Should I go all the way?

[evan]

Lately I've been leaning more toward doing a complete rebuild on my car. It seems like it's getting harder and harder to turn a blind eye to some things like rust and minor electrical gremlins and I'd hate to overlook more of them if they existed.

The biggest thing that's holding me back is the almighty dollar. I don't have the money to do everything all at once and I don't want to go into debt, so I'd be working on it as my budget allowed. I had originally planned on doing it in sections, but eventually upgrading the suspension, brakes, engine, and paint. Would it be a whole lot more money to go all the way to the frame, get it media blasted, put a coat of POR15 on it, and work up from there? How much more stuff will I be replacing that I wouldn't have even noticed if I hadn't gone that far?

How accomplished were you as a mechanic before you tackled your first complete overhaul? What skills would you say are necessary to keep a handle on things and not end up having to try to sell off a "project car" out of my garage?

[Roger Poirier]

Too many questions............. See answer below.

R.P.

[Roger Poirier]

Lately I've been leaning more toward doing a complete rebuild on my car. It seems like it's getting harder and harder to turn a blind eye to some things like rust and minor electrical gremlins and I'd hate to overlook more of them if they existed.

What skills would you say are necessary to keep a handle on things and not end up having to try to sell off a "project car" out of my garage?

Only money!

R.P.

[Bandit]

Common sense and patience will get you through the project, but like my dad always said, you have to have one of 2 things to complete a project like that: time or money.
Whatever route you use to get it done, I vote for tearing it down as necessary and doing it right the first time. It will save you a lot of headaches and money in the end.

[Ricoch3T]

I'm with you, its hard to figure out what can be left. My biggest thing is rust and whether or not someone else or myself will have to deal with it later or not.


Lately I've been leaning more toward doing a complete rebuild on my car. It seems like it's getting harder and harder to turn a blind eye to some things like rust and minor electrical gremlins and I'd hate to overlook more of them if they existed.

The biggest thing that's holding me back is the almighty dollar. I don't have the money to do everything all at once and I don't want to go into debt, so I'd be working on it as my budget allowed. I had originally planned on doing it in sections, but eventually upgrading the suspension, brakes, engine, and paint. Would it be a whole lot more money to go all the way to the frame, get it media blasted, put a coat of POR15 on it, and work up from there? How much more stuff will I be replacing that I wouldn't have even noticed if I hadn't gone that far?

How accomplished were you as a mechanic before you tackled your first complete overhaul? What skills would you say are necessary to keep a handle on things and not end up having to try to sell off a "project car" out of my garage?