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Author Topic: 1977 Pinto Wagon Project  (Read 2943 times)

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Offline Terry

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1977 Pinto Wagon Project
« on: May 21, 2013, 11:10:19 PM »
Hi! I'm new here. My problems are pretty basic.

I have a 1977 Pinto wagon in my garage (2.3L, automatic, 98,000 miles, complete engine rebuild at about 77,000 miles). I drove it into the garage 16 years ago, but it has not been driven since. I want to get it running again. I have the following issues:

1) It won't start. I put in a new battery and plugs (still waiting on the plug wires to be delivered) and it turns over nicely, but won't start. It very nearly starts when starter fluid is sprayed into the carburetor, which makes me think that gas is not getting to the carburetor. There is about 1/8 tank of gas.  Could something have clogged the fuel line as a result of such a long time sitting around? Could the fuel line just be filled with air? Could water have condensed in the gas tank over the years (gas cap has been tightly in place the entire time). Any ideas?

2) It needs a new windshield, but I have not been able to find one. Is there some good source for old Pinto parts?

3) It needs a new grill. See question #2.

That's it, for the moment. I'm sure there will be a few hundred more problems as this saga unfolds.  ;D Thanks in advance!
1977 Pinto wagon 2.3L automatic

Offline tbucketjack

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Re: 1977 Pinto Wagon Project
« Reply #1 on: May 21, 2013, 11:27:40 PM »
   Your gas tank has to be drained and with the line to the carb flushed. Fuel filter changed and good posibility of the carb be taken apart and cleaned also. That gas should smell like varnish or worse. I'd check your distributor cap and rotor for pitting and corrosion also. Good Luck

Offline Terry

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Re: 1977 Pinto Wagon Project
« Reply #2 on: May 21, 2013, 11:49:53 PM »
^ Thanks tbucketjack!
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Offline dga57

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Re: 1977 Pinto Wagon Project
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2013, 01:10:46 AM »
WELCOME  Terry!
 
As you look around this site you'll find several VERY reliable parts vendors.  Also, check out the Classified Ads here, and then of course there's always eBay.  With a little diligence, you should be able to come up with pretty much anything you need for your Pinto. 
 
Dwayne :)
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Offline Pinto5.0

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Re: 1977 Pinto Wagon Project
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2013, 03:02:08 PM »
Most glass companies can still get Pinto windshields. I had a chip repair done on my wagon because my windshield was scratch free & the seal doesn't leak but they said new glass was $260 installed which isn't too bad.
 
Check with Fred or other members here for a grille. Ebay & Craigslist are great sources as well
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Offline DBSS1234

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Re: 1977 Pinto Wagon Project
« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2013, 04:42:20 PM »
Of the items you mentioned the toughtest part will be the grill. They were only used in 1977-78 and seam to be very hard to find.

Offline Terry

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Re: 1977 Pinto Wagon Project
« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2013, 08:04:13 PM »
Most glass companies can still get Pinto windshields. I had a chip repair done on my wagon because my windshield was scratch free & the seal doesn't leak but they said new glass was $260 installed which isn't too bad.
 
Check with Fred or other members here for a grille. Ebay & Craigslist are great sources as well

My local glass shop said they can't get a windshield for it. They said they'd install it for $95 if I could find one. They also suggested I try eBay, but I had no luck there. I've not had any success yet with the local junk yards - but I have not yet checked all of them.
1977 Pinto wagon 2.3L automatic

Offline Terry

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Re: 1977 Pinto Wagon Project
« Reply #7 on: May 22, 2013, 08:09:03 PM »
Of the items you mentioned the toughtest part will be the grill. They were only used in 1977-78 and seam to be very hard to find.

Yeah, that's what I figured.

It is such a simple part, I was hoping there might be someone making new reproductions (seems like you could do it on a 3D printer).

I think the 77/78 grills are best of any year.
1977 Pinto wagon 2.3L automatic

Offline 289Wagon

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Re: 1977 Pinto Wagon Project
« Reply #8 on: May 23, 2013, 11:40:21 AM »
 Have you checked with Fred Morgan on here ?
 If you can't find a grille there are several availible NOS.   Green Sales in your area has 2 of them.
 There is a windshield on Epay. But I think the guy is nuts -- $336 + $189 shipping.
Still living the dream...In a points & condenser world.

Offline Terry

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Re: 1977 Pinto Wagon Project
« Reply #9 on: May 25, 2013, 02:31:55 AM »
   Your gas tank has to be drained and with the line to the carb flushed. Fuel filter changed and good posibility of the carb be taken apart and cleaned also. That gas should smell like varnish or worse. I'd check your distributor cap and rotor for pitting and corrosion also. Good Luck

tbucketjack:

Can I flush the fuel line in reverse direction (i.e., push the gas through from the carb back to the gas tank)? Or will the fuel pump act as a one-way valve?

Then, I could just pump out the gas tank and fill it with fresh gas.

I think it does kinda smell like varnish, BTW.

Thanks.
1977 Pinto wagon 2.3L automatic

Offline tbucketjack

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Re: 1977 Pinto Wagon Project
« Reply #10 on: May 26, 2013, 06:11:18 PM »
I would drop the tank just to be sure there isn't any scale or rust in the tank. You are correct about the fuel pump. I would disconnect the line from the tank where it goes into to fuel pump and blow that line out. The same goes for the line from the fuel pump ti the carb. I'd get a new fuel pump and replace all filters. I know its a lot of work, but if you have rust or scale in the tank, you'll keep plugging filters and gumming up the pump and carb. Good Luck.

Offline Terry

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Re: 1977 Pinto Wagon Project
« Reply #11 on: June 30, 2013, 09:09:29 PM »
Well, I have had the car at a (popular and reputable) local shop for the past month. I don't have the tools or skills to clean out the fuel system myself.

They claim they dropped the gas tank and cleaned it out, but have YET to flush the fuel lines. (they've been "busy"). They think it'll be another few weeks before they can get to the rest of it.

On the positive side, they gave me an estimate of just $200 to do all the work, so I've been reluctant to push them.
1977 Pinto wagon 2.3L automatic