installed upside down....no leak, no mess.

One other are of concern. The "ear" that supports the rear swing arm, is hollow. The acid can and will get inside and eat it from the inside out. Ask me how I know,,,,8^)

Check that out carefully. You do NOT want to have that fail when you are doing warp nine and in a corner.

[Joe Bob]

ooops double post...more pearls of wisdom...relocation of the battery can cause starting problems. Longer runs on the cables cause more resistance...don't move it unless you really need to.

[This message has been edited by mikez (edited 02-26-2001).]

[scg]

Ouch! I thought orange would hide the rust better

I've r&r'd my battery tray (what a pain)-- don't move the battery to a trunk unless you get a gel like the optima or vent the trunk in some way: acid fumes can be worse since they'll condense in the oddest areas . . . .

scott

[This message has been edited by scg (edited 02-26-2001).]

[Va914]

Good points...Thanks I'll have to do some serious thinking on the battery situation. The PO had it relocated to the trunk.

VA914

[914Hugh]

Thanks for the replies.

-I looked at the engine shelf in the catalog and can easily see that my great idea for a drain isnt anything new. I'll put something in big enough that wont get stopped up.

- I agree with most everyone in that the Optima battery will likely be my next battery. I was at NAPA yesterday, and I believe they now have a gel filled 'leak-free' battery.

- As far as the orange paint covering rust, Youch! you are right though, maybe I should go for that orangy-red rust color next time...