This baby was my first car and I've refused to let her go. I finally got the gumption to start restoring her, but she's in a major state of disrepair and when it comes to cars, i'm not even really too wise. the electrical system is wonky (brake light engages the left turn signal... dont ask me how), the engine and tranny need overhauls, theres some rust under the hood, the upholstry is screwed, and my brake system works like crap. Where should I start??? Im on limited funds, but have no problem dumping everything I make into her. On the upside, however, everything is stock except for the starter.
Hey VT, Sounds like you've got your work cut out for you - but it only makes the reward that much sweeter! FWIW, and I believe you eluded to it on your TO-DO list, SAFETY FIRST! Man, I wish I could help more on your electrical woes, until someone else in-the-know comes back to the board (most are at a Maverick/Comet meet now), I'd say you have to do the dirty and check to see if you have two wires that are ethier crossed, or shorted somewhere. Following that one wire from the tail light back to the fuse box, looking for burned or bare wires might be a good place to start. BTW, I'll bet the predicament you described comes in handy when taking left turns Gluck, Rick
Sounds like you have a big project ahead of you. Where are you located? Do you have any more details on the car? Engine? Trans? 2 door/4 door? Options? Color? Just curious... Welcome to the board! Ask all the questions you need. -Corbin
its a 71 comet, no bonus options that I know of. she's a kind of school bus yellow, hard top, not vinyl. the 250 motor. automatic tranny (3 speed)but im going to have to rebuild it none the less. She's a 2 door btw. I want to completely re-do the entire electrical system if everything works out. Like I said, im operating on some pretty limited funds, so this is either going to be a step by step process over a couple of years or ill just save up and drop a butt ton of cash all at once into her. I got a slight feeling either the tranny is wonky or the drive shaft may be bent by the way she used to ride... so theres another big task right there. anybody know how much it'll cost me to rebuild the brake system through and through? (definantly going to need the drums turned!)
I seriously doubt you have a bent drive shaft. Major horse power or physically running the drive shaft into a large heavy object are about the only things that will bend it. Just pick one problem and work on it before going to the next. Brakes are #1 priority in my book. I'd start there. Good luck and keep the questions and updates comming.
Like every one has said do the brakes first then the brake light probs then the engin/tranny and the rest. How it the paint any rust got any pics of her ?
Replace the bulbs in your tail lights, Chances are that the element inside one of your bulbs for the brake light is touching the element for the turn signal, which will send power to the turn signal when you step on the brakes.
hmm... thats possible, ill have to check that out. that would explain why I see the signal go on from the drivers seat too... I think...
you might try picking up a junk mav or comet and stripping it for the parts you need. hey you might even get a good tranny out of it you never know until you find one. i wouldn't pay more than 100 bucks for a car to strip and that is pretty cheap.
I've seen and had worse VT...like Mavaholic said...one thing at a time in the order that finances permit...a lot of things can be done with little or no money...we are here to help...Good Luck
