PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: Z Factor Pinto on December 09, 2020, 11:51:03 AM
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I have recently taken on a '72 Pinto Wagon that has sat in a garage for nearly 30 years. I drooled over this beauty for the last quarter of a century and finally my friend let me adopt her. One of my dilemmas is I just recently purchased the full '72 Ford shop manuals from Faxon Literature and it does not include the wagon. These manuals detail the front very well, but not the back, exterior or interior. Does any one know where I can get the documentation for the back interior and exterior of the '72 station wagon? I am also installing Van panel sides with the bubble windows to make it a Cruising Wagon. If you have any info on this process, I would greatly appreciate it. Also if there are any rare parts like the the rotors please let me know where I might get them so I can start collecting them now. Thank you for you help in advance. I am looking so forward to this adventure and learning as much as I can about my new baby. This will not be a full restoration, but we are cleaning it up completely so it will become a family heirloom. It is nearly fifty years old and I hope it lives another Fifty in the hands of a loving family member. Again, Thanks, be safe. Mike Z.
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I seem to remember a coworker having 72 wagon like yours. The wagon was not mentioned as an option in my 1972 sales brochure, but does show in the 73 sales brochure. My 72 Ford body manual does not show the wagon but the 73 Ford body manual does. Not sure if there is a difference between the years, getting the 73 manuals may help. I suspect the wagon was a mid to late year addition to the Pinto line up. Per the sales brochures, the cruising side panels were first available on the 77 wagons. So you may need to do something custom to fit them on the 72.
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Other than the rear springs (longer) and the rear shocks (longer) I can't imagine there is much if any difference between the sedans and wagons. As it relates to the body parts most everything would seem obvious. Maybe the torsion spring for the rear hatch (door) would need understanding. That said the hatch comes off without having to deal with the torsion spring.
Yes, as noted early rotors are rare. I just used a spacer (you could use stacked shock washers too) on the regular (79) rear shocks to extend the fitment range on the wagon. I did this on the top of the bottom and the bottom of the top. It compensates about 1-1/2" of the 2" difference. It is a "do at your own risk" modification but it has never been a problem for me. Be glad you have a '72. The '73 has a one year only steering rack.
While some parts fit across all years ('71-80) remember your '72 is 48 years old. Parts will be hard to find.
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Thank you both for your input. I am excited about hearing from and sharing my progress with everyone.
Take care and be safe,
Mike Z.