by "MM54" (mm54mk2)
Published 09/24/2017 at 22:40
by "MM54" (mm54mk2)
Published 09/24/2017 at 22:40
Tags: FIRST world problems
STARS: 3
As a careful observer (or someone driving past my house when the doors are open) will notice, I have three cars and two garage bays. The plan has always been (even before I bought the third) to put the RX-7 into storage before snow falls, and pull it out in the spring. During the winter, I would tend to the Chevelle’s much needed bodywork / rust repair.
However, as winter draws near, I am not prepared to do the bodywork. The one thing it needs more than bodywork is the engine rebuilt (burns nearly a quart of oil with every tank of gas ) - but this is something I’d sort of want to do while I had the front clip off anyways, so I can clean and refinish the entire engine bay alongside cowl and fender rust repair.
How un-prepared would I be? With the transmission swap spiraling over budget and schedule, I haven’t been able to get the big air compressor I’ve had my eye on (which would be able to keep up with bodywork). Not like I’d have been able to get it in the corner either, with the car immobile. I also don’t have my own welder, which I’m still saving for (Miller 215 - buy once cry once, right?).
That said, it may be best to wait until spring or so, when I’ll finally have the equipment I need to be able to pull the engine, repair the rust, clean everything back up, and get it back together (and likely have another year like this where the Chevelle accumulates <100 miles).
I am now considering that I could, instead of the RX-7, put the Chevelle into the storage unit I have lined up. The second garage bay would house the RX-7 over the winter (the Crown Vic is in the first bay - I spent enough winters parking outside to really not want to do it again, especially with a heated garage!).
Essentially, in the original plan the RX-7 would have gotten some suspension/steering work done in the spring (it’s pretty tired). My consideration would basically swap this with the Chevelle’s work, and the RX-7 would spend the winter getting the oil leaks tended to, the steering and suspension rebuilt with new bushings, joints, etc. and other such work. This is work I am completely equipped to do.
Another benefit of this is that, come spring, I won’t be pulling the fun car out of storage and immediately taking it off the road and apart - it would be ready to go that first spring day that the snow has melted and the salt been washed away. Hopefully.
What do you think, Oppo? Put the Chevelle into storage and wrench on the RX-7 in the winter, or store the RX-7 and hope that I am able to get anything done on the Chevelle over the winter?
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
09/24/2017 at 22:54, STARS: 5
Your alternate plan is a good one. Also, doing the body work might be nicer when you have the possibility of opening the garage door for some fresh air while the weather is nicer. Sounds like you won’t be wasting time. So it’s win win, and you can take your time to get yourself equipped for the chevelle work.
"Kiltedpadre" (kiltedpadre)
09/24/2017 at 23:03, STARS: 2
You’re still getting needed work done and not spinning your wheels by only being able to do part of what’s planned due to lack of equipment.
That sounds like the best idea possible. Plus, come spring you can have one car sorted out. That alone sounds like an improvement over one car further along and a second with nothing accomplished.
"traitor joe" (traitorjoe)
09/24/2017 at 23:09, STARS: 2
I know that personally, a really long project can be very
discouraging. Once I put a lot of effort into something, even the
smallest setback can seem like a disaster and eat away at my will to move forwards. The
Chevelle sounds like one of those and you wouldn’t be doing yourself any
favors to set a deadline for completing it. Especially since a lot of
the repairs sound like they will be uncharted territory for you.
I would say to work on the RX7 over the winter because it seems a lot more manageable. That way you will have something to drive around and feel good about, and it will build your confidence and motivation to tackle the Chevelle. At least, that’s how I would do it!
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
09/24/2017 at 23:14, STARS: 1
Mechanical work is nothing to me but the sheetmetal replacement is going to be one fun rollercoaster of a learning curve! That’s why I’m starting on the cowl - nobody can see it once it’s all back together :)
Thanks for the input!
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
09/24/2017 at 23:16, STARS: 1
The more I think about it the more it makes sense to store the Chevelle. As it is, I’d probably get the front clip off and then it would sit and nothing get done most of the winter while I prepare to fix the rust... probably just in time to get the rx-7 back out!
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
09/24/2017 at 23:17, STARS: 0
That is another fair point. Would be a lot nicer grinding/welding/sanding with both doors wide open. Also would mean not having to clean the windshield of the crown vic every morning!
"Kiltedpadre" (kiltedpadre)
09/24/2017 at 23:21, STARS: 2
Plus imagine how good it will feel in the spring when you can enjoy the rx7 and be able to completely focus on the Chevelle.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
09/24/2017 at 23:23, STARS: 1
I think plan B sounds like a good one.
"SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media" (silentbutnotreallydeadly)
09/25/2017 at 01:33, STARS: 0
RX-7 first...
"Boxer_4" (Boxer_4)
09/25/2017 at 01:48, STARS: 1
This seems like a good plan.
"Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing)
09/25/2017 at 06:49, STARS: 0
Not to be that guy, but LS swap the Chevelle.
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
09/25/2017 at 08:15, STARS: 0
I’ve thought about it! Short-term it’s getting the original engine rebuilt, but in the end it’ll either get a smallblock 400 or similar, or something modern. Either is still quite a ways out.
"Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing)
09/25/2017 at 08:17, STARS: 1
My only point being you can get a junkyard 5.3L and make 400 HP for dirt cheap, cheaper than you can rebuilding a small block.
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
09/25/2017 at 09:42, STARS: 0
Yeah but have you seen the torque curve on a mild 400? :)
Plus, junkyard shopping is fun, but building engines is funner
"Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing)
09/25/2017 at 10:50, STARS: 0
That’s what Ebay turbos are for lol. Honestly I had a pretty mean 355 in my Monte 10.5-1 compression, 490 lift cam, 270 duration, and yeah it made torque, but it never got me down the quarter faster than 14.6. My $700 junk yard motor? 13.27 with an open diff. Now that I have a torsen, we’ll see if its any faster.