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I recently posted about selling my car, but I think I want to fix it up myself. I have 0 knowledge about under the hood of cars, other than you need a trans, engine, battery, etc. I have 2 trans ( one is bad, not sure about the other ) but what would be the easiest most inexpensive way to get this car running. I know it'll cost me over $2000 for sure. I have a 350 tpi, but its taken apart completly, so Idk how to put it together. Keep in mind i'm 15 y/o.
Go to your local board and ask for help. Local clubs sometimes have "mod days" where they get together and do a bunch of crap. If you host it you may get a bunch of hands helping.
Or start reading about how to do what you need to do. It's not magic and it easier than you think. YouTube can help with that too.
I agree with Vanilla Ice. YouTube is amazing place to learn.
Before you get too far down the rabbit hole define a few things.
1. What is the purpose of the car? Fully functioning, just able to drive, going to use it every day, just sometimes, heat, AC, etc... This will lead you to decisions on how much time/money you will need to spend. What do you want... The more detail you apply here, the better project you will have. Change your mind mid project is a recipe for disaster.
2. Are you willing to do a crap ton of work? This is no walk in the part in terms of hours. The work is not complicated, but if you are alone, this will take some time. Make sure your mind and body are ready for the journey. If you have any chance of giving up mid build, stop now, sell all that stuff and buy something running.
3. Clean and organize your stuff. Now way to know where you can start if you don't know exactly what you have got.
For example, the tranny situation, if one is suspect of working. Take it to a tranny shop and have it checked out. You will need to do this anyways if you want to sell it or use it. Next move onto drive shaft, rear end, motor, suspension, etc... You will have to go section by section. That car looks like its in pieces and to have a confident build you will need eyes and hands on all components at one point or another.
Hope this gets you headed in the right direction. I started my first build when I was 17, I am 33 now. All my advice comes from doing all the things I said make sure you don't do.
Hey Dylan,
You're not too young. If the body is in nice shape, all the rest is interchangeable parts. Can you post some body pics?
Is there an automotive dept. at your H.S.? Or one at a Tech College near you? Great way to meet other people, get advice, ask questions, trade work for work done for you, etc. You might even get a below cost price if you let a class do some of the work for you. Your age and passion will work in your favor, here.
Do you know the car's history - what's been done to it? Post some pics from underneath the car. We'll be able to tell you if mods have been done.
Good Luck
Here are some body pics, don't have a pic underneath the car. It will be used as my daily driver, when i get my license. My dad is going to help with costs, he took the engine apart, but doesnt remember how to put it together.
My dads had it since 2001, been sitting since 2003. No rust though
Word of warning. Be careful ordering parts for the car before you have the major huddles cleared (motor, tranny, rear, suspension). If the carpet is already on order then can't do much about that, but from my own experience people in general tend to order easy stuff that they can install quickly and that makes them feel better because the project feels like it is advancing. All the while the elephant in the room is the big expensive stuff.
Again, just my own experience. If you have plans that you have not told up about, then more power to you.
When I doing my last build I needed to get more motor rebuilt, but I spent tons of time on money on small details when the biggest huddle was staring me straight in the face and I wasn't smart enough to see it/ take care of it.
Word of warning. Be careful ordering parts for the car before you have the major huddles cleared (motor, tranny, rear, suspension). If the carpet is already on order then can't do much about that, but from my own experience people in general tend to order easy stuff that they can install quickly and that makes them feel better because the project feels like it is advancing. All the while the elephant in the room is the big expensive stuff.
Again, just my own experience. If you have plans that you have not told up about, then more power to you.
When I doing my last build I needed to get more motor rebuilt, but I spent tons of time on money on small details when the biggest huddle was staring me straight in the face and I wasn't smart enough to see it/ take care of it.
As TEDSgrad stated: Is there an automotive dept. at your H.S.? Or one at a Tech College near you? This is an awesome suggestion, the only down side is you drop off what ever you have and you are on their timetable and suggestions. So you could drop off an engine and trans, have both completely rebuilt for the cost of the parts (and usually they get great deals on parts) and all the labor is free. When i did my apprenticeship, guys were getting complete rebuilt 350's for 500 bucks. All the machine work, new parts and run in on a dyno. As I said you dont get to dicker with the price or what is done, the component is rebuilt completely because it is a training environment. You also have to be patient with the time frame. Good luck, there is also a lot of knowledge on this forum.
Car is a keeper! Floor pans look good - clean up with a wire wheel and use POR15. T-top edges look pretty good.
Get the motor and trans checked out to know what you are dealing with. They don't have to be perfect. Even a used/tired 350 as a temp transplant will work.
I'm guessing your goal (based on budget) is to get this drive-able, then go back and do things properly. Gives you some learning time, and you can make mistakes this way. Re-use seals or find used ones cheap (goal is to keep water out/rust)- get to know your salvage yards. If you don't know how something goes together, try to take it apart at the salvage yard (don't destroy parts, though).
Does this have sub-frame connectors? Need some underneath pics.
This is a perfect example of a you-tube video and one of my favorite "Guys" making it.
If you see "Eric the Car Guy" its going to be good.
All you have to do is type in exactly what your looking for and then scan through the videos.
I typed in : how to change a 1989 Camaro front Caliper and half a dozen videos come up.
I always watch a few before attempting a job that's new to me. The last video I watched lasted 10 minuets and thought me how to change a "Distributor" in my car. The job went perfectly.
=
I wish my 15 year old had the interest. I bought my 86 IROC for him with the hopes we could restore it together. He's lucky I have the knowledge and money to make it a sweet ride but soon realized he has no interest in turning a wrench.
So while busting MY butt to get her going I fell in love with it. (High school dream car after all) So I'm keeping it and we got him a Subaru..
If i were you, I would search around for either a motor you can hear run, (craigslist small block chevy) or search for a LS swap. Car-part.com to search junkyards for used parts. 700r4 will bolt to a 4.8 ls motor. I can find one for 300 bucks were i live, but it may be different for you. It looks intimidating im sure, but just do it one thing at a time. Search your local Craigslist 82-92 camaro in auto parts. !Aauto.com has alot of third gen videos on youtube. Watch how they take apart the car to get a feel for it. Powertblock tv also did 3 episodes about a third gen camaro they upgraded.
Last edited by blitzbluehauler; 03-23-2017 at 07:40 PM.
02-23-2017, 09:22 AM
