Self isolated but not alone

[PaulHere]

Hello all
Paul Hedges here
Hope you are all well out there.

For now I am still working full time in retail but I would imagine that some of you are out there in self isolation.
This is the time to chat about our cars, and ask all those awkward questions that you never had the time to ask before.
Like "Does my dashboard hold the record for the most cracks in it?"

We are all scattered around the country, and at the moment non essential travel is discouraged, but we are a network of people and we make social networks and Clubs worthwhile - by staying informed, being part of a group, keeping our mental health and combating loneliness.

Warmest regards to you all.

 

[russmw]

Well said Paul.

We're all social butterfys in various degrees which is why we're all here but the very weird world we live in is causing all of us to be more isolated than ever.

Perfect time to get those jobs done on the car that take a bit of time and fill the longer gaps between the very few events that are still on (fingers crossed for Silverstone classic at the end of July).

Time to help people you may never meet but we all have a common connection - that red and gold crest on the front of our cars.

 

[CarreraRSR]

Still in work until end of the month. Next month I am pretty sure at best it will be reduced hours, but realistically it will be enforced unpaid leave. So apart from the large amount of DIY goods I bought yesterday for the home, the car will get a lot of TLC (like it doesn't get it anyway) with jobs to do inside and out. Happy to discuss 924 turbo topics. After 10 years of ownership, modifying and rebuilding, there isn't much I haven't touched on these cars, but still happy to learn more. Here, 924OC, Facebook and Insta will be my only car chat as my family have had enough of me on the subject a long time ago. That's why DIY is high on the list of 'to do' as we can all do that together as a family.

 

[vitesse]

Although retired I still pick up little jobs here & there so just started one involving refurbishing a pair of Grade 2 listed collapsing gates approx 4.25 x 4.5 m in size .so that will keep me occupied for a while.
Also got several jobs on both our 924S's such as belts on my wife's,+ painting sills & mine likewise plus still getting to the bottom of the Rev cut off nuisance & a near side front bottom wing repair.
Then there is a cloakroom makeover in the house downstairs - so happy days!

 

[russmw]

New rear drums, shoes fitted along with brake fluid flush and a much cleaner header tank fitted. Productive lockdown

 

[tref]

Making use of the time I have between working from home carefully stripping out the spares car. Which leads me to a question... Whilst the floor is rusty, much of the body is in very solid condition. Just wondering which panels I should cut out and keep (obviously the bolt on ones are easy), and where to make any incissions! For example, the boot latch apertures are very good (or is it just 944s they go on?) As are both rear 3/4 panels and pockets. Which is more valuable to keep in one piece? Sacrifice the rear panel to keep the 3/4panels intact, or vice-versa? If anyone needs any such bits - let me know.

 

[russmw]

Most 924s I've seen appear of suffer from rot underneath/in places you cant easily see more than external panels with exception of the front wings and the rear top panel which house the boot locks. I'd say cut wider than planned as it's always easier to trip a bit more off than weld more on.

Spent this afternoon polishing the wheels and tidying everything up under the arches. Passenger side done, drivers side next weekend

 

[russmw]

Spent the day successfuly getting the dash out to refit the dash cap as I've never felt happy about it. Everything came out fine with the exception of one of the screws for the pillar cover which was hiding an old cable for the aerial and I suspect was glued in when fitted in the 80s.

With the dash out I removed the cap and cleaned up all the surfaces removing traces of glue previously used and made it as smooth as possible. I could have then simply bonded the dash cap back on but took the opportunity to cut out where the factory dash speaker cover should be. Lots of measure twice and cut once along with help from my son and it's looking ok

Then it was a case of cleaning the surfaces up and bonding it back together and clamping it up to dry ready to be refitted. It now lines up much better and sits far better than before plus with the speaker cover on it looks more factory.

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Also while everything was apart I've cleaned the pipework etc for the ventilation and any paintwork on display.

 

[PaulHere]

Fantastic photos, many thanks for taking the time to show us this - I get asked all the time about what to do with cracked dashboards, it's good to see someone demystify the process

 

[924Srr27l]

Still working and No chance of Not with static overheads (like £1000 rent) even if I don't trade is still payable! and many bills, the joys of running a business but at least I can as I work alone so, social distancing when customers drop a car or a set of wheels off is no probs and 15 years in the business is now paying off with many regulars and I've also had a spate of Race car stuff whilst people sit at home wondering what can they get done!

The 924 Racer has been seriously neglected since it's last outing (Donnington April 2019) but Some progress has been made although it currently
seems to be in a mode of taking loads of things off it! especially the front end which is having a redesign for the radiator position (45 degree angle) so
it can duct up and out through the bonnet...

The whole front structure is quite thin went you strip everything off it, but I guess this is 1970's vehicle design and safety so it's having new metalwork
built up some welded on , some bolt on so the proposed rad position and cowling can be fitted...

A few modified car's are now cutting all the front off up to the suspension turrets..

Here's a picture of what (USA) Motorwerks do to the chassis when fitted with a Audi 1.8 Turbo lump fitted...

R

 

[vitesse]

And not even a strut brace in place-looks quite " unstable" compared to previous jpegs of your front end mods you,ve posted,Roger.??

 

[924Srr27l]

And not even a strut brace in place-looks quite " unstable" compared to previous jpegs of your front end mods you,ve posted,Roger.??

I think the illusion of nothing going across the top at the front may appear to look less strong, but I bet it's not.
The turrets have been reinforced, and the front subframe will have more rigidity than the oe from lateral badge structure which is thin steel box

R