Car Restoration - Do it Right the First Time

Have you ever heard the old saying, do it right theplate assemblies.
first time, well it stands true when you restore yourOn a full frame off restoration you should replace
car also, some things you can't get a second chancebody mounts, the rubber parts of the suspension,
to make it right, and car restoration is one of thoseand springs in the front and rear of the car, you
things, most shops won't take a job that has beenshould at least give the transmission a good once
started by another shop.over, make sure that the rear end is in good working
It's hard to determine what the other shop done toorder, and go from there.
the car, and what needs to be re-done, this is whyA lot of things are just up to you, and you pocket
even if you do the work on your own car it's alwaysbook, this is where some decisions will have to be
best to take the time to do it right the first time,made, do you want to repair that bad body panels,
because it can end up a real nightmare if you don't.or replace them, either way can work very well, and
Short cuts never work, be patient and take yourgive you a high quality finished product.
time on the restoration project, if you get frustratedIt's usually cheaper to repair as many things as you
take a break, but don't take it out on the car, lookingcan, especially if your doing the work yourself, if you
for a cheaper price for every little thing is not thehave a shop do it, you'll have to weigh in on labor
right answer either, you get what you pay for, itcosts, it can at times save yo money to replace
doesn't matter if you have a shop do the work, or ifparts rather then repairing them if you have a shop
you do it yourself.do the work.
If you love your car, and you plan on keeping it for aIt is always better to replace things like brake
while, you'll be a lot more pleased with it if you saveboosters, master and slave cylinders rather then
the money to start the job, and estimate the partstrying to rebuild them, they can chew up a lot of
that you'll need, you can never find every part thattime and money, it is my firm opinion that you should
has to be replaced without tearing in to the car, soalways replace wiring harnesses if you don't like the
get your pen an pad ready.idea of a fire in your car.
There are a few things that you should alwaysYou should never piece a harness together, it's just
replace of course, like steering components, gaskets,not a good idea, you can buy a full harness for most
brakes, and brake lines, you should check your ballcars for less then you could repair one, so you need
joints, U-joints, and other rotating items, you shouldto think about your safety, and the safety of your
always replace wheel bearings, clutch and pressurepassengers in your car, don't take a short cut here.