91 Droptop

A friend stopped by today and said " I figured you would be done by now" He hung around while I worked on todays project. I was taking the struts off the spindels and cleaning them all up. He watches and we talk, he says " now I know why you are not done, you are too ****". I tend to clean every nut and bolt, I remove any grit or rust on every part. I was wondering how everyone else does things, I do this on every car reguardles of whether I am selling it to make a profit or keeping it. I feel it is important if you are taking it all apart anyway, make it look like new right? or am I to ****.

AS you can see I took the time to clean every brake line (pic is during) I cleaned all the bolts and repaint the heads only, These are parts you do not see but I know they are there. When he left I decided to take some pics of the work to post to ask if I am to ****. I will post pics of the spindles and covers when they are painted.

Ronnie Brennan

If you've got nothing else better to do... there is no such thing as too ****. I am extremely **** and a perfectionist... at times this has its drawbacks as it makes me a fairly difficult person to work with haha.

However when it comes to my car... it sucks just as much because I both want to drive my car and I want things to be done right, but in the end funds trumps everything else and where I would love to spend money on stuff that I know I need to replace or detail, I just dont have the money to do it.

bitchin_buick

If that's what you enjoy, who cares? I do that stuff at the shop when I need too "Milk The Clock" just to look busy .... At home it's just a quick wire brush and "Anti Seize" on bolts...

87SLEEPER

Definatly clean as you go. Especially if you plan on keeping the car years from now. Someday you'll be back at those same bolts and be very glad they come out easy. Besides it makes the work you do look so much better and newer. A healthy dose of WD40 on just about anything keeps the rust away longer. I hope with all this constructive critisism from your buddy he has a pristine machine in his garage. He is just jealous in my opinion.

Ronnie Brennan

I agree!!!! Some people only see their cars as an object and dont take the necessary care to make their vehicles last. To them you can always buy another one. Us 3rd genners.... we just dont have that option much anymore and only come by a car we value as much as our own once in a blue moon.

jbenge

iTrader: (2)

I do the same thing, its worth the time and effort on a car that you like a lot and plan on keeping.

91 Droptop

He is a really cool guy, I think because I am in the auto body business for 30 years I should be able to finish a project sooner. I enjoy what I do and it relaxes me, I am never happier than when I am working on a car.

camarosrock1989

iTrader: (1)

91 droptop I agree with you! I think it is awesome that you take pride in your work
Wish I could find a man like that! hahaha I am a woman and have my car worked on by a mechanic, he hates when I supervise his work. Great job

91 Droptop

I finished up the rear and entire unercarriage today, it looks great. I just need to run all my fuel and brake line and the underside is done until the motor goes in. I will put in the AJE tubular K-Member this week alond with my A-Arms and then the front suspension.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

You finish painting yet mark? I haven't seen any pictures of a finished product. But back to topic, even as young as I am, I still clean everything I take off this car before it goes back on, hell I just bought a new exhaust and iv already got a can of decreased sitting here waiting on it, I use to clean my interior every week, I'm a clean freak and iv cleaned my car top to bottom several times, even the metal under my interior panels and carpet iv cleaned

88blackiroc

iTrader: (1)

No such thing as too ****. This is what seperates the "okay" cars from the "look like it just came off the showroom floor" gordous!

Shakermaker05

I've done the same thing on every project I've done since I bought mine in '99. I usually wire brush all the metal parts when I have them off and repaint them before I put them back. I've also tried to repalace all factory hardware; bolts, screws, washers etc. with stainless steel.

Let me tell you, all these years of paying attention to the small details like these has began to add up and has made a huge difference in the appearence of my car. I don't consider it ****, I consider it doing it right =-)

Edwardgp

I do the same thing, clean, sand, wire wheel and paint, a job that should take two hours takes me two days but it sure looks good when done.

91phoenix

iTrader: (5)

I have had many bolts stuck through some styrofoam to repaint the heads on many projects. Not just the Bird. It isn't **** to try and do things the right way. This attention could save alot of time later if you need to go back and fix or replace something.

Edwardgp

I also clean up the threads on the nuts and bolts using a tap, chaser nut or file until they work like they are suppose to.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

What did you use to paint the hardware?

91 Droptop

Epoxy paint, then I use a shop type paper towel in the socket to try and not scratch it when I reinstall, now even that sounds **** after I just read it lol

91 Droptop

Took me a few hours but I got the Brake booster in (man GM engineers sure like to screw with your head) but that darn clip on the brake pedal rod was a bitch to get on. Dam confined space and dropping the steering colum, I am getting to old to be crawling up under that dash, also put in the rear lines rotors and calipers

91phoenix

iTrader: (5)

I wish I had thought of the paper towel idea when I put a 327 together several years ago. I had all nuts and bolts painted before putting it together and ended up touching up the bolts with a small paint brush.

I will try the shop paper towel next time I am concerned about the paint being damaged on bolt heads. Definitely when I put a 350 in the Bird and also when I do the 429 in my T Bird. Also for sure on any upgrades and repairs.

naf

iTrader: (7)

I've gotten to where anytime I work under the dash I pull the driver's seat out. Much more room to lay down and relax.

Richboll

Count me on the **** side. Anything I take apart has to be cleaned/painted before it goes back on. I like things to look new and clean.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I'm not painting the engine compartment or car but am doing some cleanup on several parts.
Before the washers were plated gold, nuts, bolts washers and motor mount are correct plating or bare metal(cleared so it doesnt rust)


Cleanup of the steering box


K installed


correct fuel line clip bolt color/ plating


replicated the steering box code(will be doing a correct rubber stamp later)

jchaussee

Ya. Too ****. It is good to clean bolts and nuts and replace when necessary, and I suppose if you never drive car then paint away. But to me especially in places like Seattle or the east coast it is a waste of valuable drive time. Here in Seattle we drive when Everett sun is out no matter what season because we don't get a lot of it.

onthedownlow

iTrader: (4)

I am the same way, can't take something apart without cleaning and repainting anything and everything in the accesablle area. However the car does look clean and mean and people can tell there is alot of time and elbow grease involved with my cars care, and it makes me proud.

91 Droptop

Well glad its not just me, I know I get carried away but in the end I think it is all worth it. This will not be a daily driver, more of a cruise night car and weekend warrior

Edwardgp

I am in Wash. also and I clean and paint every thing I work on. Mine are not DD but I can get caught in the rain, it keeps things from rusting.

91 Droptop

I hope to drop the motor in the car in about 3 weeks

91 Droptop

The new fuel injectors 42 LB Bosch green giants (South-Bay, gretat company by the way) and all new front end bushings came yesterday. Going to install all the hew front end hardware and the new struts and I will be back to having a rolling car again.

User Error 87

what did you coat your underneath with?

91 Droptop

Epoxy paint

keeslinger31

There is such thing as too **** from a persons view that doesn't care.
Its just perspective. Most people don't know which tire the engine spins.

t-top havoc

iTrader: (3)

Any time I was helping my mentors, I would scrub, soak, wash, wire brush, rattle-can any nuts, bolts, screws---
Motor parts were meticulously cleaned in the SafetyClean then I would dry all parts with the air gun.

They sometimes would go grab a soda & sandwich-- when they came back, they were glad to see the stuff looked like new!! It only cost an extra hour or 2, sometimes more.

I have done this on 2 '66 GTO builds, '86 Camaro motor //trans swap, and a Super Comp dragster.

When all is said & done, sit back & enjoy the fact that everything was cleaner and easier to reassemble as well as looking Bitchin'!!

NO OILY SMUDGES!!!

91 Droptop

That is exactly how I learned at my uncles body shop, either the right way or no way

Edwardgp

I have been using an epoxy engine paint and curing it on my stove out in the shop. This seems to work pretty well.

91 Droptop

Picking up another first gen, needs lots of work so it will go into that dark storage building until I get around to it.

Edwardgp

Oh yes they need to be saved, have given me years of pleasure from the smell of burning rubber to the first Qjet I slammed to the floor. The big thing then was to turn over the tops of our stock air cleaners so you could really hear them babies kicking in.

libolt

While I unfortunately don't have the time/energy to put that much effort into my Trans Am I can certainly appreciate the work and effort of those who do go to such lengths. I try to repair things back to or better than new when possible.

91 Droptop

OH yea turn an air cleaner top upside down on a 327 with 202 heads and a Q-jet, you could hear those seconderies open up a block away

Edwardgp

What a lovely sound that was, add in some squealing tires and everyone would be a looking.

Richboll

Not a 3rd Gen but a great looking starting platform.

1st, 2nd, or 3rd Gen, I think all that can be saved..should be saved.

86T/A_Ram_Air

I love those 1st gen birds. the 3rd is coming along nicely. and no your not ****.

91 Droptop

This should help get the air through the new Holley Stealth ram

haps

iTrader: (4)

****? Nah. That's the way it should be done. Excellent work.

91 Droptop

Got the front suspension in today, all four corners have the Hotchkis springs now, it got pretty low in the rear. I figure it should get a bit better when the motor goes in, also put mu tubular K-member in today

91 Droptop

AJE Racing K-Member and the Hotchkis springs, does anyone with a lowered 91 0r 92 have a measuement from the bottom of the rear bumper to the ground?

91 Droptop

New brake lines, upgraded to these

91 Droptop

Just got a new dipstick and set of ARP flex plate bolts, new throttle cable (dealer only $20) new belt tensioner. I also ordered a set of BBK aluminum pulleys and a chrome master cylinder, also of Bosch platinum +4 plugs. I am looking at the Magnaflow stainless cat back system or the Borla, need to make a choice this week.

I have a new set of rapidfire plugs and a new Autuzone master cylinder if anyone is interested

cooltc2004

iTrader: (4)

Not only does it help the appearance of your car, it makes everything easier to work with! I'm with you on this one.

91 Droptop

Bringing the motor home tonight so we can instal it this weekend if all goes well. Put it in an engine craddle and stopping to get my pickup to bring it home, will post some pics later.

91 Droptop

Motor is in the same garage, 1st time since about Sept, looking to drop it in this weekend, and running in the next two weeks.