On Nov. 5th, 2007 I bought my Pinto (co listed on Ebay/Craig's List). On Nov. 16th, 2007 I trailered it home from San Francisco. On May 26th, 2008 I began the 2.3 turbo/T-5 engine swap. Today, on Nov. 22, 2008 I started and drove it for the first time (as a turbo / 5-speed car). While I have much more to do (read story) I want to thank all of you who helped me get to this point. You replies helped make this project. THANKS! Below is more of the current story as to where I'm at (or recently have been):
Well..., I have been trying to get as much done as I can on the Pinto. The weather has been warm and dry all Fall. Thus, there were things I didn't have to do now, but wanted to knowing at some point it would get cold and damp. The project took a lot of time because I used the original T-Bird wire harness. Supposedly if you get one from a Merkur it is a lot simpler. BUT, in my case I was integrating the T-Bird steering column and if I didn't use the T-Bird harness it would have opened a whole new can of worms. There are a whole lot of ways to "Jimmy Wack" it and have been faster, but in the end everything would need a redo to later make it right.
Anyway, recently I pretty much got things hooked up. The final matter was whether or not I would hook up the T-Bird dash. It doesn't fit in the car, but it has the tach, and all the engine gauges which I thought would be a good idea to monitor. So, the other day I hooked all the wires up and zip tied it under the dash. At that point there wasn't much more to do. I put fluids in the car, dropped in the battery and the final piece, the prized LA-3 computer. I held that for last not wanting to damage it.
I did the key-on / key-off thing about four times to prime the electric fuel pump (the pump only runs for about 2 seconds if the car doesn't start). Then I tried to start it. Whoa..., it actually ran. It ran rough and smoked a lot, but after it got hot and some revs it settled down. After about an hour of idling (checking for leaks, - waiting for the smoke to stop, making sure the fan cycled, putting the drivers seat back in etc.) I took it for a drive.
Well..., it runs. The engine needs the head gasket replaced (one of the cylinders is about 1/2 down). There is also a prevalent miss that needs to be resolved. The 225-60-16" rear tires (from the T-Bird) and the 3.00 gears (T-Bird had 3.55) kind of bog the car. Smaller 205 (or 195)- 60-15" should help that. While the clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing I got from the junk yard work great, the T-5 tranny is a bit knotchy (always was, but seems worst now) and the lever needs "ergonomic" attention.
There are holes in the firewall, no carpeting and it all seems a bit raspy. I think things will likely get better with time and attention. So, in one sense I'm thrilled it started and was drivable immediately. On the other hand, regardless of my endless attempt to "leave no stone unturned," I still have a lot to do. With the current gears/tires and the nearly dead cylinder and engine miss the "WOW" factor just wasn't there. Though I will say there is more there than with the stock 2.0 and the C-4.
Tom
CONGRATS TOM,YOU REACHED A GREAT MOMENT IN TIME,THE FIRST TEST DRIVE OF YOUR PROJECT CAR.YOU HAVE TO ADMIT,IT FEELS GREAT TO ACCOMPLISH THAT.AS FOR THINGS LEFT TO DO,THERE ARE ALWAYS BUGS TO WORK OUT,AND THINGS THAT CAN BE IMPROVED AS YOU GO.BUT THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THE FIRST TEST DRIVE.I PERSONALLY HAD 2 OF THOSE IN THE LAST YEAR.I FINALLY GOT TO DRIVE MY 80 WITH NEW PAINT AND A 4:11 GEAR.I HAVE OWNED MY CAR 20+ YEARS AND IT STILL THRILLS ME.I ALSO BUILT A 77 F-150 4X4 FROM THE GROUND UP,AND I'VE BEEN DRIVING IT ALL THIS YEAR.I AM REALLY PROUD OF THESE PROJECTS AND YOU SHOULD FEEL THE SAME ABOUT YOURS.I HAVE 78 2.3 PINTO AND A 88 TURBO COUPE THAT I HOPE TO JOIN TOGETHER NEXT YEAR SOMETIME.ANYWAYS,KEEP GOING AND GET YOUR BUGS WORKED OUT.THE WOW WILL COME............LATER TOMMYS
Wow! Congratulations!
However....(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Nopics.gif)
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Mike
Ummm..., there is one picture at the end. It needs to be clicked on to enlarge it. I also have a number of other pictures with other posts following this project.
Tom
Lookin forward to more pics. Nice little story on the car with what you have done with it. I think you're right about the tires... the 195 or 205 60 15's will prolly help you out a little.
Congrats! You even got to drive it.
(My turbo start-up golden moment was tarnished by bad brakes.)
I see that you put the VAM under the fender instead of under the hood.
So did you leave out the power steering pump to make room for the battery in the front left corner?
CONGRATS!!!! great feeling huh?? all that swearing and work is quickly forgoten when you get to this point.
bob
Hey, thanks everyone. As I said above there are more pics on my other posts. Ya just got to search for them. :search:
With the four pic limit it is hard to put the whole process visually under one topic. I wish I knew how to do web pages. If I did I would put something together.
But,, here are a few links to other pictures of the project:
Inner fender replacement and steering rack alteration
http://www.fordpinto.com/smf/index.php/topic,9910.msg61718.html#msg61718
Adapting T/C steering column
http://www.fordpinto.com/smf/index.php/topic,9958.msg61986.html#msg61986
MGB heater fan (makes more room for turbo)
http://www.fordpinto.com/smf/index.php/topic,9993.msg62199.html#msg62199
VAM relocation bracket
http://www.fordpinto.com/smf/index.php/topic,10322.msg64944.html#msg64944
Radiator cradle modification for larger radiator
http://www.fordpinto.com/smf/index.php/topic,10258.msg64454.html#msg64454
Doug, the '73 never had power steering. Frankly, I don't like those monstrous brackets that Ford used to hold all that stuff. For the alternator I used the Pinto style bracket on the inside and on the outside I fabricated my own out of an old bed rail. I had to make it to have clearance to put the battery where I did. My '73 is a wagon and I didn't want to put it in the back. As for the VAM, I felt it was too difficult to mount under the hood and get an air cleaner on without cutting up the cradle.
Tom
Great to see another turbopinto on the road!!!
Jim