Not sure if this belongs here, but its worth a shot.
Long story short, my girlfriend bought me a 1991 Firebird from her cousin in Chicago.
The bad news: Its in worse condition than we had thought.
The lower panels are rusted with some signs of early rot in the wheel wells. The trunk doesnt stay up. The interior headliner is sagging and the dash is cracked. The entire radio has been taken out and cannot be put back in. The Exhaust Pipes fell off somewhere in Ohio as he was towing it to PA.
The Good news: The headlights are timed and there is no Check Engine Light.
Im quite flustered with everything that needs to be fixed that I dont know where to start. First things first, What are some ideas to fix the rust on the bottom. On ClassicIndustries they sell lower panels that Id be able to use, but is that the best option? I would appreciate Comments/Idea of all kinds for any of the aforementioned problems. Thanks in advance!

 

That looks like some pretty serious rust, and I'll bet it's ten times worse underneath. I'd say cut your losses -- sell it, and start with a better car. There's much better cars out there for not much money.

 

Honestly being a new member I don't have a lot of haul on do or don't. But I'd advise looking into floor pans and struts to see what is there and or what is left(as many a thread has covered). There are more rollers out there, yet. But to me that doesn't look like too ugly a vehicle by ways of body other than the rust and what looks like a dent on the rear panel. I am not a body person but I'd do a deeper inspection inside to see whats what before cutting the ropes to the wind.

Worse vehicles from initial glance have been salvaged. Just depends I guess on how much green you want to use. <:

Two cents and good luck!

 

It would be cheaper to buy a good car than to fix this one. Unless there is some sort of unavoidable attachment to it I would agree with Navy & let it go.

 

Best to inspect further underneath, brake lines, suspension .... before you think of dumping any money into it. I see serious rust there and all in hard to fix places.

Part it and buy a better one with less rust.

Sorry for the bad news. Better cars are out there for the same money or less.

 

From the pictures it looks like the car is going to need both doors replaced and both quarters replaced. They look too far gone to fix with patches. If the only major rust is what is pictured, the car can be driven till it gets really bad or make it a project to learn welding and fix a little at a time. As mentioned before, a solid roller would be another option if you want to stay with a third gen.

 

Only way to know for sure is to get underneath the car while it's on a lift, AND/OR pull the seats/carpet out and look at floor pans.

Only then can you tell how bad it is. As for the people telling you scrap it already, I won't be one, without asking you couple questions.

1. Do you like working on cars / have skills for major repair?

2. What is your end goal of the car / how much to spend?

3. What did you purchase the car for?

Without answering those questions, I am not sure how anyone can tell you what is cheaper/easier. You may have gotten the car for $1 (not likely) and want to do a major restore (not likely) but still...

Advice on the internet is worth what you pay for it.. (nothing).

 

Thanks for the input. To be honest, I was hoping for more "It just needs some work" and less "Take a loss and scrap it". My girlfriend paid 1k for the car. It has a new fuel pump and the brake lines were just replaced. The engine is running very well with no problems. The interior Im not too worried about, its the body. I havent been able to get it to a lift or lift the carpet so I dont know how the floor looks. Im not a mechanic, nor do I pretend to be one, but I dont mind putting some blood/sweat/tears into the car. Ultimately, I want to get the entire body redone and then slowly do the interior. Not only am I on a "Working Mans Budget" but Im on a "21yr old Working Budget". I was pretty much broke before the car and now I can tell Ill be broke for a lot longer, haha. What are your thoughts on junk yards and possibly getting doors and quarter panels off of donor cars?

 

Has anyone bought these or know if someone has?

http://www.classicindustries.com/pro...s/s69912l.html

 

I am in PA, but unfortunately you are 5 hours away lol.

I would start with small/easy/cheap things first. Also, is this your daily driver, or a second car?

I am currently rebuilding a Trans am, with less rust than yours, but I am taking it slow, since I wanted to re-do the whole car (came with no motor or tranny). I have been saving money and acquiring parts slowly. My process is to have all parts that needs replaced (which I just accomplished), then rent a welder for a couple days and pay a friend that knows how to weld to fix my rust. After that, replace all the parts that need replaced.

With you, it looks like you can replace doors and panels, but you need to know if there is more (most likely) rust on the floor pans. Classic industries sells panels for around $300. I got lucky, and got a guy from a scrap yard to cut the whole floor out of a 3rd gen with front end damage for $200.

 

You can most likely get a whole door for $75 from a yard or someone parting a car in your area. Check yards and Craig's list ads.

 

i gotta agree with everybody about getting under the car for a good inspection first.

i've had 2 cars from up north/rust belt over the years that just kept rotting apart. i guess that salt gets up into everything? not good.

 

You have no idea. Its daily that you catch yourself driving behind a salt truck in Pennsylvania. It makes it impossible to keep your car clean during the winter.

 

i notice some guys store they're cars in the winter just for that reason.

what motor does your car have?

headliners are pretty easy to do. can probably look it up on youtube or something?

do you weld? that could be a big bonus.

 

The interior Im not worried about. I can do the seats and headliner and I think the Sail Panels need to be redone. I dont weld, and therein lies the biggest issue. Ive started looking for other birds being parted out. Maybe Ill get lucky and get the doors for cheap. Ill look for quarter panels as well and then just pay someone to replace those. The real issue is the floor pan. I have to wait until Friday to take a look at it because its stored elsewhere so it doesnt get any more rust on it from salt and snow. The other big issue is the exhaust pipes. but thats a battle to fight after I conquer the rust.

 

Its a v8 305 5.0L

 

a lot of guys like this por-15 stuff;
http://www.por15.com/POR-15-Rust-Pre...ating_p_8.html

 

There is a guy on this forum in Levittown PA, not far from Allentown, probably has all the doors and fenders, you will need to fixer up. Interior stuff as well.

I will look up his name.

OK- his name is my82roc
Supreme Member

- great guy, has a lot of parts.