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Re: Daily Driver Checklist
When I first get a "new" old vehicle I usually do things in stages:
Fluids, belts, hoses, etc: Not many people change the differential fluid and transmission fluid, so I usually do those right away. You get a peek in the diff, and get to see how much metal comes out with the xmsn fluid. I usually do a engine oil change too. Inspect the belts and hoses. Cooling system needs a flush too. Inspect the U-joints and the U-bolts for the rear. I've only had coil-spring rears, but the U-bolts corrode down in the pocket pretty bad around here. On my '67 they were half the diameter due to rust. My buddy's broke on the highway and he had a religious experience.
Brakes: Definitely want to look at those before depending on them. DOT3 brake fluid is hydrophilic (absorbs water), so old fluid usually has water in it. A fluid flush is a nice thing to do. I usually step on the brake pedal as hard as I can. Better to find a bad brake line now rather than on the road. Inspect the soft lines (remember the one at the rear). Lube emergency brake.
Tune-up: I throw the HEI in right away. That way I don't spend money on the points only to replace them with the HEI later. New plugs. New PCV. Check timing. Tune carb.
Install gauges: I like having something to watch...
Better headlights than the originals.
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