[TAGZZ]

Do you work on the engine, tranny etc... First and worry about cosmetics last or what? I know I want to get her running right first and then worry about looks later but for a person with not alot of money right now to put into the vehicle what do I do first in your opinion? I love the look of a nice clean and painted Engine Bay, Shiny motor, etc... Do you tear down the motor and start on that first?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

[RileyF100]

In my highly limited experience (in my first restoration with a 1963 F100) I have been going over every performance thing (engine, tranny, suspension, ect.) first, and still have not thought about touching the body work. Hope that helps.

[the other fiveO]

First have a plan layed out. where do you want to end up with this car.A nice driver, full blown custom. or a race car. That will help you save time and money by not redoing thinks 2 or 3 times.

The first think you should fix is the machanical issues. MAKE SURE the car is safe. the best custom paint and inteior wont help you if you crash it the first time out. Brakes and steering should be at the top of the list then the drivetrain (motor, trans, rearend) then work on the body and interior should be last to keep it from getting messed up while doing all the other stuff. good luck and stay motivated. it doesn't have to be done overnight. some cars take years to be completed.

[TAGZZ]

It is so hard to stay motivated when you know what you want the car to be but don't know where to even start, and how much money I need to save to do the little/big things first... UUUGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!! I look at other peoples cars and think to myself... They are the luckiest person ever to have such a beautiful car... I know mine can get that way but it is all about the Benjamins hahahahaha!!

[Dave]

Well, I would start with checking out the body and see just what is needed, body wise, how's the frame all around. Then I's work on the suspension, motor and finishing up on the body.
Dave

[Jay H 237]

The other fiveO has got a point....what do you want the car to be when done. The second most important thing is what does the car need to get there. There will be minor cosmetic (pretty stuff) but there may be mechanical, electrical and major rust and/or collision repair that may need to be done first too to make the car safe and even driveable. Each project car is different.


I have had my 68 for 11 years now. I stopped having other people work on it and started doing all my own stuff since '02 or so. I would be too expensive to farm all the work out so I went ahead and started buying tools and supplies to do the work myself. Buying the stuff has slowed me down but I'm finding it's still cheaper than paying someone else to do the work who's normally hourly paid.

My car still isn't perfect but it IS dependable and "structually" solid. I fixed a rusted rear floor pan, battery apron and other minor areas. I have also rebuilt all the suspension and brakes. I serviced the tranny. The motor ran well so no complete rebuild was done but it's had most gaskets, timing chain, waterpump, oil pump, carb replaced and it was cleaned up and repainted. I'm keeping the motor stock so no upgrades were done. The interior has been redone except for the headliner (I'll get to why later). I also replaced all the wiring harnesses in the engine bay as they were the only ones that were damaged or getting brittle. I also replaced the gas tank and all the lines.

Now, my car still needs a good paint job 11 years later, it is a "10 footer" as there are some problems and some areas where the metallic blue paint isn't blended well into the old paint in areas I worked on. The major thing my car needs is the driprails replaced/repaired as they are rusted. It will be a major project, headliner, glass and the interior that has been redone will be removed and stored. I had to work up my ability and courage to tear into this area.....it's still waiting for me to get to it.

Why did I go into this? Because not all of us can afford to redo a whole car at once, or even have the space. Many of us like me, do smaller projects as time and money permit and eventually the whole car will be redone but in the meantime we can still drive them most of the time until we're ready for the next project. Basically don't try to eat the whole elephant at once!

[429ragtop]

Its really easy, you tear everything apart (literally) then put it back together fixing what needs fixing and making it like you want it.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by 429ragtop

Its really easy, you tear everything apart (literally) then put it back together fixing what needs fixing and making it like you want it.

Damn, that really sounds like the easy way out! Wondering why it's taking me so long?
Dave

[macgeek]

I feel ya, TAGZZ. I'm in the same boat: low on cash, feeling a bit overwhelmed by my '68 project. Thankfully I am able to drive to school at this point, but it needs a transmission tune-up, body work, and a new interior, along with who know what else. And there's always some new problem I encounter. Just today I discovered a leak in the windshield seal!

It'll take time but just keep plugging away. I keep a list of things that need to be done, and slowly check them off as I make progress (and add to it when I find new problems ). Like everyone else has said, I would do body and interior last. Make sure she runs like a charm before making her look good

[The Greek]

I did some studying before I dove in. I suggest a book that's been around for a long time, but updated. Buy it and read it before you do anything. It's one of the best ways to get an idea of how to do to a Mustang restoration that I've read. The author is realistic and seems to know what being on a budget is about. It costs about $20, but it's worth every penny. There's detailed "how to" projects and plenty of illustrations. Any good book store or Mustang resto vendor should have it.
"Mustang Restoration Handbook" by Don Taylor and Tom Wilson
HP Books

[Sick467]

I agree with 429Ragtop. I tore my car down to the shell starting last fall. I now have the shell complete in primer and undercoated on jackstands and most of the suspension installed ( a year later). This works for me because I have a regular daily driver and can manage about 10 to 20 hours a week in the shop. It takes alot of time, money and effort to do this, that's why you see so many cars for sale that are disassembled (basket cases). They owner started tearing everything apart and found that car restoration wasn't for them. So, there are many ways to do your car. Complete "balls to wall" and "a little at a time". Which is best for you?

My rough and preliminary plan...

1.) Take it apart - done
2.) Restore the shell - done
3.) Install suspension - in progress
4.) Prefit sheet metal
5.) Build and install motor and tranny
6.) Remove prefitted sheet metal and prep for paint
7.) Reinstall sheet metal
8.) Paint car
9.) Install wiring harness.
10.) Assemble lots of stuff. Bumpers, door guts, mirrors, etc.
11.) Install vinyl top, headliner, & glass.
12.) Install interior.

That's it in a nutshell and subject to change without notice.

[jeeporvis97]

It helps to no start with a shell of a car too like I did Takes way more time and money, only benefit was no rust other than battery tray and floor pan, which were really easy to replace(and they came with the car). However, the cool thing is, the car will be made custom to exactly what I want, cobra brakes, 351w, t5 trans, 17" Bullitt rims, crazy sound system, etc.

[tbunker]

I agree with The Other Five O. You NEED TO HAVE A PLAN!! I didn't really have a plan the first year I had my car and I ended up wasting only a little bit of money luckily. Your journey and destination has to be mapped out before you start your trip.

[4 stvmcqn]

I'm on my third project right now and the car I'm currently working on has been the most extensive restoration of the three.

I've done most of the work myself and have farmed out the motor rebuild, interior reupholstery, and paint. The body and paint has been the most significant headache during the whole project (a long story).

Be prepared for some bumps along the road to restoration and just remember that the hardest part of the whole process is the maintenenace and upkeep to keep the car in that wonderful "like new" state.

[sparx]

On my 2nd restoration, first Mustang.
First thing is to rob a bank, get lots of cash in hand!
Second is don't mention to your wife as to how bad the car is, or what your just discovered needs replacement that you didn't expect would.
sparx