I found the Polaroids I took of my car the day I was handed the keys. This was in June 2003, look close and you can see how many things I've done to the car over the years.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/3330230748_3d44747a04.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/3330230684_d7dee45f02.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3549/3330230708_246f5487ec.jpg)
The car hadn't been moved in 5 years, had no oil, no antifreeze, and no gas. It sat in ruts in the ground and the tires had become accustomed to their new shape, causing a rocking sensation when I got it running. After changing the oil filter and fuel filter and attempting to drain the oil, I filled the radiator and added 3 gallons of gas. A new battery and spark plugs and I was ready to fire it up for the first time. It took a few tries of cranking it, and when she sputtered to life she let out a huge cloud of gray/brown smoke. I blipped the throttle, and the choke kicked down just like you'd expect a car with 73,400 miles on it. I let it idle for a couple minutes, then all the sudden I smelled gas! So I shut it off and walked around and looked under the car to find that one of the rubber hoses going from the metal tube to the fuel pump had ruptured. Lesson learned. Trip to Autozone and replaced all rubber fuel line. I fired it up every weekend and let it idle in the yard for about a month and a half before I got it registered. It passed emmissions with flying colors. I put the plate on and headed to the gas station. Filled it up and took it back. Next morning it smelled like gas again and and had a wet spot in the dirt under the left rear corner. I pushed the car forward about ten feet and went to start it to notice I had just below 3/4 of a tank. Fuel filler grommet. Lesson 2 learned. I drove the car for 5 years before I replaced it. I just put $10 at a time in it.
So for all you guys and ladies that are new to your Pinto, take heart, we all started somewhere. ;)
Chuck :afro:
Awesome to see these pictures of your car so early in the game! I love seeing old photos of Pintos, it's exciting seeing where member's cars originated from.
You had dog dish center caps and you didn't keep them?!
You have done a lot to your car since you got it and it looks great, and probably runs even better!
When I first started my rebuilt motor, my dad and me never thought to change the fuel lines (I have no clue why not). We had fuel spray though the side of the hose like goes from the pump to carb upon the first start, similar to yours! Then after we filled it to the brim the first time, we walked out of the gas station and noticed gas dripping from the filler neck side of the tank and thought it just over filled. Nope, it was the grommet, like yours! Two things that should be changed before driving a first time restoration car...Fuel lines and the filler neck grommet!
I now have the motivation to post the pictures I have of my car when it was first purchased! Thanks again Chuck! :D :D
I still have the dog dishes and 13" rims. I switched them out about 3 years ago for the 14"s when I parted out my wagon ( :'()
Chuck
. Fuel filler grommet. Lesson 2 learned. I drove the car for 5 years before I replaced it. I just put $10 at a time in it.
I can remember when $10 would fill my wife's '72 Pinto to the top from empty! :lol:
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Now that's showing our age a little bit :lol:
When I got my brown 75 wagon in 1992, $10 would fill it up. I bought the car for $190. The price was $200, but it had no battery. Me and the owner split the price of a battery ($20 then). He took my $190, and I brought back a battery and took the car home.
When I bought my first car, a Renault R10, in 1988 gas was $.87, I think by 1992 I was paying around $.95-$.98 a gallon. On a good day you could get it for $.92 a gallon. In 1994 I took a road trip from Albuquerque to Indianapolis in another Pinto, a dark green 74 wagon (I like wagons!), I stopped in a small town in Kansas and got 'full serve' for $.94. I haven't seen a full serve gas station in a few years! He filled her up, checked the oil, antifreeze, tire pressures and cleaned all the outside glass, not just the windshield.
Chuck