Beinner NEED HELP!!!

Hey,
I'm 19 and i just bought my first mustang.  It dosen't run yet, has some body wear and tear, and the interior is a mess. I could really use some help as to where to get started. It's a 68 with a 289 in it. also some basic and inexpensive mods i could get started on. (college kid). i have a good idea where i want to go with it (daily driver) but would just appreciate some get started help.
thanks,
jake  

Well I think its a pretty good idea to start with the engine and get it running. That will give you an idea how much other work needs to be done. Like trans or rear end. Get a good battery and turn it over, make sure you have gas and spark first. then try to start it. You can buy the other things after you get it running.  

I would also suggest checking the brakes and suspension stuf to make sure it's safe to drive and stops.
jlg  

I would suggest going through the How-to section here on this site to get an idea of how every is supposed to be.  
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My Name is Dennis and I approve this message !


"So that is how you shine a skunk ? "

well congrats on the purchase bro..hope everything goes well and you enjoy ur new investment..its well worth and like everyone has said i also suggest workin on the motor and getting it running.then check ur brakes and suspension..remeber safety first.and dont worry take ur time with it.in the long run u will be happy..and like they have mentioned b4 check the how to and technical threads..really good info there..well good luck once more.  
-mannyfresh-

thanks alot guys. i'll get started in the how to section.  

Sure Jlg,,,take the high road and go for the safety stuff,,,, not me. I wanna hear that motor running, get out on the highway looking for adventure. Who cares if ya got brakes, drag your feet, as long as you can hear that V8 rumble thats all that matters. People in my neighborhood know me well, all my projects start with open headers before I get around to putting mufflers on them,,,, brakes,,,pteeeeuuuwweeee,,,I get around to that one day. More power !!! Put it to the firewall scotty !!! Just teasing man.  

I am an old man(compared to 19 anyway) so take this for what it is worth.  The first money I would spend is on ...books, you know those things with pages of paper with writing on them. You will not be doing anything that hasn't been done before, and since these cars are 40 years old somebody probably wrote about doing it at some point. When I got my first mustang I got a book called HOW TO RESTORE YOUR MUSTANG, and surprisingly it had good stuff about restoring your mustang..WHO KNEW. I know some of the stuff is dated in there but I promise it will save you money in the long run to have a coouple of these books as references. I also agree to get the motor running and the brakes as the very next thing. Then you can spend all your money and spare time for the next 30 years or so working on it and still not be done(trust me on this I know from what I speak), but it will be something you either love or if it gets to be a P.I.N.T.A.sell it or store it and someday you will probably want to try it again. Anyway good luck and welcome to the obsession errrr I mean hobby. Tom  

Wannabe,Even though I partially agree with you, Thanks to Mustang Monthly all the tech stuff is on the internet.

Right now there are tons of deal on mustang related stuff at amazon  
********************************************
My Name is Dennis and I approve this message !


"So that is how you shine a skunk ? "

Hi there - As a 19 year old "college kid" I'd recommend alot of reading, reading, and reading and then sitting down and planning, planning, and planning. If you fail to plan you are planning to fail to get this car safely on the road and keep yourself in school. I know I'm going to catch some @$*# on this but, right now your education is more important than fixing the car up to be a great "daily driver". Completing your education and getting a good job will help you more in making this a great car in a few years than spending alot of your time and money right now. I'm not saying do anything, I'm saying be wise, plan only what you can afford, be ingenious, and you'll be much happyer when you can afford to keep the car and complete your education.  

I guess it's the old fart coming outin me!  (cause I can remember doing just the opposite on many occasions)  

im a beginner too, but if there's any good advice i can give it would be to find someone who's done this alot and spend some time with him. books are great, forums are great, and web sites are great, but i've found that nothing can replace good ole fashioned hands on experience. that is the one thing that'll help you the most and save you a bundle of money. i think the powertrain and brakes come first too. then get everything out, fix your rust and body work, chek suspension and steering, then paint, then interior and trim. put it all back together, and who knows....you could be ready to drive that thing to your graduation in a few years! NOT a quick process!!!!  

Finding the learned is probably the best way to get going that it true! The advise that has been given here is all good.  

Great advice from all.

I am in WAY over my head as well. I purchased a 68 coupe yesterday and don't know diddly. My knowledge is just enough to get me in trouble. I'm counting on YOU guys to make sure that I don't ruin this project. <grin>

I too will start with the How-To section and I agree, books are great for this type of thing as I'd rather not have my laptop in the shop as it's an accident waiting to happen.

Thanks in advance for the advice.  

Whatever you want to know about these cars, especially the 68.. just ask.  
********************************************
My Name is Dennis and I approve this message !


"So that is how you shine a skunk ? "