new and overwhelmed

[Priesty]

 
Welcome aboard & good luck with your project. I agree 100% with Sadil340 above, youtube is a fantastic resource when you're unfamiliar or wary of the job at hand. Don't know how I got away without it for all those years before the internet. Just break it down to one job at a time, seems less daunting that way. Most of all, enjoy the process, after all it is a tribute to someone dear to you, keep that in mind & you'll get the tough stuff done. 

[wantone]

I completely agree ^   I have a "short list" of 1+ pages of legal pad paper.   
Everybody here bends soo far out of their way to share.   The more I learn, the more I share.   Great place here.  I LOVE IT

[dakota]

It's hard not to be moved by your story and your determination.   I wish you well.

My 2 cents:

Paint and body work will probably represent the biggest $$$ if you don't do the work yourself, so that may be a key question to answer when you start to think about how much you want to spend and to what level you want to restore the car.

Among the many things you'll be tackling, make sure you take a close look at the wiring.   Cracks in the insulation of the wire that's visible is an indication that there may be additional issues with wire that's hidden.

I went the route of taking my car completely apart.  This has led to parts stacked everywhere and some challenges remembering where everything goes now that I'm putting it back together.   When my son started on his project, I suggested that he try to limit his work to 1 system at a time (front brakes, then back brakes, then steering...) which seems to have worked out better for him because he always kept the car within a couple of days of work of being able to drive it.

You've heard this comment already, but I'll repeat it:  absolutely great help is available here.



   

[734406pk]

It's hard not to be moved by your story and your determination.   I wish you well.

My 2 cents:

Paint and body work will probably represent the biggest $$$ if you don't do the work yourself, so that may be a key question to answer when you start to think about how much you want to spend and to what level you want to restore the car.

Among the many things you'll be tackling, make sure you take a close look at the wiring.   Cracks in the insulation of the wire that's visible is an indication that there may be additional issues with wire that's hidden.

I went the route of taking my car completely apart.  This has led to parts stacked everywhere and some challenges remembering where everything goes now that I'm putting it back together.   When my son started on his project, I suggested that he try to limit his work to 1 system at a time (front brakes, then back brakes, then steering...) which seems to have worked out better for him because he always kept the car within a couple of days of work of being able to drive it.

You've heard this comment already, but I'll repeat it:  absolutely great help is available here.



 

I agree! Post some pics and ask questions as necessary- this site is where the pros are! And also welcome to you from NY!!!

[jimynick]

Welcome from  . You've got the right initial attitude and I'd recommend starting on one thing and trying to keep on it. It's easy to become overwhelmed if you start 3,4,5 projects together. Show us better pics of the car and give us an idea of your budget so that we could possibly recommend a course of action to get you started. Good luck and sorry for the loss of your Dad. 

[RzeroB]

Sounds like you and your Dad were pretty tight. Sorry for your loss.

I admire your will at wanting to see this project through as a tribute to him.

Have you checked out For A-Bodies Only (FABO) at http://www.forabodiesonly.com/ yet? They specialize in A-Body Barracudas like your '67.

Don't know where you are on the East Coast, but there could be a Cuda-Challenger or FABO member nearby that could help you out with your project when you needed it if they knew where you were. So, where are you and your project located?

[sadil340]

I almost forgot! Take detailed pictures before you disassemble for the project. It'll save you lots of head scratching.

[blown motor]

Another welcome from    Lots of good advice already. My car is a driver which I am slowly upgrading. Every winter I do a little more. Last year was door panels, some dash components, re-arched springs. This year it will be bumpers, restore steering column, not sure what else yet. The paint is ok but it's no show queen and it's never had a full restoration which is ok with me. I keep it driveable and affordable. Maybe that's a good approach you also. Good luck with it and ask lots of questions.

[DetroitMuscle]

It's going to take time, but be patient, do your research and use the correct tools. It will be worth it at the end.

[DadsCuda]

thanks for all the kind, encouraging words, all!!
currently i'm simply trying to make the most of the odd 50-60 degree weather here on cape cod, to paint on some POR-15 (per advice of my local car friend...who just finished his restore of a Fury). now i'm scouring the interwebs for parts (brakes, lines, leaf spring bushings/hardware) so that i can get the leaf springs and rear axle back in place. once the snow starts i'll be at a virtual stand still.
thanks again! i'll post pics when i have anything interesting to post!

[Wadmin1021]

Hello to a fellow female restorer!!! Girl power!!! Listen, you will find so much technical help on here as I have in restoring a 1971 'Cuda. I have just a few small pieces of advice for you!

1. Take some of the comments you'll get here with a grain of salt. The majority of comments will be very helpful but some will not be. You may get comments like "you should do this" or "you shouldn't do this" or "OEM isn't this way". However, some comments will be the great and the informative answer you need.
2. Get a Field Service Manual for your car. It will be a huge help!
3. Never ever give up and when you have days that you think you can't do this, just stop what you're doing. Sit down somewhere and listen to your favorite song. While you're listening to that song, pretend you're in your car, fully restored (BY YOU) and your Dad is smiling down at you, so proud. Then get back to work! I'm a female grease monkey because of my Dad too and I wish he saw what I've been able to accomplish! You are going to have bad days and days where nothing goes right except managing to smash ALL your fingers, scratching your new paint job, breaking a part that you spent 3 months looking for or the plan you had for the day goes all to hell. Let nothing discourage you! You are doing an awesome thing!
4. Shop around and get knowledge before buying things!
5. The guys on here are so knowledgable and have helped me so much with small things (locks) and big things so don't be afraid to ask a million questions! They'll get answered!

Good luck, look me up if you ever need anything and keep us posted! You go girl!

Mindy B.
Ohio


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[blown motor]

I'm a female grease monkey because of my Dad too and I wish he saw what I've been able to accomplish!

Mindy B.
Ohio


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He's sees it Mindy.

Good advice you offer.