Hey guys, I'm in need of some advice and a lot of experience here. I recently came into possession of a '58 Chevy that belonged to my grandfather. The car has 60,000 miles on it and runs ok at the moment. As far as I am aware the block and head have never been removed or tampered with in anyway. My grandfater has late stage Alzeimers disease and can not help me to restore this car any longer. With the car he left me a fairly extensive collection of parts and tools.

My goal is to restore this car to nearly original condition, but also have a few authentic street rod tweaks without going overboard with new technology. I would like to set up the inline six like a young street rodder in the late 50's and early sixties would have done if the Delray with an inline 6 was all he could afford. I'll post a list of engine components and some pictures along with a video of the engine running. I know that right now the exhaust is almost shot, but besides that she still runs great so I would like to keep her running as long as possible and keep the original block with the car. I have never rebuilt anything before so this will be a learning experience for me but I hear the 235 is a great engine to start out on. My grandfather also left me the Chevy shop manuals for this year and engine, along with a few "speed manuals". There are a few rebuild kits for various components, an assortment of filters, and two complete gasket and fastener sets for the engine. Thanks for the help and advice, just dropping the car off at shop is not an option since I am on a budget. Thanks for the help guys, I don't know where to start or what components are worth keeping and rebuilding, and which ones should be sold or otherwise disposed of.

THE LIST:

Bone stock engine in the car (Runs fine, 60,000 miles)
Complete spare 235 on engine stand (unknown condition, casting no. 3837004)

Fenton cast iron headers (new)
Edelbrock aluminum double intake (For a 216 maybe?)
1 spare radiator (rebuilt)
2 spare carb (need rebuilt)
1 spare double action fuel pump (rebuilt I think)
2 spare generators (very rusty)
1 spare water pump (very rusty)
1 spare distributor (very rusty)
1 spare starter (very rusty)
1 spare fuel pump (rusty)
2 3 speed overdrive transmissions (both need electronics and to be overhauled)

My questions are:

What parts are worth keeping?
What parts should I swap out for better components?
What should I sell/throw out?
Where should I start working on this engine without having it undrivable for more than a month?
Is it alright to rebuild the spare head and install the whole thing when its ready?
Should I stay hands off until something breaks?
Should I admit I'm in over my head and run while I can?

My desire is to end up with a 235 painted in the original color, with a dual intake and exaust using rochester carbs, and short glass pack mufflers. I would like to put the stock rocker cover back on, and use chrome/stainless hardware sparingly. I would like to use only parts available in the late 50's to early 60's so that the end result is a halfway authentic 50's style street rod. Once I get down to rebuilding the block itself I'd like to put in a better cam and possibly have the cylinders bored out a tad as long as it doesn't detract from the look of the exterior or require extensive modifications or professional installation of parts after it leaves the machine shop. I'm not looking for a hot rod or something to race on county roads, just something nice to cruise around town in the evenings and make a little noise from time to time. Thanks again for the help and advice, every little bit helps especially personal experience and even just your opinions.

Here is a crappy video so you can hear the engine running. It has a click in the front, a worn rod or bad lifter perhaps? The exhaust is totally rusted out, once I get the Fenton headers on I can have that fixed. When the car is warmed up and the hood is closed you can't even hear it running unless you are behind the exhaust pipe.
http://youtu.be/wWI2TncMLCM


Engine... my grandpa had some fun in here, I'll be removing the horns but maybe putting the wolf whistle back in later. I'm going to put a stock valve cover back on it.


Some original paint remains on the side cover, I'll probably repaint the whole engine someday.


Spare engine, I think its a '57 from the casting numbers.


Fenton headers...


Aluminum intake, maybe for a 216? I could get the fenton model that comes with the linkage to replace it.


One overdrive transmission...


Two overdrive transmissions.


Two carbs in need of being rebuilt. The both have different chokes, one has a hot air choke like the one already in the car I think.


Spare radiator, the one in the car is rebuilt as well. That is a funny story.


Rusty parts, are they worth rebuilding as spares?


Rusty parts in a bucket. Again I'm not sure if they are worth working on.