Aside from hanging onto everything that was original to the car and not doing any work that I'm not comfortable with, what are the most common potential screw ups when it comes to a 1970 442 W30 restoration?

I'm getting concerned....seats and carpets, what do I clean them with? Do the wheels have to be original on a numbers matching car? What are the items that are the most in need of replacement that are hard to find? What reproduction tires do they have available?

My intent is to get the car in great running shape, but I'm not sure about the show-ready quality for now. Just wouldn't feel right spending so much on it when I still have a young family. Someday yes, but the time isn't now. So that probably means paint will have to wait.

 

Do you have a Product Information Manual?
(aka assembly manual)

 

I would read this thread a few times.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...70-w-30-a.html

 

I do have an assembly manual. (1970 Cutlass/442) Hard to see some of the details on what is in there, but most is clear. I'll check out the thread you mentioned.

 

Take pictures of everything, tape bolts to cardboard layouts so they go back right (if you care), don't force anything. Anything original you are replacing with repop, save originals at least until you get new installed. OAI stripes need to be reproduced correctly.

 

I know the OAI hood stripes are a little semi transparent now. Some of the paint color shows through. Is that just from being in the sun many years ago?

 

I do sell a readable copy.

 

Pictures pictures pictures. Then save them at least two ways. To a disc and to a harddrive. It sucks when something electronic fails and you can't retrieve needed info. Get factory manuals and use them. get a notebook and take lots of notes. Take your time. Cleaning, painting and patients is very important. When you get frustrated walk away. If you get discourraged then talk about it. We have all been there and can help. Don't cut corners on cost or quality. Make a game plan in writting and a budget and expect it to go up. You will have happy surprises and some sad ones too. it is all part of it. Remember new does not mean good. and reproduction is mostly Chinese so the quality and fit will be less than perfect. Factory parts even if used are always a better choice. We all want NOS but we can't all have it. So, just buy good parts and take your time to restore them all well. You will learn allot and need to learn more. Ask for help. Yes ask for help. We as a huge group of guys with this crazy Olds disease together have done most of it. So, just ask and we all will do our best to help. This forum is wonderful for that. I wish you the best. I myself am starting on my 70 442 restoration this fall. It will be about the 10th car I have done and I expect all the above for me as well.

I think another big mistake is taking a car to someone to do the work who is not familiar with them and when you do get someone else to do work. Put a time line on when it is to be done with a written estimate and do not give huge deposits. If they can't do the car without a huge deposit then they are the wrong shop. Never use a shop that you can not visit on a regular basis then visit it now and then not daily. If any work is to take more than a month, rethink who is doing it. If your car is not a priority than that means it does not matter. If you can't afford to have it done by someone who will do it timely and right than wait till you can.

Larry

 

Thanks lemoldsnut! Very genuine and with your history of 60+ Olds, you certainly know what you are talking about. I will keep your advice in mind and I appreciate your wisdom.