Whats the best order to put a 356 back together?

58A - 71E · Post by **58A - 71E** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:17 pm

Now that the shell is nearly complete again, thoughts are turning to the piles of boxes in the garage that houses most of the car!

What's people's experiences of the order in which to put things in that requires the least amount of having to undo what you've already done?

I'm thinking
sound deadening
wiring loom
cables in tunnel incl gear linkage, petrol lines etc
brake lines
front suspension and rear transaxle/gearbox
under front hood incl petrol tank
brightwork and exterior
interior
engine

thoughts?

Paul @ P R Services · Post by **Paul @ P R Services** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:52 pm

You probably have just hit the nail on the head……….

Go to our blog page we have one going back together now….
I think it is titled ‘Steve’s ‘A’ cabriolet’

P

58A - 71E · Post by **58A - 71E** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 9:56 pm

Thanks Paul - just spent a good hour going through the photos on the blog - looking good

pauldvern · Post by **pauldvern** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 2:02 am

I saw this list from John Willhoit on the registry forum. I must admit I didn't follow this with my own car, but I think his order is better.

Assuming that the body is painted, undercoated and is
on a dolly we use the following order of reassembly:

1) Install sound deadener (if required).
2) Install wiring loom.
3) Install hood, decklid and bumpers complete.
4) Install pedal assembly, master cyl. and brake hard
lines.
5) Remove front suspension dolly and put front on jack
stands.
5) Install front suspension, brakes, front wheels and
rear trailing arms.
6) Remove rear dolly and put front wheels on ground.
7) Install trans and engine with all accessories incl.
gas tank. Also, rear brakes, wheels and all suspension
accessories and put car on ground.
Install (anytime after step #2) all electrical and
trim items except guages and glass(on Roadsters and
Speedster install guages after interior).
9) Install interior complete.
10) Install doors.
11) Install glass and related trim and ws frame on
Speedsters/Roadsters.
12) Install top on open cars.
13) Align suspension and test drive.

Some tips:

Install suspension and put car on wheels before
installing interior. Install hood, deck lid and
bumpers before putting car on ground but leave doors
until the last because they won't fit properly when
car is supported on jack stands. Don't try to install
engine when front end is on jack stands or dolly
(pushing and shoving can tip the car)!

Cheers

Paul

Paul @ P R Services · Post by **Paul @ P R Services** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 4:51 pm

I've just added to the cab we are putting back together on our Blog page.

And this is a blatant plug for our web-site of course

Paul @ P R Services · Post by **Paul @ P R Services** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:44 pm

Sorry to bump this again but I have just updated our blog page again.

p

58A - 71E · Post by **58A - 71E** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:47 pm

No need to apologise Paul, its helping keep me focused

First few items ticked off the list - must post up some updates

Blog looking good

hot66 · Post by **hot66** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:57 pm

58A - 71E wrote:No need to apologise Paul, its helping keep me focused

First few items ticked off the list - must post up some updates

Blog looking good

you mean you actually got time to work on the 356 ?

58A - 71E · Post by **58A - 71E** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 9:28 pm

Something had to give - sleep lost

Dakota · Post by **Dakota** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 10:05 pm

Hi
would you like some reference pictures as I have a '58 coup'e which is very original indeed , anything you would like to see, I found disc's of headliner material used as backing on the torsion bar access covers.

Paul @ P R Services · Fri Feb 05, 2010 11:30 am

found disc's of headliner material used as backing on the torsion bar access covers.

Have you found the bit of wrapping paper they used between the ash tray base and dash yet ?

58A - 71E · Post by **58A - 71E** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:38 pm

Dakota wrote:Hi
would you like some reference pictures as I have a '58 coup'e which is very original indeed , anything you would like to see, I found disc's of headliner material used as backing on the torsion bar access covers.

Thanks for the offer Bill - any shots of under the dash of wiring loom, wiper mechanism? Just want to compare what I've done already

Paul @ P R Services wrote: Have you found the bit of wrapping paper they used between the ash tray base and dash yet ?

Tell more Paul, I knew about the torsion bar covers but didnt know about this, have you a pic of the type used?

Hendrik Moulds · Post by **Hendrik Moulds** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 11:41 am

Come over and have a look at mine if you wish!
You know it's unmessed with.

roy mawbey · Post by **roy mawbey** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 2:09 pm

James,

A few of my unmessed with fuse box with the cover off and one under the dash. Looks frightning to me but I think John Fletcher knows how to do it!![img][img]http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq15 ... ds0010.jpg[/img][/img]
[img][img]http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq15 ... ds0007.jpg[/img][/img]

This is for a 59 but okay I reckon for a 58?

Roy