When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So I have a number of projects I'd like to tackle on my to do list and was wondering how difficult they might be to accomplish. The only reference I have would be relative to the projects I've already completed. So, knowing that this is a completely subjective exercise that depends on a lot of factors, how difficult would you rate the following projects on a scale of 1 (least difficult) to 10 (most difficult). I'll start with some of the projects I've already tackled and list a number of others I'd like to tackle, but would like others who have completed those projects to provide their difficulty rating. Here goes:
- Remove and refurbish center console: 2
- Replace rear leaf spring bushings: 2
- Replace rear strut rod bushings: 3
- Replace rear shocks: 3
- Replace front shocks: 2
- Rebuild steering rag coupling: 2
- Installing sound deadener throughout: 3
- Replace insulation: 2
- Replace carpet: 3
- Replace master cylinder and bleed brakes: 4
- Replace front to rear brake line: 6
- Remove instrument cluster: 3
- Replace all cluster lights (once removed): 1
- Reinstalling cluster: 5
- Remove dash and dash pads for repainting: 5
- Refurbish glove box: 3
- Replacing front wheel bearings and races and greasing: 2
- Removing door cards for refinishing: 3
- Removing front upper and lower A arm: ???
- Replacing front upper and lower A arm bushings: ???
- Reinstalling front upper and lower A arm bushings: ???
- Removing rear trailing arms: ???
- Replacing rear trailing arm bushings: ???
- Replacing rear bearings: ???
- Swapping rear end with new gear-set: ???
- Installing a convertible top: ???
- Replace headers: ???
Again, I know it's subjective, but all things being equal, do you agree with the difficulty assessment and what would you assess the remaining projects?
Please add to the projects if you would like to get some input on the difficulty of a project you might be thinking about tackling yourself.
My bushings were good, had paint blistering from someone doing a bad flush on my brakes and the spring bushing cups were showing rust. Also found a number of of hardware and clips that needed correcting for judging
.....also chose to get all my wheel cylinders sleeved in brass, guaranteed for life! Car sat for a number of years after getting a Top Flight. Highly recommend “White Post Restorations “ in Virginia to sleeve you wheel and master cylinders in brass. Cost is about $80 per.
Rear wheel bearing replacement is not a job for the faint of heart. Depending where your car domiciled itself for most of its life will determine, in many cases, how difficult the entire rear assembly refurb will be (read: rusty bolts/components). In the worst case, you will need a power hammer or a torch--perhaps both. Expect to spend some serious money. And if you don't have the right tools and/or experience, consider doing something else that day.
Last edited by Dan Hampton; 07-13-2018 at 12:32 AM.
Rear wheel bearing replacement is not a job for the faint of heart. Depending where your car domiciled itself for most of its life will determine, in many cases, how difficult the entire rear assembly refurb will be (read: rusty bolts/components). In the worst case, you will need a power hammer or a torch--perhaps both. Expect to spend some serious money. And if you don't have the right tools and/or experience, consider doing something else that day.
Having the right tools makes all the difference. I recently completely rebuilt the trailing arms for my 65.
Having the right tools makes all the difference. I recently completely rebuilt the trailing arms for my 65. All done
That looks fantastic. Did you powder coat the trailing arms? Mine is a 65 as well and I plan to rebuild the trailing arms this coming winter...I'll keep your contact info in case I have questions!
The degree of difficulty can vary significantly depending on the amount of corrosion.
For example, rear spring bushings are very straight forward, unless there is rust and then the entire project can take two to four times longer and require a degree of ingenuity to remove the bushings.
That looks fantastic. Did you powder coat the trailing arms? Mine is a 65 as well and I plan to rebuild the trailing arms this coming winter...I'll keep your contact info in case I have questions!
Glass beaded and shot with several coats of epoxy.
I would differ on a lot of the difficulty ratings stated....
To rebuild a rag joint correctly (if you can even get decent center material) takes some experience and good parts....those quickee rebuild kits the vendors sell are not good and maybe a bit dangerous..... I don't use them..
Long Island used to sell properly built rag joints but they don't any longer.....I have one of the 63 units on the shelf as a spare...
Some of those suspension jobs with a 3-4 rating sound "not awful"....but a rusted component can double the difficulty. If you have rusted front trailing arm bolts it can be a royal PITA. Same with the rear shock mount....even with the tool those can test your patience..
I soaked my 63's suspension fasteners with PB-Blaster over a period of 2-3 days and everything came loose just fine...I was lucky...
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 07-13-2018 at 05:57 PM.
07-12-2018, 10:26 PM
Project Difficulty Scale: How hard it is to....
