Photos by author.
Not where I’m standing in Western Pennsylvania. The trees are just about bare, the mornings are cold and the nights are descending way too early. If you have finished enjoying your vintage car for the season and you live in a colder climate state like I do, now is the time to contemplate those projects you’d like to complete over the winter months.
Replacing worn door panels is a popular winter project. It also offers an opportunity to check for inner door rust, clean out the drain-hole areas and to lubricate the window regulators. Don’t forget to properly reinstall the moisture barrier (plastic sheet) before installing the new panel.
Though some owners take the opportunity to get the heat cranking in the garage and perform major tasks like engine builds/swaps, or bodywork or to kick-off full-on restorations in the winter, I’m talking about simpler restoration or upgrade projects that usually take a few days rather than a few weeks or months or more to complete.
Replacing these pitted discolored GM exterior door handles with shiny reproductions is an easy winter project, but does require removal of the window crank, armrest, inner door handle and door panel to gain access to the fasteners.
Before you turn a wrench, however, gather the information you need to get your car into top condition for spring by taking it for one more ride and giving it a thorough evaluation. Put your senses to work.
- Listen for abnormal engine, transmission, rear end, suspension and body noises.
- Look for smoke from the tailpipes (have someone follow you), improper gauge readings and/or anything you can safely see from the driver’s seat that seems irregular.
- Feel for poor idle quality, surging, or hesitation on acceleration; clutch chatter or slippage; automatic transmission slippage; driveline and/or wheel/tire vibration; driveline and/or suspension clunks; front end wander and looseness; poor ride quality; and brake pulling, grinding or pulsation.
- Be aware of uncommon smells—an over-rich carburetor condition; raw fuel; burning oil; burning wires; burning clutch; or burning anything.
- Taste…no wait…DON’T TASTE ANYTHING. Using four of your five senses will be sufficient in this situation, not to mention safer.
Once you get back home, do a thorough visual inspection of the body; engine compartment; fluids; chassis; brakes; wheels and tires; interior; and trunk. Check to ensure all accessories and the electrical system are in proper working order, as well.
This cracked dash pad will be replaced with a good used one. It’s an easy swap on cars that don’t have more integral dash pads that house the gauges and accessories.
Take copious notes on your findings. Armed with a list of potential trouble spots, determine if the issues that were revealed are within your wheelhouse to fix at home. Those that aren’t should be left to pros, so you don’t get in over your head and lose interest, leaving your pride and joy in a pile of parts when spring arrives.
Upgrading to a solid state external voltage regulator (if it’s available for your make and model) and restoring the original, properly lettered cover so it looks stock is a straightforward winter project…
Much of what you discover will require simple fixes. More likely, however, the drive evaluation and driveway inspection will serve as reminders of certain parts, assemblies or areas you had wanted to restore or upgrade, but kept forgetting about.
…as is a basic starter rebuild.
To get us motivated, here’s a list of projects small enough to be completed in our so-called leisure time—after shoveling the driveway. This is just a basic list of ideas, so feel free to add to it. Also, please share your experiences and wisdom if you’ve tackled any of these projects before.
Repair/Rebuild/Restore/or Replace
Under the hood and drivetrain
- Carburetor
- Distributor
- Power steering pump
- Alternator
- Starter
- External voltage regulator (earlier cars)
- Water pump
- Radiator
- Wiper motor
- Forward lamp wiring harness
- Engine wiring harness
- Pulleys
- Accessory brackets
- Valve covers
- Air cleaner housing
- Brake master cylinder
- Power brake vacuum booster
- Additional optional equipment, like cruise control, etc.
- Basic engine tune-up
- Basic servicing of the cooling system; fuel system; transmission; U-joints; and rear end
Body
- Grilles
- Headlamp and/or taillamp bezels
- Bumpers
- Emblems
- Front and rear window trim
- Wheel opening moldings
- Door handles
- Taillamp, parking lamp and/or backup lamp lenses
- Basic servicing of latches and locks
Interior
- Steering wheel cracks
- Dash pad (earlier cars where the pad does not comprise the whole dash)
- Pedal assembly
- Console
- Carpet
- Armrests
- Door and side panels
- Radio
- Knobs and switches
- Sill plates
Chassis
- Tie-rods
- Centerlink
- Idler arm
- Shocks
- Brakes
- Anti-roll bar bushings
- Also, basic servicing of suspension, wheel bearings and brakes
Aftermarket Mods
- Air cleaner housing
- Carburetor
- Intake manifold
- Valve covers
- Roller rockers
- Electronic ignition
- Distributor
- Solid state external voltage regulator (earlier cars)
- Plug wires
- Pulleys
- Steering wheel
- Gauges
- Sound system
- Shifter
- Seats
- Shocks
- Anti-roll bars
- Rear springs
- Rear control arms