newbie--914 ownerr for 36 hours '75 1.8, 26 years in storage. Now what? Options

[almus]

Greetings,

I am a newbie 914 owner. Said green 1975 1.8 has been
in garage in northern NH since 1984. There is rust,but it is
surprisingly not that bad. Purchased for the princely sum of 500.
Interior good. battery support is rusty but doesn't appear to be
real bad. Looks to be about 62k original miles.

Gas tank contents have reverted to primordial ooze.
Gas tank cleaning kit? or radiator shop? Donor?
Oil is clean; must have been changed just before being
parked. Can't open rear trunk

I am concerned the entire fuel system may be shot.
My thoughts are to find a rusty donor car to
scavenge.

I have some newbie questions.

Will any 914 motor fit in my car? If I get a 2.0 donor,
are there any years that *won't* fit because of ???
(transmission? mounts? etc?)


Any local (to me) gurus willing to show me the ropes?
I am in south east New Hampshire.


Thanks.

-a

[charliew]

Welcome. These guys know it all and have done anything possible on these cars already. Just take the calipers off till you decide what path you are going to take with the car. At least it will roll. Is the eb lever frozen? If it is soak it with pb blaster forawhile and see if it is saveable. If there is rust behind the seats check the rear window for leaks before you wash it. It will wiggle if it is loose. I would put marvel mystery oil in the spark plug holes and let it set a few days before you try to turn the motor over to lube and free up the rings. 62 k the sus bushings might not be worn but probably pretty hard and will maybe come apart but maybe not. The tranny may still have some of the factory wax stuff on it so read up on cleaning it up on the outside. The motor will probaby need resealing. While the motor is out check the shifter bushings. Lube the pivot points on the pedal assembly and maybe it will be okay. Lube the door hinges pretty soon before you open and close them a lot. Most folks never lube a door hinge. You might want to take a lot of pict. to keep up with where stuff goes in the engine comp.

Oh yeah, I also have a very stock 75 1.8 and it's still complete as of now but it will not be after it comes apart. It might be a good reference for you if you are going back stock. I am not real proficient at posting pictures yet but I do need to get that skill sometime. My car does not have swaybars but that doesn't mean yours are not originals.

Try not to get to friendly with the bf hammer. These parts are not cheap if they are original. I would go buy about four cans of pb blaster and soak every bolt you plan on removing in the future and keep them soaked till you get to them.

Oh yeah, I just finished a restoration with my oldest son on a 72 super beetle that I took away from him in 86. We thought it wouldn't need much. Well it needed the 500.00 rubber body kit, the 1000.00 interior and of course all the other normal stuff so it's really a slippery slope but there is no big rush.

I read your post again, is the wrap you are talking about on the fuel lines? It could be a vaporlock attempted solution.