Well, it is a very reputable restoration place that suggested the poor mans blasting of the bottom and engine compartment. http://www.impatientcreations.com/index.html. I think they know what they are doing. Most other opinions I got seem to agree that it would be a good starting point and economical alternative to a full rotisserie. Although one friend was pretty adamant about stripping it to the frame and dipping it in acid.71bird wrote:Call Dixie restoration parts to get the starter, and alt mans name, and number. How do you plan on having the bottom blasted without turning the body up on it's side? At that point, I think I'd take the K frame off, and put it on a rotisserie to do that. And on the sand blast part, make sure they know what their doing cause it's real easy to ruin the sheet metal if they don't know. And what ever, take it to somebody that is familiar with these cars, and not somebody that only does Chivys.
I had a long discussion with my engine guy as well. He strongly thinks we should go with a new carb, intake, and possible heads, for better performance, efficiency, and lighter weight. He also thinks we just go with a new starter, distributor, alternator, etc. I guess I am confused with all the options. I would like to keep it original, as I assume it was pretty fast back in the day, but if it is much cheaper to replace versus rebuild a part, then I would assume take that route, as I am not pursuing a purist project here. He was saying that to rebuild the heads might be upwards of $1000 alone. Not sure what new ones would cost, but he seemed to think new heads were a better option. Really, if I went with his suggestions, the only original things would be the block and crankshaft. Again, I am not trying to optimize performance or originality, I guess I am just trying to optimize cost at this point.
Thanks for the thoughts.