In a message dated 00-11-30 10:00:43 EST, carrera@frontiernet.net writes:
<< 1) Start with a worthwhile car (after thorough research, of course).
2) Buy only what you need at the best price and quality you can find. >>
I would add a line between # 1 and # 2. Decide how good of a resto you are
going to do. Is the car going to be a daily driver, a weekend driver( 3,000
miles year), a occasional car show contestent or a concour trailer queen. Do
you care that the car is 100% original or do you want reliable comfortable
old shoe that has character.
In general, do the difficult/ expensive to redo stuff right the first time.
Rust repair? Fix it all correctly. cut out the bad and weld in new.
Small dents/dings? If the car is a daily driver/weekend driver you may
want to leave these go.
Paint? Do it right with good prep and materials.
Engine ? Engines are easy to remove and replace. If it's in good shape,
cleaning, changing external gaskets ( not the head gasket) and snaping in a
set of rod/main bearings might be all you need for a weekend driver. However
be aware the engine will need a rebuild in the future. This would be a great
chance to have the car driving then rebuild a spare and change it over a
weekend when nessary. If it is a show piece and you are going to detail the
engine, rebuild it now.
Rebuilding the engine? Go the distance and do it right.
Clutch? Put a new one in now, parts are cheap. (Unless the clutch will last
until your planned engine rebuild)
Chrome? This can be replated at a later date. Don't pay much for poor/ fair
chrome. Either go the distance and get new quality or live with what you got.
There is more, but I think you get the point.
The idea here is to set a stopping point. As the car looks better and
better, the bad areas will apear worse and worse to you. The average person
on the street won't see these "bad" areas and will say "nice car".
Harold
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