Hello guys, I am new here to the 914 World forum. I have really enjoyed the topics that are covered here and loved watching all of the build threads and restoration projects everyone has posted.

I just bought a 1972 914 from a friend a couple of weeks ago and I am trying to come up with a plan on how to get this car back on the road. It seems it has been off the road for more than 10 years and it has just sat since then. Luckily it had been kept from the elements so there is minimal surface rust and most body panels are straight.

The engine seems to be missing some components and the harness for the fuel injection is in pretty bad shape. Also the engine seems to be from a 1973 model year because the number on it is EB005705

Now since the engine isn't original for the car I do not know if it's worth to go on an all out restoration or to just do a repaint, fix all the mechanicals and get it on the road again, what do you guys think?

Oh and since I know how people hate threads without pictures here are some of the car for you.

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And this is after I got the engine home on my truck.

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I know the paint looks rough but it looks clean and straight, good door gaps - take the rocker covers off to see the longs better and take some pictures of the engine compartment and post - if those areas and under seats look good no structural rust I would clean it up, - if your budget it tight I would do a vinyl wrap until you can affor a full out paint job, or paint now - but if you are anxious to drive it , well then go thru the brake system first, check compression on motor, clean , drain etc and reinstall it and drive and enjoy for a while, - but it looks like your friend stopped after stripping it down some to do more work, maybe now if you have time, $$ and space, to do it now- but safety first- new gas lines and hoses, brakes flushed out and make sure new pads and no frozen up calipers, while motor is out it might be a good time to really check it out- do you know when motor ran last and what its condition is?

good luck, you know you will find the help you need here !

Also look in the classifieds or post a WTB ad, as some people are swapping engines like crazy. You might be able to find a good running example to bolt right in, and get you on the road.

Most of the other questions you have to answer for yourself.

And 10 years off the road that was a short jack stand break.




Since your new to this place you might notice at the bottom of my posts in my signature, I am poking fun at myself and my family.

I have an engine swap build that has gone off the deep end.

I have one of the oldest 914 restorations or rebuilds know to man.

To paraphrase McMark - A running 914 beats one on stands any day of the week.

Best wisdom ever, get yours running, get it on the road. These cars are pretty easy to upgrade in short time or fix items as you go. And driving these little things is what keeps all of us coming back here. I could never muster all the work I do on these cars if I did not like to so much.

Nice car! I love seeing restorations from cars in the shape yours is in.

Welcome! Original or not, I lean towards getting it on the road again.

off topic; that's a bitchin' 620 you've got there. takes me back to my youth...

i used to scoff at low rider mini trucks until i loaded my motorcycle into my friend's...

welcome!

Thanks a lot for the warm welcome and advice

The idea is to do a full mechanical rebuild along with paint and body. I'm going to slowly start striping it down and get all the systems corrected. I do not know when the engine last ran, it didn't run back when my friend first bought it. I do know it turns freely and I am contemplating building this motor up to a 1911 with 96mm pistons but I would need to find some 1.8 or 2.0 heads.


Here are some pictures of the engine compartment, I just didn't take any after I took the engine out since I was covered in grease jajaja

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jajaja you really made me laugh. Well I wish I could just get this running quick but knowing me and how I like my cars that won't happen. This little 914 will be getting a good treatment. The day I took the engine out I also took the interior out and it already went to the upholstery shop.

I saw your thread the other day and really liked it, I'm going to be looking more into it because it has some very good information.

Hopefully soon I can get it back on the road, and by original what I mean is not modifying it with a bigger engine and fender flares. My friend got a set of fiberglass fender flares that he gave me with the car and was wanting to do something like this, unless everyone thinks it's a really stupid idea

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LOL same here, but I love this little truck and I know exactly what you mean about loading motorcycles

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I bought a 1600 pickup in June of 73, then my first 914 in August. Both brand new! Great little truck. Wish I still had it.

Your project looks like a great starting point!

Thanks guys really appreciate it

@ The Cabinetmaker, I think there are always some cars we regret getting rid of.

The engine compartment looks dirty, but doesn't look a rusty mess like most of these cars usually are.

Good luck with it.......and,

Thanks for the welcome, I'll get some better pictures of the engine compartment next time. I do see some rust up where the battery tray is. I will end up replacing the tray.

I'll be watching this thread because this car has particular allure for me. Like Larmo said, it's rare to see one of these that is crusty but not rusty. Very interesting...

bbrock, I'm glad you like it. I sure hope that I do not find too much h rust as I hate having to repair it. They paint on it is really crusty jajaja

Got the engine semi torn apart and I also started cleaning up the transmission trying to get all the gunk off. Hopefully here next week I will be able to get most of the parts that I took off cleaned and sent out to get sand blasted.

I've decided to build my 1.7 motor to a 2056 and found a great local guy to get the 2.0 crankshaft and some other parts that I need for the rebuild. I also looking to get a copy of the Bug Me Type 4 Engine Rebuild video in case anyone has one for sale.

I'll be building the engine for street and freeway use but will need to go with Dual 40 carbs, if anyone has any recommendations or tips for me I would love to hear them. Thanks guys

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and nice truck!

Konrad

Hi Pedro. Looks as good as most of these projects on here if not even better. Does seem to be pretty straight from the pics you’ve shown. Lotsa luck! Keep
Posting.

From another Pedro

Way ta go man....make it happen!

@ Konrad, thanks bud

@ Dion, yeah the body is pretty straight just one issue with a small accident on the left front headlight and a dented left door. At least those will be easy fixes. I'm planning on taking the whole car apart in about two weeks. Only then will I be able to know if there is any major rust repair.

@ Shadowfax, saludos tocayo! jajajaja

@ Fatboy007, I will man, hopefully soon I can show you guys some progress And we are neighbors jajaja

Thanks guys!

Wow! Fellow Datsun guy. PM me your address and I’ll get you that item we discussed. Least I can do for a datsun bro...

That is such a beautiful car Rob I was looking for one of those but the 914 popped up and I got it instead. After I finish the 914 I'll look for another 240Z

In fact I brought the 914 home yesterday and had to put the Datsun 620 out in the street Why can't my wife just give up her parking spot in the garage?

After I got it home I started tearing into it and removed the fuel tank along with other pieces in there. I was surprised that the fuel tank is in such good condition. Even inside it was really nice and clean.

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Some pictures of the disassembly process. I built the stand from some pictures and plans I saw on another members thread and I must say it's pretty awesome. Working on the car like this has been a pleasure and by back isn't all sore

Here with the help of some friends we got it up onto the stand.

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Someone had asked for pictures of the rockers, well here is the right side and it was in good condition so I am happy about that. The left side is mostly the same.

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And a couple more overall pictures

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This past weekend I finished taking the car apart and then cleaned it up a bit. Everything came off fairly easily but I need to buy the socket to remove my front ball joints. Body work to start soon

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Looking good on your project! keep posting ur progress!

You guys have no idea how good you’ve got it with these solid bodies.

It's been a while, but I had to put the car in storage to finish another more pressing project. Now that it is finished I can get back on this full time and starting to look for the next project

Now that I'm going to get back on it I need to find someone close to me in San Diego to do my heads, so if anyone has a good person to do them please let me know.

When I bought the car I did not find out until later that it came with some 40 Dual Carbs, a set of 96mm pistons and a 2.0 crankshaft with rods. The guy I bought it from called me up and said that I had forgotten some parts and to go pick them up. Imagine my surprise when I saw what they were. Now my engine is a 1.7 but I will need to rebuild my heads and get bigger valves for them. Hope you guys can let me know who I should take them to here in Southern California.

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Surprises on these cars usually are not nice like this...

JOEPROPER I agree, wish they happened more often.

So I've been doing some of the tedious work of getting parts cleaned up and sent to get them powder coated. I sent them to a guy I had never used before in Tijuana and I was very pleased when I picked them up. He did a great job and had them ready for me the day he said. It only cost me $250.00 for all of these parts.

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Since my car did not have a front sway bar, I decided to buy the on from GR German Parts Restoration. It was shipped out very quickly and I had it the same week I ordered it. I was very impressed with the quality and the parts look great. I really can't wait to put this on my car

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Ok, where did I leave off so long ago , yes I remember, I was trying to restore a 914

Added LED's to my gauges and now they are nice and bright, my eyes will be able to see them at night now



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Had to do a bit of wire repair and paint, I was lucky that the original stamping was still visible on the parts so I avoided painting over those.

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My homebrew plating operation Not professional quality results but I am happy with the way they turned out.


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Even though the car was fairly rust free, the rear floor section had some pretty bad rust. I bought the replacement panels from Restoration Design and they fit great right out of the box

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At this point I was happy how everything was fitting so I started welding everything up. When I was done I noticed that I forgot to install the bracket for the back seat upholstery Needles to say I had to drill out the welds and put the bracket back in.

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Here is the bracket installed and the installation of the seat rails.

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Last week I took my engine on a little trip to LA, some of you might recognize the place. It has been great working with them, Jorge and Carlos have been great to work with.

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Got my boy some new shoes. Bought these from Maxilite wheels and I think they look great. Sizes are 8x15 and 9x15, tires are FALKEN AZENIS RT660 225/45ZR-15 and 245/40ZR-15

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Looking like progress!!!!

With those wheels, looks like you decided to go WIDE-BODY.

Love it...All my current 914's are wide-body but I long for the day I can add a nice original 73-74 2.0 narrow-body to the stable.

Keep this thread updated



Oscar

Another build thread, awesome!

This 914 looks pretty solid and even more so now. Nice!

Thanks Oscar, I am going wide-body. It was a tough decision to cut up the car but I love the look, so no looking back now.

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Aside from the rear of the floor the rest of the car was pretty solid, thanks

During my kids summer break I put him to work on all those little jobs everyone loves to do

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He actually did a pretty good job at it

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Primer inside the cab so it doesn't rust again.

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Here it is, ready for the bodywork to begin

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Another one coming back to life, keep up the good work.

Thank you! Wish we could bring them all back to life.

Work continues on the metal prep prior to epoxy primer. Had to work in sections to get the epoxy primer on before the panels developed surface rust again.

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A few more. I was able to finish the whole car and now it will be ready for body work.

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