PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA

Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: lifes.a.script on June 21, 2015, 06:23:30 PM

Title: 1971 Pinto half Window hatch
Post by: lifes.a.script on June 21, 2015, 06:23:30 PM
Hi, I know the half Window hatches are rare. I went to the scrap yard and stumbled upon one that was on a bit rusted. I'm debating putting it on my 78 hatch. The measurements seem to be the same. I haven't tried installing it yet because I want to have it rebuilt of I put it on my hatch.

So  my questions are
1) Has anyone tried installing a 71 hatch on a 78 or know of it will fit.

2) How much would you say this hatch is worth, in fixed condition and in the current state.

3) There is a 76 wagon with a good windshield and the 71 has a good windshield and doors. Should I get any of these?

The 76 also has a looks to be an aftermarket air conditioner sitting on the floor in between the two front seats. It's about 1.5 feet long, and half a foot tall. Should I get this? It looks ugly and such but I'd hate to have it go into the crusher if it's something that should be saved. The wagon has decent interior, it's a green color. If any of you want or need anything let me know and I'll go pull some parts.

Any parts I should pull off the 71 or 76, the fenders and hood is missing from the 71, while the 76 is pretty complete.
Title: Re: 1971 Pinto half Window hatch
Post by: Reeves1 on June 22, 2015, 06:08:55 AM
1971 - clutch / brake peddles. Easy to remove. Make sure to keep the red clip & bushings.
Has disk spindles ? Get them - remove using proper tools - do not hammer on them !
Gage / speedo unit - have read that some have the printed part on the back fall apart, so if good, get it.
Door close handles - often see broken (the three point ones). If the small two point ones - I want.
Title: Re: 1971 Pinto half Window hatch
Post by: tjm73 on June 23, 2015, 08:03:14 AM
If the '71 has a decent inner taillight support panel that can be removed....... pm sent

No Pintos seem to be left in my area of the country to get parts from.
Title: Re: 1971 Pinto half Window hatch
Post by: TIGGER on June 23, 2015, 12:18:35 PM
The hatch should fit your 78.  It is good that it comes with the hinges as I am not sure if the 78 ones will fit (assuming your car has a metal hatch).  Also you will need to rig the gas strut supports as the 71 came with a metal hinge support.

As for price, I bought a rust free one from Fred about 8 years ago.  I paid $250 minus shipping at that time.  It is in real nice shape other than the window gasket is hard from being in the AZ heat and the chrome strips will need to be rechromed. 
Title: Re: 1971 Pinto half Window hatch
Post by: lifes.a.script on June 23, 2015, 04:55:41 PM
Reeves, both cars were automatics if I remember correctly. I'll take pictures of the cars when I go Friday. Are automatic pedals save worthy? As for the front end sorry I was very vague on what parts were left on the 71 it was a little more than the hood that was missing, the hood and both front fenders and the grill and bumpers. I think all the front suspension stuff was also gone. It did how ever still have an engine. If I remember correctly, the carb was missing of the 71. The 76 looked complete and was the 4 cylinder.

I did get some door handles in the short time I was there. As for the door closing handle I almost grabbed the green one but on the driver side it was a little cracked on the top due to Nevada's weather. As for the gage cluster, someone who had no clue how to remove it tried and broke all the plastic, including a few pins on the white plastic. The circuit should still be intact, if that's the case I'll grab the circuit. As for the 76's cluster I took that one for my Pinto. It was in excellent shape.

Tjm, the rear end of the 71 looked untouched besides the bumper if my memory serves me correct. So I'll check on Friday.

Thanks Tigger, I think I'll start on the restore of it.

One question about the factory recall on the pintos, are the recalls worth more or less? I hate the look of the recall ones. The recalls look to be even more unsafe by what they did to make the leaks happen less often.
Title: Re: 1971 Pinto half Window hatch
Post by: fast64ranchero on August 15, 2015, 11:31:39 PM
Any small window hatch is worth grabbing, I have 2, all the small window hatch's have rust under the window rubber atleast. if you can pick it up at $100 or less grab it. I have a fiberglass hatch I'll sell you cheap that you can use the window, trim and hinges on.
Title: Re: 1971 Pinto half Window hatch
Post by: JoeBob on August 17, 2015, 08:48:44 AM
I am restoring a 76 runabout. I took out the gauge  cluster and found the white frame thing in 50 pieces. someone had been had been messing with it and made a mess. The white plastic was so brittle you could crush it in your hands. The circuit is printed on cellophane, it was kinda bunched up, but not folded. Is it durable enough to survive a little abuse? Should I just replace it if I can find one.