'69 Javelin SST on Budget

Wife has agreed to let me have $500 of our tax return. Better than nothing. So here’s the plan (I realize I’ve probably typed that 100 times in this thread and it’s always changing!):

1. Remove vinyl top, trim, possibly interior panels (ugh), remove and treat around rust areas, weld in patch pieces, massage, coat and protect for now.

2. Rebuild brakes on 9”, install with unwelded perches on multiple spring setups to find ideal ride height, burn in perches at good driveline angles.

3. Pull engine and transmission, rebuild trans and fix oil leaks so I can pass tech to make a few passes.

4. Maybe install AMC Torque Links.

5. Replace heater core and enjoy fog free windows and short sleeves on my morning commute.

6. Throw away passenger seat windshield fog rag.

7. Fix grill mounting tabs (although it’s convenient having it out of the way).

8. Find the time to do 1-7.

9. Drink a beer.

10. Drive the car another 10,000 enjoyable miles (at 9,750 now).

I do all the work, plus the heater core, Torque Links, and patch panels I’m bartering for. Just gotta pay for all the parts to rebuild the tranny, brakes, perches, bushings, some abrasives, filler, and something to protect the repairs for now. Plus all of the odds and ends and fluids I’ll undoubtedly run into.

Although this started as an extreme budget build and did get a little out of hand here and there as I made selective upgrades that don’t fall into the budget category, there is definitely a lot of budget minded building going on. The transmission cost me around $75 and has been kicking butt for 10,000 miles now. If it wasn’t leaking everywhere, I wouldn’t necessarily be deciding to go ahead and rebuild it. The rearend I cracked open for the first time in 48 years about 4,000 miles ago and cobbled it back together with a combination of worn and broken parts from a CJ. I’m now upgrading to a Ford 9” for the price of a little bartering and a set of brake shoes. I am considering going ahead and rebuilding it just for peace of mind. Much of the engine parts I already had. I’ve hacked and chopped and glued and kept this car together on almost no budget as a daily driver for the last 10,000 miles.

Edited by Red20 - Feb/04/2018 at 5:26pm

Time and money... when I have one, I seldom have the other!!

nice job on the garage Red

Really liking your garage setup! Tons of storage space for small parts/tools and a really good amount of bench space for hammering and wrenching on parts and pieces. And you can see the floor!