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]

I haven't even started getting going on assembly and Murphys law is in effect. Yolk for the motor came in today and it doesn't fit my engine stand. Apparently Harbor Freight downsized their receiver tubes. OD of the yolk shift is 60mm. OD of the engine stand receiver tube is also 60mm. Briefly considered making an adapter to go between them but don't want to move the weight that far forward and risk accidents.

Apparently I'm not the only one who's had this issue and a little bit more searching would've saved me some irritation. Now to purchase a new stand. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

[930cabman]

I haven't even started getting going on assembly and Murphys law is in effect. Yolk for the motor came in today and it doesn't fit my engine stand. Apparently Harbor Freight downsized their receiver tubes. OD of the yolk shift is 60mm. OD of the engine stand receiver tube is also 60mm. Briefly considered making an adapter to go between them but don't want to move the weight that far forward and risk accidents.

Apparently I'm not the only one who's had this issue and a little bit more searching would've saved me some irritation. Now to purchase a new stand. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Ol Murph never sleeps. I went through this about a year ago. I had a cheapie engine stand that would handle a 4 cyl just fine. A 6 cyl came into the shop and I wouldn't chance it. I can't fully remember how I did it, but the process involved my local machinist to fab some sort of bushing or ??

Stick with it, the frustration never ends, but every so often there are victories (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)