Author Topic: I just added this 1979 Pinto to my stable (Read 1974 times)

Pinto5.0 · « **on:** July 03, 2011, 11:47:42 AM »

I was looking for a running Pinto to use as a nice weather driver since I haven't had the time to get Callisto back together. I found this '79 about 80 miles from my house.

It has a '95 351W & C4 with a 3.55 geared 8 inch out back. The paint looks good though it's hiding some patched & heavily bondoed doors underneath. The lower quarters have a little dough in them & other than the front floors having a couple 6"x 6" patches in them it seems nearly rust free.

Not a bad find for the $1700 I spent, but I will need to get the cooling system sorted out soon. The radiator will be replaced with the Griffin aluminum one that I bought for the trunk car, but the one in it should cool it, but it doesn't. My suspicion is they used a reverse rotation water pump & the impeller is spinning backwards.

I'm also not big on the Turbo Mustang wheels either so a swap to my Centerlines is coming someday.

I'm also stuck with another hatchback so the swap to the sedan trunk & rear window is on again but not till I get tired of driving it in a few years. I need to sort out the bugs before I go crazy on it.

FCANON · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2011, 11:51:13 AM »

Nice! for the money that's quite a score.

FrankBoss

pintoman1 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2011, 03:06:35 PM »

really

nice. i wish i could find something like that around my area.
again real nice :fastcar:

blupinto · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2011, 08:09:03 PM »

Very nice! I admit the Fox-body type wheels don't look great on the car but those in themselves are worth something, I think- I haven't seen a set like that in such good condition in ages!!!

Pinto5.0 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2011, 10:48:59 PM »

Thanks guys. Yeah, those wheels are in awesome shape. I will probably toss em on Ebay in a couple years to get rid of them. I have a few sets of wheels in the garage that I can choose from but I think I'm gonna run my Centerline big n littles. For now I just need to make it a reliable driver since it gets about 18 MPG which beats my dually's 9 to 10.

DreamBean · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2011, 01:44:39 PM »

I like tha rims, I love tha car. Great score. I think you got a great deal on a running v8.

Pinto5.0 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2011, 06:42:34 PM »

Quote from: DreamBean on July 17, 2011, 01:44:39 PM

I like tha rims, I love tha car. Great score. I think you got a great deal on a running v8.

Thanks.....Yea h, it needs a little TLC to fix some bitched up things but I'm happy with it so far. I already picked up a hi-flow water pump to swap in when I find the time.

Pinto5.0 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2011, 07:15:41 PM »

Picked up a Weiand tunnel ram on Ebay for $190 & I already have a pair of 600 Holleys off my Dusters tunnel ram so if I swap in the 302 this winter I'll roll out in the spring sportin' dual carbs.

I have this NASCAR spec 390cfm carb for Callisto & I may dig up a pair for the tunnel ram.

I plan to powdercoat the intake chrome & I think a pair of dual feed, double pumpers mounted sideways, plumbed with polished hard lines, anodized fittings & a Hilborn scoop will givve some serious visual impact. The 390 carbs should offer up 17 mpg or so & I'm not looking for another dragstrip terror, just a high 12 second daily driver that draws a crowd at cruise night.

Don't scoff at the 17+ mpg goal with dual carbs. I ran a 10to1 340 Mopar with a tunnel ram, 2- 465 Holleys, 4speed & 3.23 gears & averaged 14.4mpg driving to the Car Craft Nats in '84 weighing about 3500 pounds with 3 guys, luggage & tools.

I'm thinking a 2500 pound Pinto with a 3.00 gear, a 9to1 302 with a .500 lift cam, tunnel ram & 2- 390 Holleys may squeak out 20 mpg if driven lightly.

75bobcatv6 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 07, 2011, 01:43:49 AM »

nice stuff man. Sounds like you have a good plan going. I really miss my old dodge. had a 1978 Dodge Ramcharger i picked up for like 900. had a 360 with a 4bbl 500CFM Edelbrock carb. I changed that out to an intake similar to yours, With 2 demon 650's. and a mild Scoop. Had the stock 727 transmission. Miss that beast. Good luck with yours man. looking forward to seeing it done

Pinto5.0 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 07, 2011, 07:07:22 AM »

Yeah theres nothing like a tunnel ram to give you an ear to ear smile behind the wheel. The Pinto will be my 5th car with a tunnel ram & even though it wasn't needed on 3 of the 1st 4 (my Duster has a 13to1 340 with a .657 roller & W2 heads so it needed the fuel) but I just love the visual impact of them.

I made a deal last night for another 390 ($240) that I will pick up next saturday & I know where 1 more is that I can get for $200 so I should be set on carbs. That may seem a little steep for such a small carb but these puppies are near $800 out the door new & are race ready as is. A lot of these have had mega money spent on them to tweak them for every last ounce of performance by NASCAR teams so they really are a bargain....... if you can find one.

Pinto5.0 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 08, 2011, 10:24:06 AM »

I picked up my rear wheels & tires at 4AM this morning. It's a pair of polished Centerline Champ 500's (15x8) with nearly new Goodyear Eagle rubber (245-60-15) for $150. They were on a show car 15 years ago for less than 1000 miles & stored ever since they were swapped out.

They are Chevy bolt pattern just like the set I bought for Callisto but I have 3 pairs of wheel adapters so screw it. I can't seem to find any in Ford pattern & it's getting tough to find these anymore. I need to find a pair of 15x4's for the front. If anyone has a line on a pair let me know.

FCANON · « **Reply #11 on:** August 08, 2011, 11:46:05 AM »

Very Nice! I also love Tunnel Rams.. I just picked up a single carbed one. kicking around pulling my dual four intake of my 72 and giving it a go.

FrankBoss

pintoman1972 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 11, 2011, 09:50:30 PM »

PINTO5.0,

I did not see it mentioned but I sure hope those frames are tied together and welded.

Dick

Pinto5.0 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2011, 01:50:48 AM »

Quote from: pintoman1972 on August 11, 2011, 09:50:30 PM

PINTO5.0,

I did not see it mentioned but I sure hope those frames are tied together and welded.

Dick

It's one of the things I plan to do this winter along with an 8 point cage & a bigger fuel cell.

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Author Topic: I just added this 1979 Pinto to my stable (Read 1974 times)