This may sound dumb but I'm not sure how I should proceed now on my 68 ragtop. I just put a new 350 with headers in it and for now I just have some cheap mufflers attached directly to the headers. I can get by with those until it's up for inspection this October. I have a new Flowmaster AT system sitting in the box ready to go on. I have a new Hotchkis 3 leaf kit ready to replace the mono leafs and I would like to pick up a Nova 8.5" housing and have a posi put in it.
I also have some badly rusted out floor pans. Right beside the leaf spring perches. I got a bid for $800 labor to replace both full pans. I know when I'm ready to do the major body work and paint job I will want to replace both side inner and outer wheel housings along with new quarters.
I'm enrolling in a basic welding and an autobody class this fall at the local voch tech school. So I can't decide what order I should do things and whether I should wait until I've taken the class to see if I think I'm up to doing the pans myself. I'm thinking the way to go is tear it all down including removing the springs and rear, do the pans, then install the new rear, new springs ans last the exhaust. I would then do or have done the inner & outer housings and quarters later (probably in a year or more when the cash fund has built back up or the wife leaves me which ever comes first) http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif
What are y'alls thoughts on how I should proceed.

Oh, I forgot a new set of subframe connectors will go in the mix somewhere too.

[This message has been edited by Winch (edited 07-15-2002).]

It all sounded good up to the part about doing the wheel wells and quarters later. Also the part about the wife leaving is not good either.

Bite the bullet and do all the welding first staring with the pans after school is over. You will gain lots of experience while doing those and by the time you get around to the back of the car, you will be either good enough to tackle the wells/quarters or smart enough to farm it out if your skills are not yet quite up to your own standards. Flex pipe might get you through inspection and then come right off again. Then springs and last the exhaust. The car is WAY easier to work on without the pipes in the way. The new springs may sit differently so the pipes may need to be adjusted to fit. Save the pipes for last IMHO.

-Mark.

I'm not sure I follow. Are you saying I should do the inner & outer housings before the rest of the rear & springs & exhaust etc? Maybe I've got it wrong. Won't I want to do them when I do the quarters? If so I may be a while saving for them and paint.
As for the wife thing that was tongue in cheek unless she finds out what I've actually spent and plan yet to spend. But I've got Arthur Anderson as my accountant so I dont' have to worry http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif

The sheet metal work is easier if you do it before you do the final exhaust. The rear spring bushings might be a bit easier with the quarters/dropoffs out of the way. The frame rail bushings and shackles are a total bear while the rest is a walk in the park. Much harder IMHO if there are pipes in the way. Use your best judgement.

-Mark.