What to do? Project Car Ponderings

"64Mali" (ctaaffe64) 02/15/2016 at 11:35 • Filed to: 64RustBox

0

19

So many of you have seen my current project, the 1964 Chevelle Malibu Rust box.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

The current issue I am wrestling with is do I sell the project. I have not had a chance to work on it in over a year, it has just been sitting. I like the car but I have never driven it as I got it non running. My dream Family car is a 55-58 Chevy Nomad partially due to calling my daughter a Nomad for the first week of her life (I think we spent only about 2 ours that week at our actual apartment)(Slightly long story).

The issues I have with the Chevelle besides time to finish it, which is very hard to find with a full time job and a toddler. I’m going to break down the work required into Time, Purchase, sections

Time:

Weld Front floor boards/Fire wall.
Weld in new trunk floor
Patch holes in rear floor
Patch holes in inner fender wells
Patch holes in lower inner/outer rockers
Patch holes in doors
Patch various other body holes
Finish frame welding
Body work to paint
Wire car electrically (have the kit)
Install brake lines and master cylinder (came with the 4 wheel kit)
Install Fuel lines
Fix suspension issues
Install suspension bushings
Reattach exhaust system
Bleed brakes
Align car
Set up TV Cable Setup
Create throttle cable setup


Purchase:

New Radiator
Radiator fan
Springs F/R
Front control arms upper/lower
Windshield
Tires
Air Conditioning (optional for now)
Power Steering box (have the kit to convert)
Sifter for transmission
Drive shaft
Fuel lines
Front seats of some kind (none in the car)
Interior (there is nothing )
Wiper motor
Washer Tank
Battery
Throttle cable

I’m sure I am missing stuff for both. The issue is if I sell it I might be at a loss for all the body parts I bought. 4 Doors are not that popular, though I would probably keep the engine/transmission for another project since its a 0 mile engine 0 mile trans. I have at least 3k into the engine and transmission alone.

If I could get 3k for the body/frame/brake kit I would be happy. Its a small loss but I just don’t know if I have time to finish it. But I am not even sure I could get that. So Oppo what would you do.. Cause I need opinions.

XJDano > 64Mali 02/15/2016 at 11:59

1

If you love it, or love the ideal of it being done eventually, keep it. It’ll be there when you are ready.

If you’d rather work on something else you think you’ll love more, work towards that.

I have 2 VW rabbit Gti that I don’t have time for, yet they are paid for and not costing me anything to keep them. They await my amateur mechanical skills to put them back together. Also a ‘99 jeep Cherokee that isn't running. So 3 project cars and a bike.

Dru > 64Mali 02/15/2016 at 12:06

1

First let me say I really like the car in and of itself.

But it sounds like you've made your mind up, you're ready to move on. Since you can't really even have the catharsis of driving it, you've just got a yuuuuuge paper weight.

64Mali > Dru 02/15/2016 at 12:29

0

I haven’t quite made up my mind. I’m still torn, I’d love to have it done I just don’t know if I have the skill.

crowmolly > 64Mali 02/15/2016 at 12:36

1

To me it all comes down to the body itself.

Forget about every last bolt of the running gear. Nothing is difficult to change later. Engine, trans, brakes, whatever. Most of that can be weekend projects.

If the body needs work, as in panel replacement, ding pulling, patch panels, rust repair, etc add it all up in your head and try and figure out how much time and money it will cost to get a straight body in paint.

It can be hours and thousands. And if it’s too much for you, cut it loose.

Another option is to keep all of the “good stuff”, sell off a rolling chassis, and find another project that accepts most of your parts.

64Mali > crowmolly 02/15/2016 at 12:57

0

The body is a lot worse than expected, its going to be the most time and effort. The only thing mounted to the frame that is of value is the 4wheel disk brake kit. I don’t really like the style of the Chevelle wagon (same frame) but it is an option.

64Mali > XJDano 02/15/2016 at 12:58

0

Its not being stored in the best way, I’m afraid if I leave it for too many years its just going to be even more of a rusty basket case full of mice. I either have to Sh*t or get of the pot.

crowmolly > 64Mali 02/15/2016 at 13:00

0

IMO, then tap out. Endless hours of welding, shaping, making patches, filling holes, etc gets old very fast, especially if you only do it occasionally. Been there, done that, glad I moved on. It did make me good with metalwork but to be honest I was really dejected knowing I was so far away from enjoying the car on the road.

64Mali > crowmolly 02/15/2016 at 13:05

0

I think that is my problem, I’ve heard the engine fire and it sound so sweet but its hours before its drive able and even more hours to get it right. I just don’t know how bad of a hit I would take selling it.

crowmolly > 64Mali 02/15/2016 at 13:06

0

Engine’s a Gen I SBC, and there’s no lack of homes for it.

Are you a panel beater? What would you have to farm out (if anything?)

64Mali > crowmolly 02/15/2016 at 13:08

0

Its 90% rust repair and patch welding, it has very few dents it seems, just tons of cancer. Honestly I’m best at wiring.

crowmolly > 64Mali 02/15/2016 at 13:14

0

Hmm.

Some of it doesn’t look too bad. Things like this:

http://www.dynacorn.com/ShowItem.aspx?…

are not that hard to put in and cover a lot of repair work. Doors and fenderwells bolt on.

The rocker panels are tough. Trunk floor will be a monster if you have to install a full pan.

64Mali > crowmolly 02/15/2016 at 13:17

0

I’m most way through the front of the floor actually. The rear parts are under the seat and I am just patching. I have a 3 piece floor to finish the trunk. The issues are the rockers under the doors are rotted.

Dru > 64Mali 02/15/2016 at 13:18

0

Maybe I'm projecting about projects. My old Toyota 4x4 hasn't left my driveway for a while due to a cooling issue. It also needs a great deal of rust repair (I mean old Toyota 4x4, wouldn't you have guessed?), and there are lots of days when I would just rather have something "fun" I could tool around with, but them's the brakes of project cars.

64Mali > Dru 02/15/2016 at 14:03

0

I’m assuming you have at least driven your car right?

Dru > 64Mali 02/15/2016 at 14:07

0

Yes. Daily'd it for a while in the summer when I could leave the top off. Then several weeks ago the manifold started overheating and caused other problems. Still starts and runs well, just gets too hot on the exit side.

64Mali > 64Mali 02/15/2016 at 14:09

0

So FB just did a “your memories” Thing. apparently I bought the Mali today in 2014.

crowmolly > 64Mali 02/15/2016 at 14:37

0

Inner or outer rockers? Both?

64Mali > crowmolly 02/15/2016 at 14:44

0

Probably both, This car was born and lived its whole life in NE. I think if I could get people to help it wouldn’t be so bad. I don’t even mind driving with no good paint job. I might just have to re evaluate in the spring. Since I can’t really afford a Nomad.

crowmolly > 64Mali 02/15/2016 at 14:54

1

Yeah, it is the dogshit middle of winter. I think a lot of people get bored/dejected. Myself included.