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Author Topic: Pinto Gas -> EV conversion Idea  (Read 2275 times)

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Offline SkeeterB

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Pinto Gas -> EV conversion Idea
« on: September 17, 2011, 11:11:19 AM »
My parents used to own a 1971 Pinto when I was a small child, and I remember having to crawl through the back seat to open the trunk latch in order to replace it.  It ended up rotting out in my grand-parent's pasture and was hauled off as scrap metal. The only things that I have left of the Pinto is the badges that come off the front quarter panels. Now, years later I have been wanting to own a Pinto. I also have been wanting to convert a car from a gas burner to pure electric. With the weight of the Pinto coming in at just under or just over 2000 lb, I feel that a pinto would make a great car to be converted to an EV, IMO.  And adding A/C would probably be a small issue, but it may outweigh the suffering that you do without A/C. What do you guys think?

Offline Starliner

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Re: Pinto Gas -> EV conversion Idea
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2011, 11:51:27 AM »
I agree, a Pinto is a good choice.   
 
Get a stick shift with no power accessories.  No power brakes and no power steering.  You can't find that option with newer cars!   Now you do not need to worry about how you would run those items.   
 
As you mentioned, the weight is low.  That is a must for range. 
 
It would be an even more interesting project if you added aerodynamic modifications after you get it running.  A boat tail rear end would be really kool to engineer. 
 
If you distribute the battery(s) correctly you can also solve the handling issue where the rear end of a Pinto is so light compared to the front.  With the factory rack & pinion manual steering it would be a slot car! 
1973 Pinto 1600 - Sold!  
1979 Pinto 2300 - Sold!
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1987 Audi 5000 S Quattro - The snowmobile
1973 Volvo 1800 ES wagon -  my project car
1976 Mustang II - Wifey's new toy

Offline SkeeterB

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Re: Pinto Gas -> EV conversion Idea
« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2011, 12:42:10 PM »
I hadn't thought about that issue. What is the usual weight distribution of the early 70s Ford Pintos? Now a days, with the new tech that came out since the Pintos were released in to the public, I doubt that you would find a stock factory rack and pinion steering system and the old unpowered brakes in the Pintos that are still around. They usually have been modified to power steering and power brakes to help with control issues. I wouldn't be surprised if the drum brakes were replaced with disks as well. I like disk brakes though, they are so easy to owner to work on without a lot of effort. For the batteries that I am going to use, I'm going use the Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries which are lighter than the Lead-Acid batteries that are still used in EVs because of the issue of price for the LiFePO4 batteries.

Offline Starliner

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Re: Pinto Gas -> EV conversion Idea
« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2011, 07:07:10 PM »
There are Pintos having disc brakes without any power assist.   My wife's 79 Pinto is set-up that way.
The pedal pressure required is not that much.   Ir really stops the car well. 

So you would be all set except for air conditioning. 
 
About control... non-power rack & pinion steering and non-power brakes are used by most racers that modify their cars specifically for that purpose. (not referring to drag racing, but real racing where you need to turn & brake like older Porsches, Alfa's, and the like.)  You get more road feel and control than with power assist.    Also there is no power losses.     
1973 Pinto 1600 - Sold!  
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1987 Audi 5000 S Quattro - The snowmobile
1973 Volvo 1800 ES wagon -  my project car
1976 Mustang II - Wifey's new toy

Offline JoeBob

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Deuteronomy 7:9

Offline dave1987

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Re: Pinto Gas -> EV conversion Idea
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2011, 01:41:54 AM »
Manual rack and pinions can still be purchased. I just bought one two weeks ago and installed it on tuesday. Bought it from JPL Street Rods, and it came with outer tie rods and bushings for $179.00 and free shipping. I called them to order it instead of using paypal and ebay. Here is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PINTO-BOBCAT-MUSTANG-MANUAL-RACK-PINION-W-TIE-ROD-END-/310107530083?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4833d96363


My 78 Sedan and my 73 station wagon both have manual brakes and manual steering, nothing is power. Makes maintenance and troubleshootin g easier and lessens the amount of things that can go wrong.

If you do get a car with power brakes you can convert it to manual brakes by getting the correct master cylinder and changing out the brake pedal & steering bracket it connects to (different angle of the pedal). Fred Morgan can supply you with those parts, a high chance of that! And if you swap out a power rack for a manual rack, it not only saves weight but all you will need is a complete rack from outer tie rod to outer tie rod, bushings, and the steering coupler.
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline Srt

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Re: Pinto Gas -> EV conversion Idea
« Reply #6 on: September 18, 2011, 03:19:31 AM »
give a shout out to this guy. "Electrabishi" 
 
http://www.fordpinto.com/profile/?u=4436
 
He is a member here.  Been kinda quiet lately but he has an electric Pinto that hauls a$$.
 
I think that he may be able to give you a lot of insight into the processes that you will need to go through.
 
Good luck!
 
 
the only substitute for cubic inches is BOOST!!!

Offline 71hotrodpinto

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Re: Pinto Gas -> EV conversion Idea
« Reply #7 on: September 18, 2011, 11:52:09 PM »
I just don't understand retrofitting an electric system into a gas car. You'll never recoup the cost of batteries, wiring, drive system and a motor.(unless you keep it and drive it for 15 years!) As well as all the little things that come along that nickel and dime you to death.
 
Case in point. A owner converted 2001 Ranger on ebay was for sale. Claimed all it needed was "a little work to finish". How he had over 19000 in it with the batteries still needing replaced! Whatever, it never sold . The point is its extremely shortsighted to think that spending money converting to electric will recoup the cost of the the gas you would've spent. In my trucks milage of over 240,000miles ,Ive spent probably about $25000 in gas over the life of my 97 Ranger.


 Oh and the other pinto electric guy? yah he has over 30k in his car, its a pure race car and only does 12's! WHAT?? Big whoop. If i had 20000 in my car id be doing 10s safely and driving it to work and back if that what i wanted.


This is just my say and i know im not going to change any greeny weenies out there with my logic. I really am disliking this new world order that is being bestowed upon us "Dinosaurs"
Ive said my peace.







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Offline dga57

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Re: Pinto Gas -> EV conversion Idea
« Reply #8 on: September 18, 2011, 11:55:33 PM »
I really am disliking this new world order that is being bestowed upon us "Dinosaurs"
Ive said my peace.







Rest assured, you are not alone my friend!!!

Dwayne :smile:
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Offline sedandelivery

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Re: Pinto Gas -> EV conversion Idea
« Reply #9 on: September 19, 2011, 06:45:11 AM »
Please look into Neal Youngs conversion of a 1958 Lincoln convertible to the "Link-Volt" electric car. It cost him a fortune, never quite worked out, and burned his garage down. I hope you have better luck!