bballboy06

here is a 1974 convertible 454 4 speed, that is in need of a complete rebuild.

Runs, no brakes, interior needs gutted, needs new top, paint...want to rebuild transmission and engine to give it more power.

Where should it all start?

doorgunner

Start at the most unlikely spot..........the BRAKES!

That way......you'll be able to stop the car when the interior is done as you will need to "try it out"...LOL

But seriously......make sure the brakes are rebuilt first....no sense in tuning the engine in order to drive through the neighbor's yard.

While it's on jackstands rebuild the suspension.

Cavu2u

bballboy06,

I'd guess the answer all depends on what you want the finished product to be. If you just want a daily driver, the engine needn't be gone through; just a tune-up. And like doorguner said, brakes must be inspected and rebuilt if needed first. If you're somewhat a purist like me, you'll want about a year's time, 10 grand, patients, and lotza help from this forum.
Just curious; What Color Code is on the metal ID tab, near the Driver's Upper Door Hinge? Was this car originally white?

Steve

bballboy06

TRIM 416 80L Paint

Jeff_Keryk

Looks like a great car; I like 74's. As others have said, make a plan. You need about $20K... Where to start? Frame, suspension, brakes. That's your foundation.

bballboy06

What about a plan like this:
1. Remove Engine/Transmission
2. Suspension rebuild
3. Brake system rebuild
4. Engine bay clean-up
5. Rebuild engine/trans
6. Interior
6.Paint

JimE

Did this car come from James Island S.C.? If it is I went down & looked at that car about 3 weeks ago.

bballboy06

Yes it did, i took it on a partial trade.

what were your thoughts on it?

Cavu2u

Nothing's wrong with that plan. If you feel there's no rust under the bodywork to repair, you'll end up with a nice car afterwards following it.

416 Trim is Medium Saddle Leather (I envy you), but the 80L Paint code has me a bit mystified.

STeve

Cavu2u

OK JimE; Why didn't you jump on it?

Steve

LS4 PILOT

Same as my corvette , except for exterior color and mine has AC

Have fun fixing it up , I really enjoy mine

bballboy06

OK so here is an update with the rebuild..... Everything has been sand blasted, all U-Joints replaced, and all new bolts for everything. New brake lines, new E-Brakes, and new gas tank with all new sending unit and new bushings. New shocks.


Now i will get the rear wheels back on and move to the front suspension....I also need to finish the installing the new master brake, and brake booster.

Lobzila

Looking good. I found out the hard way to save a ton of weight on the rear end by getting rid of that leaf spring and going with a composite one. Its like a forty pound difference.

Grumpy 427

Life the body off the frame, and enjoy the next 3 years of rebuilding it correctly.

bballboy06

Had Engine Rebuilt
Rebuilt brake system
rebuilt Steering
Started interior
Finished Cleaning and painting engine bay and Frame
Fixed wiring issues
Replaced all bulbs
Fixed Spedo & Tach
Painted dash pads to match and fixed vents

LS4 PILOT

Nice progress .

Did you bore the block .30 over , did you reuse the heads ?

Was the old cooling system trash?

bballboy06

Yes .30 over and rebuilt the heads.


Cooling system was trash, holes in the radiator, but kept the radiator as a just in case.

LS4 PILOT

Do you know what the rear axle ratio is yet ?

Mine is a 3:36

bballboy06

Not sure, i will have to check.

bballboy06

Update on the 74:
Completed carpet install
Installed new seats
Installed all new dash upper and lower sections
New Radio/speakers.
Troubleshooted ground issues
Troubleshooted lighting issues
Troubleshooted vaccum issues

She runs and drives great.
All electrical works, headlights work & pop, all bulbs replaced interior/exterior. New tires and rims.


Ready for new top & paint.

Softop work to happen soon.

Paint will happen soon gathering quotes.