Hi,
I'm new to chevelles.com. I'm currently trying to plan a frame off restification of a 67 2dr coupe. It hasn't run in 15 years and I really don't know where to start. What resources(books, manuals,etc.) would you recommend I get to start with?

Would I want to cut off the rusted rear quarter panels and replace them or patch them? Should I replace as much sheet metal as possible? Is it better to clean and restore the front fenders and hood or replace them with new sheet metal?

I really don't know where to start.
Thanks,

Robert

Robert, you came to the right place. This site is chock full of people who have been there done that, and most of them with tons more experience than I have. I don't know of any manuals or books that address a start to finish project. The key I think is deciding what YOU want as a finished product and how much you are willing to invest in this project, from there you can outline a game plan on how to proceed. Feel free to ask questions, someone here will point you in the right direction. See you around the board.

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TC #364
Aces #4309
Jeff's 69 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/daytonajeff1.jpg)

This is resto number 2 on my car for me.. The little things I have learned..

Buy ALL of your Parts First (at least the major ones you want too replace) the ones you can't find/afford/get you will need to restore.

Get all of your tools and little items ready and make sure to buy 3 of the following

sockets 3 each: 3/8ths 7/16ths 1/2in 9/16ths 5/8ths Whenever you need one of these sizes you will always forget where the last one was left.

make sure you have a big enough space to work in.

Figure how much YOU want too do and what you will send to a mechanic/body shop. Then triple the price of the parts and add 100 bucks labor too start, then start saving that money.

What you can purchase, pull from junkyards, and find on-line will determine what route you will take with your resto.

I would recommend that you replace all rust that you can with metal. If not make sure it's clean of rust and corrosion, protect and repair.

You will learn alot of buzz words here like

POR-15
Ground Up
Year One
BTDT
$%&**@
Global West
500hp

and quite a few others.. the other thing I've noticed since I have been here is to go through the discussion boards (body/drivetrain/suspension and breaking/tech 2000/2001) backwards. You will learn more than enough, and will also see great ideas and best practices that will make you change your mind about your resto plans a few times.. especially when these guys start talking 10 second passes http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif whatever you do, there is a really smart and helpful member here that has done it.. So ask questions often, but before you ask try to search the discussion forums since alot of topics are discussed here ad-nausium. If there is something particular to your car or situation please ask.. we'll do our best..

Welcome to the wonderful hobby of restoring a Chevelle.. And this site.. Good Luck http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by normie (edited 07-26-2001).]

First, I'd get every Chevelle catalogue you see advertised.Make a list of what you think you may need. This will cause price shock and reality therapy.
Then get a repair manual for your car (prefer orig chevy, but Chiltons will work) and maybe an assembly manual.
Read the posts on this site religiously,and get a few books from your library - body work, car restoration etc..

My method was to start at the bottom and work my way up:
Wheel bearings,
Brakes,
driveline - rear end, u joints, trans, engine, radiator,exhaust,
floorpans,
front clip,
Electrical - dash,
doors - body,
glass,
paint ,
new tires,
trim,

I bought stuff as I went along thus kept it affordable. I tried to buy the "next" parts as I finished the current phase. This way you have the parts to start the next phase.
Take it a day, week, or phase at a time. If you try to tackle it all at once, it may discourage you - or really tick you off !!!
Put removed parts in baggies with good labels so you know exactly where they go.
Take pictures to document your progress, but more importantly to remind you how and where things go back.
Post lots of questions here, you will get excellent advice from those who have done it.
Welcome to Team Chevelle and to the restoration world.

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Make it the way you like it, forget what the other guys say!
http://chevelles.com/showroom/alelcaminofront.jpg
http://chevelles.com/showroom/alelcaminoside.jpg

I'd pick up a copy of "How To Restore Your Musclecar". This will give you a good overview of the process. As others have mentioned, you will likely spend three times as much as the car will be worth when you are finished. That being said, the journey is very rewarding.

I'd like to add one thing, I'd wait as long as possible to do the engine. You can't break an engine in right unless you can get it out on the road, and it sucks having your engine all done and ready to go knowing you have SO much to do untill you can test it out. I know, I started my project out so a$$ backwards. Spend some time and plan out everything and it will go much smoother.

Steve

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MY PROJECTS
1967 Chevelle SS396 - Currently under construction

1970 Camaro RS Z28-
Currently thinking about it

Just another note, fix your fenders if you can,as the repop one's don't fit very well,and you would have more time working them then fixing the old ones.

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CFR.

Glad to see I am not the only one in this boat, but the team here is THE most valuable resource IMO. I have begun stock piling all the parts I can afford, i.e., all new suspension components, rear and front (hotchki's/helwig/pst/koni/kyb) yada, yada, yada. and once the parts are all compiled i'll start ripping apart and putting back together.

Researched the tech archives and , like stated above, everything that I will be dealing with has been done by someone or everyone here already.

Is it normal to be this friggin scared to restore a car? I feel like I am about to go to war here. Its intimidating when it's your first restore.

And I thought getting to the back three plugs on my 96 Monte was a PITA...yeah right.



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'70 SS 396 4spd
TC# 1341

"I have never retreated. Just advanced to the rear"

Scared isn't the right word.. As I progress and do more stuff to the Chevelle I think to myself.. "Do I know what the Heck I'm doing here?" "or am I just ruining the car forever?" It's terrifying to say the least.. But as I accomplish more and more I'm confident about the part I just finished and nervous all over again about the part I'm going to work on http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif it's a never ending cycle. Good Luck

so Midnight Marauder, just how do u get to those 3 back plugs? haha. i have a 94 Cavalier Z24 with a V6 and i have the same problem. it is alot different when the engine is sideways. in my Chevelle i can almost sit on one of the inner wheelwells and change a plug *big grin*

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1971 Malibu Project car
(350 eng, TH350)
1994 Cavalier Z24 Daily Driver
(3.1L V6, 5 spd)
Maryland Chevelle Club Member #435
BOWTIES FOREVER!!!