Some friendly advice when RESTORING your car

[60eldo]

 Im in midst of restoring my 60 Eldorado and have leaned a huge lession,,,when dismantling,,,no matter how bad it looks,,,DON T THROUGH ANYTHING IN THE GARBAGE,,,you may just need that part as a reference or just to take a small clamp or bracket or something off it,,,KEEP IT ALL

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Part TWO to that recommendation:

Label EVERYTHING with a tag and take lots of pictures.  Sure, you think you'll
remember "where it went" or what that "dohickey does" -- but will you still remember
in 6 months, a year?  It's doubtful.

Mike

[bigdave]

I have done several cars over the years and have made several mistakes and learned many lessons. The above posts are right on the money. One simple and inexpensive thing that can make assembly much easier is the use of zip lock freezer bags for hardware and small parts. They are easy to label and they don't cost much so you can use many to keep things separated into smaller groups. Plastic totes also work well for parts groups and hardware. I always like to organize parts in an order of when in the restoration I will need them.

A spiral notebook on hand is also a good idea. Make notes of everything and also a list of parts you will need to replace. A laptop or pc will work but it is also nice to have a paper copy on hand .    Dave

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Plus, if restoring a vehicle for someone else, don't let them strip the car in your own garage, without you being there to assist.

Happened to me with a '59 Tbird, and I still don't know where two small curved panel pieces fitted, nor does he, even though taking lots of photos, sketches, and copious amount of notes.

Bruce.

[Walter Youshock]

TAKE PICTURES!!!  LOTS AND LOTS OF PICTURES!  I learned this when rebuilding phonographs (the hard way, of course).  All those weird screws, washers and clips were put in for a purpose, whether it be aligning an ash tray door or for reducing rattles. 

Put the fasteners in your Ziploc bag, label it and upload the corresponding photo to your computer with the same name.

[Gene Beaird]

Plus, if restoring a vehicle for someone else, don't let them strip the car in your own garage, without you being there to assist.

Happened to me with a '59 Tbird, and I still don't know where two small curved panel pieces fitted, nor does he, even though taking lots of photos, sketches, and copious amount of notes.

Bruce.

Heh, and I'm missing one interior panel that goes in our 86 Mustang SVO I had work done at a shop several years ago.  I'm having a heck of a time finding a replacement. 

And yeah, Zip-Lock bags and a Sharpie are your best friend there. 

[Blade]

 ... and last: DO NOT throw the 'bad' spark plug into the near by lake when you break down with your motorcycle out of town, you might discover right when you're trying to put the new one in that it was the good plug. You'll have to push your bike miles and miles under the hot sun like my friend did! ...