First congratulations on a successful adventure!
I'm no expert but I would start with a thorough survey of the car. List out
all the problems and separate them into categories like engine, body,
interior, brakes, etc. like in the service manual.
Evaluate what you want from the car (daily driver, high performance,
original, etc.) and your budget. This will help you prioritize repairs.
Note all safety items and make them your first priority.
I would start with brakes and any other items that could fail
catastrophically. I have never bought a used car that didn't need the brake
system at least flushed. If the brake master and wheel cylinders looks like
they haven't been touched for a long while or the brakes are spongy, I'd
disassemble them and, if pitted, replace/rebuild them (I would replace
rather than rebuild the master). After brakes check the frame for rot at
the usual locations, key suspension items, etc.
Make sure your crank thrust bearing is in good condition (there is lots of
good articles on this) and check the health of your engine (compression,
etc.).
If you just want a daily driver you can enjoy your car as you tackle each
small project one at a time. Unless you need major repairs be careful not
to bite off too much at once - it can become frustrating and you may end up
putting the whole project off for a long time (don't ask me how I know).
Most of all enjoy it!
My $0.02.
Pat
Decatur AL
74 TR6
mbullard
<mbullard@hawaii To: 6pack@autox.team.net
.rr.com> cc:
Sent by: Subject: Where to start
owner-6pack@auto
x.team.net
01/30/03 12:48
PM
Please respond
to mbullard
'O wise and great ones,
For those of you who haven't followed the acquisition thread, I've just
purchased a '74 TR6 (Pimento/Chestnut) on Ebay in Indianoplis and taken it
to Honolulu. I am the second owner and the car has about 81k miles on it.
The interior is completly shot, engine currently not running (timing issue
I'm currently working on)and a significant amount of rust (all four fenders
has some amount of rust, both rocker panels and how deep I haven't
determined yet and a little coming through on the back deck.)
My original plan was to get it home and immediately take care of the rust
issues as the salt air here will just make matter worse.
My question is what is the best order to tackle the work ahead. I was
planning on doing body work, engine work and then interior.
Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.
Aloha,
Mark Bullard
'74 TR6
CF24345U
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