Top 5 worst A-body repairs/restoration jobs

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toolmanmike said:
Just remember, you will learn a couple things when you do a lot of this stuff. You will either learn how to do the job correctly and fix the problem or you will learn your limitations and figure out that some things are better left for the experts.
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I have to admit that some of this stuff is not easy. Stand back and look at these guys that are replacing frame components and doing resto-mods. I threw away cars nicer than some of the stuff these guys are building. Those people are freaking hero's. Or maybe they are bat **** crazy. I've done some pretty hairy **** in my day but they paid me to do it. If I have an A-body that needs the torsion bar cross member replaced because its rusted out, I'll pass.
 
Putting a 4spd in using jack stands and a floor jack! I need to get a post lift!:lol:
 
Headliner, wiper seals, with the dash installed.
 
K member and inner fender make great jigs!
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Convertible top replacement.
Steering box replacement in my BB Dart with power steering.
Fixing OP crap bodywork.
Broken rear exhaust stud followed by broken extractor.
Rusty fuse box replacement.
Dang, gonna have nightmares tonite!
 
Replacing a heater core pretty much blows on most vehicles. The non-ac mopar aren’t too bad compared to some others. The worst one I’ve run across so far was my 95 ram 1500, what a pita that was
 
jas0162 said:
Replacing a heater core pretty much blows on most vehicles. The non-ac mopar aren’t too bad compared to some others. The worst one I’ve run across so far was my 95 ram 1500, what a pita that was
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Just did my heater core on Saturday on my 66 A/C Barracuda. A PITA but I wasn't in a hurry and it wasn't too bad.

Also did one on my 2006 Tundra. That was a job!
 
Replacing the pilot bushing in the crank with engine in car up on jack stands. Never again.
 
Went to have the 4-speed hump put in and found out that some previous owner had pop-riveted in front floor pans and then tried to cover it up with glass and bondo.
 
Installing a Classic Auto Air Perfect Fit unit in a 67-72 A Body by following their crappy instructions. The instructions were SOOOO poorly worded and many poor pictures! The system is awesome once it is in, though.
 
harrisonm said:
Installing a Classic Auto Air Perfect Fit unit in a 67-72 A Body by following their crappy instructions. The instructions were SOOOO poorly worded and many poor pictures! The system is awesome once it is in, though.
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Its even worse installing in a 73. Yeah I know it wasnt specifically made for a 73.

You can pull the dash without removing the windshield. Its a pain but you can use a wrench to get the bolts out.

Wiper bushings can be a real pain to install when the rest of the dash is assembled.
 
black954 said:
Is the dash that bad? I'm pretty sure i'll be removing my dash when I go to rewire my car and I figure it can't be as bad as any late model car i've done.
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Remove the heater/ radio/ glove box/ steering column, and you can get up in there with a cheap die grinder with a small cut-off wheel and nip off the clips and or the screws, and take them out. You can reverse (new) clips and, using carefully selected screw lengths, re-install them from under the dash. I'm 71, and did this 3? years ago. It was not that bad
 
Steering boxes? I simply don't screw with them. Buy another, or etc

Window regulators........I know nothing "yet" lol
Headliner---I will leave to "someone else"
 
Removing the dash... I’m gonna say, I worked at a windshield shop for a few years. The likelihood of breaking the glass is low if you take your time and use lots of cutting fluid/window cleaner. Way easier than removing a newer style that is urethaned in without breaking it. I
find it 10x easier to take window out preemptively if the dash has to be removed. 67 plastic locks break and all that, I know, but soooo much easier
 
67Dart273 said:
Steering boxes? I simply don't screw with them. Buy another, or etc

Window regulators........I know nothing "yet" lol
Headliner---I will leave to "someone else"
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Steering boxes? In my opinion, easier with the Kmember down. Headliner? I figure the worst about that is not
melting it, or working it around an already installed cage.
I saw the imminent danger when removing the rear glass regulators.
I got to deal with a chunk of hardware store steel boogered together as a tbar x-member.
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But to this day.. the worst job... is block
sanding polyester primer. Over, and over and over
 
Steering column i find is very easy, but those damn windshield wiper grommets!!!grrr
 
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