Where to Start ? UPDATED 6/24/2011

[jamesdel]

OK I recently bought a 1982 wagon . Everything seems to be in good working order although there is a smell of mouse in the thing. But what can you expect from a car that has been sitting in a hanger for 7 or so years.
 So far I have drained the gas replaced the fuel filter , done a complete oil change , tranny filter and fluid . Plus the whole tune up , plugs , wires , cap , rotor , air filter the whole nine yards . Now I am not a mech but do enjoy working on things like this . My question is where to start on a total restore ? The picture isn't great but it may help.any input ?

[thereverendbill]

fuel lines and brake lines

[EAGLER]

for i can see on this picture your eagle has a sagging rear end. it is a common problem on wagons. new rear leaf springs will correct that. chassis lubrication since it has been parked several years

[shanebo]

 I do the cheap easy less labor intensive stuff first. save money Then start tackling the big stuff bit by bit

[jamesdel]

I'm sure there is some sag to the springs , I mean it is almost thirty years old. But it isn't as bad as it looks in the picture , It is  sitting in a bit of a low spot in the picture. But it is a s good a place as any to start. All very good suggestions, Hadn't even thought of the brake lines and yes they look pretty rusted up so I'm sure they are weak in spots . Thanks for all of the ideas folks !
Jim

[Pat]

I agree with the brake lines. No sense going if you can't stop. I'd check over the cooling system, hoses & maybe a flush & fill. May sound kind of obvious, but check the brakes when you do the lines. Other than that, looks nice. Also would agree on the grease job. Usually do that along with the oil change.

[thereverendbill]

look for scale when you check the brake and fuel lines.  I started with replacing the fuel line due to several really bad rust spots that I didn't trust and low and behold right after I got it installed the brake line started leaking from being disturbed while replacing the fuel line.  It's not the hardest job in the world to replace those lines but it does take some time to remove the old lines and bend the new lines as close as possible to the originals (I took mine out in 2 pieces)

[Bird-o-Prey]

For the suspension sag, I found that replacing the shock with some coil over load leveling shocks helped firm up the ride and lift a sagging back end.  It's a good stop gap measure untill you can get to replacing the springs.

Nice car!

Cheers

[jamesdel]

all good Ideas and think I shall start with the cooling system ! Its gonna be a couple of weeks befor I can get it inspected any way . Brake lines and  fuel lins after that and then will look into the coil over shocks thanks again guys for the ideas ! I want to get this thing back on the road and as safe as it can be , which does not look like it should be that hard  , But as we all know about the best laid plans of mice and men !! Yep thats me !!!!
Jim

[doneagle]

          HI    Jim  And  I have a son how is Jim also  and i have a 1982 Eagle the same color with out wood ....
                  You have good looking car there it does not look like it needs a total resto .. pen and paper go from
                  bumper to bumper wright down the things that need the most attention so on and so on ...
           
                  You said cooling first and go for it .....I like your Eagle ..what is inside color........Don

[shanebo]

Ive looked over a car for hours and a then buddy noticed several things in the first 5 minutes that I had totally over looked. I always find it best to have a second pair of eyes look it over too....good luck

[jamesdel]

 Well got it town yesterday, Got me an $85 ticket in the process but hey it happens ! Teneagle it has a brownish dash and seats but the carpet is a sick orangeish color for lack of anything else to call it . And yea Shanebo had a friend stop after I got here yesterday, and your right he had a half dozen things before he even got out of his truck. Good part he said he would help fix it up and he is a pretty good Mech ! yep nice to have good Friends

[Jurjen]

Did somebody already suggest to change all the fluids on the car?
Maybe remove the valve cover and check for black sludge and run some seafoam to get the systems going again.
Then when you are driving it, watch the main rear seal and other seals, they may be dried out and start leaking.
This is a concern for basically all rubbery things under the hood: vacuum lines, fuel lines, water hoses fan belts (well those don't leak).
Last but not least, take all brakes apart and replace the worn parts.

[jamesdel]

 On the road and all legal !!! But had the water pump go out tody. Yep been watching for leaks and such , not finding much of anything yet ! gonna change the oil again in a couple hundred miles and see what it looks like then !

[jamesdel]

 It sure is !! I got her all put back togher no problems, kinda scary though ! Got done No extra parts and no leaks ! Now that just don't happen with me ! Anyway took her out for a nice 150 mile round trip just to check everything out . Gonna change the oil and trans filter and fluid in a couple of day just to make sure all the crap is out of it .
Jim