Okay, here's the situation...I Don't Know Where to Begin?
Somebody told me to work on the engine first, but I really don't want to because that's extremely intimidating right now. My dad also told me not to open the engine unless I had to because everything was fine when he parked it. Hummm? I guess he meant don't open it until I fix/replace other stuff first. Then if it won't turn over, crack the case and look inside?
Anyway, I really don't want to start there until I get some of the dirt off from under the van to see what I have to work with...and replace.
I've also had somebody tell me to do bodywork first. Any suggestions here? I've actually started on the inside. I've ripped out the linoleum, old tiles, and plywood flooring. I've also removed the ceiling covering that was already falling down. Then I stained and sealed all the paneling. However, I don't think I should have done the staining part this soon.
Alright...to be brutally honest...I did what was easy and not what was right. After looking at Nate's Air-Cooled Tech web site, I should probably gut the van completely, fix all the rust, and then weld up everything in the interior that needs it. Then cover the ceiling and floor, etc....
Here's my questions:
1.) Really, what area should I start work on? Engine? Bodywork? Interior? Do what Nate did first?
2.) To do bodywork, what kind of welder do I need?
(Remember, I'm new to this and I really want to keep my eyebrows.)
3.) The van had a sheet of plywood over its grooved floor. Then there were linoleum-like tiles and the cabinets built on top. Should I replace the plywood? And with what type? Or should I find some kind of flexible leveling material to fill-in the grooved floor and then reinstall the cabinets directly to it?
Please feel free to give advice, share tips, suggest web sites, or just say "hi".
Perhaps all the help & best parts source you could ever want . . . http://www.vcvc.org
ReplyDeleteI'm joining VCVC! Thanks for giving me renewed motivation!!!
Delete:o> Eva
www.vcvc.org will be eager and willing to put forth all knowledge applicable to restoring your prize. we have all been there and know what to do. welcome to OUR family.
ReplyDeleteThe pics you have of it's current state look as though it should be restorable. Mill Supply makes quarter panels, but the are for 68-70 vans. That could be used to repair the damage with some careful trimming.
ReplyDeleteAs above, I am also a member of VCVC and we would love to hear from you. Anything you would need or want to know will be available from our members. We have a soft spot for restorations with a family connection.
Start with the body, being a unibody vehicle that body is the more inpartant foundation. all the mechanical items are easyer to replace. The body has to be the starting point
ReplyDeleteHaving restored several vehicles I would have to say worring about the floor and cabinet instalation is not the priority at this tme.
ReplyDeleteHave you done a full assesment of the vehicle? wright out a list of what you think needs to be done. create a book of tasks. that list can be changed up and rearranged as the prodject moves along. You need to begine to establish a realistik picture of the whole project from start to finish so you can make effective budget and work plans
m1D
A project like this has to be handles with recorded plans, kind of your own "work order" so to speak. From this you can set yourself realistick goals. If you don't, the work will allways seem never ending with no finish in sight and that makes people quite before they are finished. a work plan will alow you to set realistick goals. help you decide on just what you want in the end and what money, time and resources wil be needed, then you can also plan how to aquire what will bw needed.
ReplyDeleteMost projects fail because people do not do the initial planning and therefor have no idea how much money or time might be involved.
How long it will take and how much money depends on what you plan to achieve. Succes depands on realistic planning.
M1d you can search my van builds on VCVC using my handle M1dadio
when it comes to restoration projects, my vans are small potatos.