Full Restoration Hurdles & Advice, What slowed you down? What did you encounter that you didn't predict? Options

[stevegm]

I am starting a full restoration of a '71 914-4 (Build thread - http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...242895&hl=). 914World has been incredibly helpful. I thought it might be good to have a thread where those with experience doing full restorations could post about the major hurdles they encountered along the way. Knowing what to expect ahead of time could really help others avoid the big issues.

What advice can you share?
What problems slowed you down the most?
What challenges stumped you for a while?
What hurdles did you not see coming?


ADVICE:
1. Buy pre-formed chassis panels from Restoration Design; and brace your chassis very well if your having to do welding work.
2. Figure out what your going to do about the wiring harness before you take it out. And don't ever cut wiring.
3. Have Eric at PMB rebuld your calipers. Will save a lot of trouble.
4. Buy a complete rubber kit (914rubber). It will save money versus piecing it together.
5. Start collecting replacement parts early, since they arent' always available when you need them.
6. Get the engine and transmission (Dr. Evil Clinic) rebuilt well in advance of completion.
7. Label and photograph everything.
8. Label all bolts. Bolts seem to be a recurring issue that causes grief.
9. Locate a shop in advance and make it clear when you want the car back.
10. Find a plater in advance for all the nuts, bolts and cad plated stuff.
11. Know your limits. If you have a deadline don't try to teach yourself to do things in days and weeks that others have spend years learning. Ya, sometimes it works out but if your serious about a deadline what if it doesn't.
12. Be prepared to write big checks. Oh, and have at least 5k in the bank over and above your highest estimate incase things go sideways.
13. Take, and organize, hundreds of pictures as you disassemble. So you
remember where everything went and how.. especially the
heater vent cables and where wires go through the front cowl bulkhead.
14. Plan on spending lots of hours on Ebay searching for parts at good prices if
you can't find them here.
15. Draw diagrams of where electrical wires come off and which colors go where; Especially the tail lights and instruments.
16. Blast first. Strip the car, brace it, put it on the rotisserie, cut the rust out and then have the car soda blasted. That will help you find the spots you missed, make it easier to weld and prevent a major sticking point.