BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Michigan Build, Garland, Never ending project, 8/2023 reinstalling headlamp housings Options

[Garland]

The start:
2016 Build-Off
Here I go!

I purchased the car on eBay in 1999 site unseen, and only two polorid's in the post. Looked great, sitting in a empty dusty old garage. I ask lots of questions, original paint? Factory new looking wheels? History, on and on.

He couldn't tell me anything about the car, his buddy owned it and he new nothing.
Singed over ownership 6 mts ago. He did say looks like a great car, and knows it was fast. Says 2.0 on it. 400 miles away, a buddy with a flat bed, it was worth the risk. Price was right.

On arrival, I'm on it, all over the car. Long story short the thrill is gone!
Repaint in somebody's garage, 50 footer, or a polorid. Rear end hit, hard, car pushed into something damaged the left front. Right front damage, not to bad.
Engine runs on 2 cylinders, yet it is a 2.0, with carbs. Must have been the reason for the FIRE in the engine bay. One head is trashed from the fire, and theirs nothing else to talk about, except the A/C system they must have got on eBay and hacked into the car.

(Key words: eBay, "was" fast, Polorid, and risk)

I swapped in a 1.7 and a tail shift 2.0 exchangers with triad exhaust. 1971 complete interior (had one). Plus just about every other trim part. Polished the paint, cleaned up the wheels, and I drove it. Now it's time to fix It.




MICHIGAN BUILD


(Short monthly update posts) @ Contest Link




1973 Red 1.7

5 Major Tasks to complete during the Challenge:

1. Replace back half of rear trunk floor. (Rusted, rear ended, poorly patched)





& Replace entire rear body panel, and Bumper. (Rear ended, poorly repaired)





& Patch in 1/2 left front fender. (Poorly repaired)





2. Delete headlamp doors, modify hood, and relocate headlamps.





3. Install 4 steel flares, and modify all valances. 5 lug, and wheel tire package.





4. Build up, and replace engine.
Installed now:


With:
1.7 914 Engine balanced
260 x 396 Cam .006
96mm Big Bore kit
Mallory Unlite Distributor 14004
Weber 40 DCNF (w/ very short intakes)
Air jet 1.80 Main 1.25
2.0 L exhaust
Work in progress replacement.

5. Major interior renew.

Still need to finish the engine, and start it. Purchased here from a member a few years ago.
I have a 2nd 914 that I'm also working on, and been a owner of many since the 70's. I do all my own work. My enjoyment time.

[Garland]

Put together the rear struts. Old pair of Koni red adj, and new welt 140 lb springs.



Got a little bit done last night, put the drop links in with new bushings. Heated up the bushings in water, and pressed them in A bit sideways, till they popped in. Then big pliers to squeeze on to the studs.



Heated up the wheel studs a bit to be able to remove them, losses the lock tight. Then moved the long ones up front, and the shorts to the rear. Shorts are still a bit to short , need to order additional 10 more.





Was able to mount all 4 wheels, and completely lower the lift. Everything clears fine. Till I'm road worthy I'll have to wait on exact spacer size, but I'm very close.






Still to go:

Finishing touches on the flares, and valance bodywork
Headlight doors delete
Headlights added to new location
Interior swap out.
Replace both doors
Engine build up, and replace


I have added a few extra tasks to my original build list of 5.
This happens all the time, one reason my projects always take so long. But This time I'll have to draw a line, thanks to a dead line.

Of course I'm sure I'll find more to do, other then drive it, after 9-14-16. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif)