Pain in the Rear! | Barn-Find Porsche 356 Restoration | Episode 19

Summary

In this workshop episode, the team tackles the Porsche restoration project with renewed vigor, focusing on the engine bay area. Despite a busy week with no progress on the Porsche and the acquisition of a new project, the episode dives into correcting a mistake made in panel alignment. A detailed process of trial, error, and adjustment unfolds as they work to correctly fit and weld a new panel to the chassis, ensuring proper alignment with the engine lid. The session is filled with technical challenges, teamwork, and a blend of frustration and triumph as they aim to reassemble the rear of the car. The episode concludes with a call for assistance from the 356 community regarding specific vehicle parts, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the restoration community.

Takeaways

• 😊 The video is part of an ongoing Porsche 356 restoration project
• 😮 A mistake was made in previously welding a panel, so it needs to be redone
• 👷‍♂️ John has come to help work on getting the engine bay fully assembled
• 🛠 The rear engine panel is test fitted multiple times to get it aligned perfectly
• 🔧 The engine lid latch is repaired and reinstalled to help position the panel
• 🎯 The goal is to have the back of the car mostly reassembled by the end of the video
• 😊 A new project car (a 1990 something) is hinted at but details are left for later
• 😅 Installing the rear panel takes all day and over 30 attempts to get right
• ⚙️ Additional parts like the wheel arches will be positioned based on the rear panel
• ❓ Guidance is requested on the purpose of some tabs on the newly installed panel

Q & A

What is the main focus of the workshop session mentioned in the transcript?

The main focus of the workshop session is to get the engine bay of a Porsche completely buttoned up, involving tasks such as removing the engine lid, rebuilding, and ensuring everything lines up correctly.

Who is John and what is his role in the workshop?

John is an individual who has volunteered another day of his time to assist in the workshop activities, specifically in the tasks related to the Porsche's engine bay.

What mistake did the speaker make during the project?

The speaker made a mistake by getting ahead of themselves and welding a new panel directly to the chassis leg without placing the rear engine bay panel in between, which was the correct order.

How does the speaker plan to correct their mistake?

The speaker plans to correct their mistake by drilling out the spot welds with a Worth spot weld drill bit, peeling off the incorrectly welded panel, and then properly positioning the new panel before spot welding all three layers together.

What is the significance of the engine lid in the project?

The engine lid is significant because it needs to be properly aligned and fitted into the aperture of the rear panel, which is crucial for the back of the car to be correctly reassembled.

How do the workshop participants ensure the proper alignment and fit of the panels?

They ensure proper alignment and fit by repeatedly offering up the panels, trimming and adjusting as necessary, and using the original engine lid for alignment checks to ensure it fits in the aperture correctly.

What is the 'order of the lasagna' mentioned in the context of assembling the car's rear?

The 'order of the lasagna' refers to the specific layering order of the car's rear panels during assembly, which should be chassis leg, inner panel, and then the outer panel.

What are the steps taken before finally spot welding the panel in place?

Before spot welding the panel in place, they perform a 'pill test' to ensure the primer holds during welding, prep the surfaces with weld-through primer, and carefully position the panel to ensure correct alignment.

What is the purpose of the primer used before spot welding?

The primer used before spot welding is a weld-through primer, which helps protect the metal from corrosion and ensures a strong and durable weld.

What request for help is made at the end of the transcript?

At the end of the transcript, the speaker requests help in identifying the purpose of two heavy, substantial tabs located on the rear end panel of a 356, which they are unable to find a use for.