New chasis - Broad overview to Swap Everything from Parts Car Options

[ky914]

New member but long time lurker. I have been given a 1973 914 with a 1.7 engine. Unfortunately, it is too far gone due to rust. I know the engine and trans were good when it was last driven over 5 years ago. It has been converted to dual Weber 40's. It hasn't been driven more than 50 miles in the last 20+ years.

For the last 3 years I have been looking for a chassis that is local, cheap, and rust free. I knew this was impossible. However, it looks like I just found what I was looking for. I am buying an abandoned project and getting the 74 chassis. The floor pans have already been replaced. Hell hole looks ok from the pics. Long's are said to be solid with some pitting. My fingers are crossed it is as good as it looks. Regardless, the price was right. I will be picking it up next Sunday and will post pics when they are available.

I know a ground up restoration is huge, expensive and potentially cause for divorce. Can some of the experienced people on here give me a broad overview of the reasonable steps to transfer everything from my parts car to the new chassis?

I assume I need to get the all of the body panels prepped and ready so I can paint before putting on all of the other parts. After it is painted and glass is reinstalled, I assume I will need to deal with getting the suspension and brakes in shape. After that, engine and transmission, etc...

Let me know what you think the proper broad steps are that need to be done. I am assuming the car doesn't need additional work to repair rust damage. What are the big items I have to buy? Do you think I need a complete rubber kit?

What things are necessary to buy?
What things should be bought and why?

Thanks,

Michael

[bulitt]

Early 73 or Late?
Harnesses in both cars?
Sway bars?
You are in luck as the doors and glass are direct transfers (73 was a change over yr, hopefully window lifts are scissor style on both cars).
Make sure you are very gentle with the rubber seals as they are expensive to replace.
The targa roof and latches should transfer over.
Fuel tanks, expansion tanks should transfer over (not sure on the expansion/EPA stuff), wipers should be same. Determine if you have intermittants= different wiring.
Steering columns same, linkage orientation should be the same, not sure. You can put the entire rack,linkage,column, and wheel on from one car to the other.
Sideshifters in both.
Figure out which electrics you are going to use as the harnesses/connections are different from yr to yr. So probably be easier to use all the 73 stuff with the 73 harness, or all the 74 stuff with the 74 harness but some stuff will mix. DONT cut anything on the harnesses. They can be removed with patience. When you pull wires off a component (gauge as an example) wrap them all together with some electrical tape so you have a bundle for that component. Get a marker and write wire colors on each connection, or tag each connection, or make a drawing, document which wire goes where on each component- trust me, please, this will save you big headaches. Did I mention - DONT cut anything on the harnesses! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
Get yourself an enlarged electrical schematic off Ebay or Amazon.
Be gentle removing the windshield they crack easily.
Put every nut and bolt in a baggie and label it.
Park the tubs next to each other and transfer the parts one component at a time, easier than removing everything for re-install at a later date. Easier than trying to remember how each part goes on.
Test components before re-installing. Put twelve volts to the fresh air blower motor so you know its good prior to reinstalling.
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