This is the first project car my dad and I are doing. We have no idea where to start. Looking for suggestions.
I am planning on flushing the fluids and adding new, having the radiator tested, getting the carburetor rebuilt, putting in an brand new braking system. I know I need a shop manual. We are both welder’s and very mechanically inclined, I’ve just never done a restore and don’t want to miss anything.
If the car has been sitting any length of time you should definitely replace/rebuild the entire fuel system. Drain, inspect and clean or replace the tank, have the sender rebuilt (xr7g428 on this forum does this), and replace all the steel and rubber lines, the filter and the fuel pump. This will keep sediment from clogging your freshly rebuilt carburetor.
I know that this step is important because I did not do it and had to get my carb rebuilt twice.
I always tell people to get the car running and driving safely first before you jump into body, paint or other significant expenses.
Then take the car out and about. Drive it around, take it to a show or two, a cruise night, cars & coffee, etc.
Test the water and make sure that having and fixing an old car is something that you really want to do before you jump in with both feet.
What Mike said. Resist the urge to tear the entire car apart. It’s more satisfying and easier to manage if you disassemble and restore one thing at a time. Do the brakes, put it together, test drive. Do the fuel system (maybe needed before the first test drive) and then see how it runs. Keep restoring items until the only things remaining are paint, interior, and chrome. Then do those.
Lots of little projects instead of one huge project with no end in sight.