Advice on starting point

[fowens]

I am doing a full restoration and keep trying to attack the project as a whole instead of being methodical. Let's just say I'm getting nowhere fast.

Looking to you guys for the best advice on where I should start, i.e. Engine/transmission, suspension or body work? I'm new to this so any advice is appreciated.

-Floyd

 

[Photon440]

The first thing I would do is take a couple hundred pictures of every detail inside and out for future reference. You aren't going to remember everything when you want to put it back together.

As to where to start after that, when you say 'full restoration' are you talking about stripping every nut and bolt and doing a sand blasted rotisserie job or something more manageable?

 

[idrivemopar]

As Photon440 stated, pictures are one of the keys to a successful restoration.

The other key is to break it down into sub projects and decide what level of restoration you are doing, as this will help you to get things lined up as you progress and to get a cost on things like paint & body work, chrome, upholstery, engine & drive line rebuild, etc. You also want to do it in stages, strip down, parts gathering, restoration or replacement of small items, major items like body work and engine trans building, etc. I had the body work underway while I was getting the suspension, axle and engine started so it would be ready for assembly once the body work was completed.

If you are going to strip down the car, then get a bunch of zip lock bags and a sharpie to bag and tag stuff and some small boxes or something to organize all the stuff you remove, and take pictures as you take things off, there is more stuff you will find as you disassemble. I used some small boxes organized by engine, body, interior, trim, engine compartment, undercarriage, and suspension to store the many bags full of stuff.

Use a spreadsheet to manage and track the cost of parts and labor, your time if you want, and status of your various sub projects. Make a list of all the things you will need or want to restore, replace, rebuild, or upgrade. You can organize the spreadsheet in much the same way as the parts being removed, however, I broke it down by systems, including engine, transmission, body, interior, fuel system, heating & cooling, axle/driveline, brake system, exhaust, wheels & tires, etc.

Don't forget to also factor in the small things like, hoses, belts, gaskets, nuts, bolts and screws, bushings, and weather stripping!!!!

Don't forget to factor in the costs of supplies, like solvents, paints, sand paper, tools, adhesives, lubricants, de-rusting solutions, dust masks, etc!!!! These things add up quick!



Always expect the unexpected!!!! Scheduling and delays in parts orders or work that is outsourced to others will have an impact on your project. Know what your budget is going to be, and try to follow it as much as possible. Unforeseen issues with the car itself can also impact your plans and progress.

When I started I thought I would be done in 2 years, but it took 3, and I went way over my budget. It was a lot more involved then I had imagined, so I hope this helps you a bit.

 

[Dako]

Good pointers right there.:sign5::werd:

 

[garrett1308]

Like iDriveMopar said, drop everything in labeled bags, and don't spare on sharpie-ing on each part what it is (various braces, and any other odds and ends that won't matter if you have something written on it).

For a starting point, you should figure out how far you want to take the car, and how much money you want to put into it. If you're doing a full on resto, definitely body work and paint first, (after stripping the car, glass, interior, trim, et cetera) if you're having to do drivetrain work, drop all that out too so you can do up your engine bay and paint it up. Do up the engine and trans while they are out, (if you aren't going to rebuild something, may as well change out the common problem parts while its apart), then after getting the body done, put the drive train back in and do the interior.

That's how we are doing it at least, and its going, albeit slowly. Sounds pretty easy, but it has been a year and two months, endless hours and a decent amount of dollars to do mine, and we are still trying to get the body nice.

 

[HT413]

Great advice so far! I'll add one little thing. Date the bags, tags and boxes for when you removed it. This way you can quickly find the photos you took during the removal.

 

[747mopar]

Allot of good pointers, I for one skip the whole spreadsheet and keeping track of the cost (allot more fun and less depressing that way haha).

 

[Coyoteduster]

I would start with the engine compartment, wiring, suspension, and drivetrain first, that way if your budget runs low ..., and it will, at least you can drive her while you finish her. :icon_thumright:

 

[KnoGood]

Scope creep is something that is bound to happen ... plan on adding time and cash requirements to your project, especially if you are building it for you to drive. While you work your way down to the shell there will be many things you'll want to address. The good news is if you are patient you'll get them all done and be happy with the result. My build was supposed to take 1-2 years - it is now year 3 but I have a rotisserie and all the paint I need to get the project close to the assembly stage. Overall, there is a practical relationship between available funds, wants and time. Time heals all wounds ! Good luck!

 

[Dako]

Don't buy parts that you are not ready for. Buying a new gas tank or tie-rod ends and having them set on a shelf for a year might not seem like a big deal...until you go to install and find out they are not correct for your car. Good luck trying to get a vendor to exchange it for the correct piece!

- - - Updated - - -

If changing out tires & wheels, save them for last. No sense buying rubber that is going to age while the car is torn down...and wheels that are going to get scratched before the car is ever completed. They can remain out there as a motivator to complete the project.

 

[mrsnicks]

I wanted to be able to drive my car as long as possible. Not ready to tear down and do a full resto so I am addressing all the mechanicals to get it running/working correctly. I broke it down this way:

Fuel System
Brake System
Charging System
Engine
Transmission
Bucket seat/Center console swap.
Sheet Metal replacement
-floor pans
-trunk pans
-quarters/wheel housings

I finished each system before I moved onto another one.

Patrick

 

[Blackheart]

Maybe I missed it, what year and model is your project?

 

[steve from staten island]

I made many mistakes. The body work and paint was done correctly and looks fantastic. Every issue with the body was addressed and taken care of. The entire car was blasted. Now what happened was this,the guy doing the body was highly competent but i also had to work around his schedule. He was suppose to start the car immediately after the winter broke (two years ago) but did not actually start till mid July. He called me two weeks prior and told me he wanted my car in two weeks and it had to be a stripped completely as it was going to be blasted. I disassembled that car in two weeks in addition to working two jobs. Yes i took some pictures and yes i used some baggies but the end result is i am having trouble with reassembly. So the thought would be what everyone has told you. Lots of pictures and lots of baggies with labels and take notes

 

[ma mopar nutz]

FIND A SERVICE MANUAL FOR YOUR MAKE AND YEAR ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS CAN BE ANSWERED IN THEM !! FACTORY SEVICE MANUALS HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE MOST HELPFUL TOOLS I HAVE HAVE ONE FOR EVRY CAR I OWN !!:headbang:

 

[Photon440]

 

[fowens]

It's a 1969 roadrunner

 

[Lets Roll]

I'm working on a 69 Roadrunner post . I was working on the the Dash frame today out of the car. I got the rust spots welded and fixed with metal and some epoxy primer on it today. I just work on a little bit at a time and start inside after car is near totally stripped of parts. That's how I attack it and everything the guys covered above is the right stuff. Some of the project posts on this site can give you some good ideas too.