I am in the midst of restoring my 69 big block car. My question would be how many people on this forum, have restored a car, and if so, how much of the work did they do themselves? How much did they farm out? I mean things like bodywork, and mechanical work. I also am wondering if most people used original parts, repo parts, or a combination of both? Thanks in advance.

 

Going through the same thing myself (small block). I refuse to farm out anything. I'm doing every single part of this resto myself through the much used and appreciated help from everyone on this forum. Am also breaking ground with alot of the involved tasks but I chaulk it up to the learning experience. Besides I have the time and don't really care how long it takes. I have no idea what the labor costs are now days but to me shelling out between 40-80 bucks an hour is $$ I could be giving to Corvette Central, Ecklers, Mid America, Full Throttle etc and in return getting a visit from the UPS or FEDEX truck.

Terry

 

1968 327/300 convertible. I did all my own work, including learning to paint (after a fashion) except for welding. I cannot weld. My uncle provided his expertise in that arena.

I farmed out the valve job but rebuilt the engine myself. I rebuilt the TH400.

Bodywork is all me.

Paint is me so there is no one else to blame. Stock acrylic lacquer. 10 footer, but not all that bad for a beginner.

Interior is me.

T-arms and bearings were farmed out. Shipping to, turnaround time, and getting back was still quicker than I could have done it. The work was also guaranteed.

I did the brakes. Exhaust is me. Stock.

Firestone did the tires.

I used original parts where ever possible, but also have a few reproduction pieces and (gasp) some Impala and Nova junkyard parts which were also used on Corvettes. Late production interior door grab handles are correct, but came from a Camaro.

The car is stock with the exception of the 350hp chrome valve covers I added (Blatant bling. No excuses.) and the bubble tail light lenses (I love those).

Original stamped steel 300hp valve covers and tail light lenses are safely stored away.

 

I am fortunate to have the expertise to do most of my car myself. I am also fortunate NOT to have access to all of the equipment I need to do it all myself.......because I am burdened with to many other projects that I don't want to do, but can do better than the people I would have to hire to do it for me.

 

The easy answer to your question is that if you can think of it, someone on this forum has probably done it.

 

Still restoring my '69 BB which has never seen the inside of a shop other than to align the front end on a flat floor. Then again, I am staying with the original paint. My work space, tools, knowledge, experience and energy are all limited. Hey, we all need to be aware of our limitations unless you feel like screwing up or destroying some very valuable items. Anything can be fixed though...just takes time and money. I do what I can, ask a lot of questions, take parts over to the local shop to use their special tools and do much of the cleaning and media blasting in their cabinet. I buy most all my repro or NOS parts from the same local shop...who also brokered the rebuild of my engine, transmission, steering gear, fan clutch, power steering pump and plating of all other parts and fasteners. Bottom line, I would never have bought the car and attempted any of this without the advice and support of Dave Walters, 30 year Bloomington Survivor judge and former NCRS chief regional judge. I may be an old car guy, but I am no whiz kid when it comes to doing everything that needs to be done. I have even hired one of Dave's workers to help me with the heavy stuff, like pulling and reinstalling the engine and taking the front suspension apart and putting it back together in my garage. Regardless of how much you try to do yourself, the money will just keep flowing out of your bank account. Since purchasing 7 years ago, I am into mine with another $21k hard money and $5k soft. Then again, some rich people think nothing of dropping $100k in a shop for a complete restoration of their high value cars. I could probably spend another $15-$20k without blinking an eye, but I am already underwater, at least according to this lousy market, and beginning to lose some of my enthusiasm for doing any more. What for, somebody else's gain? Now I am just in the driving and enjoying mode. If you are interested, take a look at the many pictures in my CF albums.

 

Hi,
I think given enough time and perseverance almost anyone can do a complete restoration. Some things like machine shop services and chrome plating need to be out-sourced, but much of the rest of what needs to be done can be learned by doing.
I believe restoring original parts WHENEVER possible is necessary because so often the reproduction parts are of poor quality, not quite right for your year car, or simply too expensive.
It's very important to take pictures while you're taking things apart, (so you'll have some help putting it back together), and to develop a system for controlling the zillion parts and fasteners that make up a Corvette!
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

 

So far, I have had to outsource the tire mounting and balancing and a friend welded my missing (from the factory) crossmember welds and the resultant crack. Everything else has been accomplished either in my 12 by 12 well house, or under the Harbor Freight portable carport at the edge of the woods in my back yard. I am refurbishing a low mile NOM or the machine work would have gone out as well, but that's all I planned on when I started this. I have learned a great deal, and have had to retrace several steps mostly because this car was completely disassembled by the PO when I got it...if I can do this so can you.

 

I am doing it all except some specialty items because no one can please me. Just ask my wife.

 

Good advise Alan. I might ad..
It's amazing how many little screws and little parts you take off---put in little zip locks--and then cant remember which ones go where.
WRITE on the bag where they go. Don't trust your memory or you'll have a lot of left over little pieces

 

Hi btrgn,
You're SO RIGHT!
If you take the car completely apart there should be literally hundreds of bags and small boxes of labeled parts and fasteners.
If you don't do that, the job can easily become overwhelming. Then an ad appears that says For Sale, Lost Interest.
Here's a picture of the window mechanism inner parts from just one door.
Since everyone's definition of 'a complete restoration' varies wildly, many 'restored' doors are never taken apart.
It's all in fun!
Regards,
Alan

 

I did a complete frame off restoration of my 65 convertible back in 1994. Spent two years. Did a 1 year frame on restoration of my 61. I've also done a couple of Chevelles. Now I consider myself smart enough to never undertake another one

I did all of the grunt work myself, like disassembly, body prep and some mechanicals and re-assembly, and interior. I outsourced the paint, engine machine shop work, chrome work and had alot of help from good friends who were bribed with beer, pizza and lobster rolls. I tried to stay with original parts but had no problem finding good repros.

When you find yourself losing steam, take a break and come back with renewed enthusiasm. It's worth it in the end. Good luck

 

I try to blast and clean, repaint all original parts when possible and time prudent. I replace when necessary to match the quality of car you want. If you are going to the time and money to do this, go ahead now and update the big stuff (mechanicals). Add items that make the car more livable. I added lizard skin sound and heat coatings for comfort. Of course in this is an NCRS job, skip all that.

Wiring is one area that to me is worth buying new harnesses. Why put 40 year old crusty wires and connectors back in after you have gone through the trouble of tear down?

Parts that are visible need more diligence than those that you will never see, but I choose to do all areas like you would see them. If you start replacing stuff the costs go sky high very quickly. If you are going to the trouble and work, leave no stone unturned. Pull the glass and check the windshield frame. There is almost certainly some damage lurking.

Do it right the first time. Upgrade where it makes sense to you. I chose to go more of the resto mod approach after finding issues with the car that were not visible until stripping and tear down. (accident damage) I also decided to do a full engine upgrade after deciding to go for better performance. So know your course before hand and be willing to adapt if necessary. I am not on the path of my intended destination, I had to go down different roads several times.

My wiper assembly was boogered so I went with a long L88 hood and eliminated it. I also went with after market A/C, I just could not see putting the same amount of money into the old system when a new, more efficient system was the same price and all new.

Keep in mind my car was a NOM car to begin with. Upgraded performance parts and air conditioning. I also went with a lot of stainless parts. It will be cheaper to go with an original look under the hood. If you like fancy/shiny there, it will get really expensive.

I am leaving the finishing touches of body work and paint to the body shop. I want the best job possible since paint makes the car IMO. A garage job is OK, but not the best. Of course it is much cheaper.

Keep in mind, the more you tear it apart, the more overwhelming it becomes, the more time and money you invest, but the nicer car you will have in the end.

Regardless, having many car buddy friends is an invaluable asset. If you get stuck or need some extra hands or thoughts, you can never have enough help. Plus, to me, cars are all about the people, friends and stories you get out of the build.

So the moral of all this, PLAN, PLAN, PLAN. If your car is a numbers car and you are planning on an NCRS resto, you need to be more diligent in correctness vs. just looking good, which can get more challenging.

 

Thanks to all, it is nice to know, some men and women on this forum do their own work. I try to do everything, I can. I have done everything, but the engine machine work. I have much respect for people , who do their own work.

 

Look up stinger12 (although there are several other really cool restos on the board). It was his first Corvette (or car, period) and I think he started when he was 15. Books have been written that were not as comprehensive.

 

Finishing up a complete rebuild of my 70 big block. Did 95% of the work myself including engine assembly, suspension work, replacing front clip, tail light panel quarter panel, stripping paint, customizations to wiring harness, brake system,etc

Only things I sent out were the engine machine work, and final bodywork & paint.

It can be done, just don't expect it to take a few months. As a hobby it's usually a multiple year endeavor. In my case 10years

Jim