I bought a 78 runabout on eBay awhile back, and it has pretty much been sitting while I have been figuring out what I want to do to it.
The 2.8L V6 starts with a shot of ether into the carb, but I think that's because I don't start it often, and the fuel pump is weak. Once it's started, it runs well, and the tranny (C3) seems to be okay, but I plan to have it cleaned and tweaked before I start driving it on a regular basis.
The interior need front carpet, and the seats need re-upholstering badly! Then of course, is the dash pad. Once I get a new one, I will give the old one a decent burial. :D The headliner is in excellent condition, but the seams are beginning to split. Oddly enough, the back seats look like they just came out of the factory. I think that I will keep the interior as stock as possible.
The only rust I have found on the car is a half-dollar sized spot in the bottom of the spare tire well. I guess I got lucky and bought a diamond-in-the-rough.
My first priority, before I can drive the car on the street is to replace the front seat belts. The hardware is excellent, but the webbing is badly frayed, and it isn't safe to use them.
Some idiot cut all of the side marker pigtails out of the car, so I have to replace them, too. Not a big job, or even very expensive, just a pain in the butt.
Once I have those issues resolved, I can start using the car while I work on it.
Okay, here's what I would like to do, and I would be interest in your opinios.
I want to convert the rear brakes to discs. I also want larger rotors with a 5-bolt pattern, because I want to use American Racing's Torque Thrust D 5-spoke mags in 14". I want dual piston calipers, too.
I want to get rid of the all-glass hatch, and go to one with a metal frame, if that is possible. Anyone have any info on this idea?
I plan to remove the outside door handles, and replace them with the flush-mounted ones used on AMC cars in the late 60's and early 70's. I'll have them powder-coated to match the cars paint.
I'm debating about going with a monochromatic color scheme, (no chrome), or leaving the shiny stuff as it is.
I'd like to take the "peak" that runs down the hood out, and have a flat hood.
My biggest beef about the looks of the Pinto is the way the tail-lights are mounted. They look like something added in a hurry, because the stylists forgot to put them on the car. They look like cheap add-ons.
I have several ideas that I am considering to make improvements in that area. I could have the lenses inset, (frenched), with custom made bezels, or use a different shape entirely, mounted in the same manner.
One option that I think might work is to use 2 thin 3/4"x8" LED High Mount Stop Lights, modified from Cadillac STS units. Two lights per side, mounted one above the other. Kinda like the 68 Pontiac Firebird,
But I don't know if these could be used as tail-light AND brake lights. I haven't gotten that far yet.
But I like the idea.
So, Whatcha all think?
The tail lights from the 70's model Comets look reall cool on them. Not a lot of trouble to adapt either. There is a picture on the sit some where.
Or I think the Galaxy had similar tail lights
Quote from: WVBobcat77 on January 11, 2005, 07:21:06 PM
The tail lights from the 70's model Comets look reall cool on them. Not a lot of trouble to adapt either. There is a picture on the sit some where.
A friend of mine mentioned that to me, too, bit I want tail light that mount fairly flush with the sheet metal, or at least don't stick out that far. Because the Pinto is a small car, having them stick out like that really seems to mess with the lines, and looks... well, awkard is the best word I can think of.
I want a cleaner, smoother look to the rear end.
Stylistically speaking, the rear end is the Pinto's weakest area, or at least, that's my opinion. Thanks for the suggestion, though.
Quote from: turbopinto72 on January 11, 2005, 08:39:29 PM
Or I think the Galaxy had similar tail lights
Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis? :D
What year Galaxy, and similar to what? Just so I know what you are referrring to.
Don't want any confusion here, you know. (Like Pinto owners aren't already confused? :rofl: )
Well, I have decided what to do about the interior of my Pinto. Sorta.
Our local Vo-tech is offering classes in automotive upholstery, and I am going to take them. Since I have 8 months vacation time coming to me, I think I'll finally break down and use some of it for the class, and to do other work on my little green machine.
The instructor is a great old guy, who has been in the auto upholstery business for almost 50 years, and he do know how to do things the right way.
Besides, If I don't take some time off, my wife is going to hurt me. I haven't taken a day off since 1993. I think it's time, don't you?
Also, I plan on retiring in about 5 years, and it would be nice to have a useful, (i.e. money-making), hobby. Who knows? I might just open up my own upholstery business dedicated to Pintos, and other great old Fords.
My father-in-law is restoring a 1961 Falcon 2-door sedan, and cannot find anyone in his part of Oklahoma that will re-upholster his seats with original materials, or in the original fashion. They all want to use new materials, and modern methods to do it, and that won't float with him. I feel the same way. No one in Tulsa seems to want to redo interiors the old-fashioned way.
That sucks!
Anyway, these classes would solve one of my problems.