General Restoration Advice

[70_440-6Cuda]

I am ready to start my project and am looking for any advice the group can offer on things to avoid, sequence of doing things etc. for a restoration.  Here is the background:

1970 'Cuda in driver condition but with many incorrect parts / modifications - nothing beyond repair.  Car seems to be rust free other than some pinholes in the trunk floor. 

What I want to do: Complete disassembly to the shell, repaint and reassembly. Assuming the only metal work will be the trunk floor.  I am building a driver quality car, not a 100 point concourse restoration.  That being said, I am going to bring the car back to as close to 100% stock as possible.

My thoughts preliminary thoughts on tackling the project:
Disassembly, labeling, documenting and storing all of the parts
Building a wooden body jig like I have seen here so I can turn the car on its side
Strip down the paint, repair any metal work and repaint
Install wiring / brake / fuel lines for the chassis
While repainting, restore / replace front rear suspension, Dana, brakes and reassemble after painting
From there it should be fairly straight forward assembly of interior and then drive train.

Am I over simplifying, or over thinking the process?  I just don't want to get started and find out it is going to take me 10 years to complete.  I know length of restorations can be based on free time and money available, but I do not want to find out I missed some critical steps that should be done first.

I have most everything I need to put the car together with the correct parts at this point, or at least get it to the driving stage

The last restoration I did was about 20 years ago on a '65 Mustang fastback - complete disassembly, sent it off for paint, and a pretty quick reassembly with a bunch of new aftermarket parts.  Not sure if there is anything unique to the e body I need to watch out for - thanks

[RUNCHARGER]

I like to restore them as I pull them apart. Nothing worse than looking at and storing a bunch of grimey parts that need restoring. If you have clumps of clean, shiny restored parts your enthusiasm level remains high and you can hardly wait to restore the next part or move the resto forward. Dirty parts and a helluva mess="I'm gonna sell this POS".
I would make a list right now of all the parts you need and keep the file open.
I think you live in Ca. however expect more rust and surprises when you strip the paint (not your first rodeo just reminding you).
Make a list of all coatings on every part. You'll get a better deal on having everything plated correctly if you take the guy a bunch at once (take photos of groups too so none get misplaced).
Order any parts as soon as you can. Stuff takes time and there's nothing worse than delays while waiting for parts.
I know you will but absolutely do not be afraid to come on here for advice on what's correct or how something goes together. There's thousands of hours of E-body resto experience on here and sometimes enough different points of view that a clear answer is easy to obtain.

[Dakota]

Good list.   Are you going to add any frame stiffening?   Lots of choices available from US Cartool and elsewhere.  Decide before you get into paint

I've taken videos (in addition to pictures) to help document line and wire routing. 

I'd echo Runcharger's guidance about restoring stuff as as you go.   As an example, for me it was very satisfying to complete the rebuild on my heater box when the "completion" of the car was several years away. 

[anlauto]

If you like to send me an email to anlauto@hotmail.com I have lists of the typical reproduction parts purchased for every restoration. These are generic, so you cab cross off things like convertible top etc....but it will give you an idea of what needs to be ordered, or at the very least, things to inspect to see if they need to be replaced. It's just "word" documents, you should be able to open it and print them off.

[moparroy]

I would add take pictures - lots of pictures before and during disassembly - then nice ones as you put it together. My biggest regret is lack thereof - makes assembly research more intense.
Also about buying parts as you disassemble - good to a point - but things go out of warranty and become non-returnable if there is a problem. Been there done that - like tonight discovered the speedo cable I was sold a year ago is not right (though I could make it work but will source the right one)

[RUNCHARGER]

Yeah: Being in Canada I've been stuck with a bunch of repro parts that don't fit or break when you try to install them. My  garbage can gets filled up during a resto and not always with old parts.
That brings up another point with me: If you have an old, original part and think maybe I should just buy a new one. Don't, restore the old part, 9 times out of 10 you'll be happier with the original. It will fit, won't break and nothing is more correct than original. Sometimes it doesn't make sense to use originals (like bumpers with the cost of plating these days) but most of the time it's better with the old stuff.

[7E-Bodies]

Document, Document, Document...and when you're tired of documenting, document that. Thousands (not exaggerating) of digital pictures that are neatly organized in folders and sub folders and back that master file on another drive. I can't overstate this enough.

Then there's neatness. As commented above, if you're looking at clutter and heaps of greasy or rusty junk and tripping over it, it's a major turn off. I package each part in a properly sized box or tote and label each uniformly. It makes for a sane work area and keeps you on track.

I use a large white board to list the items I've sent out for reconditioning. It's easy to forget an item that's out for resto when many of these services are 6-12 month turnarounds.

Organization is KEY. Everything else follows.

A car has many pieces. If you look at the entire project at once, you'll be overwhelmed. Focus on one aspect at a time and in great detail and complete that one item. "Oh look, a squirrel!" doesn't bode well in this hobby, lol. (Ask me how I know)

Also, post up! There's so much help here from the "been there-done that's" to guys with parts knowledge. Bumper to bumper, we're here. Plus, people are learning from you as well.

Lastly, make it a passion. Your car will turn out no better than the level you enjoyed restoring it at.

[Headjam]

This list helped me during my restoration. Modify as needed to fit your particular project. 

[ZippyZoo]

 
All great answers and suggestions above.  These are the ones that resonate strongest for me.......
I have just started the "put-it-all-back-together" phase.  Even though I thought I took plenty of pictures (1000+) of everything during the disassembly, it's been a few years now and and there are so many more pictures I wish I had taken!  Thank goodness for the expert knowledge on this site, comprehensive past threads and the internet.
I have taken the engine and tranny out/in numerous times on my car over our lifetime together, but always from the top. What a pain! This time the subassembly went in from the bottom.  How much easier, faster it went together and with less chance of banging things up.  Plan on it!!
I also support to work on organizing/restoring/refurbishing as many items as possible before it's time to install them back in the body.  It's been so nice to have finished parts (tail panel, heater box, pedals, bumpers, dash assembly, etc.) ready and waiting to install when the car is ready for them.  This way you can work on them and take your time without the pressure and stress of "I need it now!" - that's when mistakes, delays, and "oops-es" happen.
As you know, it's a long journey.  If you can, try to do something - even if its something quick or small - every day.  That helps you stay engaged and excited about progress being made.  There have been times when the project just sat and I could feel myself getting frustrated with the whole thing!
Best wishes for your adventure.

[70_440-6Cuda]

 

That is all great advice, and exactly what i was looking for!  Many things I have forgotten over the years that will help along the way!  I love the idea of photo organization, will definitely make that a priority plan.  I spent the last few months building out my garage to be as efficient as possible before starting.  I want to have a clean organized space to work in - that helps me stay motivated as I hate tripping over things and hunting for parts and tools.  It's great to compile information from so many people and their experiences, thank you.

Time and money is always a factor, but I have collected a LOT of missing parts, best sources were on this forum, and have enough of what I need to get most of the way there; I will definitely be thinking ahead in terms of restored parts on the shelf.  One tip I did not think of, but makes complete sense is try to accumulate as much as possible at one time for each vendor to save a few bucks.

@ZippyZoo how did you install drivetrain from the bottom?  I do not have a lift, curious how much clearance you need and how you did it?  I am sure there is a thread here re: the topic....

[ZippyZoo]

@70_440-6Cuda
RE: installation of engine/transmission/k-member sub-assembly from bottom.
Many of the experts on this site recommend this way of installation and can also share how they do it.
Take a look at this US Car Tool video for inspiration.  They install the sub-assembly using a cherry picker and a cart. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HHQqGnU5DQ&t=2s

You'll notice the dropping of the body on to the sub-assembly in the video is less than 7 minutes.  Of course there's the rest of the installation including installing and torquing the bolts, attaching upper control arms to spindle and lower control arms, etc.  No rear body casters?  Have the rear end in with wheels on - or some other creative approach!

For my purposes, I built a cart out of 6x6s, 2x6s, and some casters. I was fortunate that the restoration shop where my car was has a 2 post lift and the owner was willing to try this method with me as he had never done it before either!  See pictures.
We went a lot slower, of course, but the subassembly slipped right in without incident.  Do your best to line up the k-member bolt holes and the transmission cross-member bolts.  Have one or two helpers, go slow, and watch for any interferences with the frame or engine bay.  I had the transmission cross-member already already mounted to the tranny and we did have some minor "unintended contact" to the body cross-member/T-bar mount.

[MOPARMIKE69]

There is a great step by step documentation of the full restoration of a 70 Hemi Cuda convertible on www.moparconnectionmagazine.com project Comeback Cuda. It has been a great help to many people who are restoring an E-body.