Winter projects

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Winter projects

October 29, 2006, 10:09:00 PM

So I put the T-bird away for the winter today. I filled it up with gas, dumped some Stabil in it, drove it around for 40 minutes to run the Stabil through the system, changed the oil, washed and waxed it, and covered it up and put it in the garage. So now that the car is down for 5 months (till April 1st) I have time to work on some things. I have to re-paint the wheel wells and brakes to make them look nice again after a summer of driving, cut off that trailer hitch, and get some misc. parts for the HO swap I'm doing in the spring. Anyone else have any winter projects they're planning? Nothing beats sitting in the garage freezing your ass off working on your Cat or Bird right?

I'm just soooo happy I only get to drive my 1993 Buick Century for 5 months. :sleep: The things we do to keep our cars away from salt and snow.......well SALT more than anything.

Winter projects

Reply #1 – October 29, 2006, 10:20:14 PM

I just scored a free oil heater for my shop :D hopefully get that set up tomorrow after work, finish the sprint then its a coin flip between working on the Zephyr or the t-bird for the winter. Theres also a couple other small projects I need to get to... eventually.

I get to drive my turbo sprint for the winter (and most of the summer) so I dont mind. as long as the tbird stays safe :p

Winter projects

Reply #2 – October 29, 2006, 10:22:23 PM

the list is too long.

lets jus say i wanna actually drive this thing come springtime!!

Winter projects

Reply #3 – October 29, 2006, 10:25:08 PM

here's priority one.

Winter projects

Reply #4 – October 29, 2006, 10:28:25 PM

We don't have salt on the roads here,and we just barely have a winter.I get to keep driving my 'Bird.....Winter projects???Only one,I'm going to be collecting parts for the '88 Sport I'm getting.That's my project.I'm going to get all of the H.O parts and convert that engine.Nothing like the current 'Bird.I'm just going the basic Mustang part,factory cam,headers,intake.I already have an H-Pipe for it,and just made a deal for a '91 cam for $30.00.I'm already on my way.

More projects,guys???

Winter projects

Reply #5 – October 29, 2006, 10:29:26 PM

Quote

get to drive my turbo sprint for the winter (and most of the summer) so I dont mind. as long as the tbird stays safe

Yeah I keep my Bird safe too that's why I drive the Buick every where and just use the Bird for shows and fun driving. At least you get to drive a fun car. My Buick rides like a '50s car........and handles like it too.

Quote

the list is too long.

lets jus say i wanna actually drive this thing come springtime!!

Good luck! I hope I get my HO swap done early in the spring. Then the car will be much more fun to drive:cool:

Winter projects

Reply #6 – October 29, 2006, 10:53:19 PM

My garage is heated (wood stove)

Winter plans include:

Install TC header panel, hood, bumper cover, and left fender (the one on the car is starting to show a bit of rust after having to drive the car last January). This project is actually underway right now - I've stripped the hood and fender down to metal (they had flaking clearcoat) and smoothed out all the dents/door dings, etc and sanded all the paint off the header panel and bumper cover. They're all in primer now, awaiting installation. I will also be removing the right fender to make sure there is no hidden rust inside that one, and removing the interior panels to apply some rustproofing inside the quarters and doors - I already did this a few years ago but it's time for another application. Rustproofing is a must around here whether the car is driven in winter or not - even the air and rain are salty. The car should be ready for a new coat of paint in Spring...
Finish TC interior swap - this includes installing the crack-free dash, recovering the head liner, repairing/installing the TC door panels, and replacing the carpet
Rebuild the traction-lock in the TC 8.8, then actually install it into the car with the CHE arms, TC springs & swaybar, KB subframe connectors, etc
My patented "Thundercat wheel resto" on the snowflakes, and some new tires. The snowflakes will be painted white, though, to keep the 80's theme going (I'm building the Thunderbird GT that Ford didn't bother with)...

That should keep me busy through the winter. If not (meaning, "If by some miracle I actually finish all this shiznit") I'll commence work on the 351.

Winter projects

Reply #7 – October 29, 2006, 10:56:08 PM

I got a nasty little 2.3 to stick in the ranger

and the dart is getting a new look

Winter projects

Reply #8 – October 30, 2006, 01:08:54 AM

84fila and I have cleaned up my garage so it's no longer just dead storage space and now one can pull a car in, work on it, and walk all the way around it, with the door closed, even!

I quickly got to busting out the front suspension on my T-bird. Since this picture I've pulled both sides down that far, plus removed the spindles... now I need a lot of new parts. Then there's the rear end to address.

I also gotta figure out some sort of heat solution for the garage. There's a brand new furnace in there, but it's set up for natural gas and I need it to be set up for propane. I'm trying to find a way that it can be converted. Otherwise it'll be another barrel stove or propane or kerosene heater. Ugh.

Winter projects

Reply #9 – October 30, 2006, 01:31:56 AM

Converting to propane should be easy enough, just needs a larger hole for the gas to enter the burner I believe. Had the one in my old place converted to natural gas, guy was there for about an hour including removing, cleaning, and oiling the fans.

I got a 30,000 btu oil heater for my shop, should help keep the chill out.

Winter projects

Reply #10 – October 30, 2006, 08:49:53 AM

Quote from: Ifixyawata;110676

Interesting droop-light holder ya got there

Winter projects

Reply #11 – October 30, 2006, 10:19:27 AM

-lets see......
pour that concrete pad at the end of my garage so i can put in that new compressor that sitting inside, so i can set up my blasting cabinet.
-finish the floor on the storage side of my garage so i can put up my shelving.
-get rid of some of the cars in my yard.
-get the front suspension back together on the money pit so i can haul it to work and have the trans put back in after the overhaul.
if i can do all of this, i will consider it a successful winter.....

Winter projects

Reply #12 – October 30, 2006, 10:41:55 AM

I live in Tucson, AZ and thus don't have to worry about winter. We have Two Springs out here and one long Summer, so I'll just keep driving my car thankyou very much.

Actually, I'm probably going to try to sell it and get another Turbo Coupe.

Winter projects

Reply #13 – October 30, 2006, 01:27:05 PM

Winter projects... Which car?? :D
For my 83, I am going to put the WCT-5 in it when I put in a new bellhousing that I recently won from ebay. I am also going to put in a LA3 computer, brown tops, large VAM, BPV (dont have yet), all of which I already have and were not put on from last years winter project :D I WILL BREAK THE 14's WIDE OPEN (goal ;) )
For my 88, fix all the minor little interior problems like the window knocked off track, and dye and install my dashpad cover. I would also like to refinish my snowflakes. The little stuff to be done on the 88 will wait until my 83 is built and ready to roll!!

Frank M.

Winter projects

Reply #14 – October 30, 2006, 04:23:07 PM

You weenies can't work in a non-heated garage.
Try working on a stone driveway out in the cold of winter fighting wind snow and frostbite.
Actually due to the above conditions, I don't have much in the way of winter projects. I have enough to do with regular maintenance to our other cars. :( I started tearing apart the interior of the '86 and might bring it all in the basp00get for the next few months so I can fix it up. Right now there are parts all over the place inside that car.