sacrifices for the teener

[sweater914]

well fellas, as most of you know i'm a poor college student with a 914 safe at home in my dad's hangar, have to find some wheels while i'm school and thought i finally decided on a late model mustang, but in the end i've kept the excess testerone from influencing my judgement and have resigned to get a late model escort instead and put the extra cash into the beginnings of my down to the metal 914 restoration

i'm sure i won't regret the result, but i hate long distance relationships

any comments, suggestions, on how to begin?

[echocanyons]

Not sure how much metal work you are needing nor if you plan to do it yourself but a rotisserie might be helpful.

What are your plans? Stock, garage queen, racer, 6conversion(if its not already a 6)?

WIth more info on your plan of outcome I bet we could find a ton more people to spend your money.


Kelly

[JP Noonan]

Ask yourself this

1. What is my dedication? If I dismantle the whole car at one time and let it sit for three years will I even get the sucker back together. Or should I do one "system" at a time (i.e. rear suspension console, then drive it a little, then the floor pan, then drive some more). The system approarch can keep ypu more interested because you have short term/quickly atainable goals and small but frequent rewards. The wholistic approach can save money and time in the long run but you need to be commited to the car. i.e you plan on competeing in shows or racing.

2. Where do I want the car to be in a year, ,and in five years. It makes sense to chemical strip a car and put a $2000 paint job on it if you plan on keeping it for 10 years. MACCO if you are selling the car for $1000 in a year.

3. Is it better in the long run to have someone else do some of the more difficult work?

[rdvnac]

Hmmm...testosterone, escorts, extra cash, long distance relationships...a dangerous mix.

Did you have a car question?

[sweater914]

well plans are for warmed over stock car, sticking with the 4 banger, going with carbs(because i gotta em), some simple suspension improvements like chassis stiffening, sway bar, but no roll cage, as far as commitment i'm never going to get rid of the car, i've had to endure a 3 year airplane restoration so i'm not unfamiliar with restoration frustrations

when i start tearing down the car, should i work exterior then interior, front to back, etc.?

i want to chemically dip the car to remove everything resembling paint and rust, has anyone here done this to their cars? were you pleased with the results versus blasting? who can i get in touch with that has the appropriate facilities and reputation?

[Joe Ricard]

I just talked to a guy here at work that wants t sell a Type 4 2.0L motor and 901 trans. The motor has bus heads no carbs. He wants 500.00 for it. Thought you could hot rod this fpr the horsepower you NEED.
When I looked at your car there is alot less rust than mine, Although I didn't go spelunking.
We might be able to do some horse trading with my spare parts. Maybe your car will be my learning curve.
Later, hey when you gonna be back in town?
Escort he he thats a good one.

[echocanyons]

I may be wrong but chemical dipping has many negative sides to it like residual chemical in the little nooks and crannys that are pretty much impossible to reach. Residual chemical reacting with paint.

Dont discount the possiblity of a media blast of whichever compound.

I would definitely restore the body before the interior.

Pulling the interior is pretty much an easy job after that is done and the engine is piulled you can asses most of the usual rust spots.

I like JP's "rolling resto" idea , you could do the car piece by piece while driving it.

Good advice for any resto is to bag and tag everything.

Kelly

[sweater914]

bag and tag with lots of photos, echocanyons, after the whatever chemical they use is done reacting, is there a way that you can neutralize/remove the stuff you can't get to?

has anyone here entertained the possibility of zinc coating(much like porsche did/does) the bodies after you've made the necessary repairs?

[echocanyons]

I hear that most good companies dip with the acid type chemical for 24-48hrs then dip in a base for at least 48hrs.

It sounds like it should work but who knows, I have never had this done, just heard stories.

Kelly