[fbarrett]

JF:

Depending on the car's overall condition and price, this could be a decent deal. You can always find and reinstall a genuine 912 engine (though it may not match number-wise, and it won't be cheap to overhaul) then sell the 914 engine or keep it as a spare. I've driven a couple of 912s with turbocharged 2-liter 914 engines and enjoyed them, though my car still has the original. In the unlikely event that the owner (or a known previous owner) still has the original engine--even if it's shot and apart--it would be a nice bonus.

Chassis condition (corrosion) is usually more important than engine condition; proper rust repairs are usually more expensive than mechanical repairs.

Frank