Restoration tip

highpockets · 2017-01-19 17:47

This might seem like a silly tip for getting a project done, but it sure helped with mine. And,,here it is torn apart to get refreshed and I don't seem to be getting much progress done, so I am going back to my original plan that worked years ago. My 58 Courier was so rusted out that back in the 70s when I had the drivetrain/suspension all done, NO body shop would work on it because it was "beyond repair". So I pulled the engine/transmission and gave up on it. But, I kept it, trailered it around when I moved and always had a plan. Actually left it at my inlaws where it got vandalized, windows broke out, dash smashed, just further headaches. Anyway, I decided in 97 to try to get it done. It was much worse for rust than back in the 70s, but I was either going to fix ir or ruin it. It was such an overwhelming project and I am not/was not a body man. I had an old crappy shed to work on it. But, I made a list of EVERYTHING that needed to be done, down to scraping crud off the floor boards to cleaning parts to rebuilding things. The list was dozens of pages long and when I would get something done, I would check it off the list. Seemed impossible for awhile, but when I would get depressed about the lack of progress, I would look at all the things I had checked off the list and then I wouldn't feel so bad. Few beers helped that attitude also. Pretty soon, there were more things checked than not. Took a couple years and I had it done and drove the wheels off it until now, it needs to be freshened up again. New 390, C6, cruise control, new front springs and some paint work. So, I made a new list today, only 1 big page long this time and I am going to get at it this weekend. Couple pics attached.

John Palmer · 2017-01-19 20:30

Good idea.

When I'm working on a long term project I have the goal of working on it every day! At least one thing done every day, even if it's just ordering a part, or cleaning a part. If you stay after it, it will get finished in time. It's also easier to justify the negative cash flow when you do a little at a time.

You only have to look at Craigs List or eBay to see how many people get burned out before they get a vintage car, or vintage trailer restoration completed. Then they try to off load their incomplete project by saying how much $$$ they spent, and it only needs a little love. I guess if it was easy then everyone would do it.

hiball3985 · 2017-01-19 21:46

Congratulations for completing the project, WOW! that much rust alone would have stopped me in my tracks. Great looking Courier you ended up with and should be fun with the 390..

RICH MUISE · 2017-01-19 22:00

Heck of a revival!! love the looks of that car. Yep, only downside to driving the wheels off...you're gonna wear out all that new stuff eventually. A one page list isn't bad at all though.

Ecode70D · 2017-01-20 03:39

Stick with it and try to not take it apart too much the second time around. Have fun driving it.

highpockets · 2017-01-20 08:21

Just a strange side story. When I built the car in 72, it was a 6 cylinder 3 speed. I had built a 390 and 4 speed and drove it a little before giving up. I was going to paint the car metal flake green (what was I thinking/smoking?). So, I painted the engine with a rattle can green metallic. When I couldn't get anybody to do the body work, I sold the 390 and 4 speed and moved on. Fast forward to around 96, I bought a 54 Ford Sunliner (glass top Vicky) that supposedly had a 427/4 speed. I looked at the block and told the guy it wasn't a 427. "Well, it's a 406 then". So, I bought it, sold the 4 speed and the body and kept the engine. I pulled it apart to see what it actually was and it turned out to only be a 390 (1961). It was painted black. I repainted it red for another project, but ended up selling the engine and that project soon after. When I decided to put a big block back in my Courier, I called the guy I had sold the 390 to and he still had it in his shop right where we unloaded it years before. So, I bought it back and started cleaning it up to repaint it (again) for the Courier. Got to scraping on it, and,,,,,it was metallic green underneath. Then, I did some more investigating remembering some of the things I had done, and yes, it was the same engine from my car in the 70s. So, I'm sure the 4 speed setup and everything in that 54 was originally out of my 58. Karma, Deja Vu, or something, but it is cool to have my old engine back.

JPotter57 · 2017-01-27 10:44

Good idea, and one that I have used on my current car. Like you said, it really helps when you start getting aggravated with it to look back at all the stuff you have finished on it. Breaking big jobs down into several little jobs helps too. Good post, and a very cool Courier too. Thanks for saving that when all the "professionals" said it was too far gone.

mtwilsonboy · 2017-01-30 09:11

Quote from: highpockets on 2017-01-19 17:47
This might seem like a silly tip for getting a project done, but it sure helped with mine. And,,here it is torn apart to get refreshed and I don't seem to be getting much progress done, so I am going back to my original plan that worked years ago. My 58 Courier was so rusted out that back in the 70s when I had the drivetrain/suspension all done, NO body shop would work on it because it was "beyond repair". So I pulled the engine/transmission and gave up on it. But, I kept it, trailered it around when I moved and always had a plan. Actually left it at my inlaws where it got vandalized, windows broke out, dash smashed, just further headaches. Anyway, I decided in 97 to try to get it done. It was much worse for rust than back in the 70s, but I was either going to fix ir or ruin it. It was such an overwhelming project and I am not/was not a body man. I had an old crappy shed to work on it. But, I made a list of EVERYTHING that needed to be done, down to scraping crud off the floor boards to cleaning parts to rebuilding things. The list was dozens of pages long and when I would get something done, I would check it off the list. Seemed impossible for awhile, but when I would get depressed about the lack of progress, I would look at all the things I had checked off the list and then I wouldn't feel so bad. Few beers helped that attitude also. Pretty soon, there were more things checked than not. Took a couple years and I had it done and drove the wheels off it until now, it needs to be freshened up again. New 390, C6, cruise control, new front springs and some paint work. So, I made a new list today, only 1 big page long this time and I am going to get at it this weekend. Couple pics attached.

Limey57 · 2017-01-30 09:31

I really admire those who can produce lists and stick to timescales (and budgets!), I'm useless at it! I always start on the body (working on the rockers and doors first to get them to fit then start at one corner & work my way round the car). However, when stripping the car I do make a list of all the mechanical items that need replacing and take the list when I visit swap-meets, buying parts needed for the mechanical refurbishment.

RICH MUISE · 2017-01-30 12:12

Yeah....swap meets.....be aware of parts you're going to need that are hard to find and when you do see them, get them!
Advise to me: stop at casinos after the swap meet, not before, lol.

Limey57 · 2017-01-30 14:51

Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2017-01-30 12:12
Advise to me: stop at casinos after the swap meet, not before, lol.

Ha ha! Another tip is to always open and check that the parts are what they are supposed to be. One pair of bumper over riders that turned out to be two left hand ones? A brand new oil pump that turned out to be a cleaned, worn out used one? Yes on both counts......

Wirenut · 2017-01-30 18:14

I like the go to swap meet first then to casino. Good sense. I love to go to the swap meets and pick up parts but one trip bit me in the butt. I bought an original set of shocks with overload coils. These were perfect, no scratches and fit on the car as intended but when I lowered the car down it sat too high and was as stuff as a buckboard. I took them off and removed the overload coils and the shocks had no resistance at all. I ended up buying some Monroe's and installing them. I learned the hard way to be a bit more selective in my purchases now.

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Restoration tip