I've been debating whether to even make a build thread seeing how I daily drive my car, the budget is kinda small and progress is slow but after some encouragement from a member on here I figured, why not? This isn't your typical build thread with all new parts and great body work. This is building on a budget, using used parts sometimes, worrying more about performance than looks. Not that I've got the performance anywhere close to the level I want it yet. I'll probably cover a lot of maintenance and repairs that have to be done just to keep the car on the road too. My basic plan for this car is a stout small block or LS type engine, manual transmission, lower rear end gears with limited slip, better brakes and a better handling suspension. Basically a quick, good handling daily driver. Nice paint isn't really a concern right now and I may leave it looking a little shabby just for the sleeper effect. I would like to repair the rust, replace body mounts and fix up some other odds and ends that need some attention after 30 years of use.
I found the car on Craigslist for $650. I had been wanting a Monte Carlo again for a long time and had been on the lookout for a cheap one. The previous owner thought that something was wrong with the torque converter because of a noise coming from that area. He dropped the price to $500 and I happily drove my "new" Monte Carlo home!!
This is the day I bought the car.
A couple pics of the car when I first got it.
^ Yeah, I know the air cleaner is turned the wrong way. Lol.
Not long after getting the car home I discovered that the sound that the previous owner thought was related to the torque converter was actually a cracked flywheel. I replaced the flywheel. When I put the transmission back I could never get the TV cable on the 200 adjusted right and ended up burning it out. I don't really like 200's anyway so it gave me a good excuse to put in a TH350 from a '79 Corvette. The 350 is the one on the bottom.
Then a replacement steering column and a better looking steering wheel.
The car had a dented driver side fender when I bought it. I found a good used fender through work and primered it to match.
I had the fender looking good but I didn't end up putting it on the car for over a year!
The car came with steel ralley wheels without rings or caps. They don't look so great without these in my opinion so I found a set of aluminum wheels at work. No idea what brand but the bolt pattern is right and they fit the car.
I think the car looks much better with them.
I have been driving the car since I bought it. Every now and then something would break and I'd have to park it and work on it. Last Fall the fuel pump went out. I replaced it and then discovered a bad brake line. I ended up replacing the rear brakes completely, including wheel cylinders and new lines. Not too long after that I had to replace a wiper motor.
I found the car on Craigslist for $650. I had been wanting a Monte Carlo again for a long time and had been on the lookout for a cheap one. The previous owner thought that something was wrong with the torque converter because of a noise coming from that area. He dropped the price to $500 and I happily drove my "new" Monte Carlo home!!
This is the day I bought the car.
A couple pics of the car when I first got it.
^ Yeah, I know the air cleaner is turned the wrong way. Lol.
Not long after getting the car home I discovered that the sound that the previous owner thought was related to the torque converter was actually a cracked flywheel. I replaced the flywheel. When I put the transmission back I could never get the TV cable on the 200 adjusted right and ended up burning it out. I don't really like 200's anyway so it gave me a good excuse to put in a TH350 from a '79 Corvette. The 350 is the one on the bottom.
Then a replacement steering column and a better looking steering wheel.
The car had a dented driver side fender when I bought it. I found a good used fender through work and primered it to match.
I had the fender looking good but I didn't end up putting it on the car for over a year!
The car came with steel ralley wheels without rings or caps. They don't look so great without these in my opinion so I found a set of aluminum wheels at work. No idea what brand but the bolt pattern is right and they fit the car.
I think the car looks much better with them.
I have been driving the car since I bought it. Every now and then something would break and I'd have to park it and work on it. Last Fall the fuel pump went out. I replaced it and then discovered a bad brake line. I ended up replacing the rear brakes completely, including wheel cylinders and new lines. Not too long after that I had to replace a wiper motor.