'73 914 2.0....what to do first?, New to a project like this...where to start? Options

[AKFish]

HI there, my name is Dominic and I have an avid reader of this forum for nearly a year, now its time to get rolling on my project...

About this time last year, I purchased a 1973 914 2.0. The previous owners bought it as part of a bundle of 914's and only kept a couple.
I have some documentation from when the car was first purchased, but the more recent owners have proven elusive. It was owned by a member here named "kurbfrog" but he/she has not responded to my contact attempts, so recent history is a bit murky. Sounds like the guy I really want to talk to, headed south of the border in a bit of a hurry.
I acquired the car in a partially disassembled state. The engine, a 2.0 with it's original FI still attached, is out and pretty much everything is removed from the engine bay and the interior. Many of the removed parts are carefully bagged up and some even have labels. On the whole, the car is in pretty solid condition, however, there are some of the typical rust issues.....
The engine shelf has been cut for A/C and there is rust in the hell hole and I can see rust developing in the outer long (I think that's what it is called). My reading here would suggest that there is a lot more than meets the eye.
What I would really like to do is find out if the engine runs...and if so, just put the car back together and drive it for a while. I could decide after that, if a "rustoration" is right for me...I have zero background in fabrication/welding.

Question: What are the MUST DO items to perform on the engine while it is out, to give me the best odds of getting the car going again?

P.S. My car came with this 1975 Roller that is pretty well gutted.

[914_7T3]

Nice Project!

Several members including myself are currently in the process of working on 1973 2.0 Cars so feel free to reach out should you need any info.

@bbrock can help you with welding & rustoration tips

@Superhawk996 really knows his engine builds

My specialty is parts sourcing

Many members will provide you with all the info that you need.


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

[AKFish]

[quote name='914_7T3' date='Nov 12 2019, 01:20 AM' post='2761434']
Nice Project!

Several members including myself are currently in the process of working on 1973 2.0 Cars so feel free to reach out should you need any info.

@bbrock can help you with welding & rustoration tips

@Superhawk996 really knows his engine builds

My specialty is parts sourcing

Many members will provide you with all the info that you need.


Thank you so much, I’m sure some parts will be needed!

I have been following @bbrock and @superhawk996 as well as numerous other build threads. I am supremely impressed by the level of skill and dedication applied in many of these builds. Inspirational for sure!

[914_7T3]

[quote name='AKFish' date='Nov 12 2019, 04:41 PM' post='2761649']
[quote name='914_7T3' date='Nov 12 2019, 01:20 AM' post='2761434']

Thank you so much, I’m sure some parts will be needed!

I have been following @bbrock and @superhawk996 as well as numerous other build threads. I am supremely impressed by the level of skill and dedication applied in many of these builds. Inspirational for sure!
[/quote]

Here's mine, lots more subcontract work and tons of assistance from the Community........

http://914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=308753

[AKFish]

Here's mine, lots more subcontract work and tons of assistance from the Community........

http://914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=308753
[/quote]

Mine was also sold at Gateway Porsche/Audi in Portland. 4/7/73