Enough with the research...

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RSie

RSie

Idiot In Training
Joined
Jun 28, 2018
Messages
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Location
Wisconsin
Enough with the book learnin', enough with the planning, enough with worrying about being 'that guy' on craigslist selling a pile of parts and listing it as a car. It's knuckle-busting time!

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This car has serious cancer issues.. both frame rails are junk, torsion cross member is rotted. This should be a parts car. You guys who aren't in the rust belt wouldn't touch it with a 10 ft. pole.
I've wrestled in my head the last year what I was going to do.. fix it, sell it as a whole car, part it out and find a cheap unrotted more-door with the money from that...but I think I would always regret not fixing this thing.
Sooner or later, you have to make a choice. I'm jumping in. Money is a problem, but that's probably always going to a problem.
Time to say screw it, and get busy.
 
Are you going to keep it red with the white stripe?
 
RustyRatRod said:
Are you going to keep it red with the white stripe?
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Yes. I like it. Was thinking about maybe adding '340' or 318 or whatever to it either on the back or fender.. inside the middle stripe if you know what I mean.
 
RSie said:
Yes. I like it. Was thinking about maybe adding '340' or 318 or whatever to it either on the back or fender.. inside the middle stripe if you know what I mean.
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I am glad. I like it too. ......and I don't normally like notch backs. Somethin about that red with the white stripe really makes that car look good. I like it a lot.
 
The drivers side tab to the k-frame broke off. Oh well, easy fix.

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If the money aspect is the problem, do what I've done. Get the serious pieces done so you can get it running & driving. Then collect up a few pieces at at a time & tackle the next worst part. After a while, you'll have the car you want to drive daily. It takes time & dedication, I know because I've been building my race car for just a shade over ten years. It's only made 30 or so passes, but just little bit of time keeps me going.
 
Demonracer said:
If the money aspect is the problem, do what I've done. Get the serious pieces done so you can get it running & driving. Then collect up a few pieces at at a time & tackle the next worst part. After a while, you'll have the car you want to drive daily. It takes time & dedication, I know because I've been building my race car for just a shade over ten years. It's only made 30 or so passes, but just little bit of time keeps me going.
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That's almost my blueprint.. I have it set up in stages in my mind. Stage 1 is fix the rot... enough to make it safe. Stage 2 is brakes and fuel systems, to make those safe. Stage 3 is get it running and on the road. Stage 4 is to cruise, and pick up hot chicks... no, wait, I'm old and married. :)
 
I'm different and like the notch backs good luck there's one on local facebook but at my age don't know that I have it in me anymore -- hope your decision works out
 
I love it. I understand completely mine is a rusty mess too and I don't really have the money to do it correctly. So I'm just doing it my way. I'm learning as I go mistakes and all. I have changed engine plans about 3 times but finally have a good plan and stinking to it. What are your engine plans?
 
Bumper bolts were not playing nice. Torch and impact required. She gave me my first blood blister working on her, and I don't mind. Damn, it feels good to work on it after seeing it in my garage for the last 10 years.

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dartfreak75 said:
I love it. I understand completely mine is a rusty mess too and I don't really have the money to do it correctly. So I'm just doing it my way. I'm learning as I go mistakes and all. I have changed engine plans about 3 times but finally have a good plan and stinking to it. What are your engine plans?
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Drivetrain plans as of now is to get what's in it running. I think it's a 340 with a cam (my brother had it running before I bought it), with a727, 8 3/4 rear. I have a '75 360 and 727 from a motorhome I parted out about 5 years ago, ran good. Last resort, I have a '74 318/904 setup I drove 180 miles home last summer in a '74 Dart more-door. That car was the donor inner front clip car (frame rails, torsion support, inner fenders as a unit).
 
RSie said:
Drivetrain plans as of now is to get what's in it running. I think it's a 340 with a cam (my brother had it running before I bought it), with a727, 8 3/4 rear. I have a '75 360 and 727 from a motorhome I parted out about 5 years ago, ran good. Last resort, I have a '74 318/904 setup I drove 180 miles home last summer in a '74 Dart more-door. That car was the donor inner front clip car (frame rails, torsion support, inner fenders as a unit).
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Sounds like you have options then! I would most definitely stick with the 340 if you can . Maybe put the 360 or 318 in it just to keep it driving while you have the 340 refreshed.
 
Demonic said:
Sweet - you have the parts! And a level floor. Now you just need a welder and time.
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I have tons of friends/family that could do the welding for me.. but at the end of the day, I want to do it myself. And it's not really practical if I get a wild hair some Tuesday afternoon to work on it. I want a Hobart 140, would be perfect for me. I've dropped a lot of hints for the wife.. but $ is tight right now.
 
Time to quit on it for today. Getting frustrated trying to get the nose piece off. Being up all last night with a cluster headache, and a having a few beers in me.. yeah, it's time to quit. Still feels good to get a start!
 
Yeah I'm not going gangbusters like I was in the spring. Couple hours in the morning then I'm out of it. Couple more in the evening maybe.
 
No sleep, a few beers, and getting frustrated. I've learned that's the time to walk away and give it a go tomorrow.
 
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