10/17/2024
Lots of Progress on our new/vintage 911 ST tribute build . The front end is essentially completed, the floor is joined to the wheel housings as well as the battery boxes and gas tank support panels. We’ve done some pre assembly of the VIN panel/ smugglers box and are testing fitment.
Working with modern E coated panels utilize a different protocol than the old school steel panels when it comes to prepping for welding and sealing afterwards. We are cleaning the fl**ges to bare metal, cleaning them with denatured alcohol and then coating them with weld through primer. Without proper prep attempts to weld even with a spot welder will result in major splatter and poor spot welds due to contamination. With the welding completed we immediately clean, prime and seal the fl**ge to prevent humidity from flash rusting any part of the fl**ge.
As can be seen in the pictures, we have some pretension in our floors and wheelhouses that we have to contend with. In some areas we have as much as a half inch gap to close. It’s a common misconception that this is due to defective panels or a poor fit. This is totally normal everyday stuff even with factory panels. People often assume that the panels should all line up perfect when bolted to the Celette bench. This is rarely the case. Typically we’ll remove the fixtures in that area allowing us to flex that area as needed with hydraulic pressure to eliminate the gaps. Once it’s properly welded we’ll reinstall the fixtures and stretch everything back to the proper position and all will be happy.
We’re now at a stopping point, next week we’re anticipating our shifter tunnel, longitudinals and rear crossmember to arrive from overseas… we really need to get these installed before we do the VIN panel/smugglers box/ dash
