Classic car restoration

submitted by Zapped from self.cars

Does anyone here have any experience restoring old cars? I have a 1968 Ford Mustang that I am finally ready to begin to bring back to life. I am fairly mechanically handy, although auto repair is not in my background. It needs a full restoration and I have the time, tools, and space to do it. The rust is very minor and I'm thinking about sourcing the body work out, anyway. Does anyone have any advice before I get started? Also, let me know if there is a better sub for this subject.

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[–]bjam27 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

These are awesome and will help a ton with the mechanics and rebuild.

https://haynes.com/en-us/ford/mustang/1964-1973-chilton

[–]Zapped[S] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

I didn't realize Chilton and Haynes were the same company. Thanks.

[–]forgottenpasswordguy 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

I'm a little late but using the right tool for the job helps. I "saved money" by sand blasting for 2 days with my little compressor and blaster when I could have just outsourced that job.

[–]Zapped[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Thanks. I have finally have my big garage and have put together a decent tool collection. I am also in a place financially where I can outsource parts of the job that I probably don't have enough practice with, like the body work. I have had too much on my plate at work this year, so as things settle down, I will hopefully start back on this project. Seeing so many old cars on the road as the weather warms up makes me itch to get going.

[–]forgottenpasswordguy 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Sounds like a recipe for success! Heck yeah man, best of luck!

[–]Airbus320 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (3 children)

Does the car have power steering and hydraulic brakes?

[–]Zapped[S] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

Factory power steering and air conditioning. Yes, power brakes, too. It has the 14 inch wheels and drum brakes, but I want to convert to 15" and 4-wheel disc. 289 CI, automatic transmission, and coupe.

[–]Airbus320 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

Well I would start with changing the power steering fluid and brake fluid and then motor oil and coolant.

Check if the car has hidden rust near the rear wheel. Its a common place to rust

[–]Zapped[S] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

I stripped everything and sandblasted years ago and then life got in the way. I sprayed a coat of epoxy enamel and it's held up well. There is minor rust in both rear wheel wells and I'll have to practice my welding before i tackle that. I welded a new front passenger floor pan when I first got it, but it's not the cleanest job, so I may redo that. I'm going to replace the entire braking system. I had painted the engine bay and dropped a fresh donor engine in, but I'm going to pull it back out while I finish the body work and front end.