Full restoration process

[Greg H.]

Hi all,

I'm past the point of no return in beginning a restoration on my recently acquired 64. This is the biggest automotive project I have taken on, and have begun preparing for body off. I have the AIM, judging manual and repair manuals. Before I get too far, can anyone recommend books that provide a good guideline of the entire process for a car that basically needs everything? I've read a lot of posts on the OTHER forum and have been through top flight judging once but that was a mostly original car that needed detailing. This one has never been fully restored and needs it badly. My biggest concern are my organizational skills. Paint will be outsourced, everything else I want to do as much as possible.

My goal is to restore to ncrs standards, without "buying" too many points. I won't be looking for a set of 64 wheels, as an example. But everything I touch I would like to be as close to original as practical. It will be a ncrs driver if there is such a thing.

thanks,
Greg

[Alan S.]

Re: Full restoration process

Hi Greg,
The "point of no return" is a good place to be if you want to restore a car! Good Luck!
Although it's not a 'guide' do you have, or know about, the book entitled SUZY Q. RESTORING A 63 STING RAY. I'd think you'd find it very interesting.
Our store used to have it but I don't see it listed currently.
It was by the staff of Cars & Parts Magazine and published by Amos Press. You might find a copy on line. If you can't find a copy let me know and I'll send you my copy to peruse.
Regards,
Alan

[Mike G.]

Re: Full restoration process

If anyone ever put together an article on the SEQUENCE to follow in a ground-up resto, that would be really helpful in avoiding common rookie mistakes. Tips such as, doing bodywork while still on the frame (assuming it's known to be straight). Or pulling the engine first, rebuilding it and then reinstalling it for break-in and sorting out. Meanwhile you can be doing paint removal and bodywork.And not buying parts 2 years before you'll be installing them.

[Gary F.]

Re: Full restoration process

There is an awesome restoration thread of a 1965 coupe going on currently at Corvette Forum. A SUPER read & follow for anyone doing their own work on their car. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...storation.html

[Paul J.]

Re: Full restoration process

If anyone ever put together an article on the SEQUENCE to follow in a ground-up resto, that would be really helpful in avoiding common rookie mistakes. Tips such as, doing bodywork while still on the frame (assuming it's known to be straight). Or pulling the engine first, rebuilding it and then reinstalling it for break-in and sorting out. Meanwhile you can be doing paint removal and bodywork.And not buying parts 2 years before you'll be installing them.

There is no sequence, Mike. The AIM is your best guide. You have to look at assemblies and parts and the parts that go around them, and make a determination as to which to install first. Some of it is just common sense. There are some helpful hints such as keeping the suspension "loose" to allow the car to "set", and these are discussed in the archives, but these are also common to any automotive restoration.

Greg, if you keep a ledger of the parts in the order that they came off, along with any special notes about the parts, you will not go wrong. This is a pain to do, but if your project takes a long time, or is interrupted for a while, it will help you put it back together when you come back to it. In addition, be sure to "bag and tag", "bag and tag", "bag and tag"...I can't say that enough.

Paul

[Dan H.]

Re: Full restoration process

There is no sequence, Mike. The AIM is your best guide. You have to look at assemblies and parts and the parts that go around them, and make a determination as to which to install first. Some of it is just common sense. There are some helpful hints such as keeping the suspension "loose" to allow the car to "set", and these are discussed in the archives, but these are also common to any automotive restoration.

Greg, if you keep a ledger of the parts in the order that they came off, along with any special notes about the parts, you will not go wrong. This is a pain to do, but if your project takes a long time, or is interrupted for a while, it will help you put it back together when you come back to it. In addition, be sure to "bag and tag", "bag and tag", "bag and tag"...I can't say that enough.

Paul

Great advice! Also put notes in the AIM as to finish, bolt head markings, shims, etc right on the page you're working on. Take pictures, nice for before and after album. You can't over document it!

[Carl N.]

Re: Full restoration process

Mike, excellent advise and I will add if not covered above - pictures - you cannot take too many - invest in an inexpensive digital camera and take pictures of everything transfer them to a thumb drive. Also try and look and take pictures of finished cars and if possible and someone close to you is doing the same thing you are to a C2 take notes and pictures. It is also good if someone close to you has a car you can look at if necessary even if is not a frame off. Take your time and walk away from it from time to time or you may burn out. Don't forget your family during all of this, as it is very easy to spend all your time on this project. If you have children get them involved. Remember there are a lot of us from all walks of life with all kinds of skill sets which have been thur this and survived. You cannot over document and you will use a lot of small boxes, baggies, and markers if you do it right !

[Tony S.]

Re: Full restoration process

Get a digital camera and take many many photos of the car before and during dis-assembly. You can never take too many photos--from different angles. Don't ignore even the smallest details.

[Jim S.]

Re: Full restoration process

Get a digital camera and take many many photos of the car before and during dis-assembly. You can never take too many photos--from different angles. Don't ignore even the smallest details.

Tony forgot to suggest backing up your file of pictures on your computer Right Tony?

[Mike G.]

Re: Full restoration process

Get a digital camera and take many many photos of the car before and during dis-assembly. You can never take too many photos--from different angles. Don't ignore even the smallest details.

Yep! Dave Burroughs said it best in his little 396 resto book: "You can over-restore, but you can't over-document."

[Greg H.]

Re: Full restoration process

Thanks for all the great advice guys! I have the camera and will keep it handy and take more photos. Also I am using zip lock bags and a sharpie to keep parts organized. Like I mentioned, that is my biggest challenge. I had a good weekend making progress and managed to take the wife out Saturday night. So far, so good!

I've convinced myself this car has not had a body off before, but today looking at the body mount in front of the drivers side rear wheel I found the bolt broken. Someone at least attempted it before. Not that it matters, I have to question everything as I take it apart and compare to the judging guide.

Oh, and Alan, I will order the book you suggest. The name enough sold me. I'll be blasting the credence Clearwater revival in the garage. Love that song.

[Tony S.]

Re: Full restoration process

10-4, Jim.

[Tom L.]

Re: Full restoration process

Also take lots of notes. I used a spiral notebook and wrote down everything I did including the date. I also drew pictures of head markings, listed the length, diameter and finish. Also number the bags and record what bag number each bolt or part is in. Once you start plating them they come out of the nice bags and go into a common container. Makes finding them and returning them to their bags easier later on. If you use plastic bags be aware that sharpie will wear off of the bags (I learned that the hard way) so put paper notes in the bags as well. Takes time but pays off well in the end. Good luck!!

[Patrick H.]

Re: Full restoration process

One restorer I knew took the plastic bags and hung them by section on a pegboard. That worked really well if you have the space.
I've not personally had the marker writing wear off, unless some chemical touched the writing.

As others have said, a digital camera will be your best friend. You can't take too many pictures, and you WILL wish you took more.
Consider a cheap computer (with large screen) at your workbench so you can view those pictures too. They're not that helpful at a 2x3 inch screen size. Old desktop computers and monitors as well as card readers are cheap.
Note that the AIM doesn't always show how they did it. Case in point - watch carefully as to where washers are placed. I have found that the AIM specifies them in a slightly different location than the St. Louis workers put them. Make notes when you see something.
Buy an AIM in paper to mark up, but if you get a computer for your workbench also get one digitally. Don Olsen may have an AIM part number index that you can then use to search.
Think about buying David Burroughs' book as well. I very much enjoyed reading it, and it will get you to think about the process.
If you're sending out parts/bolts to be plated, try to send them all out at once for a better price on the batch.

Good luck, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

[Dominick L.]

Re: Full restoration process

Hi Greg.
I'm in the same boat as you are. Trailered the 64 convertible home in the summer and slowly started taking it apart.
Something I never tried before. lol
A notebook and pictures are a must ! Descriptions and drawings of placement and anything you can think of will help later.
I'm not home right now but I am using one of the NCRS books to disassemble and it's been very helpful. Between that, and this forum,
I still have confidence to tackle it.
Unfortunately, when I bought the car, the guy before me bought it from a junkyard with no engine. So he put in a big block.
I love the torque and am thinking to keep the BB but put as much as I can back to original.
I wish you the best of luck with this ! Keep us up to date. (58465)
Dom