buying car just for engine?, is this nuts? Options

[mightyohm]

I have noticed that there are usually a few 74-76 cars around that have 2 liter engines but are in pretty sad shape otherwise. Because of this they sell CHEAP. I am starting think about maybe picking one of these up just to steal the 2.0 and then sell off what is left. Who has done this and how did it work out?

The obvious risks I can see are:

1. If the rest of the car is in bad shape, the engine is probably in disrepair also.

2. A lot of times they are not running or not drivable and thus there is no way to test the engine health before buying.

3. In my understanding 73 2.0s are the best, 74s are almost as good with not as much vacuum advance (easily fixed), but 75-76 have smog ports to plug etc and will probably be in bad shape from being run hot all their lives.

3. Getting rid of a POS car with no engine probably sucks and takes forever. Even if I put my 1.7 into it to sell it I bet it will still be a PITA.

All I want is the 2.0, tin, fuel injection, and harness. Anything else useful is gravy.

[mightyohm]

Well, given that I don't really have garage access at my new place (the people I am living with prefer to use it to park cars, what the heck?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) )
I don't know if rebuilding an engine (especially in the rainy season) would be a good idea. I do have a covered patio outback that I use to work in though......

Ok. The real reason is that I'm just being lazy and trying to avoid having to rebuild an engine. I want to throw in a nice 2.0, enjoy the extra power, and forget about my 1.7's overheating problems forever.

If I build my own engine I am going to be very tempted to go non-stock, and then I will end up spending the next 6 months trying to figure out what to build, what parts to use, whether to use D-jet or Megasquirt, etc etc.