Anyone recommend someone to restore a 1984 Mustang GLX (5.0)? I am hoping to find someone who has the time and skill to do any or all of the below, who can charge less than taking it to a pro shop. Everything works on the car, it just has 225,000 miles and is worn-out looking, so I want to do a complete restore over the next year or so. Also maybe interested in converting to fuel injection. if interested or recommend anyone, email me at mastana@bellsouth.net

- rebuild trans (5 speed manual)
- rebuild engine (carb)
- maybe upgrade to EFI
- new convertible top
- minor bodywork
- removing some rust spots
- paint job
- interior - dash, seats

12/29/2007 9:11:39 PM

Quote :

"I am hoping to find someone who has the time and skill to do any or all of the below, who can charge less than taking it to a pro shop."

if they could do all that, why wouldn't they work at a pro shop?

12/29/2007 9:38:08 PM

Seotaji,

Thank you for responding to my posting. To answer your question:

Remember, I said "any" of the below. So, for example, maybe someone replaced a convertible top last summer, and has extra time this semester to apply that experience and earn some cash. They might not want to pursue becomming a full time mechanic, but just happen to have some of those skills. That is why they "wouldn't work at a pro shop."

12/29/2007 10:06:26 PM

a pro shop is where you buy golf clubs.



just buy a '84 mustang thats already in great shape, it will be cheaper.

12/29/2007 10:48:27 PM

optmusprimer,

I think you are right about the cost - I could probably buy a new GT convertible [with good financing too]for what it would cost to do the restoration , well; ..., just trying to hold onto the dream a little longer...

12/29/2007 11:21:50 PM

Was this your first car? Possibly handed down to you by dad?

12/29/2007 11:34:48 PM

well goddamn paging slowblack96, resident white trash foxbody guru
fuck a resto, that sob will tell ya how to build a 10sec drifto/drago racing super car(think 2 Fast 2 Furious) for only $13K

[Edited on December 30, 2007 at 12:19 AM. Reason : paint not included]

12/30/2007 12:18:56 AM

thanks jeep owner.

good luck in what ever you do.

[Edited on December 30, 2007 at 1:15 AM. Reason : my car is only in the 12s]

12/30/2007 1:14:54 AM

sell it and buy one in the condition you want. this is a no brainer.

12/30/2007 2:16:14 AM

That's at least $2 grand worth of parts, even if you do all the work yourself. If you simply must keep this car, buy a parts car that's in good shape.

Here are two convertible 5.0's with less than 75,000 miles for the same price.
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/521784144.html
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/520014481.html

[Edited on December 30, 2007 at 10:27 AM. Reason : .]

12/30/2007 10:23:22 AM

yea, you might as well trash that engine w/ those miles on it.

and you wont be rebuilding any 5.0 engine alone thats worth half a damn for under 2k, and thats on the low end

12/30/2007 10:27:30 PM

not a good project, it'll take too much, and the car is not gonna be worth it

12/30/2007 10:50:00 PM

Try horsepowerjunkies.com. There are more qualified Mustang folks over there.

Quote :

" if they could do all that, why wouldn't they work at a pro shop?"

A shop is going to charge $70 an hour and pay their mechanic $15. Why wouldn't a mechanic who is getting $15 or $20 an hour (taxed) want to jump at the opportunity to make more than that on the side?

For the record...I agree with 69 and all the other folks telling you not to do this. "The Dream" will wear you out. It'll hurt to watch someone drive it away, but you'll be over it in no time and glad that you can move on to better things in the garage.

[Edited on December 31, 2007 at 11:48 AM. Reason : l]

12/31/2007 11:46:21 AM