Engine bay management tips?
I suppose I was exaggerating when I said it wasn't road worthy, I have driven it a very short distance down the road I live on. The reason I said I couldn't drive it to a shop is that the brakes work but the pedal doesn't return on its own, the floor has a number of rust holes, and the tags are expired, risking a ticket there. Oh, and the tires are dry rotted to hell. Also, I must admit I don't have a set plan for specific steps to take on fixing the car up, but I will say that I wasn't planning on tidying up the engine bay for my next step, this post was just so I could get a better idea for what I wanted to do.
I understand, for me I would:
If you have not done this yet, get the car up on a lift or safe jack stands and make a good appraisal of the unibody frame, torsion bar mount and inner fenders for rust damage. Properly fixing those can be more than a novice repair. If done professionally, can be expensive. If that inspection passes:
1)Fix the brakes
2)Replace the tires, maybe with used..
3)Repair the floors, maybe with cut out patches and a basic MIG welder
4)Do what ever basic repair and maintenance is required to make the car safe, wiper blades, lights, exhaust, shocks, wiring issues.
5)Get plates and insurance
6)Drive the car and address reliability and drive ability issues.
7) Address cosmetic issues like the under hood appearance.
Good Luck with your project. Keep us posted as you make progress.
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