Looking for advice on my 69 L78 nova

[cwc]

I would like your guys opinions on how I should proceed.this is a 100% original paint car.its a local car,a good friend of mine had it in72,so I know it's real.a previous owner stripped it underhood to freshen it up about 16 years ago.my question is should I paint as little as possible underhood,or go ahead and detail it along with the undercarriage,the floors are super nice,no rust or undercoat. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/12/full-7784-36152-image.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/12/full-7784-36153-image.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/12/full-7784-36154-image.jpg

[njsteve]

Snce it looks like he stripped and wirebrushed a lot of the firewall and subframe, that finish is gone. I would carefully remove the front sheetmetal and paint/detail the firewall and subframe - replace susponsion bushings if needed. Then reinstall the original sheetmetal.

[enio45]

x2....your at the point of doing the whole subframe very nicely.....pull the subframe as well if your confident enough and redo the
that as well -

[Kurt S]

Many approaches possible.
I'd do as little as possible - paint the firewall and do minimal to the subframe and let some patina exist to match the original paint.

[cook_dw]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kurt S</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Many approaches possible.
I'd do as little as possible - paint the firewall and do minimal to the subframe and let some patina exist to match the original paint.
</div></div>


X2

[Schonyenko2]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Snce it looks like he stripped and wirebrushed a lot of the firewall and subframe, that finish is gone. I would carefully remove the front sheetmetal and paint/detail the firewall and subframe - replace susponsion bushings if needed. Then reinstall the original sheetmetal. </div></div>

In looking at the pics, the A arm bushings look like they should be replaced. Notice a lot of bolts are missing so I would guess the frt end is partially disassembled. The car looks very nice. I would pull the frt sheet metal, and stub. Give it a nice restoration, including brake hoses, and bushings. Have the heater core tested. Last thing you want is to reassemble it, and have it leak.

As nice as the rest of the car looks, I don't think a nice stub/engine compartment restoration will look out of place. JMHO

[bbbentley]

Many approaches possible.
I'd do as little as possible - paint the firewall and do minimal to the subframe and let some patina exist to match the original paint.

X3 and sell me the Cragars <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/santa.gif

[cwc]

Benny,your a man after my own heart,I love cragars too. The fronts are 15x5 I think,with western auto manhandler f78 tires,they are just rollers.i have some 15x4s for the front,rear are 15x7 that were still in the boxes dated 1986

[Zman1969]

definetly agree with others save the original paint! And it's Black! great find! Love it

[WILMASBOYL78]

I had a similar situation with our 70 L78 TH400 survivor. I opted to leave the engine in place and work around it, only doing minor cosmetics. I did pull apart the front suspension though...all new a-arm bushings, lower ball joints, sway bar bushings, etc...also updated the front brakes. All the parts were cleaned and painted, but not at a resto level...and they still look very original. We updated the valve train, installed a 163 intake, Eric prepped 850vs, headers, etc.

http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff433/WILMASBOYL78/1970%20L78%20TH400%20Survivor/IMG_5153_zps40a819c1.jpg

[ban617]

Hi , I think that I would just redo the firewall &amp; like was already said do the subframe as well do you have all the brake lines &amp; fuel lines ect ?
Do it once &amp; be done ..I am a sucker for 69 Nova's buckets or a bench seat ? Nice project !!!!!!

[cwc]

I think I'm gonna do as little paint work as I can,I have all the original brake lines,booster,master cylinder,wiring harness,heater box,etc.i will prolly go ahead and replace the control arm bushings as well.its still has its 2 piece brake rotors,even the blue bleeder caps on the calipers.
Interior is deluxe bench,it's all original except front seat cover .here are a few pics from around 74-75 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/12/full-7784-36333-image.jpg

[cwc]

Here is another issue I have,the original vinyl top is peeling on both sides in the same spot.the top is mint except for this.the material is pretty hard,is there a way to soften the vinyl back up?
Thanks for all the help and compliments guys http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/12/full-7784-36334-image.jpg

[ban617]

Maybe on the Vinyl top a hairdryer or maybe a heat gun will soften it up ? Wasn't the vinyl top tucked under the drip rail molding ? I know a friends dad use to use baby oil on his 66 fairlane Gt dash &amp; seats &amp; they are still very pliable ...Has it been cut for the super shifter ? Cool project what engine &amp; Transmission are you going to put in it ? 3:55 rearends ?

[cwc]

The vinyl was not tucked under drip rail molding,there was a piece of chrome plastic That ran the length of the gutter,mine is broke off,you can see the end if you look close.
I have a date coded L78 sitting on the dyno waiting to fire up and a M21.
Original shifter hole has not been cut,it's has 4.10 gears since 72,but I'm switching back to 3.55

[WILMASBOYL78]

Those hard plastic inserts for the vinyl top are very hard to locate...they typically broke when you tried to remove them. [ask me how I know]

Another thought, you have the heater core cover off...might be wise to test the core for leaks while you have it apart. I have seen lots of folks have to go back and tear things apart again when they found a puddle of coolant on the front floor.

Good luck...cool car.

wilma