Thread: I'm overwhelmed, help PLEASE

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First off, I don't know how to write this and make it flow without being too long, so bear with me when reading.

Some of you may have seen my post in the hotrod and introduction section. Well, I have come to ask for help. Here is the issue. I have no idea what to do now. We arent focused on anything dealing with the car running right now, we need to get the body and support straight first. I need to basically get help from someone who restored a car from ground up, because it is looking like this 64 Falcon will be just that. Suggestions on things that I should get done first, things I can do ahead of time, things I will need to plan for, help on how/what I do about this or that. Pretty much basic things for a person who has no experience. I would prefer somone to talk with via email or messenger of some sort, but if no one is willing then I will just keep this thread going with questions.

Were planning on making the car a street and track car. Tubs in the rear but cruisable at the same time. The car is a unibody, what we've talked about is basically a tube chassis. Rust EVERYWHERE, rotted trunk and floors, along with some spots on almost all the other panels. Anyone have anything to say?

Mann, re-read it and it is really bad. I'm basically asking for help on where to start restoring a car that is in bad shape.

If you could post some pics of the car in your gallery, including some shots of the worst areas, it would certainly be easier for someone to help you come up with a plan and priorities.

HiR and C. First off u might wanna decide how much money this car will mean to you. That is a 64 Falcon will make a cool ride but a pro chassis with short 9" and disc brakes on front might be a bout 10 grand. Course then u could have any engine/trans you want then. So your first assignment is to go frame shopping. Second is to figure how u will repair rust on the body panels that will be left. And decide how u will stretch the rear wheel openings for the much bigger tires u will need. Get a photo shop of the car. Look at other modified Falcons. A ll befor u start taking the car apart. Sorry to be so long winded. Hope this helps.

Aalso what Dave said.

see if you can get a factory assembly manual and do some tolite reading

Originally posted by Ives Bradley
HiR and C. First off u might wanna decide how much money this car will mean to you. That is a 64 Falcon will make a cool ride but a pro chassis with short 9" and disc brakes on front might be a bout 10 grand. Course then u could have any engine/trans you want then. So your first assignment is to go frame shopping. Second is to figure how u will repair rust on the body panels that will be left. And decide how u will stretch the rear wheel openings for the much bigger tires u will need. Get a photo shop of the car. Look at other modified Falcons. A ll befor u start taking the car apart. Sorry to be so long winded. Hope this helps.

Well, my father and I are building the car and we knew when we bought it that it would cost a lot of money, and that is fine, we just won't be dropping all that moolah at one time. I estimate 3-5yrs before the car is ready to drive. The car is his dream so it will be up to him as to what the car gets, but he still has long-lasting dreams of a dana rearend, a big ol 8-71 out of the hood and tubs tucked under the ass-end, I just need to get him crackin.

Should we have a frame ready before we even get the body straight? I figured the bodywork should be our first priority. No point if having a frame if the body is trash is what I figured.

About the rust. I figured we get the car completely stripped. Back seats out (front already is), dash off, trunk cut out motor out, all that jazz, and have it blasted. If we have the money then well get it done, if we don't then we will attempt it ourselves. Then we could weld the new pans in and put the repaired/replaced panels back on. Then we would have our completed body out of the way and we could begin work on the suspension, drivetrain, motor brakes and a tube frame.

For the tubs, I have decided to follow some examples I found while searching the boards. Since most of the trunk will already be cut out, we will just shape proper sized pans and get them welded in.

As for being long winded, honestly the more detailed you get, the happier I am. The more opinion and facts you give, the happier I am. I am really excited about getting some measurable progress done on the car, and the more yall write, the more I learn and the more open minded I become and options start to open up, along with a gameplan. So talk away. If you have something to say, by all means say it.

Originally posted by Dave Severson
If you could post some pics of the car in your gallery, including some shots of the worst areas, it would certainly be easier for someone to help you come up with a plan and priorities.

Didnt see this post before I hit reply. I'll get them uploaded right now and let yall know.

i have some experience with your dilemma...save time & money...buy a full tube chassis from Alston or Comp or any reputable chassis company...take a torch or plasma gun and perimeter cut the floor out of it...save only the sheet metal...no floors, rebuild all that on the new chassis...you & dad will end up with an extremly badass pro street falcon and have the time of your life building it...basically i'm saying save the skins, chunk the rest...build a new car with new stuff and dont even deal with the rust

Why dont you just scrap that falcon and find one in better shape?those cars are cheap, it seem you would spend less time and money on a more solid car,i have a 60 falcon you can have if you come get it,solid floors & doors

Originally posted by hotroddaddy
Why dont you just scrap that falcon and find one in better shape?those cars are cheap, it seem you would spend less time and money on a more solid car,i have a 60 falcon you can have if you come get it,solid floors & doors

Money is of the essence, we looked on traderonline.com for a bit before buying this one and found that parts cars were going for about $1000, we got this one which ran (minus a shot starter) for only $700, and it was close to us. We thought it was a decent deal.

I'm getting the pics up now.

Pics uploaded.
http://www.clubhotrod.com/photopost/...=15922&thumb=1

Originally posted by Bryan TTM
i have some experience with your dilemma...save time & money...buy a full tube chassis from Alston or Comp or any reputable chassis company...take a torch or plasma gun and perimeter cut the floor out of it...save only the sheet metal...no floors, rebuild all that on the new chassis...you & dad will end up with an extremly badass pro street falcon and have the time of your life building it...basically i'm saying save the skins, chunk the rest...build a new car with new stuff and dont even deal with the rust

Would'nt really retain any of the origonal styling that way though. And would it be any cheaper??

If your not driving the car, unbolt eeverything. Cut out the whole floorpan. If u are really gonna have a 500 horse engine u will need a Alston type frame. Once u cut the floor out u will be walking around this car for however long it takes to get a roller under it. And take pictures so in 3 to 5 yrs u wont have to guess how its spose to go back together.

The first thing you must do is stop the rust. Everything else comes after that.

R aand C I think most of the rust is going to be cut away. And with a blower and lots of power u wont be driving it in winter or leaving it parked in the rain. Your rocker panels {below the doors} look good and thats a primary frame attachment point. Once u set that body skin over a pro frame you ll have to make all new floor pans anyhow. On the top grind the rust and fill with Dura Glas.