While the body is being worked on, you need a full court press on the frame and engine so you'll be ready for the body as soon as the body is shop done...  If I had it to do over, I would have gotten an air compressor and bead blaster to ease the cleaning process.  I got tired of sanding, using a wire wheel, and smelling paint removers.  I did use a bead blaster for a few items and was amazed with the efficiency and speed. 

This picture shows the myriad of
small parts that must be cleaned,
primed and painted.... 

These A-arms have been bead blasted and look great!  They just need to be primed and painted now...then new bushings will be added...we opted for polygraphite bushings vice the old style rubber units...

This is also a good time to inventory your chrome items.  Some pieces may not be worth saving.  Rechroming is an expensive part of a restoration...some rechrome shops take a long time as well...

We used Performance Suspension Technology polygraphite bushings for the body mounts (grade 8 bolts) and the front end assembly. New 1.5" lowering coil springs and 2.5" lowering front spindles ensure a righteous rake! The front end is in the weeds! The new front disk brakes ensure safe stopping power for the 2000 pound pavement screamer!  

The spindles and disks are Mike McGaughy units. The coil springs are from Quickor.

Moving the Posies 3" lowering leaf springs to align with the frame results in more room for wider meats! This Classic Chevy International pocket kit is a really trick set up!

Finally, getting the frame back
together....now it is time to
 finish that engine...

I rebuilt the engine. It is a 1973  .400 cubic inch small block chevy with 11.5:1 compression pistons, 2.02 heads, and a high performance Competition Cams camshaft.