Author Topic: Need some help!  (Read 758 times)

Offline cudafishin

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Need some help!
« on: June 22, 2009 - 01:16:05 PM »
 ??? I plan on beginning a restoration of a 1973 Cuda this fall, but I'm on a limited budget.  I really just want to restore the car as a "driver" -- not concourse.  Instead of a rotisserie restoration, I've been thinking of just stripping the outer panels to repair rust/damage, but leaving the factory undercoat on the car and repairing the small holes in the drivers floorpan.  Any interior surface rust would be treated with POR.  The car is very solid, and I do want to prevent future rust-- but I don't want to spend $40,000 or more for a frame-off restoration.  I plan on doing much of the body work myself.  What would you do?




Offline Topcat

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Re: Need some help!
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2009 - 01:51:58 PM »
Driver...that's open to how much driving you plan to do. The more you plan to drive it, the more you need to go thru everything to ensure it's all in good working order.
 
For example: How old are the fuel, brake lines? When was the last time the gask tank and radiator were flushed or replaced? what kind of condition are the leaf springs and front suspension? Engine? what are you planning on? Keeping it stock, untouched? How many miles? Does it need a re build?

Outer panels? If you're car is from the rust belt, you're likely to have some inner pannel rust. (Rust on the inside of panels) Rust never sleeps. Huge variable on car to car past life history. Without pics, no one but you can make that determination.

Ever try to mig weld rusty floors? Good luck. Burn thru will happen a lot trying to patch or repair.

POR. I heard too many complaints on it. Rust Bullet is worth a consideration.

As far as what you plan to spend: Whatever dollar amount you attempt to calculate...double the figure. That's what I hear and am seeing now myself.

Body work: A 5 footer? A 10 footer? If you're experienced, yeah it's feasible doing it yourself. Some just do one panel at a time. 300 hours my friend has on his old Ford right now he's just finishing on. He did it all himself and has easily 4-5K into it on paint and body work.

Some pics would help.
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline torredcuda

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Re: Need some help!
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2009 - 05:17:33 PM »
Since you plan on doing much of the body work yourself why not go ahead and strip it down and do it right once.You do not need to do a rotiserrie resto but if you don`t get all the rust out it WILL come back thru.Put it up on jack stands and either strip it by hand or get it bead blasted and it won`t really cost that much more and will be easier and cleaner to work on and weld to,that`s how I did mine in my garage.How rusty is it BTW-pics?
Jeff
72 Barracuda 340/4spd  Torred
70 roadrunner 383/auto  In-Violet
70 Duster 360/auto drag car  (Petty Blue soon)
04 Ram 2500 5.7 Hemi

Offline E-Body Products

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Re: Need some help!
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2009 - 11:36:47 PM »
Don't be scared.  But, don't plan on having it back together in 6 months to a year either.  I have been working on my car for nearly 6 years...   :pullinghair:

It will be worth it when its done though.  You will see.  If you need anything, just let me know.  I will help the best I can.   :2thumbs:

Daniel
www.ebodyproducts.com
dj1965@ebodyproducts.com

Offline bentpshrods

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Re: Need some help!
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2009 - 10:53:50 AM »
   I am in the same situation as you are.  Being on a budget plus just to learn how I am striping my car and primering/blocking the car myself. It sure is labor intensive but can be done. My car was really in good shape to start with. Needed one front fender fixed by a body guy ---minor rot in the windshield A pillar but no rust.  Like they said- take the time and money you figure it will cost and double that   :eek4:    Get a GOOD variable speed buffer and some 80 grit sanding disks along with some aircraft paint striper and you can take the car to bare metal and see what you got to work on.  Even tho it will be a lot cheaper than having a shop do the work I bet I will still have about $5,000 or more in it. A lot is from not having the tools to start with---sander,paint guns, ect. but once you get these you can always do another project down the road.  Plus there is the pride of saying you did it yourself.   Go for it and just ask a lot of questions.  I hope to have mine painted the first of the month.  When I see that fresh purple paint I am sure all the previous P.I.A. stuff will have been worth it.     :2thumbs: 

Offline mrbill426

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Re: Need some help!
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2009 - 11:01:30 AM »
bentpshrods, those models on photo bucket are are COOL  :cooldancing: , did you make those??  :2thumbs:
MOPAR or NO car!

'72 'Cuda 340, white on white
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Offline dutch

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Re: Need some help!
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2009 - 11:59:42 AM »
I`m workin on no budget...   boy am I glad I built a rotisserie...  :2cents:
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