GrampaTim wrote:
I do not have the key for the donor vehicle. am I going to be better off just doing the wiring I will need? Will I be able to run the engine without the computer and MAF unit?
Not having the key is okay, you'll need a wiring diagram but you will be able to bypass that fairly easy with some research. Echoing what others have said, you will need all the engine wiring intact, the engine will probably run speed density without the MAF but there is no reason to do that.
In my opinion, keep wiring around until you've test fired the engine, then start paring it down when you know everything works. A couple pounds of extra wire won't matter much as-is
Switching from fuel injection (compurerized) to carbs will reduce the wiring, but performance and reliability will both take a hit.