What should I do next...paint or engine?

[joflaig]

The shop is just finishing up the installation of new discs on all 4 corners, a 4 point roll-bar setup and racing seat install.

I'd like to re-paint most of the car at some point. The paint job is a real mixed bag right now and it needs some body work below the rear window and on the left fender. I've got one quote for 15k and as much as 6 months timeframe. I'd like to replace the left fender, but Auto Metal Direct is not 100% sure on the timeframe for the repro piece.

The other project I'd like to tackle is an engine rebuild: 440 to 500ci stroker, new carb, intake, manifold, indy ez heads, headers, new clutch etc.

Which should I have done over the winter?

If I do the paint I may not get the car back until June. If I do the engine It would probably be sometime in the spring. If I hold off on the paint I have more time to save up for it for next fall and in the meantme I can enjoy the entire spring and summer with my new monster motor.

What to do...?

[Nacho-RT74]

I think several factors to think:
-Is the car on driving conditions, good looking etc... ?
-Paint job is a restore or a touch/make up job ?
-Will be the paint job same color you actually have ?
-How desesperatelly are you to drive your car ?


All these question basically because IF was me that I would paint the car and rebuilt/upgrade the motor I would make the paint job from bone up to every detail, painting also the engine bay.

You could also make the engine and get painted the engine bay at the same time to get ready that part to complete the paint job later

[joflaig]

The re-paint would be from metal up. The hood, doors and trunk would get dipped. Yes, I'd like to do the engine compartment and the rest at the same time, but I'd also like to be able to drive the thing for some part of the near future. The paint is tired but decent now, but not show quality. The engine is a rebuilt 440 and the drive train is in perfectly good stock shape.

[Nacho-RT74]

ok, then that's MY opinion... make the engine bay paint job at least. Rest of exterior paint job can be matched later and unnoticeable that was done on two parts

[400/6/PAC]

Depends on how soon you want to drive it.
I agree with Nacho.
If you really want it on the road and need to wait on painting the car
Paint the engine compartment And Then install the engine.
You will never be happy with it if you dont restore the engine compartment first.

[poppa]

I'm doing mine now.Car is at body and paint and I should get it back by spring.I was hoping to have it done by summer,but I don't think I'll be able to put the motor back in until it's gone through.It runs good ,just dirty,some leaks,some things need paint.I'm like you,wanting it to be done already but,if I wait I know it will be worth it (if it don't suck me dry first). I also have a space problem.But ,we'll have to work around it somehow.This is what it looked like before going to b & p.For me,doing it this way made more sense.It's just my  Good luck with your desicion.....

[jluisfelipe]

Your wheels are great, Poppa!! What size are them?

[lukedukem]

Your wheels are great, Poppa!! What size are them?

i second that, looks good. whats the tires size on all four corners?

Luke

[Scaregrabber]

I've seen a lot (and built a lot myself) of cars that get all the mechanical done and then never get painted because it is so hard to get the funds together to have it done. I would go against the grain and get the body done now. Afterwards you can gather up engine parts piece by piece as the budget allows and in the mean time you have a great looking car that you will not lose interest in. This is totally opposite of the way I used to think.

Sheldon

[myk]

Body work first.  If the body gets too far gone it can cost you just as much as A Ray Barton Hemi to get it straight and rust free again...

[birdsandbees]

8 year old thread, but I understand his dilemma! Having a nightmare of a time finding a shop that will take on a strip and paint, after I've gutted the car.

[lukedukem]

 

did not realize this thread was that old before i posted.. Oops.
wonder what he decided.

Luke