I have a dilemma and that is I dunno squat! I restored a few VW's back in High School, like 18 years ago! It has been too long since I turned wrench. I have owned several rods over the years and always sold them unfinished. (mostly in the same condition I bought them in, sometimes worse!) I buy the cars with the best intentions. Then I get swamped with little problems that I can't figure out. (rust, running bad, broken bolts, etc) With no one to ask, the problems snowball until I finally end up selling the car. I'll buy another, farther along, same great intentions but then it happens again. I was going to sell my '48 but really don't want to. My list of "must have" cars keeps growing but my list of car never does. I have a young son (just under 2) and I really want to teach him about cars. I want to show him stuff and spend the kind of quality time that I wish my Dad and I did. Of course, my Dad did not work on cars, that is why I am in this situation. So to make a long story longer, any of you guys want to help out a newbie? I'd like for someone who knows what is up to take a look at my car. Tell me what is done wrong and right. Help me figure this thing out and maybe spend a few hours here and there getting dirty and showing me some stuff. I really need to get the front end put on, do some bodywork, primer the front, etc. I have big plans for the car so it will be primer for a long time. I need to learn just about everything so any bits would help. My car runs but not right. (carb?) btw- it is a 350/350, not very traditional. I see all these killer builds on here and always read where people are working on these with their clubs or buddies. I just moved back to CA and don't have that luxury. So, if you would be interested in helping, or if you are working on a project and wouldn't mind me helping/watching that would be awesome. I would LOVE to be involved with a chop. I need to learn metal work/welding in a big way. Thoughts? Thanks! Also, a little about me. I am 36, married, one kid and another on the way. I don't do any drugs, drink very little. (I am in no way a crackhead tweaker and I don't want to hang out with any either)
I would first get that car running right and drive the snot out of it......then start thinking about a change or a different look. $.02
That is what I was thinking, it is not far from being an OK driver. I am just not sure exactly what things to focus on first. I know it need some body work, the front metal needs to be put on. (has been hit, was '48 but the new metal is all from a '42) One of the problems I am having is the stink... I think there is something up with the carb because it stinks like fuel/exhaust everytime it runs. Also, the routing of stuff through the firewall is ass, leaks hot air and exhaust into the interior. Just a bunch of semi-simple things that need to be done, I am just lost as to what exactly should be done. (and when) I do want to drive it while the bodywork gets done though.
That is where I go wrong, take it off, get a new one but then I need to install it! Those are the areas I get caught up in and they bog me down. I had a bad ass pro-street 56 panel that I sold to a guy in HB. Same reason, he spent a few hours on it and it ran like a raped ape. (454 w tunnel ram)
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