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Author Topic: Ignorant Kid with Pinto  (Read 2177 times)

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Offline newshirt

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Ignorant Kid with Pinto
« on: January 02, 2013, 08:14:35 PM »
Here’s a good story about an ignorant hillbilly kid from Pennsylvania with his first Pinto…

First off, you should know that I was born stupid.  I was so stupid, it was three or four years until I knew anything, and that wasn’t much because I can’t remember any of it to this day.  But by age nineteen I bought my first Pinto – a well-used ‘74 Runabout.  Paid $800.  It was one of the finest cars on the mountain where I grew up.  Naturally, I was proud.

But within six months it began burning oil and leaving clouds of blue smoke.  I wasn’t sure exactly what was wrong, but had a brilliant plan to solve it.  Thicker oil!  Problem is, my brilliant solution coincided with a February cold snap in the Pennsylvania back hills where I still lived with my parents.  But still, "cold snap" or no, I figured I’d give that clever idea a try.

So I bought five quarts of straight 50 weight oil, and changed out that "thin" oil for the better stuff.  That’ll do ‘er.  She won’t smoke now.  Next day was minus 10 degrees.  Uh-oh!

Yes, this is a true story!

Needless to say, I could not start the car.  The engine was seized by reason of the new oil.  But I had a solution for that too.  Turns out, we lived at the top of big mountain on a mile-long dirt road.  I figured I’d just coast down that hill and pop the clutch.  Nope.  No dice.  I swear I popped that clutch twenty times, but that seized-up engine would not budge an inch.  After swearing and yelling all the way down the mountain, the engine reluctantly came to life within fifty feet of the bottom.  Wheeuh, just in time!

I say "reluctantly" because that little banger bucked and fought for death for another two more miles before it finally gave up the ghost.  I walked home and cried.  My dad finally came out with some 10W-30 and revived it.  I never figured out how to stop that blue smoke and eventually had to get rid of it.

The good news is that I bought another Pinto to replace it!
Ray White
'74 runabout, gave to a friend in '82
'78 runabout, gave to different friend in '84
'29 model a, no plans to give it away

Offline Pinto5.0

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Re: Ignorant Kid with Pinto
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2013, 09:51:03 PM »
I know how you feel. At 18 I bought a '74 Runabout(my 1st Pinto) & proceeded to run it into the ground in 3 short years. I rarely changed oil or any part that didn't break or wear out. I wasn't stupid about the needs of an automobile, I just didn't respect the fact that my daily driver was important enough to spend money on. On the other hand I had my 12 second Demon in the garage under a cover that never saw rain or snow & was treated to every new part I could afford every payday because to me, that was the important car.
 
I was 25 before I started putting serious effort into my drivers & at 47 I now install new parts everywhere regardless of wear or condition & oil is changed BEFORE the 3K mark. I wish I had these priorities 29 years ago.......
'73 Sedan (I'll get to it)
'76 Wagon driver
'80 hatch(Restoring to be my son's 1st car)~Callisto
'71 half hatch (bucket list Pinto)~Ghost
'72 sedan 5.0/T5~Lemon Squeeze

Offline earthquake

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Re: Ignorant Kid with Pinto
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2013, 09:58:01 PM »
I wish you better luck with this one. And that's a nice A ya got there.That has to be a lot of fun.
73 sedan parts car,80 crusin wagon conversion,76 F 250 460 SCJ,74 Ranchero 4x4,88 mustang lx convertable,and the readheaded step child 86 uhhh Chevy 4x4(Sorry guys it was cheap)

Offline 79prostreet

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Re: Ignorant Kid with Pinto
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2013, 10:00:09 PM »
The school of hard knocks is not a bad learning, just some times the school fees are a little high!
79prostreet

Offline dga57

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Re: Ignorant Kid with Pinto
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2013, 11:52:40 PM »
Hi newshirt!  I like your writing style!  My first Pinto was a '74 Runabout also, purchased brand new when I was 16 years old.  It was orange with black interior and I dearly loved it.  If you happen to change your mind about giving away the Model A, I'm always open to forming new friendships and accepting gifts from my friends!!!  LOL
Dwayne :)
Pinto Car Club of America - Serving the Ford Pinto enthusiast since 1999.

Offline Reeves1

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Re: Ignorant Kid with Pinto
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2013, 07:03:18 AM »
Good story !

I too did some weird stuff when young.
Before I even had a drivers licence I had made a dune buggy out of a VW.
I was out one day after a rain doing burn outs & circles on pavement. Dropped a valve at high RPM. Did a pile of other damage.
Used spare parts at home to sort of get it back together.
Oil leaking all over the place, lots of engine noise.
Dad had a heavy construction company at the time....... so 80-90 oil by the 45 gal drum !
Had to tow the thing to start it. Didn't run well  ;D

That was the same buggy that had a slipping clutch. Oil leak.
So, rather than fix the leak, I drilled a hole in the bell so I could squirt Pyreen on it !
Hey ! It worked !

Had fogotten all about that dumbness till I read your story !

Offline cutelitlputtputt

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Re: Ignorant Kid with Pinto
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2013, 11:13:17 AM »
I love these stories.....at least I don't feel so stupid now with some of the things I have done or, still do.....!!!!
Anything to keep her runnin'!

Offline Srt

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Re: Ignorant Kid with Pinto
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2013, 03:28:49 AM »
The school of hard knocks is not a bad learning, just some times the school fees are a little high!

"Like"
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Offline D.R.Ball

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Re: Ignorant Kid with Pinto
« Reply #8 on: January 15, 2013, 09:21:00 AM »
I got you beat....My 1st car was a Honda AN600....It had an aircooled motor cycle engine in the car....One day it would not start,so I had my dad check it out. I said well it won't say running and he said did you check the oil ? I said check what ? I fried the motor because it used the oil and air to cool it.....From  day than on I'm a bit of a check the oil at least once a week freak....The Honda like most cars did not have an oil pressure gauge just an idiot light...As I have had allot of older cars that mark their spot I still check the oil, coolant etc.....Preven t a break down or you will walk.....allot .