87 Monte SS snowball build
- Thread starter gar732
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Good luck with the rebuild and thanks for the backstory on the history of the car.
I grew up in CT and I fully understand how you never know what you are dealing with until you really get close and check the underside of the car. Salt and sand just destroy so much. There were a few cars that looked good until examining the frame and seeing all the damage. Plus the brake lines and exhaust were eroding among other things.
Your plan to do a frame off restoration just eliminates any chances of missing something that the elements impacted. Plus you can modernize many of the systems like the engine, transmission, and suspension and make the car better then when it was new.
I grew up in CT and I fully understand how you never know what you are dealing with until you really get close and check the underside of the car. Salt and sand just destroy so much. There were a few cars that looked good until examining the frame and seeing all the damage. Plus the brake lines and exhaust were eroding among other things.
Your plan to do a frame off restoration just eliminates any chances of missing something that the elements impacted. Plus you can modernize many of the systems like the engine, transmission, and suspension and make the car better then when it was new.
Nice intro. Thanks for the backstory. Welcome to the site from Houston. It's great to see that car will be saved from the ravages of nature. Sorry for your loss but glad to see you will have the car to remember the good times with. Good luck with your project. I'm looking forward to following along. Let us know how we can help.
Thanks guys, I'll take some pics of everything as I tear into it. Honestly a lot of people would have walked away from this car. My parts car would have been in better shape if the previous owner didn't sand the whole body down and then lose interest before priming it, other than outer surfaces it is in great shape. A lot of this car will be new or at least new to the car.
I poked around some more today and the brake fluid is very low on the front side of the reservoir, at this point I'm sure there is air in the lines. I'm just wondering where it all went, I'm half expecting to find a perforated line somewhere. The radiator cap has some rusty type build up on it though there is plenty of coolant in it. My turn signals don't work, I'm hoping that it's just a fuse and not anything more sinister like mice. So far I've found no evidence of any which is surprising. The exhaust heat riser is gone which makes the engine sound like a tractor. I actually have a new one just have to throw it on, I just have to pick up new bolts since I'm sure the current ones will snap when I try to remove them. Rust sucks, lol.
I poked around some more today and the brake fluid is very low on the front side of the reservoir, at this point I'm sure there is air in the lines. I'm just wondering where it all went, I'm half expecting to find a perforated line somewhere. The radiator cap has some rusty type build up on it though there is plenty of coolant in it. My turn signals don't work, I'm hoping that it's just a fuse and not anything more sinister like mice. So far I've found no evidence of any which is surprising. The exhaust heat riser is gone which makes the engine sound like a tractor. I actually have a new one just have to throw it on, I just have to pick up new bolts since I'm sure the current ones will snap when I try to remove them. Rust sucks, lol.
Definitely have a perforated brake line. It would seem the reason the brakes suck so bad is because I'm only stopping with the rear. While looking for the brake line leak I found a hole in my floors. I can't say it was unexpected but it is disappointing none the less. Im sure the passenger side will be similar. Just another item on the to do list, I'm sure there will be plenty more.
My tires are shot and don't hold air but no worries, I've got a set of new cooper cobra 235/60/15s to throw on there. Though the wheels have seen better days and could use a bit of refinishing. It may be skipping ahead considering the car needs so much work but I just can't see mounting the tires then removing them to refinish the wheels later. Sanding down and polishing up all the edges is tedious work but they will look good when done. Slowly but surly, it's getting there. Two more to go after this one is done.
My tires are shot and don't hold air but no worries, I've got a set of new cooper cobra 235/60/15s to throw on there. Though the wheels have seen better days and could use a bit of refinishing. It may be skipping ahead considering the car needs so much work but I just can't see mounting the tires then removing them to refinish the wheels later. Sanding down and polishing up all the edges is tedious work but they will look good when done. Slowly but surly, it's getting there. Two more to go after this one is done.
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