Originality dosen't come first with this resto, but didn't know where else to post this. Ok guys, here's what I have. Frame, suspension done, Fuel/brake lines ran, steering box installed, wheels and tires on and the body is back on the frame. The problem is, I don't know where to go next. The paint/body man is waiting to install the front clip after I have the motor trans in. Here's what I have ready to go motor (454), trans (400 turbo), vintage air, steering column , full interior kit all sitting in the floor. I haven't painted or installed the dash yet, need to strip and paint the headers before installing the motor. I have so much to do and I just sit in the garage trying to deceide where to go next and wind up doing nothing but smoking cigarettes and drinking diet mountain dews and wasting a whole lot of time. Anyone have a guideline to go by or an idea where I should go next. Any help at all is greatly appreciated. I am having back surgery the end of Feb. that will knock me out of commission for 6-8 weeks and would at least like to get it far enough to have the front clip back on and out of the body shop. HELP !!!!!

I would do all the electical then the engine and trans. Once thats done I would get the exhaust finished. The front sheet metal can be done towards the end.

Tony,
I would start with engine and trans, and every thing on the front. Then while you are laid up the body man can put the front clip on. just my opinion. Good luck.
Zak

Tony: I would do as much as possible before the nose is put back on the car. I am at the same point with my 70. I asked the body shop to keep the front of the car until I complete the assembly of the engine, transmission, A/C system, cooling system. I will make two braces from the firewall to the rad. support. This will hold the components in place. The last thing you want to do is to scratch the nose while putting in parts that could have been added earlier. Jerry

Tony, I'm not trying to be a smart a$$, but the 1st thing I would do is quick smoking. If you're dead, the Chevelle will never get done.

What Bill said...

Looks Good: What is the Color

Looks nice, Tony. I agree with what everyone else said. Get that electrical and engine/trans done. Save that interior work for when you get your back fixed. good luck with the sugery.

Looks like its time for another Midsouth garage project, Im game if the others are.

Its like the ole saying how do you eat a elephant? One bite at a time but to ever finish you have to take that first bite and start eating. Set small goals and don't set unrealistic goals and expect set backs. You'll be done before you know it.:yes:

Tony, I'm not trying to be a smart a$$, but the 1st thing I would do is quick smoking. If you're dead, the Chevelle will never get done.

Bill and Tom,

You guys sound like my wife. One thing I've learned through 18 years of marriage is, she's smarter than I am. I've already got a plan on quitting. Got my nicorette ready and gonna give it up right before surgery. I quit for 6 months when I had my last back surgery in 06, did really well, until the first day back to work. I listened to my guys arguing with each other for 3 hours and smoked a pack before I got home. I know I need to quit and it's bad for your health, but the thing that made me wanna quit was my 7 yr old son. He stays on me in a loving way to quit smoking. I don't think any of you are smarta$$es and I appreciate the comments on both the car and my health.

Looks Good: What is the Color

We used sikkens paint and the color is a 2009 volkswagon color shadow blue metallic. It looks real nice in the sun, appears to change colors, has a maroonish tint to it in the sun. I was really pleased with the color.

Sandblast those headers and get em painted.
Install that engine and tranny with the clip off. Check all wiring from the bulkhead connector to the engine and connect what you can. Make sure the other connector for the front light/alt harness is good.
Looks like you are ready to make sure the wiring is good on the inside back to the rear.
Get that dash stripped, painted, and put the switches, gauges, pad, whatever back in.
Get it in set close to in place without the steering column in and hook everything to the back of it and install (make sure the wiring from the fuse block to everything inside the car is good). Now, put your steering column in place and mounted.
Be a good time to put your sound deadner material in place and install the carpet and headliner. Interior trim next. Seat need recovered? do/or have this done while you are doing this other stuff. Install the seats but not the console.
Well, you can always install new window fuzzies, rubber moldings, etc also and then put your door panels on with new whatever parts you have such as handles, cranks and springs, watershields, etc.
Still got time? Might as well get your exterior trim/emblems put on.
Woo Hoo.....you are looking good and grinning from ear to ear now. :D :hurray:
I know I was. I did all the above myself also. Hang in there.
Might just relax and start a checklist of what you have, what you need to do, put them in groupings such as engine, interior, exterior, etc.
Then start checking those suckers off.
I hope these posts help you get a grip on what can seem an overwhelming task.
You are gonna have one very nice ride.
Smoking lamp is now lit! All smokers draw one!

Sandblast those headers and get em painted.
Install that engine and tranny with the clip off. Check all wiring from the bulkhead connector to the engine and connect what you can. Make sure the other connector for the front light/alt harness is good.
Looks like you are ready to make sure the wiring is good on the inside back to the rear.
Get that dash stripped, painted, and put the switches, gauges, pad, whatever back in.
Get it in set close to in place without the steering column in and hook everything to the back of it and install (make sure the wiring from the fuse block to everything inside the car is good). Now, put your steering column in place and mounted.
Be a good time to put your sound deadner material in place and install the carpet and headliner. Interior trim next. Seat need recovered? do/or have this done while you are doing this other stuff. Install the seats but not the console.
Well, you can always install new window fuzzies, rubber moldings, etc also and then put your door panels on with new whatever parts you have such as handles, cranks and springs, watershields, etc.
Still got time? Might as well get your exterior trim/emblems put on.
Woo Hoo.....you are looking good and grinning from ear to ear now. :D :hurray:
I know I was. I did all the above myself also. Hang in there.
Might just relax and start a checklist of what you have, what you need to do, put them in groupings such as engine, interior, exterior, etc.
Then start checking those suckers off.
I hope these posts help you get a grip on what can seem an overwhelming task.
You are gonna have one very nice ride.
Smoking lamp is now lit! All smokers draw one!

This is the direction I was looking for. Thank You and everyone else too.

Agree with all Herbie said. I would clean out a big spot on your work bench and start doing the dash. It has to be completely assembled before installing....radio...everything.
I set the smokes down after 34 years of puffing after reading 45 minutes worth of http://www.whyquit.com/joel/Joel_Index_01.html . TRY IT! Go to that thread and read all on that page. I grabbed my fresh pack and crushed them right in front of my smoking buddies after reading that opver 3 years ago. DO IT!

I know I need to quit and it's bad for your health, but the thing that made me wanna quit was my 7 yr old son. He stays on me in a loving way to quit smoking.

I didn't mean to take your thread off topic Tony, but it's important:

Sounds like you're young and smart enough to make it stick this time. If not for yourself, then do it for that 7 yr old and his mom. I've been there, I know. I quit 25 yrs ago. It was tough for a week or so, then it gradually got easier. Now I run when I smell smoke.

Ironically, I quit as I was crawling into the hospital, for my 2nd back surgery, in 3 yrs. I was admitted for 5 days. One before the surgery and 4 after. I was so happy with the surgery results, I wanted to do something for myself. Haven't had a smoke since. Be strong when you get home. Your back will feel better after a week or two, and your addiction will be lessened a bunch. Eventually you too will run when you smell smoke, and think to yourself, how'd I ever smoke those things. Plus you'll be around for the graduations, weddings, etc.:hurray:

Tony, good luck with the surgery, quitting, and the Chevelle. Soon you'll be cruzing around with no back aches, and no smokes.

Well thanks to all you guys for the chevelle and health comments. Disassembled the dash today, sanded down the driveshaft to paint and a few other small items. Deceided to hold off till next weekend on the motor and trans, I ordered a set of coated hedders Friday night after some serious thought and they will be here Tuesday. When I was through with the dash today, sitting around with my dew in hand, I figured when you stall on one thing, there's 200 more little things you can do that'll speed the process up later on down the line. I'm gonna give the smoking up when the dr schedules surgery. That'll give me 8-12 weeks away from the stress of work and will be a good jumping off point. Thanks again for the encouragement and advice on the resto. I love this place.

I just sit in the garage trying to decide where to go next and wind up doing nothing but smoking cigarettes and drinking diet mountain dews...

Anyone have...an idea where I should go next?


TLee, I would concentrate on the electrical system and then get the engine and transmission installed.

Also, I'd advise that you switch from cigarettes to dip.
That way you're not inhaling smoke into your lungs, but you'll still get that pleasant nicotine shot in the arm.

Regards,
-Greg