Hey. I'm 15 years old and got a '67 289 C4 coupe last summer. It has a lot of potential but I definitely need help. I already stripped out the interior and the car's in primer but I dont know where to start. It runs but the rev sounds bad and the brakes are week so I havent done anything more than pull it in and out of the garage. It's rust free (been in Cali until '05) and I dont have the time or cash to do a total restoration nor does it need one.
So what do I do now? My budget is limited but I just dont know what to do first. Would you start with the engine, interior, suspenstion, trans, or brakes? What should I buy? I totally sound like a newbie but I am anyways so thanks for your help.

 

Whats your intensions with the car?.

Id say get all the old suspension stuff replaced or upgraded.. It may need new brake lines and shocks and rubber mounts here and there. Id say start there.....

 

Thanks. My intentions for the car are (for now) just to restomod it a little bit without cutting or altering the body in any way. It doesnt need to be to fast or be anything too impressive. I just want it to look alright and run well for short daily driving.

 

Do a carb rebuild and new points and condenser (WOW I haven't said that in a long time) and get the engine running well.The carb rebuild isn't hard to do,just go by the instruction sheet that comes with the kit.Plugs and wires would be next.You could upgrade the ignition to aftermarket electronic but for now we'll just get it running well.
The brakes probably need lots of attention.If they are power assist,the assist unit could be faulty and needs replaced.If they are manual it could be just a matter of new shoes and turned drums.New steel and rubber brake lines will definately be in the future.
If the car has been driven regularly you might get away without doing some of these things but if the car has been idle for awhile expect to do most of them.The most important thing when rebuilding a classic is not to cheap out on parts,get the best.This helps build pride and value in your project and assures a good resale value if for some reason you can't get it completed.
There is a forum on this site called "classic stangs" so be sure to look there also.

Good luck and keep us posted and we'll do everything we can to help.

 

I'd say run a compression test on it if you can. You get get a simple compression gauge at sears for like $25 like I have, and it works great. that will reveal the internal condition of the engine. I would agree with the points, condenser and plugs and wires. If it's cheap get a new coil too, can't hurt. And of course an air filter. A carb rebuild is a cheap investment (takes some time) but it's oh so worth it, my dad and I did it to our impala and it runs great.


I'd say above all make sure your brakes are all good... that's the most important safety item. Then have a look at all the suspension parts like has been said, and have a look at the exhaust. You can get a pretty much stock setup cheap and if you want throw in a glasspack muffler for some ballsy sound.

A guy at my work is selling a 64 mustang, with the straight six and two speed automatic. It needs about the same amount of work that you are describing.

We have a 69 chevy impala we are doing a similar restore on, and luckily it barely needs anything other than some TLC.

George

 

Thanks for all that. I'm getting the compression tester this weekend.

 

67sally - there is alot of good input here and alot of these guys are very knowledgeable but I'm going to move this thread over to the "classics" section.

Thanks.

 

Welcome home Sally. Yeah, it would be best to ask your question about your classic on the classic forum. We usually advise to get the car safe to drive before tackling the other areas. You will most likely need to upgrade the suspension and put on disk brakes on front. That would be your first task. Then slowly tackle the other things like rebuilding the engine, C4 and maybe upgrading to a 9" rear end. Once the mechanical aspects are up and running and the car is safe to drive, put on 3 point seat belts and maybe even replace the interior components if they are worn out. The third step is the body. Paint jobs are not cheap, but since it has no rust you are way ahead of the game. The last thing you might want to do is to upgrade the sound system.

 

on the compression test i've been wondering at about what should all the cylinders gauge in at? 1968 289.

 

115-120 or so. They should all be within 10% of each other. That's on a stock 289.