Who else has a list of things to do over the off-season?
Since I just clocked about 40k on my motor (15k on my turbos) I’ve decided to do my 60k maintenance and some other items while I’ve got the time this winter. I’ve had the car for 4 years now and taking into account how hard I drive the car, I want to do the timing belt just in case it decides to snap and take my motor with it.
SHO:
*replace power steering rack
*get it ready for winter (oil change, lube brakes, put snows on)
Mustang:
*Going into storage…not touching it this winter due to Dad’s 55 Chevy project below…
9C1 Caprice:
*Pick it up in Cleveland, trailer back here
*Gut it, strip it, cut it up…
*Send shell away, keep frame/driveline/engine/suspension/wiring/etc.
Dad’s 55 Chevy:
*Wait for shipper to deliver sometime next week
*Swap in Caprice EFI LT1/4L60E drivetrain
*Drive it back to Minnesota in springtime.
Mustang:
-junk the god awful 7.5" rear end with 2:43s for my 8.8 with 3:37s
Before that goes in:
-new KYB non-adjustable shocks and quad shocks
-new drums and shoes
-all new urethane bushings for all the control arms
-remove diff cover and change fluid
-clean and give a good coat of POR 15
-might as well do the fuel filter while im under there
-remove old and worn out mechanical fan and replace with Lincoln Mark VIII electric fan
and add a Ford 3G alternator to support it
-remove tranny pan and tap for trans temp sensor
-new torque converter (not happy at all with the B&M i have in there now)
-new tires all the way around
-find and remedy misc. interior panel rattles and creaks that drive me NUTS
then for the BIG winter project…
-remove all bumpers, moldings, etc and prep
-paint the entire car, and replace all GT bumpers, moldings and spoiler for LX ones
-restore all window trim moldings
-repair/restore quarter window moldings
-ALL new weatherstripping
-new gas shocks for the hatch
-new headlights
so yeah i have a lot of work ahead of me. i have just about everything i need to do all the work, just need to do it. this year was getting the car running good and “moving” and next year is going to be making it look good and “move” a little better. i think by next summer i will be VERY happy with the car and have it where i want it.
House - Uhm… Pull up old carpeting, clean hardwoods, paint trim, re-face the fireplace, gut room and make 1st floor laundry/half-bath, get the prints drawn and approved for the garage rebuild next spring, plus another dozen little projects that I can’t think of at the moment or don’t yet know about.