Restoration Steps

[sanders7981]

The question is posed for many of you that restored your chargers yourself. 

I completed the bodywork and painting prior to deploying, so it is a rolling shell at the moment.  As you can assume, EVERYTHING else is left to so.  Engine, wiring, interior, glass, transmission, brakes, brake and fuel lines, suspension (halfway completed using PST poly rebuild).  So my question is what order should I go in?  I am thinking wiring,interior, glass next.  However, I don't want to get going then realize I have to disassemble something to install another component.  I return late October, so I am looking for suggestions in case I need to order stuff that will take a little while to be delivered.

Experts chime in!  Thanks in advance.

[Dino]

There are many ways to do this without any of them being wrong.  My personal preference is a bit different but that's because I have restored many cars and you learn to find the way that works best for you.

The body is done you say, did that include wet sanding and polish?  What I would do first is to go over all the parts for the car, to the last nut and bolt and make a list of what needs to be restored and what needs to be replaced.  Get your new parts and test fit so you can decide to keep it or send it back.  I would have every part like new before I did anything else.  The reason is that once you get close to your goal, you so desperately want to go to that car show but you forgot to do a few parts and now you have this great car with old window fuzzies, nasty wiring and a few rusty bolts and it just looks like a hack job.  When every single part for the car is in new shape, it's all assembly from there on. 

As far as that goes I would start with wiring and insulation.  I am assuming that at this stage all the wiring has been replaced or restored and tested.  Then brake and fuel lines, muffler hangers and all the stuff that goes underneath.  Now install the drivetrain.  I suggest having engine and trans mounted on the k member and ready to install from below, if you have that option.  The underside will be done at this point.  Hook up everything in the engine bay, hook up trans and set linkage.  Install the heater and dash and hook it all up.  At this point you have a working car again.  Drop in the drivers seat and make sure every little thing works.  Don't go for a real drive here, it's just for testing purposes.  Once it all checks out, install the seals, weather stripping and lastly the interior.

Now go enjoy your car.   

[ODZKing]

I am not an expert by any means. However in restoring my 73 I did learn several important items.
Being that my car was in my garager to be done over the winter the one thing my wife and I did was work for one hour each evening.  Either on one item or completing a previous project.  If we would get stuck on something, don't struggle with it. Set it aside and continue tomorrow.  I was aware that I did not have the facilities to install the engine until spring so I did the opposite, started from the back. Rear bumper, lights, trunk and it's wiring, speakers, then moving to the interior with insulation, wiring panels, seating LAST!!! It is far easier to move around in there with no seats. 
The one thing I did learn as Dino mentioned.  Wiring!!!!!
Check it, check it again and when you think you have it all correct and working, check it one more time.  That is one mistake I made as as you referred to ... I have a temp gauge not working so now I have to pull the dash again.
Do it right the first time and that goes for everything. So it sits for another week.
I learned that with my 67 being anxious to get it on the road and had to tear into floor panels and some other items because I was in a hurry, and didn't fix them properly the first time before the carpet was installed. Then it all had to come out.
I am sure other folks will chime in here, but a couple items for thought!
Good luck and be sure to take PICS OF EVERYTHING!

[green69rt]

Try this site.

http://passion4mopars-moparbodystyles.blogspot.com/2010/10/assembly-sequence-info-from-resto-rick.html