1972 SSP 400-4BBL Progress
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 6:49 am
Hi,
To recap, I have an original TN '72 SSP 400-4BBL which has been in my in-laws garage for years (I work overseas and can only play with it when I am 'home'). I drove the car coast to coast back in '91 and again in '92 after using the car in Phoenix AZ for a year whilst at school (no A/C), got into a slight freeway fender with a Honda CRX (SSP -1, Honda CRX - 0) and then parked it before heading overseas again. My plan was to 'restore' the car to nice driver status while away, so that by the time I was back, I would have a nice driveable Plymouth.
Well, doing things piecemeal like that is not only slow, but can be counter-productive. Doing several small thing over a few years, the car dropped from Ian's 'classic' waiting for work to be done to Ian's 'clunker' taking up garage space. My father-in-law is a pretty easy-going guy and did not have a problem with the SSP taking up space in his garage all that time. Finally, however, things deteriorated to the point where the car could not be started / old gas in the tank / water in the brake fluid etc. Several small projects handled by supposedly 'reputable' stores turned out to be worthless, such as a butchered twin system / brake work by M*d*s Mufflers (pics to follow), with the car generally being worked on by people who had no idea what it was. Of course, doing the work yourself is more satisfying (and one of the best ways to ensure that the work is done the way you want), but when you have only 5 days off w/ 3 days taken up with family commitments.....
This however, still did not address the real work that needed to be done (of which there was a LOT). Back in 2006, I visited a TN restoration shop for a chat about redoing my car at a certain point. End 2008 (I work slow w/ lots distractions in between) I sent the car in for the works to be done. As I have to think about moving the SSP at some point (possibly across country), I decided to go ahead and return the car to nice daily driver status. The car was thoroughly inspected w/ all floors / frame rails shown to be in good condition and although there is L/H quarter panel work required, otherwise rust bodywork is limited to some very minor panel patching as the car has spent the last 17 years under cover. Driver door has dropped (hinge replacement needed), but otherwise bodywork is limited to repainting in Ermine White / Argent Silver. The SSP has all the original gear / all badges / original interior. The workscope was agreed upon and consists of the following:-
Workscope 1.
Engine
- Engine rebuild to mild factory performance spec (275~300 HP) (incl. porting / polish).
- Carburation system (based on original spreadbore manifold)
- Ignition system upgrade / refurb.
- Stock engine appearance (painted).
- Clean up engine wiring / hoses.
- Factory air-cleaner preferred.
- Engine running / set-up correctly.
Transmission Leaks
- Inspection / Reseal.
- Kick-down mechanism set-up.
Exhaust
- Replace w/ correct Exhaust
Brakes
- Replace brakes
- Replace brake lines
- Replace wheel cylinders
- Replace shoes
Suspension Rebuild
- Suspension rebuild w/ Poly bushings
Fuel System
- Replace fuel lines
- Replace fuel filter
- Replace fuel tank
Air Conditioning Refurb
- Air-Conditioning Compressor replacement / repair
Workscope 2. - Bodywork
- Exterior Rust - replace with new quarter panel
- Driver door dropped / hinges worn.
- Prep / Repaint Ermine White / Argent Silver factory SSP colour scheme.
- Vinyl roof redye / replacement.
- Rechrome front / rear bumper.
Workscope 3. - Vehicle Interior
- Replace carpet
- Replace seat covers
- Redye / replace door / interior panels.
- Dashcap
Workscope 1. is progressing nicely as of today. Here are some progress pics for those interested. More to come.
Ian B.
Before:-
Now:-
To recap, I have an original TN '72 SSP 400-4BBL which has been in my in-laws garage for years (I work overseas and can only play with it when I am 'home'). I drove the car coast to coast back in '91 and again in '92 after using the car in Phoenix AZ for a year whilst at school (no A/C), got into a slight freeway fender with a Honda CRX (SSP -1, Honda CRX - 0) and then parked it before heading overseas again. My plan was to 'restore' the car to nice driver status while away, so that by the time I was back, I would have a nice driveable Plymouth.
Well, doing things piecemeal like that is not only slow, but can be counter-productive. Doing several small thing over a few years, the car dropped from Ian's 'classic' waiting for work to be done to Ian's 'clunker' taking up garage space. My father-in-law is a pretty easy-going guy and did not have a problem with the SSP taking up space in his garage all that time. Finally, however, things deteriorated to the point where the car could not be started / old gas in the tank / water in the brake fluid etc. Several small projects handled by supposedly 'reputable' stores turned out to be worthless, such as a butchered twin system / brake work by M*d*s Mufflers (pics to follow), with the car generally being worked on by people who had no idea what it was. Of course, doing the work yourself is more satisfying (and one of the best ways to ensure that the work is done the way you want), but when you have only 5 days off w/ 3 days taken up with family commitments.....
This however, still did not address the real work that needed to be done (of which there was a LOT). Back in 2006, I visited a TN restoration shop for a chat about redoing my car at a certain point. End 2008 (I work slow w/ lots distractions in between) I sent the car in for the works to be done. As I have to think about moving the SSP at some point (possibly across country), I decided to go ahead and return the car to nice daily driver status. The car was thoroughly inspected w/ all floors / frame rails shown to be in good condition and although there is L/H quarter panel work required, otherwise rust bodywork is limited to some very minor panel patching as the car has spent the last 17 years under cover. Driver door has dropped (hinge replacement needed), but otherwise bodywork is limited to repainting in Ermine White / Argent Silver. The SSP has all the original gear / all badges / original interior. The workscope was agreed upon and consists of the following:-
Workscope 1.
Engine
- Engine rebuild to mild factory performance spec (275~300 HP) (incl. porting / polish).
- Carburation system (based on original spreadbore manifold)
- Ignition system upgrade / refurb.
- Stock engine appearance (painted).
- Clean up engine wiring / hoses.
- Factory air-cleaner preferred.
- Engine running / set-up correctly.
Transmission Leaks
- Inspection / Reseal.
- Kick-down mechanism set-up.
Exhaust
- Replace w/ correct Exhaust
Brakes
- Replace brakes
- Replace brake lines
- Replace wheel cylinders
- Replace shoes
Suspension Rebuild
- Suspension rebuild w/ Poly bushings
Fuel System
- Replace fuel lines
- Replace fuel filter
- Replace fuel tank
Air Conditioning Refurb
- Air-Conditioning Compressor replacement / repair
Workscope 2. - Bodywork
- Exterior Rust - replace with new quarter panel
- Driver door dropped / hinges worn.
- Prep / Repaint Ermine White / Argent Silver factory SSP colour scheme.
- Vinyl roof redye / replacement.
- Rechrome front / rear bumper.
Workscope 3. - Vehicle Interior
- Replace carpet
- Replace seat covers
- Redye / replace door / interior panels.
- Dashcap
Workscope 1. is progressing nicely as of today. Here are some progress pics for those interested. More to come.
Ian B.
Before:-
Now:-
