Ok i spend 2 hours attempting to get the fuel lines out. I got them loose, but theres a weird connection on the return line at the filter, i can't get apart, and i need to drill out the mounts and get the stupid ford fitting tool. I cant get my passenger front wheel off, used penetrate, and beat on it with a hammer, can't get it off. So as im looking in the wheel well, I STICK MY ****ING THUMB THROUGH THE FENDER! I also found my water pump is leaking at the bottom, my brake lines at the back are floating off the frame, can't get the h off still for the life of me. I have a choice, fix up a few things, and try and flop it for more, and find another, or just work my balls off and fix it. Im partial to fixing it, cause i like it, but now im worried about the body falling apart, and i don't want to do all this body work and have it patch work. really it needs fuel lines, and the brakes fixed and it would be OK, but i can't settle for ok, im to buttstuff about it, i NEED to fix it all or ill go nuts worrying about it .
END RANT.
All and all i think im gonna stick with her, but just its already a freaking money pit!!!
Welcome to the world of 20 year old cars.
I knew this was coming i really did, but the fact of finding more and more and more. It wouldn't be bad if i had a job, and the space, im doing all this work in my driveway with a jack and 2 jackstands, and a craftsman mechanics tool kit.
It's ok, I just found MONDO body filler in my car that I've had for almost 5 years. All this time I thought it was actually solid underneath. Oh well, you'll learn to expect such surprises.
i would just fix the bad spots, but i would have to have it painted before id drive it. Im gonna talk to me buddy whos a painter, see what kindda deal he can give me, and go from there. If he will give me a deal, ill do all the prep and repairs myself. Also im buying a 150 psi compressor cause i need something! plus its 60 bucks, can't go wrong!
I'm in the same boat. My car is rotted, bent, and needs lot's of mechanical repair. I'd be far ahead finding another one. wait a minute, there is no other one around here. So I'm bound and determined to build mine. One small task at a time. About 3 years from now, it might be done. Hope you beat me to it.
'cept lately, I've seen a 4 eye riding around in white and primer.
Dude, me and Brian found bondo on MY car. It's not a big thing. Don't turn into me. Take it one baby step at a time. You'll fidn shiznit wrong. Prioritize it then go step by step. You'll save money and anger by going that way
you can buy the fuel line tools cheap($5-$6) at a part supply store. having the right tools ALWAYS makes the job easier. honestly, i would use that $60 for some better tools/parts. a compressor isnt a neccessity when working on cars(10yrs working on them, and didnt use one). especially if you dont have the room.
another thing about the connector, you might be able to use needle nose pliers. if its the type of connector with a white piece of plastic sticking out of the black connector.
That sounds hauntingly familiar. I actually still have most of the tools from my first Craftsman set, close to 20 years later. And I didn't have a garage to work in until next year.
You're what, 16? That Lincoln already puts you ahead of about 80% of the 16 year olds with their own cars back when I was that age (and ahead of about 80% of 16 year olds in general, of who most don't have their own cars at all). Most of us had to make do with Chevettes, Omnis, and Hyundai Ponies. Luckily I wasn't one of 'em - I had my beloved Bertha (78 Trans Am) :evilgrin:.
My advice? Don't worry so much as having your first car (and by first car I mean the first one you legally drove regularly) look good, and worry more about having fun and learning with it. For example, on Bertha I learned how NOT to do body work (the bondo was literally an inch thick on the fenders and quarters when I finished), how important wheel fitment is (did you know that an N50-15 tire on a 15X10 Cragar SS rim is 13" wide and will destroy the quarter panel you just made out of bodyfill on the first bump?), and how not to change oil (I'll always remember watching the brand new oil run down the street, between my feet, as I poured it in and realized the drain plug was still out).
With the spray bomb black paint job applied during the peak of pollen season it was one of the ugliest cars in the school parking lot (but also one of the fastest). The shifter cable was stretched, preventing the car from shifting into low gear AND park. The parking brake only worked if the car was facing down hill. The doors would fly open when going around turns. It had no carpet, ripped vinyl seats, and no exhaust to speak of.
Through all that, though, the important thing is that I had hella fun with that car. You should have fun with yours, too. Don't sweat the little stuff. If it runs and it's safe to drive it's a good first car.
i don't feel as bad now! Im taking it one step at a time, and ive fiddled with body work, and know what not to do already. Im just intmidated by all the electrical BS and the chassis rot. I might end up just borrowing the compresser, and my friends dads little sand blaster and clean up under near. The brakes are starting to worry me. And the fuel line conector, its not like the ones with the tabs, its werid, ill try to get a pic of it tomorrow. Now would someone tell me the metal line sizes, and that fittings, and what kind of flaring tool i need. I want this done this weekend!
that's just it. it ISNT safe to drive. it has a leaking fuel lines and his brakes dont work. and like his brother Fila, it has no exhaust. :rolleyes:
lol it has the factory catted h on it, and i have a mac h for it, and 2 flowmasters. If i needed to i could have it rigged up in a day, but im taking me time and i want to do it right the first time, hell who needs exhaust if i can't start the car? I have till october so im gonna go over the underside with a fine tooth comb, and find every little problem. Im not taking chances with the brakes, and may end up having to fab all new lines.
Im not like mike (no offense) but im in no rush, and im not taking any chances or pulling any stupid stunts. i realize the severity of the problems and i intend to right them. Doesn't take me long to get my priority's in order. I had planed to get some trim stuff for my car off a guy online, but i told him mechanical matters are the need right now, so im on the right track, and hopefully with everyone online helping me along, cause you guys know more then i do, i should be able to get her all set!
No offence taken. I'm acutally glad you learned something frum all of my mistakes.
Come to think of it, Bertha wasn't particularly safe either. Tires that were too big, a tranny that wouldn't go into "park", no exhaust, and doors that flew open at random. I even installed used pads, calipers, rotors and wheel bearings that I found on an old burned Monte Carlo in the woods. Yet I drove it at 140 (as indicated by the 160MPH speedo) MPH once, and 120 regularly. I was 16, remember - I was invincible. Sure as hell had fun in that car...
Like how to spell "from"? :flip:
I can, I hurt my wrist today. I have a 4" gash and can bearly type correctly most days. This doesn't help that much. But I am glad someone learned something
Leave tyhe car alone for a week or so.It doesn't have to be running right now.Ifd it's driving you that crazy where people need to calm you down,it's time to get a reality check and take a break.If you are having problems that you just can't handle on oyyur own with certain parts of this car,get help from a mechanic.save your maoney and do it right,or,you'll end up with bigger problems later because you're in a hurry.The right tools for the job really means something as well.If you do the job right the first time,it'll save you a lot of time in the long run.Slow down,step away for a while,and do what you have to do to get finished the right way.No-one listens,I keep preaching,save your money,stop "rigging" things,and do it right.We're not in a competition to see who can keep up with everyone else here.Some people have more money and resources to work with.Work according to your means.
Vinnie, are you preacher or inspiring person. I swear everythign you say inspires me to go do something better or to better my self. Listen to him Mason, he hasn't steered me wrong yet
I know i can do what it needs, i just get ahead of myself. Gonna get the tool and fuel lines this weekend. Got a small tubing bender, and a pipe cutter. Anyone know the pipe size, and the fittings im gonna need? and what kind of flaring tool i need?
No,I'm not a preacher,I was one of those teens that actyally paid attention to my Dad's advice when I was younger,plus whatever I've learned along the way.He was right.I'm just passing it along.When you take your time and do things right,you end up with a greater appreciation for what you've done.
my dad is the same way, hes my first resource for questions then comes you guys. I wish i was with him, because hes a x ford mechanic, and has ALL the tools i could need. Hes in West Virgina, im in RI. Im gonna do it right, because ive bubblegumed shiznit before and all the happens is in the end it will all have to come apart again and be done right. Which is why im not using rubber lines for the fuel lines, and why im not just wrapping them and calling it ok. Took a little to relize my goals, now im gonna get the V/C gaskets in it, paint the valve covers, fix the lines, and change the oil. After that it should be ok for running wise. Next comes cleaning the underside and checking the brakes.
Now im off to make plans for a BITCHEN friday night