New to this

[SSMonteMan]

make a list of the items you HAVE
make a list of the items you NEED
make a list of the items you WANT
make a list of the alternatives to the NEEDs and WANTs

make a list of the work that has to be DONE
make a list of the work in the order that it HAS TO BE done

for example, would you paint the engine bay before or after you install the engine? (don't laugh, people have done that! it's much easier to do it before obviously)

don't get ahead of yourself, stick to the plan. don't think "oh, I'll get the seats re-upholstered now and then store them in the garage until it's time to install". guess how I know about that one 26 yrs later? and they're still not installed (life got in the way, but not for lack of trying). those seats are still in my garage, covered/sealed in plastic, but a close inspection will show that there has been some environmental wear as well as drying out of the vinyl (seats for a convertible so have to be weatherproof). (and I won't even get into the 283 SBC I rebuilt in 1994, installed and ran for an hour or so, then had to pull back out, and has been sitting on an engine stand since then for the last 27 years)

example
because I didn't want to pay a lot of money for an axle upgrade, 2 yrs ago I decided to buy a used 7.5" axle (98% of gbodies have this), found a 3.42 rear pumpkin (also on this site last year), and purchased a cast differential cover from Summit and new pinion gear crush sleeve set.
then lightning struck. I literally bought an 8.5" axle off this site 3 days ago. those are almost as rare as hen's teeth, and in good shape no less. yet, this appeared and I managed to snag it for a great price and it should require no work. ok, what am I gonna do with the other stuff (axle, ring/pinion gear, crush sleeve, etc) that I'm now into for about $300-450? who's going to want to buy this?

Make a plan and stick to it as you do your work. If a special deal comes up then snag it, but don't prepare ahead of time like I did and waste money.

Did you actually build the 7.5, or is it just parts? I saw that 8.5, and it was a stone's throw from me, but you already posted about interest, and seemed serious, so I left it alone. But if you've got that 7.5 with a 3.42 gear, assembled, I might be interested, if the price is right.

 

[gbodytoys]

I agree with what most of the fellas have said, but I'd add that your "wants" my change with time based on what you're exposed to. Between this site and youtube, I think all of the information is out there, but in some cases, and maybe I'm wrong, I think it's just good to go out there and try stuff. This internet stuff, if you're like me, can cloud your brain in search of the "perfect" way to do something and there's no such thing.

You have an advantage of having a vehicle that's completely apart, so you know everything that's going on with it. Be patient and do not fall in love with marketing. People have been building these cars to do all types of stuff for 40 years without $1,000 control arms. That's just my .02 as a person with two Gbodys in the shop lol.

 

[airboatgreg]

Welcome from SW Georgia. And make it fun

 

[86LK]

Did you actually build the 7.5, or is it just parts? I saw that 8.5, and it was a stone's throw from me, but you already posted about interest, and seemed serious, so I left it alone. But if you've got that 7.5 with a 3.42 gear, assembled, I might be interested, if the price is right.

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