I'm a big proponent of recoring the radiator rather than replacing, but sometimes that is price prohibitive. I can give you the name of the shop I use that's just north of Syracuse, NY if you want. They seem to be much more reasonable in price. Probably a 3 1/2 to 4 hour drive for you, but you could UPS it too. Look around in your area first. There are cheaper aluminum radiators around too. Just keep the old stock one.
Needs new carb or carb rebuild
I think
@saforwardlook covered this. I will suggest Woodruff Carbs if you want to have it rebuilt, although they aren't that hard to rebuild yourself.
New muffler/ maybe exhaust
Depends on what you want. I did a TTI dual system on my '70 300 with Cadillac mufflers. Not the cheapest, but IMHO, the best. If you have to replace your entire exhaust, this may be comparable in price to having a shop do just a stock type replacement.
Rides like a truck (though handles amazingly just not comfy on bumps at all) (also body bushing shot I can feel the body and the subframe move seperately)
The lower control arm bushings are usually shot in most of these cars. Be careful buying NOS because rubber doesn't age well.
Body work… save that for last
Dig even deeper into your wallet. Shops are notoriously slow doing old cars as they get shoved off in a corner to do during "slow times". These slow times never seem to come and the cars sit in shops for years.
Any advice for doing these things affordably or easily besides junkyarding parts is appreciated. I’m 20 now and though I did work for a time at a mechanics shop, I know fuel injection and sensors far more than I know carbuerators and chokes.
I guess any advice or tips you can give a young guy is appreciated. It may help me decide what else to fix. Carb getting done first then radiator
Yep, no old car junkyards in the northeast.
Geez... 20 years old. That's a great age to be. Enjoy it.
Carburetors aren't that hard, especially that 2bbl. Good place to learn and the FSM is your friend. Chip away at it. Suspension first to make the car safe to drive. If it's overheating, do the radiator next.
