Where to start with a 18 yr old car... restoring

94_red cobra · Jul 18, 2013

So I have had the car for about a year and a half. I have cleaned it, replaced most of the issues that made it not run. It runs decent but still has a few minor issues. I would like to take the next year or so and get it back into new(er) condition. Not necessarily all OEM parts but new stuff. Where is a good place to start or are there any resources to give direction? I am kind of at a loss for what to tackle first. Everything is in working order right now but it is 18 years old and I see it failing in the next few years. thanks.

the5.ohh · Jul 18, 2013

Question. Why do you see it failing in the next two years? Got any pics to share? How much mileage? My cars 18 years old too, in the future I'd like to get it painted, and do something with the front seats.

miss.mod.50 · Jul 18, 2013

When i got into mine i started with a list of things that i KNOW are effed up, damaged, or about to fail....then go from there. Just depends on the route you want to go with the car...show, race, DD? Also depends on condition of the car. Mine, I hit all 3 that needed redone and chose to go with this order....... interior, engine, then body. I'm having the interior done and ready to go first - nothing sucks more than having a nice fresh motor sitting in the car ready to fire and you're stuck elbow deep in wire repair, replacing carpet, or have the dash out. Then I do the body last because i tend to always scratch or nick SOMETHING while putting a motor in, would rather not have it on new paint. just my .02

the5.ohh · Jul 18, 2013

miss.mod.50 said:
When i got into mine i started with a list of things that i KNOW are effed up, damaged, or about to fail....then go from there. Just depends on the route you want to go with the car...show, race, DD? Also depends on condition of the car. Mine, I hit all 3 that needed redone and chose to go with this order....... interior, engine, then body. I'm having the interior done and ready to go first - nothing sucks more than having a nice fresh motor sitting in the car ready to fire and you're stuck elbow deep in wire repair, replacing carpet, or have the dash out. Then I do the body last because i tend to always scratch or nick SOMETHING while putting a motor in, would rather not have it on new paint. just my .02

That's actually a really smart way of doing it, I'd so the paint and body last just for the reason you said lol.

94_red cobra · Jul 18, 2013

The5.ohh, I see it failing because the rubber (engine/brake lines...etc) is failing, the engine seals are trashed, internals are filthy, trans/ rear should be rebuilt, rust is starting in the engine bay/suspension and gas tank and other stuff. It has 90k on it.

miss.mod.50, it will be a cruising car. For weekends and nice days. It will never see the track or daily drives but hopefully shows. That order makes sense to me, I appreciate the direction.

i am fairly mechanically inclined but most of my cars have been newer and I haven't had to tackle the entire car before. Pics below. Thank you for the thoughts!

before:

After:

94_red cobra · Jul 18, 2013

It was neglected for about 5 years and sat unused for the last 2. Most of the deterioration was from just sitting outside in a yard.

Mustanger · Jul 19, 2013

I'd pick up a good OEM distributor as a spare with new pickup, go through brakes & add cool rotors SS lines. MM subframes & lower control arms, lower it to a nice stance, add (IMO) some DD rims for nice staggered tires, then a Magnapack cat back, check the gears & replace with 3:55's or 3:73's if needed, Trac Lok ok? I personally like the Koni Yellow adjustable struts & shocks or Bilsteins.

I worry about my original starter & alternator at the age of our cars & 160k miles...so I will pre-emptively buy a new Ford Racing one & a new PA Performance Chrome or polished Alternator just to be safe. The engines run a LONG time if maintained so that is last on my list...(so far)

In the meantime I just like to clean & detail everything! A super clean relatively stock car can still get many trophies! A good tune up & clean all the sensors, I am going through everything I can think of little by little.

Just my thoughts so far...I am buying the power parts all the time as I have money & a bargain pops up...saving for the engine rebuild , AFR heads, and a supercharger, kenne Bell? or even a Vortech ...just my thoughts

Oh & aren't these 94's officially turning 20 years old with the 14's becoming available? LOL...