The 89 MattMobile Build Thread.

[Hazelrah]

One thing I would suggest when it comes time to start taking apart body panels that aren't bolted on is one of these...

Auto Paint Job Spot Weld Cutter Photo 5

makes very short work of spot welds and saves most of the underlying structure if you need to keep it intact.... not as much fun as a cutting torch or plasma cutter... but far less chance of setting the garage on fire

 

[HellBoy]

Enjoying your thread, matt!

I've never done anything like this, so these might be dumb ideas, but would it make it easier to raise the car up onto blocks or jack stands? Seems like raising it up would save your lower back from stooping to work.

Also, removing the tires and wheels so they're out of the way 'til you need them?

Sure is fun following this!

Michael

 

[TallDarkandDisfigured]

Wow, you really aren't wasting any time.. just don't get that "hit the wall" feeling when it comes to building it back up since undoubtedly it will progress much slower..

 

[MattMunson]

Wow, you really aren't wasting any time.. just don't get that "hit the wall" feeling when it comes to building it back up since undoubtedly it will progress much slower..

Yes, and agreed. in fact, I was talking to Laamberry about this yesterday. I am OBVIOUSLY in the throes of an initial burst of enthusiasm. My hope is that once it levels off, I will still be able to maintain the very comfortable schedule I have set for myself. But believe me, if there's one thing I know about myself, it's that I lose focus. I'm hoping this will be different. If anything, I think I'm going to finish the tear down ahead of schedule, which will mean I have a few weeks before the shell arrives to build up some new enthusiasm.

Here's some pics from today's progress:

There's a couple more pics and plenty more details on the blog. Here's a link to today's entry:

The Project Workbench: Monday Tear Down Progress

As always, if there's any suggestions for ways I can improve the blog, please let me know.

 

[Jedifyfe]

Cool beans!


BTW: Did you ever find a homeless person living in the car?

 

[MattMunson]

I've never done anything like this, so these might be dumb ideas, but would it make it easier to raise the car up onto blocks or jack stands? Seems like raising it up would save your lower back from stooping to work.

So far, there's been nothing that has required me to get into uncomfortable positions. The tear down so far has been very quick, with the components being very accessible. I also plan on driving it in and out of the garage once more to reposition it, so I want to keep the tires on for that.

But once I get to a point in the tear down where I need to get behind the wheel wells, I will definitely be pulling those wheels off. Jack stands stand at the ready.

 

[MattMunson]

Cool beans!


BTW: Did you ever find a homeless person living in the car?

No, but plenty of french fries and spare change.

 

[ob1al]

Looking forward to the next video installement Matt.

I hope your enthusiasm for the project doesn't slip, just keep in mind how awesome this will be when finished!

 

[tim]

^ Dude, you're going to have to disinfect the whole thing (and your garage) given the nast that was built up in that car.

OT, but I'm currently trying to build up the enthusiasm to restore my dad's 1969 Camaro SS 4-speed, which has been under a tarp in the backyard for about 25 years.

 

[Judge Spartan]

Great job on the tear down so far Matt, this looks to be coming along smoothly since the overheating problem. Let's hope it stays that way now huh.

 

[TallDarkandDisfigured]

if there's one thing I know about myself, it's that I lose focus. I'm hoping this will be different.

Well, it's not like you can just tuck this one away in a drawer and forget about it..

 

[MattMunson]

I removed a few more bits and pieces today. Drivers side front door, front fender, and bumper.

 

[PHArchivist]

God that looks like fun!

 

[autoprops713]

Matt that is the cleanest garage floor I've ever seen. :lol

Great work so far!

Dave

 

[MattMunson]

Matt that is the cleanest garage floor I've ever seen. :lol

Great work so far!

Dave

Hah! Funny you should say that. I actually spend a good part of my build time cleaning up after myself. Another thing I've learned about myself over the years is that I'm VERY quick to forget where I put tools. If I don't put a tool back where it belongs after I use it, it gets lost.

So anytime I go to set something down, I walk it over to my tool box and put it in its proper place.

The same goes for the garage in general. I just got in the habit of cleaning up after myself. If not, I probably would have gotten hurt by now from all the bolts and metal lying around

And rob, yes, it is SO fun! I really haven't had this much fun in years. When I was a kid, any time I got a new toy, the first thing I would do is pull it apart to figure out how it works, then try to put it all back together again. This is just like that, only a million times bigger.

and I don't have to put it back together again!

 

[Qui-Gonzalez]

I think he meant lack of fluid stains on that floor. Give it time...something is bound to leak on the old girl. Just have "Floor Dri" on hand.

 

[tim]

I think he meant lack of fluid stains on that floor. Give it time...something is bound to leak on the old girl. Just have "Floor Dri" on hand.

Gotta christen the garage somehow!

 

[Qui-Gonzalez]

Gotta christen the garage somehow!

I know, right? LOL...digging the vids too, Matt. "What am I gonna do with this?"

 

[MattMunson]

Fluids apply also to my cleaning policy. I've already dumped about a gallon of radiator coolant on the floor by accident. I mopped the entire garage right after it

 

[tim]

I've already dumped about a gallon of radiator coolant on the floor by accident.

That's what she said!