Garage built Cars???

[Todd in vancouver]

Just started my thread on here and I'm doing as much of my own build as possible and probably a few things that I shouldn't be trying. But Hey, like my signature says, "how hard can it be?" If someone else can do it I sure can at least try my best to do it on my own and figure it out. That's where sites like these come in so handy because when I get stuck there is a whole world of experts and advice only a computer click away.

And here is the latest picture of my car being built in my garage;


much to my wife's dissappointment since she now has to park her car outside.

[RussMurco]

Originally Posted by Todd in vancouver

much to my wife's dissappointment since she now has to park her car outside.

Oh, come on... They love when that happens!!!

[E.rodz]

man I love this thread ! I would not have guessed there was that many garage built cars out there that makes me proud!!!!!! I have a dream on building 10 top notch cars in a row out of my garage and I must say you guys are going to make this very difficult to make them a cut above because there is some really nice car on here but the love is in the journey as well. here was my first attempt of top notch notice I said attempt it only took 13 years for this one looks like I might have to live till 125 hope to pick up the pace on the next one. LOL.

[Rols574]

For those of you with no prior automotive experience that jumped off the cliff and tackled your own cars......how do you build the courage to handle something huge like quarter panel replacement and know if you're doing it right or wrong?

I'd love to try and do it myself, I think its half the fun but getting over that question i posed is a tough thing. I mean how do you know your welds will hold? how do you know if you're doing it correctly?

sigh

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Rols574

For those of you with no prior automotive experience that jumped off the cliff and tackled your own cars......how do you build the courage to handle something huge like quarter panel replacement and know if you're doing it right or wrong?

I'd love to try and do it myself, I think its half the fun but getting over that question i posed is a tough thing. I mean how do you know your welds will hold? how do you know if you're doing it correctly?

sigh

Hang out on here and see if you can pick up how others are doing it... or take a class at the community college... There's books you can buy.... there's videos on YouTube... and there's got to be somebody around you that's been there and done that.


Just my .02


I figure if other guys can do something and can do it right - then I should be able to as well. Most get into trouble because they don't START the job correctly -- that's where you need to learn a little bit before you get it screwed up.

[Sandbagger]

Originally Posted by Rols574

For those of you with no prior automotive experience that jumped off the cliff and tackled your own cars......how do you build the courage to handle something huge like quarter panel replacement and know if you're doing it right or wrong?

I'd love to try and do it myself, I think its half the fun but getting over that question i posed is a tough thing. I mean how do you know your welds will hold? how do you know if you're doing it correctly?

sigh

I have a neighbor did the same on a 70 Bronco . He started from the front and went to the rear with new fenders ,doors & quarters ,then door hinges
He welded that puppy up solid too . cant get the doors to fit Hmmmmmm
Get the quarter and door to fit before welding the thing up solid .

[RussMurco]

Originally Posted by Rols574

For those of you with no prior automotive experience that jumped off the cliff and tackled your own cars......how do you build the courage to handle something huge like quarter panel replacement and know if you're doing it right or wrong?

The way I approach a new skill is by looking at the project, assessing how badly things could be if I "F" something up, and seeking guidance. I've never taken any kind of automotive training, other than some things Dad showed me as a kid, and I have made PLENTY of mistakes (oh, the stories I could tell)! But just like with everything else - failures are your best instructors!
Funny you should mention quarter panels, I'm considering tackling one myself and have never done so!

[Todd in vancouver]

Originally Posted by Rols574

For those of you with no prior automotive experience that jumped off the cliff and tackled your own cars......how do you build the courage to handle something huge like quarter panel replacement and know if you're doing it right or wrong?

I'd love to try and do it myself, I think its half the fun but getting over that question i posed is a tough thing. I mean how do you know your welds will hold? how do you know if you're doing it correctly?

sigh

Personally I look at it as an opportunity for personal growth and being able to learn some new skills. If I can do it than anyone can and I won't bore you with the details but I've had to overcome some huge obstacles to work on my car. So what happens if I mess up installing the rear quarters on my car? Well,worse case is I have to pay someone to install them properly, and maybe the cost of another set of skins if I wreck these ones beyond use. Big deal! I would have had to buy them and pay for the install if I never tried.

There are tons of resources, youTube, V8TV, forums, etc. so there is no reason not to try. If I throw away the money because of an extra set of skins in the big picture it means nothing . What you need to ask yourself is what if it turns out OK ?

[32deucecoupe]

Replacing floors and installing mini tubs in the garage as we speak. Will tackle the interior and body work, but final paint will be by others.

The wife already complains about the smells from the garage, I think paint would put her over the top.

[meanchicken]

My 68 was built by me in my garage and has the following major upgrades:
* ZZ502 with an Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake and Edelbrock Performer 825cfm carb, Holley blue electric fuel pump (makes about 550HP and 575TQ)
* TKO-600 5 speed, 12" McLeod clutch, McLeod scatter shield, Centerforce flywheel
* Global west tubular upper and lower control arms with del alum bushings, Hotchkiss sway bar, fast ratio steering box and power steering
* Moser 12 bolt rear end with Detroit True Trak limited slip, 33 spline axels with tapered ends and pressed on bearings, Ford 9" housing ends
* 3 leaf rear springs with Poly bushings
* SSBC 4 wheel power disc brakes
* Be Cool aluminum radiator
* Flaming River stainless steel steering column with tilt and a Grant Boomerang steering wheel
* Covan Classics Dash insert with all electric gauges (Speedo, Tach, Fuel, Oil, Temp, Amps)
* Solid body mounts
* All new M&H wiring harnesses installed
* Painless Performance Extra 11 circuit fuse block
* Lots of other stuff and extra parts.
* Fiberglass hood with a 96/97 SS Camaro scoop
* 5 spoke 17" wheels with new Kuhmo tires

Still needs body and paint.

It runs strong and pulls like a freight train. I've never had it to the track but it has outrun a C6 Z06 Vette all the way up to about 145mph. Based on the feel compared to my 87 Grand National, I'd guess it will run in the mid to low 11's in the 1/4 mile as is...as long as it's launched well.

In the corners it handles very well. I kept pretty close to a BMW M3 on a local canyon road...he'd pull me a little in the turns and Id get it back between the turns. The M3 driver was blown away at the other end. ;-)

If you go to my youtube page meanchicken87 there are a couple brief clips with the Camaro there.