Bodywork or engine first?

[safehands]

I've just got back from a long absence and no 5. The car I got needs work on both the body ( rust of course) and the engine. I think there is more work in sorting the bodywork tbh.
Would you all recommend its a better idea to address the bodywork before doing anything to the engine? As I think if the engine was taken out to sort the body then a better job could be done instead if fiddling around with it in the car.

[Goobie]

Personally I would go round and patch up any rust etc first to make the shell solid, then go from there. :agree:

[Flight666]

Bodywork all day long get all that sorted then turn your attention to the oily bits ..A nice clean sorted shell would be my priority then piece of mind you`ve got a good example when you turn your attention to the engine..

[kial]

One thing you have to bare in mind is being cautious fitting the engine with new paint :-)

[TopCat]

One thing you have to bare in mind is being cautious fitting the engine with new paint :-)

:agree:

[Steevo]

I've had a resto done on my bodywork and full respray etc and now i'm working on the engine, so I've had to take my bonnet and bumper off etc and i'm $hitting myself every time I take a spanner to it that i'm gonna scratch it (which I've now done twice).

On the flip side if you're intending to leave the engine in situ for a respray like I did then the whole bay gets caked in sooo much dust and crap

[gimme5]

I would start with a good base before building the car up.

[safehands]

Yeah I'm gonna go for that I reckon. It's more than likely the only thing I can't do myself. I'm not even bothered with paint at the minute I reckon this car will take a long time due to funds. I'm gonna take a stab at doing the bulk if engine work myself as I feel confident enough I can do it right... With the help of here/ Haynes and friends lol

[phase i 16 v turbo]

Yes find / make a good solid shell first.:agree:

[safehands]

On the good solid shell note mike I was trying to pm u s rough price about doors :) also folks one but that's worrying me is inner offside wing. The header tank looks like its been leaking for a number of years resulting in the arch being totally shot. Will this be a cut and weld job or is there a replacemt panel available? Thanks

[philr5t]

Yes find / make a good solid shell first.:agree:

:agree:

[Slammed 66]

Me personally would sort the engine first. No point having a pretty car that you can't drive.

Use it over the summer and tidy it up over the winter.

[safehands]

i think if the engine is going to take me a million years if it is in the car...if i can get it out and address bodywork first ill be better placed.was just wondering what everyones else experience led them to do :)

[JRP]

Been there done that. Make the shell solid... The whilst that's happening get engine ready.

When working on it (car/bay) lots of sheets as un under cover, then carpet on top or the like. Saves any scratches!

Why do the engine only to have to pull it again to get engine bay done ??

Don't forget doing subframes etc Por -15 those mothers

[djinuk]

The engines are easy and cheap compared to bodywork time and costs..

[philg]

I would pull engine out and do the full car. If funds are tight and the mechanics are a bit iffy, you could just paint the engine bay and fix engine up, then in time do the outside.

[Alex]

I took the engine out of mine first and rebuilt it. Once that was finished I sorted the bodywork then put the engine back in. :)

[safehands]

im gonna go bodywork first for sure i reckon.theres no point doing the engine when the kit is hanging on by a rusty rotten thread.be backwards i think :) thanks for your comments.

[Brigsy]

Bodywork, no point having a mint drivetrain and rotten shell.

[safehands]

Bodywork, no point having a mint drivetrain and rotten shell.

perfect :)

on looking further last night a lot of the problems i think are surface rust which need rubbed back more than anything...im no expert or no novice even but on severely poking it with a screwdriver im led to believe its still in semi decent order?i was attacking bottoms of doors and suspect parts around the filler cap.
can someone advise to this
?

[royz]

:laugh: thats the best way to find week spots if it dose not go through the rust the metal is ok and is only surface rust treat and paint. the problem is when it gose through and the hole gets bigger.