I have come to the realisation that when you own a 35 Y.O plus car, you dont just get in and drive everytime.

It seems that you drive a bit, fix a bit, drive a bit, fix a bit and so on.

All was fine till it went to the mechanics. The headlight problem was the start of it.

My TO DO LIST looks like this.

1. Replace broken hood release cable (tried to open hood to fix headlight vacuum problem) (ordered and in the mail)

2: Diagnose and repair Headlight bypass switch not working fault.

3: Replace Tach' circuit board (just received from Wilcox)

4: Fix passenger side seat belt not retracting.

5: Refit seat belt buckles (installed the wrong way)

6: Fix heater blower motor, not working.

7: Fix horn, not working.

8: Fix wiper washer, not working.

9: Replace left speaker (crackly)

10: Repair front bumper. (cosmetic damage in shipping here)

And now the fun bits.

I have ordered and just taken delivery of new intake manifold (2101)
and a bunch of chrome goodies to be fitted.

So theres more.

11: Install new manifold and gaskets.

12: Install new chrome valve covers.

13: Install new chrome air cleaner

14: Install advance curve kit and retime engine

15: Paint and detail engine bay

I think thats it for now

I am curious to see what others have on their lists.

Unfortunately were in the middle of winter here and days have been cold and short. No time to do anything. I work 6 days a week

Hopefully tackle it all when the sun comes out.

 

My '76 I pretty much just drive unless something needs immediate attention.

My'74 I don't have a list. It's completely apart so I just work on what I feel like that day. I just finished painting the frame on Sunday. I have a lot of other parts ready for paint. I might install the transmission cross member next just so I can say I started to reassemble it.

 

My list was real extensive (around 20 things) when I first got my car around 6-7 weeks ago. This is my list as of today (sure I am missing a few things):

1. Fix or replace mechanism below rear deck lid that secures and releases convertible top

2. Fix or replace clock (looks like it would work but second hand is bent and stops when it hits the minute hand).

3. Detail and paint engine

4. Repair chip/fiberglass on fender

5. Repair/Replace parking brake console

6. Align driver side window better with convertible

7. Win lotto

Fortunately down here in Fla I can drive her all year round topless except when its raining

 

I'll probably die of old age before I have time to type out my "to-do" list. It's that long.

 

I was going to say.. Drive down.. buy the beer and I'd do this for you.. but these cars... they don't float.

I just saw where you lived at...

Actually the board is not hard at all to install and I have a video on YouTube that will help you.

I also had a thread on here that referenced the video so if you need this let me know and I'll bump it.

Willcox

 

I have a huge list. I try to keep it focused on one or two areas at a time. I want to keep it running. Just need to get it buttoned up enough to cruise it.
1) Install replacement rad hoses
2) Install new waterpump
3) Replace flex fan (find fan for my fan clutch)
4) Set Timing (new tach drive dist)
5) Hood Latches
6) Seat belts (none at all)
7) Machine rotors, rebuild calipers & paint (one done)
8) Black Calif Plates, reg & collector insured
It's too overwhelming to list everything, it's a work in progress, but It's a good time working on it, when she's road worthy, she'll be our weekend escape. The wife even gave the thumbs up on a cross country (ca-fl) road trip. ROAD TRIP!!!
If I don't keep my list under control,it starts to sound like this:
1)Pull motor,bigger cam,roller rockers, lifters,chrome valve covers,correct wires,OE manifolds,sidepipes,strip and paint motor,engine compartment,trans,replace dented oil pan,bellhousing,power brakes,power steering,vintage air,stereo,low jack,paint touch up, door hinges, strip & paint door jambs, well I could go on..if I haven't already...

 

I don't know which is more depressing, the to do list or the money spent thus far list...rather just go for a drive and enjoy the moment.

 

Everything....

well I guess that is why the while i'm at it bug bit when I started with body mounts...

Full rolling chassis done, underbody taken care of... now all I have to do is:

-paint engine bay
-run new wireing harness
-run new vacuum lines for AC
-build engine (just got the block back yesterday)
-install engine
-install accesories and DeWitts radiator
-install hood

--DRIVE for a week

-strip paint
-Prime
-block sand
-Prime
-block sand
-block sand
-Paint
-Polish
-Install interior

-Hope its not snowing yet..
-Drive to St. Lewis to take her home and then Bowling green to meet the family

 

- get engine running
- bleed brakes
- new exhaust
- rear suspension
- repair headlight vacuum
- paint
- interior
- New rear gear
- higher stall converter
- heads/cam/intake swap
- fuel injection
- vintage air


Pretty much everything except "rebuild front suspension", "new engine wiring harness" and "install new engine"

That ought to keep me busy for the next 20 years.

 

Bought my 76 in early October, 2010. the other day I removed and easily repainted with spray for vinyl the windshield tilt up visors buckskin to remove the sun fade from them.

This was item number 62 on my taken care of list and only three were things that had to be done twice because brand new parts failed right out of the box.

Get used to it....but mine involved replacing lots of systems that have ten or twenty year lifespans with the current driving pattern. None the less....it's still 62 and counting.

And...mine was in pretty decent shape when I got it.

L.P.

 

i keep a list of 'done' on page 2 of my 'to do' list. it is basically a history of what I have done to the car I am proud to say my done list is much much bigger than my to do list.

my to do list was about 100 when I bought the car, now it is about 10, and is mostly upgrade stuff.

 

I hope that includes your bucket list too.

There you go. I call mine a maintenance log but we're on the same page.

 

When you own old cars, there is always something to do, it never ends !!!!

 

I've got a "Big Thing" list and a "Little Thing" list, all on a car that I regularly hop in to take to shows with nothing more than a quick detailing:

Big-Thing list (I'll do one every year or so in roughly the following order, if the money is there, but I can enjoy the car just fine without them):

1. Make A/C functional
2. Convert to 5-spd Manual
3. Get steering-box rebuilt
4. Rebuild front Suspension
5. Rebuild motor to 383 stroker with aluminum heads
6. Detail Engine Compartment

Little-Thing List (Small projects I can do now to make the car better if funds and time permit):

1. Re-Glue woodgrain trim to my deluxe door-panels (Just some time and contact-cement)
2. Detail PO2 wheelcovers
3. Repair "Seatbelt light off" button (retainer popped off in dash)
4. Replace broken Headlight position sensor
5. Move speakers to kick-panels
6. Armrest pads to cover small cracks in door-panels.
7. Repair clock
8. Upgrade Stereo and replace hacked gauge panel
9. Have trip-odometer repaired
10. Have small body-imperfections touched-up.

It's nice not *having* to do these things if I don't feel like it, but having the option to do them if I do feel like working on her. All of my previous project cars were far more work than enjoyment.

 

I have many things left on my "TO-DO" list

But after 5yrs of ownership, I now have many things now on my "DONE" list too !!

 

Once you finish one list, another pops up! But it's fun, right? ....Right?

 

I started a list when I bought the car. I stopped writing after two pages. Now, a year and a half later, I am about 3/4 thru that list. My headlights are better and snap to when called. One relay is still slow though. Interior is good save for seats and door panel$.

Be sure to date it as you go along. In the future years you will look back with a twinkle in your eye.

 

Let me see.. I just got the car and it's a relatively short list...

Dome light (probably just the bulb)

AC/Heater Fan (doesn't work on high - probably the solenoid)

A/C needs to be lubed - I think they charge it when they do that

I need to check the tire age and replace if they are old

The clock stops intermittently. It needs to be repaired or replaced.

The hard plastic piece on the back of the driver's door has damage. Minor but present.

The rear speakers are there but are not wired. Not is the power antenna.

The passenger sun visor is stuck in the down position.

I might like a new stereo. Won't know until the old one has rear speakers and a working antenna.

I'd like to put the original engine and tranny on mothballs and drop in something else with a five-speed.

 

I have two lists the things that I want to do and the things I must do.

 

1) Replace lenses in center cluster. (have part, don't have time)

2) Buff scuff out of driver's door.

3) Replace seat belts.

4) Find out why my radio and power antenna no longer work. I suspect a wire chewing mouse.

5) Remove and dye all of my interior roof and windshield trim.

6) Door weather strips.

7) Detail engine compartment....that's a big one.