75 1.7L 914 Build, for my own learning and project tracking Options

[Vicious]

I've always wanted to own a 914. My dad had a few before I came along and talked about it often. In high school we looked for one to build together but it never happened. In July of 2022, I was visiting my goddaughter at her grandfather's house when the grandfather and I got to talking about cars. He was talking about Karmann Ghias and I said something along the lines of "I'd much rather have a Porsche 914" to which he responded "I've got one. Its been sitting for 20 years" I jokingly told him to let me know if he wanted to sell it. When he came back and said for $1000.00 I could have it I agreed sight unseen.

August of 2022, still never having seen the car, I made the 4 hour drive back with my trailer to pick up my new to me 914. I had no idea what to expect and honestly expected the worst. It had been sitting for 20 years after all. This is the backstory I was given, as best I can remember:

In the early 2000s, he took his rusted out 1973 (i think) 914 to a shop in Des Moines, IA to be restored. They ultimately decided to pick up a shell in I believe Arkansas and frankenstein a car together. Thus why my 1975 has a 1.7L in it. Car got a fresh coat of paint and a rebuild and he drove it home. He was then unable to title the vehicle due to the body swap, stashed it in the back of his shed and never touched it again. Unfortunately, after all this time, he was unable to find any of his paperwork or keys to the vehicle.

Here's how the vehicle looked after getting it out of the shed.

[Vicious]

Unfortunately, as it does, life happened. I broke my back. Spent a lot of time laid up, then my wife and I welcomed our second child. Then new job, yada yada, excuses excuses. Car went back into storage. Now, 2.5 years later I'm finally getting serious about getting it back on the road. Some of the parts have been ordered. Working on restoring some of the tins now. Unfortunately I didn't really properly store anything so I'm nervous about what I will find. Engine was stored with the heads and jugs off.

This forum has been so fascinating and informative. There are people on here with such impressive skillsets and knowledge and I'm excited to learn all I can. I'm a young guy with BASIC mechanical knowledge, but this will be above and beyond anything Ive ever done before.

My list as of now:
-motor rebuild
-new headers and exhaust since heat exchangers are shot and i dont really need heat
-new gas lines.
-rebuild brake calipers
-interior refresh
-run through electrical since there was nests in the car

[Spoke]

-motor rebuild

Having owned a 1.7L, 1.8L, 2.0L and currently 2.056L engines, I'd look for a good used 2.0L or greater engine. Or buy a big 4 from PMB or other supplier. The 1.7L/1.8L engines lack power.

The 2.056L I have was purchased from Garold Shaffer as a non-running engine. It too had a mouse nest but otherwise was operational and has run well for many years.

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