Frame off restoration

[Danny_Vilato]

I'm in the process off a frame off. I plan to powdercoat the frame and front suspension. What other items should I consider?

[Conner]

That is a very big question. Poke around the site a bit and you'll find a lot of information.

For my frame-off, which is ongoing, the general process went like this:

Strip interior, electrical, and disconnect brake/clutch lines from body,
Remove and rebuild carbs
Remove body from frame,
Disassemble front and rear suspension, remove powertrain,
Clean and coat frame and suspension pieces,
Re-assemble frame, steering, and suspension pieces,
Overhaul engine,
Clean and strip body, do bodywork

I am working on bodywork right now, but my plan to complete the project is:

Prime and paint body,
Rebuild transmission and re-install powertrain,
Overhaul brakes and brake lines,
Re-install body on frame,
Re-install engine bay mechanicals and electrical,
Re-do upholstery and install dash,
Create a checklist of everything else I need to do and start moving down the list!

[Danny_Vilato]

I understand the taking apart and puting back together aspect. I wanted to know what other parts I should consider powdercoating.

[JoeK]

You can powdercoat alot of your suspension components, a few non moving parts in the engine bay, like the radiator mounting brackets and window washer bracket, the painted parts of the grill, seat frames, bumper brackets. Nothing on your car was originally powdercoated, so if you're not concerned with total originality, the possibilities are endless. You could powdercoat the insides of fenders, the headlights buckets and door hinges, gas tank straps, back-up light mounting bracket, valve cover, whatever you want.

Don't try to powdercoat the radiator overflow tank, the process involves temperatures higher than the solder and it'll fall apart.

[Woody Woodruff]

Don't try to powdercoat the radiator overflow tank, the process involves temperatures higher than the solder and it'll fall apart.

I wish I had read this before I tried it....what a mess!! Ended up using JB weld and Paint.

[Kevin Desirello]

You can also do the rear end housing and backing plates.
On my car my budget couldn't support the rechroming of the body trim so I had all the chrome powder coated gloss black and I have had great feed back on my choice.
Kevin

[srl311-04425]

Here's what I did:



The frame, rear axle housing, front springs. I wish I had thought to do a few more things at the same time like the front suspension pieces, backing plates, torque link, etc.

Mark