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

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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.

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Baby steps. New engine stand came in. This is the stand and yolk I'm using. Not the fanciest but when you want steak and wine on a bread and butter budget you make it work.

Jegs Engine Stand:
https://shorturl.at/WJBBZ

AA Pistons Yolk:
https://shorturl.at/1zcF6

Busy day today before going out of town for work for a few days. Between meetings swung by the house and got the new stand assembled.

After my last few meetings of the day I got the engine on the stand and cleaned up my garage a bit so that I could work without losing my mind. I've been working on various odds and ends when I can and the workspace was in need of some tidying. Then it was time to go spend some time with kiddos before being away for a few days. While small it felt so good to make some semblance of progress. These days I spend far more hours reading through old build threads from the impressive members on this forum than actually working on mine.

When I get back from my trip it'll be time to split the case finally and get the last of my parts ordered for the engine refresh.

Note the bucket of evaporust and the shelf under the bench loaded full of rusty porsche parts. LOL Long ways to go....