OK, so I'm looking into buying my first Pinto...when I tell all my friends in autos that I'm looking for one they all laugh and say have a fun time getting blown up. (it doesnt help that I'm the only ford die-hard and every one else is japanese, dodge, and chevy people) I know about the whole gas tank thing were Pintos has a tendency to start on fire in a rearend collision, but blow up? COME ON!!!! It really grinds my gears that I get taunted for liking ford or because I want a Pinto. And realistically what are the odds a Pinto will ignite into flames when rearended?
seen many pintos and bobcats in demo derbies and seen only 1 catch fire..out of the engine compartment
Mc_Muench,
We have all gone through the ridicule, snide comments, twisted looks. It's not our problem IT'S THEIRS!
So now that you've decided to not let your peers govern your life choices, we can now refer you to the next level of the 12 steps to CARMA independence.
Facts are available on this site, some of us like more safety blankets than others. If you hit any car hard enough, it will catch fire.
Go to the magazine stand and read the"Fighting Fire" Article in the April edition of GrassrootsMotorsports magazine. It's written by a Race team driver who's NEW Mazda MX5 caught fire while racing, NO Impact, and he had on board fire systems, fire retardant clothing and he still was burned before he escaped the car!
Look at the pictures of the car after, and ask yourself: How concerned am I about my vehicle safety on the street? Especially if these guys have all the stuff required before they get on the track!
Read all posts on this site about the factory "fix for the Pinto" gas tank. Then decide how safe you want to be, and offer a response!
We'll help you out with solutions that will match your risk tolerance and pocketbook! :read:
Pintosopher ... A Less flammable opinion.. Sometimes ;)
I did do some reading
here's what I found...the problem was the 6 3/4" differential bolts were puncturing the gas tank making them ignite. And seems like ford recalled some pintos and put a plastic shield in front of the gas tank to stop the puncturing, and it worked. Or you can swap in a 8" axle and that seems to work too, while upgrading the axle too.
I was never really worried about the safety, just annoyed by my "friends" stupidity.
I can get the plastic shield at a JY if the one I buy is missing it.
Got a question too...what Pintos or cars had the 8" rearend?
Mc,
You'll find the 8" in the 76 or later V6 pinto hatch and Wagons. I've seen them in Mustang 2 's with V6 & V8. Some folks have adapted the four bolt mid -60's mustang rear axle also.
Anyone else want to elaborate?
Pintosopher
If you can find a shield on a car, get the filler neck to. The filler neck was the most helpful part of the recall, it extends farther into the tank.
here is a quick fact ok 3.
first it was the very early pintos that had a "problem"
second tell your chevy friends that the same people who faked the saddle tank problem on their early trucks faked the video of the Pinto.
Thirdly there are 27 deaths out of 3 million Pintos attributed to a rear end collision and fire. toyota now has 59 deaths attributed to their problems.
Now to a more practical solution to your concerns. Depending on what year you get and what is the intended end result you are looking for the choices are almost endless. if you are looking for your piece of mind and are NOT going stock then a 8" swap would be the way to go.
A secondary choice and what I am doing to my Pinto though not for safety, that is a by product, is a fuel cell in the rear.
Understand the laws of physics and that is when a little object is run over from behind by a big object at 50/60 mph, the end result is a very smashed up car. Doesn't matter what kind it is. Imagine for a moment that looking at one of those "smart" cars. have you ever seen what happens to them in a wreck???? the get very small. It all goes back to basics big object little car.
All is not doom and gloom. These cars are addicting because thye are simply fun to drive. Very few cars give you this much back for what invest in them. you can't live in fear and it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks. the questions are YOU having fun and enjoying the car? that's all that matters. Like was said before that is other peoples problem and personally i think they are just jelous.
jim
Look at the "should i buy and exploding pinto" thread in the "help" forum. The pinto was / is a good car.
The pinto's problem was small compared to the 39 toyo deaths (and still growing) and the 200+ jeep gc deaths.
The Pinto situation where the media blew everything out of proportion. Of course, this may happen to toyo soon, as their problems are not being totally fixed by floor mats or sticky pedals. Not sure why the jeep thing was so muted...