Is there a system for tearing down a Cuda & organizing the parts

[JeffAARy]

I'm getting ready to tear down my '71 Cuda.  Is there an organized way to do this?  I was thinking of bagging and tagging everything and keeping track of the order in which I tore everything apart, maybe taking some pics and drawing some schematics along the way.  I'm not reinventing the wheel here, so someone must have a pretty good system.  Any suggestions?

-JeffAARy

[Oldschool]

In addition to what you are already planning to do, you might consider shooting a camcorder video to document how it should be reassembled.  Just my 0.02.....         ...Oldschool

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Is it me, or is tearing down ALOT easier than putting back together???      


  Mike

[Timmy C]

Take lots of pics!

[Rev-It-Up]

You pretty much have the jist of it.  Bag, tag, and document as much as possible.  You'll want to kiss yourself later for doing as much as possible now.

[Steve]

When you are taking the car apart, pretend that you are doing a restoration manual. I took pics and annotated the pictures on my computer. I bagged my parts and labeled them. Index cards work well to keep notes on...make your notes and stick the card in the bag with the parts. Box parts according to area (i.e. interior, fenders, etc.). Keep a master list of box contents. Store boxes out of the way, like in the attic or a closet or something...parts floating in the garage will get lost. If you don't have a digital camera....get one. Preferably one with the ability to record a sound file and attach that sound file to a picture. This way, you can make "notes" along the way.

[70GranCoupe]

One thing I have that works out really well is an old card catalog from a library. It has like 50 drawers in it and you can cut index cards to label them like interior, brakes, whatever parts will fit in the drawers. I got mine for free from the NYS Library I used to work there and still have friends there. I asked them to ask if they wanted to get rid of any and I got one, but boy was it heavy solid oak construction! But if you can move an engine block I'm sure you can figure it out. Plus after the resto it's awesome to keep extra parts in for easy ID. I really want to do a complete list and index it with reference to location. I am restoring my car now and wish I was more diligent in the labeling and organizing! I find that as I diassemble something it is like oh yeah I'll remeber this, well this is a long project and after time and my fading memory I'm thinking uh-oh!!! Good Luck!!!

[4Cruizn]

Last time I did a resto, I used a cup cake pan and labeled each one.  Just make sure you don't drop it!   

[FY1 RT SE]

Plastic bags are okay, but for nuts, bolts and screws they tend to dry out, split and fall apart after time.  I use these well marked and inventoried.

[Steve]

What's funny is that I plan to buy every reproduction nut and bolt kit I can find for my car!

[JimCuda]

I think the plastic bag think is a good way to go, then put them into labeled boxes. That way you can keep things segmented together and not just a bunch of bags that will surely get mixed together.

[Robb]

bag tag organize and document as if youre not the one who will be putting it back together.  Dont get lazy on it.    Ounce of prevention = pound of cure

keep the original stuff even if you plan to replace it.  They dont always send the right kits and you need something to reference on-hand.

[kudakidd]

Zip lock bags, coffee cans and a camera  for STILL pictures

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Last time I did a resto, I used a cup cake pan and labeled each one.  Just make sure you don't drop it!   

From this, can we deduce that 4C makes cupcakes???         Another treat for Carlisle!!!     


  Mike

[bluecuda]

If it comes off the drivers side of the car,keep those items on the left side where you store the parts. Do just the opposite for the right side. Eliminates all the guess work when reinstalling. I have done this in the past and it really helps!