First build: what lessons did you learn?

[snipescastle2]

Well, this was my second "Basket Case"
My first project was a 69 Camaro, pretty
much needed both quarters replaced,
both front fenders, lower valance. Partial
floor pans, trunk pan,etc.
I started my truck project in 2013, three years
later, finally got to drive it. Of all the lessons
learned, the biggest ones that come to mind
are
1.) use .023" welding wire for your welds
(sheet metal) a lot less grinding.
2.) have the doors mounted when you send it
out for paint, I had mine painted off the truck
and the painter had done some rust repair
on the bottom edges of the doors, and they
Don't fit flush with the rockers.(filler too thick maybe)
3.) use the stock type body mount (rubber)
I used the poly mounts, and I had to make spacers
In order to make the body lines line up, not
to mention, the poly mounts squeak like crazy!
3.) since my truck was apart when I got it,
I downloaded many images from the forum and the net,
I even bought the factory assembly manual, that helped
immensely. Even after all the picture gathering,
and looking at other trucks, I still managed to get the
upper control arms swapped left to right, it was only
when I took it to get an alignment that it was obvious
there was a problem, I posted a pic here on the forum
And a few people chimed in, that I did in fact have them swapped
side for side. ( I love this place! Great people willing to help
even with trivial things!)
I'm sure there are many more things I can't think of at the moment,
Don't let the size of the project intimidate you, I spent three years
doing mine and I had someone else paint mine, I did the bulk of
the rust repairs myself.
Just keep plugging away and if you get frustrated, take a few minutes
And walk away from it, get another set of eyes on your work, that
may present a solution easier than you think!
Good luck!
Ben Smith

[dfwright]

Others have already stated the things that I would have said are my biggest lessons, especially taking tons of pictures, labeling everything, and storing stuff in an organized way where you can find it later.

Don't trust anything to memory. Document everything you can.

So, I will point out something that I've noticed on various builds on this board, and I hope I don't offend anyone. More than a few folks have gone out the first thing and bought a $5000 set of 20" wheels and expensive tires, the moment they have a "roller" to put them on. Then, by the time they get the vehicle completed (2 years in paint jail, yes?) the tires are dry rotted, and they've changed their plans for the vehicle and want different wheels.

Don't go buy the bling until the very end of your project. YOUR PLANS CAN AND WILL CHANGE over the years, and shiny expensive stuff isn't needed to hold the chassis up while you spend a couple years doing body work and paint.

Also, some have said doubling your budget -- don't forget to double the time budget too. It takes a lot longer than you might think to go through the whole process.

[LS short box]

My advice is keep attacking the small jobs. Like cleaning parts. Pick a fender or a door and clean it up. Pick one not a little work on each one.

Sell or give away the parts that you won't be reusing. It reduces clutter and helps fund the project.

Be the the Craigh's List lurker. Good parts typically sell fast so you have to ready jump on them.

When you need a break from the project take a break.

[ChaseBBC]

I'm loving this thread! Taking good notes and some helpful info from here as my frame is freshly painted, naked, and my engine is torn down to the block. Feel like I'm looking up at Mt. Everest when I think about everything that needs to be done to it. I can already agree that a good initial buy is worth every penny!

[Coley]

another quick tip is that if you get behind, or have lost your enthusiasm a bit, or you are really busy elsewhere in your life with work, family etc.....try to find a very short, reliable amount of time that you put into the truck.
Make it 15 minutes a day minimum or at least 4 days a week or something like....but everyone has 15 spare minutes day in their life in my experience.

If you do this, you will continue to progress and chances are you will find a way to make it a quick 20-30 mins.
In addition to that keep your work space clean and clear so you aren't spending that valuable resto time....sorting tools (again) or cleaning up (again).

In 15 mins. you will be surprised what you can do in getting something cleaned, fitted, measured, partially bolted or started. Then the next day you won't feel like you are starting from scratch, due to the previous days work.

good thread!!

Coley

[toolboxchev]

Made the mistake of stopping work on mine due to life issues. Also take heed to whom you get your advise from.

This thread is great, I am getting back into it. Doing the cab and body seems to be the most complex of all due to metal work and rust repair. I am still on the hunt for a top quality paint that would make it through the decades as the original did.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Coley

another quick tip is that if you get behind, or have lost your enthusiasm a bit, or you are really busy elsewhere in your life with work, family etc.....try to find a very short, reliable amount of time that you put into the truck.
Make it 15 minutes a day minimum or at least 4 days a week or something like....but everyone has 15 spare minutes day in their life in my experience.

If you do this, you will continue to progress and chances are you will find a way to make it a quick 20-30 mins.
In addition to that keep your work space clean and clear so you aren't spending that valuable resto time....sorting tools (again) or cleaning up (again).

In 15 mins. you will be surprised what you can do in getting something cleaned, fitted, measured, partially bolted or started. Then the next day you won't feel like you are starting from scratch, due to the previous days work.

good thread!!

Coley

I'd be lucky to find the tools I put down the day before in 15 minutes

[mike16]

I made that mistake of buyin cregars and ta radials first. 16 years later 460 dollars worth of tires are dryrotted. they look nice with a bit of armour all on them but you can look down into the cracks and see the steel belts.

clean every thing

while your layin under the truck working on it, bring a bucket of soapy water (Dawn dish washing detergent works well) and a scotch bright and scrub down a small patch of the under side.

it should be fun. if you get to a point where you dread even looking at it, stop, take a break, you could be burnt out on it. take up a totally unrelated hobbie/project and do that. just take a break, no fault no foul, its normal.

its suppose to be fun with a sense of achievment thrown in for good measure. if its not ; take that break

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Surprised nobody has mentioned how much your wives "like" the idea. Put it this way, mine recently said she can't wait until this is done, and she didn't mean to enjoy the results........HA!

Now I'm going to update some notes. I'll tell you you how much I enjoy that aspect. It blows. Nah heck no, my drums are calling. Wife loves that too, but she's not here.

[flashed]

My wife was always very supportive of my builds ,she actually had me sell her first Chevelle to fund my truck build .But she was a huge old car and truck fan .She planned every vacation we took in our 25 years to a car event of some sort .She went to swap meets and junk yards with me too and never once complained what I spent on the cars or trucks . She preferred me spend on the cars instead of jewelry but I still got her some special jewelry from time to time .I now need to pass that jewelry on to our neices ,I know that is what she wanted ,just cant do it yet.

[ghalperin]

I've done 5 barn finds in the last 4 years. You might say that I'm a glutton for punishment.

My tips are as follows:

1) Join a forum, share and ask questions.

2) Use Google alot.

3) Try to find good used parts before settling on new Chinese reproductions.

4) If the bolt hasn't been touched for 50 years, lube it up and have the torch ready to heat it up, before you break it. A propane torch doesn't count.

5) Go through the brake and fuel systems completely. That 50 year old hose may look good, but most likely it needs to be replaced.

6) Have all your replacement parts ready, before tearing something apart.

7) Get a scissor lift, more than 1 floor jack and 2 complete sets of jack stands (big and small).

8) Write lists.

9) If you can't do it well, find someone who can.

10) Keep the fire extinguisher handy.

11) Lastly, only one build at a time. I violate this one all the time and it always bites me.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by flashed

My wife was always very supportive of my builds ,she actually had me sell her first Chevelle to fund my truck build .But she was a huge old car and truck fan .She planned every vacation we took in our 25 years to a car event of some sort .She went to swap meets and junk yards with me too and never once complained what I spent on the cars or trucks . She preferred me spend on the cars instead of jewelry but I still got her some special jewelry from time to time .I now need to pass that jewelry on to our neices ,I know that is what she wanted ,just cant do it yet.

Nice. But I bet you don't have parts mounted on the walls in two bedrooms. Couple steering wheels on top of the china cabinet. Parts in three of four bedrooms, above the cabinets in the kitchen, and of course taking up most of the garage. Personally, I think the steering wheels are a nice touch

[Overdriven]

The one that bit me in the behind is a proper place to work on your project. My former boss was a car guy and we talked cars a lot, then one day he mentioned (on his own) I could keep a project at the shop. After further discussion I bought my dream 1967 Camaro for dirt cheap in rust bucket form. I worked on it for an hour or two after work a couple times a week and got 90% of the repairs to the shell done in short order. Then he tells me he's selling to retire. Thankfully I picked up another subframe already but still had to rush order suspension and brake parts and install it all to get it to a roller again and get something other than the thin primer on the metal. Then store it outside at my parents for 6 months until I bought a house with a garage. Moral of the story is don't rely on another person's space for your stuff!

Another is to find a way to keep working on it, don't let it sit. The Camaro has sat for the last 5 years barely touched because of my house and lack of funds discourage working on it. In hindsite I could've found stuff to do on it even if I can't afford the stuff I really want for it. Instead I ended up buying my 2nd love, a 67 c10 that's a driver and a vehicle I have a cheaper vision for. Still need to get out there and put some time in on the Camaro before I put it up for sale though. Oh yeah, and one project at a time!