Although we live in Texas, and 60+ degree days in winter are not that unusual, I'm betting we've seen most of the long runs of nice days for a while. So with that in mind, and given all the other problems we've experienced with our new "steal of a deal" (yeah right) I've pulled the Mav in the garage for the winter rebuild. Everything below is on order or already in hand. Here are the major items on our to-do list, and in order of (intended) completion... Front end work... De-gunk front end (lots of caked on grime) New front suspension (upper/lower control arms, bushings, tie-rods, idler arm, etc.) New power steering cylinder boot Find and fix leaks... Cowl area Trunk Area New weatherstripping (doors, windows, trunk, hood - hopefully not front and rear glass) Once leaks are fixed... Paint trunk (black bed-liner) New carpet Install stereo system Install alarm Install a few "special" switches Engine stuff... Rebuild carburetor (or switch to 4bbl + intake) Replace oil pan and trans pan gasket Drain and replace all fluids (coolant, brakes, engine/tranny) Miscellaneous stuff... (optional if we have time) New dash vents, instrument cluster lights, etc. Upgrade fuse panel to blade type fuse block Target drive date: March 1, 2012 If I can average 3-4 hours per weekend, for the next 7 weekends, that gives me about 24 hours net time to finish everything above. I don't know if that's realistic or not. We'll see. I'll post updates and pics on this thread. I think this officially qualifies as a "father son project" now.
Sounds like a nice aggressive plan - I wish you luck I had a plan too way back in 1989- - - - -to drive the car in 1990 - I don't know what happened
Yes - my plan may be too aggressive, but shoot for the stars as they say. We simply cannot leave it or drive it in the rain due to the cowl and trunk leaks. And the strange "clicking" from the front end is very troubling as well. I feel we have no choice on those two items - and doing those led us down the path of, "well we're doing this so we better do that while we're at it." I honestly pray we can pull this off so my son can drive the car for the last quarter of the school year. First we're going in from below in the cabin. If we can't fix it from there, we'll remove the fender and cut into the end. (See my other thread for more on this.) I do not have the equipment or or knowledge or skill or finances to "do it right" by pulling the windshield and removing the cowl. Wish I did...
I had that long term plan too,car sat from 89 til 2009 add 2 girls 3 fights with cancer,forced retirement,and I'm finally back on track and 2 daughters as helpers. Car is finally home in my garage working on heat and off we go.. more to come
