[racer]

Asking for a friend - is the tank in good shape? any need to have it cleaned out before reinstall (ie, to prevent crud from clogging a filter or pump, necessitating its removal again ) - given your welding handiness, I would have thought building an access port like the later cars would have been a consideration.

mmm 914!

[BillC]

Originally Posted by racer

Asking for a friend - is the tank in good shape? any need to have it cleaned out before reinstall (ie, to prevent crud from clogging a filter or pump, necessitating its removal again ) - given your welding handiness, I would have thought building an access port like the later cars would have been a consideration.

mmm 914!

The tank is in good shape. The previous owner had it boiled out a couple of years ago. It's not spotless inside, but it's not full of garbage either.

While I could make the necessary parts, I decided not to for two reasons: 1) It's a lot of work, especially when I'm trying to get the car back together and running again; and 2) I really don't want to cut a big hole in the car, especially when I'm welding up other big holes.

[BillC]

So, the parts I've been waiting for finally arrived. With the new drain hoses for the fresh air box in hand, I was able to get the tank re-installed.

The drain hoses are held in by ring clips, which have quite a bit of force. I wasn't able to hold them open reliably and safely with any of my existing tools, so I modified a pair of pliers to work. First step was to take them apart, then to mill a slot in each half. The slot was offset from the center-line of the jaws so the clip would fit properly.


Here are the pliers reassembled and holding a ring clip. They work very nicely.


And, a shot with the tank installed and everything mounted back onto it.

It looks a little high, but I made sure everything fits under the hood with clearance. I didn't bother with pics of the installation process, since it's a standard tank being installed in a more-or-less standard car. The only real annoyance was getting the rubber side pieces positioned properly, since it was rather finicky to get them at the right height.

[BillC]

This is what the battery tray looked like:

This is the result of old age, not prior-owner abuse, but it still needs to be fixed. So, out it comes.

I was really hoping to be able to keep the original tray support, but it was a little to rusty to keep using. So it came out too. Here's the result:


Next step is to clean up the remaining rust and paint it. Then, the new tray and support will be installed.

[racer]

Originally Posted by BillC

Here's the result:
Attachment 62760

Next step is to clean up the remaining rust and paint it. Then, the new tray and support will be installed.

Hey, I'm not the most observant, but it looks like your engine is missing! Did you send it out for a 2270 build

[JmuRiz]

That's the best bang for the buck, or one of McMark's 2056 builds.

[BillC]

Originally Posted by racer

Hey, I'm not the most observant, but it looks like your engine is missing! Did you send it out for a 2270 build

Nope, that's the secret stealth engine. It goes like nothing you've ever seen!

The engine is currently on an engine stand, waiting for me to get around to looking at it. The engine was rebuilt in 2018 (have a receipt for $6500 of parts and labor), so I'll go through it as thoroughly as I can and make sure it's okay before reinstalling it. It ran like cr@p when it arrived but wasn't making any expensive noises; I'm hoping it just needs a tuneup and to have the fuel injection system straightened out. The seller claimed it only had about 100 miles or so on it since the rebuild. But, since the odometer hasn't worked since 2005 (based on a printout from the previous-previous owner), who knows what the car's actual mileage might be.

[BillC]

Well, it's been too long, but I finally had a chance to work on the car again today. I was able to remove most of the rust in the battery tray area, but the wall where the tray attaches was just too far gone. So, I cut out the rust, made a patch and welded it in.

Here's the hole:


Here's the patch next to the cut-out piece:


And here's the patch welded in, with some of the grinding done.

Still need to finish grinding and then paint, before I can install the battery tray.

[cmartin]

good stuff! I feel lame now for only using a wizzer wheel. Good progress!

[BillC]

Didn't plan on it taking so long for this next update, but we've gone back to work full time and it's been pretty busy. Plus, family and life have a tendency to get in the way. But anyway, I did make some progress.

I finished grinding and primed the inner quarter, where the battery tray goes:


Then I welded a nut into the stand and then pre-drilled it, in preparation for welding:


I then welded the stand in place, using the tray as a guide. I also pre-drilled the inner quarter for plug welding the outside edge of the tray.

This is what it looks like inside the quarter panel. It's tight in there, but I can get the mig welder nozzle in and make plug welds


Because it will be such a paint to paint the underside of the tray and inside the stand after the tray is welded in, I pre-painted the tray and inside the stand.


I also drilled the holes for mounting the ECU:


Finally, I welded in the tray.


Here's the inside of the quarter panel, after welding and undercoating.