Thank you StarBear and Ryan. Agreed, I need to get off my rear and get busy. Here's a pic before the red paint.
Click to view attachment I know there's rust. That's gonna be highest priority, and likely the toughest job, along with paint. Tons of other things like a broken windscreen, engine will need to be freshened, fuel system, electrical, pretty much everything needs going over. Next, I really want to convert to 5 lug.
Just happen to have a '73 911 that's in many pieces, likely to stay that way, so thinking of using parts as a donor. Then, well, why not go ahead and make the 914 a 6

. Problem is the engine needs alot of work. Crank needs turning and the rods are already on 3rd undersize. 2.4 cranks aren't cheap! After an oil tank, headers, engine mount, etc, start thinking maybe I should just go Chevy V8.

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My dad had a '67 Chevelle with a 283. The car is gone, but not the engine. In fact, I think this pic shows the mirror from the Chevelle. Seems like I had to get a replacement. Most articles I read say the 283 is perfect for a 914 swap since it's relatively high revving and can be built without overdoing low end torque and destroying the 914's transmission. The 283 would add some sentimental value too, kinda rein
carnating my dad's Chevelle. I just don't want to run water lines or hoses under the car, something about that just doesn't feel right with my ocd, so unless I can solve this I'm hesitant to go this route.
So after stripping it down for repair, gonna need to decide whether to go flat 6, v8, or just leave the 2.0 four that's in it and drive it as I remember from many moons ago. Many decisions and lots of work before it's on the road again.
Dan