Author Topic: Finally got a couple days to work on my pinto (Read 13817 times)

smallfryefarm · « **on:** December 01, 2008, 09:22:32 AM »

I got my cowl panels replaced this weekend and my heater box back in. Painted my engine bay 71 pinto red to match the out side now it is ready. The cowl panels took all day long, but so glad to have them fixed, they should last another 30 years now. Allready have new floor boards installed. Really just need carpet and the inside will be done. I have coil overs on the rear end but they are only 100lbs springs not heavy enough took them out waiting on some 200lb springs hope that is enough. hopefully have her ready to roll out early next year.

popbumper · « **Reply #1 on:** December 01, 2008, 11:36:00 AM »

Looks GREAT! Wish my engine compartment was that spotless!!

Chris

smallfryefarm · « **Reply #2 on:** December 01, 2008, 12:01:36 PM »

Thanks Chris, i have been wishing i hadnt started the engine compartment after all the time i put in to sanding and cleaning but after i layed the red down i was glad i spent the time. Here is the before pic

V8pinto_306_n2o · « **Reply #3 on:** December 01, 2008, 12:08:42 PM »

What rear tire size are you running?

smallfryefarm · « **Reply #4 on:** December 01, 2008, 12:14:53 PM »

I have 26x12.5x15 tires on 10''x15 wheels with the leaf springs gone they tuck in great

smallfryefarm · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2008, 08:56:12 AM »

Got my 5 lug disc on the front of the 71 thanks to turbopinto72, it really is a easy swap and very afordable. Also got my locker installed, after today i am off till the second. Hope to drop the new fuel cell in tonight. Then start replacing all the brake lines. Soon be time for motor and trans.
Need to find a world class 5spd with the higher overdrive. I put a 4.62 gear in it which is lower than i wanted but i allready had it, going up to 28 inch tires to help out hoping with the higher overdrive i still can drive it to work.

smallfryefarm · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2009, 09:47:35 AM »

I haven't got as far as i had hoped yet but i took the front back apart and replaced the controll arm bushings, that was fun. Got it back together and i am calling that part done. Put my 20 gallon Cell in, it worked out great. Put it thru the trunk 8" just to the bottom of the valance, it sticks up thru 4". Left just enough room in the spare tire well for the battery. Built some sub frame connectors that go from the front thru the ladder bar frame and weld around the cross bar. Should be very solid. Got the radiator installed should clear very well. I am leaving the front lower valance the grill and the panel between it and the bumper off till last to avoid scratches. My block came back from the machine shop it cleaned up nicely, hope to assemble it soon. Next plan is to seal and rust proof the new floor pans the add paint to the bottom and the wheel wells. Still need to find a 5 speed, around here its like finding chicken lips.

smallfryefarm · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2009, 09:50:06 AM »

another pic of the 5 lug the only thing that is done

smallfryefarm · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2009, 09:17:54 AM »

Well i am on hold for a couple weeks on my project. The wife decided she wants me to replace the drywall and flooring in two rooms in the house, i told her i really didnt have time at the moment so we came to a understanding and well i am now working on the house.

I always wanted a harley, so 2 years ago i came home with one, spent the whole summer building on to the house, the dang harley cost me a fortune. Oh well its all good, i will have more thinken time for the pinto.

75bobcatv6 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 22, 2009, 01:08:53 PM »

how did oyu manage to get a coil spring set up in the rear end?

smallfryefarm · « **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2009, 01:14:31 PM »

It is a ladder bar set up with coil over shocks. Works great, with the coil overs you can adjust the ride height and the spring weight very easy. If you want to see some pics of the set up i can take some for you.

75bobcatv6 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2009, 12:36:28 AM »

That would be great, ( a how to would be good too if you have the time)

smallfryefarm · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2009, 10:09:50 AM »

I will try to get some pics this week end and post them Monday when i get back in here. The suspension was put in buy some one else before i got the car but i have pretty much redone it all to make it functionable. It really isn't that bad of deal the biggest part is welding all the stuff onto the rear end in the proper place and keeping it all even and level so the car sits level when your done.

75bobcatv6 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2009, 11:45:48 AM »

I would most likely pay someone here thats done it to do that for me. so i can use a mustang 8.8 possi rear end.

larjohnson · « **Reply #14 on:** January 26, 2009, 08:54:25 AM »

WOW!!!! your Pinto looks amazing. It'll be a hit once you hit the streets. I'm hoping at some point I can make it to special events where some of the FordPinto.com Pintos are, so I can see them in person. Good Luck, your car is SWEET!!!!!.... Larry :police:

smallfryefarm · « **Reply #15 on:** January 26, 2009, 10:07:43 AM »

Thanks Larry, Ive have really never done a car that i enjoy as much as this one. Its taking longer than i wanted but i am paying much more attention to detail as i can. I really want it to be special.

smallfryefarm · « **Reply #16 on:** March 20, 2009, 09:00:40 AM »

I took a couple days off from working on the house and spent some time in the garage enjoying myself.
I have moved the heater box back so that i can move the fire wall back a little further i also widened the tunnel on both sides a couple inches. I know from looking at the pictures it looks like the tin man took a crap on it but its welded in good. I seam sealed it inside and out and thru some more paint on. Then i took my brand new oil pan and cut a groove from the back corner up to the sump staying about the middle of the side. I then massaged it open alittle and crushed it down on itself started with 5.5" and now it is 3.5" inside clearance which is all i can spare for crank clearance. I also cut the bottom of the sump and moved it forward about 1" now to call the tin man back to take another dump on it and soon will be ready to set it all in for fit. BIG thanks to 71pintoracer for his help and input on my project, great guy and much appreciated!!!!

discolives78 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 21, 2009, 03:53:54 AM »

I'll bet a lot of us never considered modifying our oil pan, being content with a one-size-fits...

Your dedication is showing!

Chuck

dave1987 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 21, 2009, 09:11:46 AM »

I'm guessing due to the cut back firewall that you are going to be dropping a large 8 cylinder motor into your Pony. Curious, what size? 302?

smallfryefarm · « **Reply #19 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:28:51 AM »

Yes i am putting a 302 in it. I have it put together, punched it out 30 put nice set of flat tops in it.
Trying the mother thumper roller cam from comp, topped of with a nice set of victor jr aluminum heads.
Suppose to be rite at 10.5 to 1 compression. Had to modify the trans tunnel for a 5spd. Cant wait to take the first ride in her. She will be my daily driver.

71pintoracer · « **Reply #20 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:05:51 PM »

[quote I know from looking at the pictures it looks like the tin man took a crap on it but its welded in good.
Ha! Thats funny! :lol: I'll have to remember that one! Looking good with that shiny paint! Don't be too concerned though, once the engine is in there you can't see it. What kind of headers are you using? Mine are the kind that the front two tubes go forward and under the crossmember, the headers determined where the engine had to go.

smallfryefarm · « **Reply #21 on:** March 24, 2009, 08:38:57 AM »

I have a new set of the same, got off ebay ceramic coated, they look sweet but if need be they will have to go up for sale. I bought most everything ahead of time but as i progress i can see that some of it i wont be able to use, but i guess thats kinda the way it has to go.
After you got your engine in how much room did you have between the front pipes on the headers and the rack. Could you have got back another inch?

71pintoracer · « **Reply #22 on:** March 24, 2009, 04:42:41 PM »

The front has plenty of room, it was the back tubes that had to squeeze between the crossmember and the firewall. The engine had to be sitting just right for them to fit properly. Also the valve cover is a little close to the firewall on the driver side so that may be an issue as far as how far back you can go. It's kinda hard to get a clear picture but I'll try to post some.

smallfryefarm · « **Reply #23 on:** March 25, 2009, 08:04:21 AM »

THANK YOU so much your awesome. Here is a thought, if i can get the front down 1 inch and make the motor more level i am hoping to gain clearance at the valve covers. I hope to get a chance to drop it in for a look soon, so really dont have a clue till then. Just one of the MANY things going thru my little brain that keeps me from sleeping.

larjohnson · « **Reply #24 on:** March 26, 2009, 02:49:16 PM »

Dave: You're progressing nicely. My 1971 is coming along great. I only have a few things left to do on the interior, and it'll be finished. The paint isn't that bad, but I'm hoping to get it painted this summer. Anyway, I'm working on the heater now, it wasn't hooked up when I got the car from Reed. Anyway, got the baffles moving, ordered new control cables, which should be coming in the next week or so. In no hurry, will assemble the heater, once I get the dash repainted. I don't want to put the dash pad back on, until after I finish hooking up the heater, I can see and work so much better without it. Anyway, hopefully the heater will be up and running well in about a week. Your car is a beauty, and it's coming along nicely. Hope to see it in person some day. Have a great weekend.... Larry :police:

smallfryefarm · « **Reply #25 on:** March 26, 2009, 03:37:23 PM »

Hey larry thanks for the kind words. Good to here from you. I took my heater box out and took it apart cleaned what looked like 30lbs of carpet pad out of the fan and cleaned trimed and greased the doors and put them back in. They really work good now. I have been watching your rebuild, it tickles me to see some one else enjoying them selves to. Stay at it, hopefully will see you around some day!!

71pintoracer · « **Reply #26 on:** March 27, 2009, 02:40:11 AM »

Dave, took some pics but I can't find the stupid cable to load them!

(I'll keep looking!) From what I can tell it looks like the left valve cover is the limiting factor on how far back you can go, not the headers.

71pintoracer · « **Reply #27 on:** March 29, 2009, 08:11:06 AM »

OK, here are the pics. The headers seem to have enough room to move back, the valve cover and of course the oil pan are the limiting factors. Since I made my motor mounts I set the engine in and got my clearance at the oil pan. Also, at the valve cover, there is a big rubber grommet where the wiring harness comes through, I had to push the grommet back into the car and reseal it to get more clearance. Dropping down another inch will help with that issue but I'm not sure about the firewall.

71pintoracer · « **Reply #28 on:** March 29, 2009, 08:23:35 AM »

Also ran into these issues: on the right side I had to trim out and re-weld the pass side of the frame for the header to pass through. The front tubes on the driver side are close and the back tubes on the pass side are close. I would have liked to have shifted the engine around more for clearance but the rag joint is in the way.

smallfryefarm · « **Reply #29 on:** March 29, 2009, 02:57:09 PM »

Thanks for the pics, they help like you wouldnt believe. I think i have diffrent headers my rear to pipes go out thru the wheel well. I am going to have my motor and trans sitting in the car on mounts before the weekend is over. I hope to have some exciting pics to post tomorrow.
I have another question on your headers where the rear to pipes slide in to the collector did you weld them? How did you seal them up?

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Author Topic: Finally got a couple days to work on my pinto (Read 13817 times)