Supposedly somone is coming to tow away the II in my garage, so once that is gone and I can clean up from the mess it made I can pull the Pinto into the garage and get going on it.
Not going to be a quick job though. No real money to spend at this point.
Plan is to tear it down(free), look for and remove rust(free, unless I have to replace stuff), put the 8inch rear from the II on the Pinto(free, if you don't count what the II cost me originally), see if the II dash I took from the II will fit (with or without mods)(again free), if the II dash fits see if I can use the II steering column(free, and it can be converted to a tilt fairly easily using a granada tilt column),
make subframe connectors(not free, but hoping that I can use a piece of rectangular tubing I bought years ago for one side at least), clean and redo engine compartment(free, couple of cans of paint maybe, unless I go the por-15 type of stuff).
Things that will cost money are: brakes and suspension. Took off the front tires yesterday to put some others on(selling the set of 4 that was on it when I bought it) and saw some scary stuff. Rotors totally shot, most rubber stuff looked shot. Was going to redo the stuff anyway, but didn't realise it was this bad. Some rust(not anywhere near as much as on the II) in the front area. Bottom of battery tray gone. Looks fine from under the hood. I would really like to move the battery to the back, but am leary since this is a hatchback. Going to see if I can come up with a box that vents out the bottom, or similar.
Gas lines need redone. Need to buy tools for that. Having summit racing 10 minutes away is nice. :-). Would like the really nice Eastwood set, but don't have a couple of hundred dollars to spend. Got to pull tank and see what shape it is in. I don't think it has any leaks.
Needs lots of body repair. I hadn't realised until yesterday just how bad the quarters had gotten. the rear corners of the wheel well openings are totally gone. The rest of the openings are pretty rusty as well. Both doors are very rusted. So is the hood. One fender is still bent from the deer last year. Not real sure how good the other one is. I am really interested in using the bumper cover/spoiler thing that Map351 is making. Otherwise will look into shortening the bumper shocks at least.
Hoping to find a 2.3 with efi cheap. Would like to get the 5speed manual trans also. But that is a not free or cheap thing, so it is way at the bottom of the list.
Think that is if for major stuff. Should keep me busy for a couple of years.
I'll get some pictures and update this as things get moving.
Russ
Well, so far my personal black cloud is still right above me.
The guy didn't make it today to get the II out of the garage. sigh.
Maybe tomorrow.
And the guy buying some rims/tires from me didn't show either.
double sigh.
Russ
Quote from: russosborne on June 23, 2010, 07:19:46 PM
Well, so far my personal black cloud is still right above me.
The guy didn't make it today to get the II out of the garage. sigh.
Maybe tomorrow.
And the guy buying some rims/tires from me didn't show either.
double sigh.
Russ
Your luck sounds like mine :rolleye:
Dwayne :smile:
OK is someone removing my posts?! I put in a reply yesterday afternoon and now it's missing. >:(
Russ, if I was nearby I would adopt your MII. They are getting pretty rare and I've always wanted one. ;D
you wouldn't want this one. it is rusted so bad that the driver's side upper control arm came off the crossmember, with part of the crossmember still attached.
Would be a good candidate for putting on a 4X4 frame or something. :-)
Russ
YAY! Mustang is gone and I sold the tires.
So now I need to clean the garage and get my stuff organised so I can start on the Pinto.
Russ
Well, garage is clean. Except for the work bench. haven't gotten my tools organized yet.
Started tearing down the 8 inch rear from the departed II. Should have gotten my tools done first, but patience has never been a virtue of mine. As soon as I get it fully apart, the Pinto can move in. Of course there is a problem, I posted about it in the General Help section.
And no, I didn't take any before or during pictures of the rear. See above about patience. I need to get my camera charged up. I promise I will take pictures of the car as I go along.
Can't decide what to do first. Part of me wants to pull the engine/trans and start cleaning up the engine compartment. Part of me wants to start working on swapping the II dash and steering column in. Another part wants to put the car on jack stands, pull the tires, gas tank and lines, and rear end off and start working on the bottom of the car. Still not having taken a real good look at the bottom, not sure that I will be doing that first. The last part of me wants to do all of the above all at once. I kind of want to keep the car within say a week of being at least rollable/steerable in case something comes up, but I don't know what could come up. Dropped the insurance on it and won't be renewing the registration, so no real point in keeping it driveable. But I also don't want to get it so far apart that I feel overwhelmed.
I have a slight tendency towards ADD, so concentrating on just one thing for very long is somewhat difficult. Plus, taking things apart tends to be the most fun part to me. So who knows right now.
Russ
Here's what I would do russ...
Pull the motor, get the car on stands and pull the tank, lines, axle and everything you can. Get underneath the car done and then go to the engine compartment to get that done. That way the undercarriage and the engine compartment blend well. Then you can put the tank and lines back in, install the new axle, and drop the car to the ground again.
Since the car will be on the ground, it will then be easier to install the MII dash since you won't have to CLIMB into the car to get to the tough spots under the dash. Believe me, having the car on the ground for dash work is SO much easier than having it on stands! I've done that before, it's not fun!
Once you get the dash in, put your new steering column in, this will be easier with the engine removed, giving you more room to work with when lining everything up and connecting the steering rack again, you can even SIT in the engine compartment! :D
Once you have all that done, the BIG stuff is out of the way and you con concentrate on doing the motor RIGHT! If it were me, I would strip the block, take it to a shop and have it boiled out, have then shave the top, same thing with the head, then paint it. Once that's done build it all back up to how you want it, again this will be easier to do now since you have all of the CAR done and you can concentrate.
When finished, drop the motor and transmission back in, connecting the drive line, wiring, fuel lines, gauges, etc. and start her up! :D
That's what I plan to do with my 78 when the motor dies again.
Dave, that sounds like a good plan. I have an engine hoist, so pulling the engine/trans won't cost anything. Well, I do need a chain or leveler(preferred) for the hoist, didn't come with one.
I am hoping to be able to upgrade to a later 2.4 with efi, and maybe a 5 speed trans. I really want the efi, at least. I am hoping to be able to find a rusted out Ranger cheap. Seen quite a few, but you always see the stuff when you don't have the cash. Otherwise I will go through the original engine. The auto trans needs some work, it is slipping a bit. I either want to go to a 5 speed or at least an A4ld or something with overdrive. I drive a lot on the freeway.
No matter what, I just want to make sure that this car doesn't end up getting towed away because I can't finish it. Had that happen too many times, sometimes my fault, sometimes not.
Thanks,
Russ
Oh boy, do you live in one of those states where you can get your project car towed due to it being considered and "eye-sore"? ::) ::)
Well, there are zoning laws, but I meant that I get to the point where I either lose interest or don't have the money to finish, or like the II I just had scrapped I find that it just is too much for me to do. In other words, I screwed up.
Although since we just rent here, I need to keep everything like this in the garage away from the landlord's eyes.
I did manage to get the pumpkin off tonight just now. Got home and found that there were those copper washers on the studs. Other than one they were pretty easy, bent them up and used tin snips. The one came off, then I realized that there was still just a bit of a ring left, just enough to hold the pumpkin on. but with a pry bar that problem soon disappeared. :-)
Of course there was still some gear oil in it, so I made another mess just after I had cleaned up most of the first one. sigh.
At least now I can plan on getting the Pinto into the garage tomorrow night. If I can find enough rags of some sort to clean up the newest environmental disaster on the garage floor.
Russ
Glad to hear you got the pumpkin separated! When I finally get an 8" to do a 289 upgrade in the 78, I'll keep this all in mind.
Honestly.....My dad and me use a great "solvent" to clean up oil messes from our car projects on the garage floor...
Gasoline!
I know it's not supposed to be used as a solvent, but it does a great job with removing any residue and if you get to the spill/drip quickly it doesn't get the chance to soak into the concrete. Giant metal drip pans have come in handy through out the years, we have three of them.
Just be sure to crack the garage door so you don't fumigate the garage. If you have your furnace in the garage like my parent's house does, it's even more important to do so to ensure the fumes don't ignite when the furnace kicks on!
Thanks. I ended up using some gas and it worked pretty good. Still need to get some rags. I used a couple of older t-shirts that I haven't worn in a year or more. Wife didn't like the color of one of them anyway. :-)
Did I mention I have no patience? I moved the Pinto into the garage after cleaning the floor, and took the hood off and the battery out. No pictures yet, but I did get my camera and got it charged overnight. I wanted to do more to the car, but decided I really needed to take pictures, so I know where everything goes in a year or so. :-)
Russ
Forgot. A guy at work is supposed to give me a piece of chain for my engine hoist tomorrow night so I can pull the engine and trans out this weekend. I bought the hoist used(barely) and it didn't come with any chain or leveler. Just the short section of chain that the other chain attaches to. Would prefer a leveler since I am doing this alone, but I am used to dealing with that sort of stuff. Just takes longer. I will get a leveler when I am ready to reinstall whatever engine is going back in.
Russ
When i bought my engine hoist it didnt come with a leveler either so i bought one from harbor freight and used it only one time LOL guess i just like doing stuff the hard way.
I am too old and out of shape to like doing anything the hard way. :-)
I got quite a bit done today, had the day off from work. Got pictures, I just need to read how to get them on here. Going to be putting them on my cardomain site as well.
Russ
WELL: I'M HERE TO TELL YOU IT'S A LONG ROAD. I'VE HAD THIS ONE FOR 5 YEARS AND STILL NOT DONE. BUT THERE IS HOPE. I'M ABOUT READY TO LAY DOWN THE PAINT AND MAKE IT AT LEAST MAKE IT ONE COLOR. THE ONLY ADVICE I CAN GIVE YOU IS TAKE YOUR TIME, GO WITH YOUR GUT ON MODS AND KEEP AN OPEN MIND. IF IT LOOKS COOL (DO IT) IF IT MAKES YOUR THROTTLE OPEN THEN BY ALL MEANS, DO IT. I HAVE MADE SOME MAJOR CHANGES TO MINE AND AM VERY HAPPY. IT WILL BE A ONE OF A KIND. AND MOST OF ALL HAVE FUN WITH WHAT YOU DO AND TAKE LOTS OF PICS.
MONEY PIT
Thanks.
Yeah, some stuff may make the purists cry, but I do intend to make it into what I want.
well, sort of. Can't really turn it into a 69 Mustang or a 70 GTO. :-)
I really hope this doesn't turn into a 5 year project. I am almost 51 as it is. I want to get to drive it for quite a while before I drop dead. But I am not putting a deadline on it, at least not for now. Just really want to have fun working on it. When it stops being fun I will stop working on it for awhile. No pressure, other than what I put on myself.
Russ
hi, If I may I can say watch out for that well I have it this far apart, then you keep going, takeing off this and then that. On our build we didn't really plan on going as far as we did in tearing it apart. originaly we were just going to paint it and redo the motor. hmmm now thou, after we can see how she is going to look when it is finished I am glad that we have gone that extra mile and put in more than we planned.
If I can say and stress this.... go buy 3 boxes of zip lock bags 1 large, 1 medium, 1 small. buy/get a black sharpie felt pen, and EVERY TIME!!!! you take bolts, screws or small pieces off, place them into a bag and WRITE down what/where you took them from. then take all the parts that were from that area and place them into a box along with the bag(s). this has been a life saver for me/us in our project(s) especialy if a couple months pass between dissasembly and reassembly.
Going back to your M11, we are searching for one of those for 1 of our next builds, we already have a 351Cleveland for the power plant. I was dang another mid 70's pony bites the dust. :(
cheers
Yeah. That II would have needed to be fully framed, and that was just more than I could do/afford/want. But it worked out, this way I can finally get the Pinto done after having it for 2 years.
I already have and am using the bags. One thing more I am doing is using 3X5 index cards and writing on them what the stuff goes to. Then putting them in the bag with the hardware. That way you don't have to worry about the marking coming off of the bag itself, which I have had happen before.
This is going to be a complete tear down, but not all at once most likely. Doing it or at least the plan is to do it in sections. Trying to keep it rollable for the most part, although I wouldn't mind having a body dolly to put it on so I could tear it all down and still have it mobile, but that costs money. But who knows what will happen. I am limited on storage space also, so that plays a big factor in how many pieces I can have off at once.
Thanks,
Russ
Oh my aching back.
Or as Dr. Smith used to say "The pain, the pain".
all I was going to do today was tighten up the bolts on the engine hoist I bought a month back. Well, I tightened them, then realised that the guy I bought it from didn't put the pieces in the right places. So 2 hours later it is all done properly and ready to use. Which is a good thing. I may be getting an engine and transmission today. I shouldn't be spending the money, but if it works out this is too good a deal to pass up.
Anyway, I get cleaned up from doing the hoist, and take a look at the Pinto before I come in the house. Bad move. I decided that since I had the floor jack out to help with the hoist redoing, I might as well jack the Pinto up and put it on stands so I can get under it tomorrow (Saturday, today now). I do the front, and decide I had better do the rear to give me enough room (I am not exactly skinny. 300 plus at the moment). Ok, get that done. So I figure I am done. Nope. Decided to take off the headlight trim, only a few screws. Well, that went quick, so I figure might as well take the headlights off. Again, went too easily. So why not take the plastic pieces behind the headlights off? Long story short, there is now nothing that screws or bolts on the front of the car as far as body stuff goes. Even took the bumper off at the frame. I was surprised how easily it all came off.
And the best news is that other than a couple of very small holes just forward of the door I can't find any real rust issues. Lots of surface rust, but no really bad areas. The area under the battery tray is shot, but that is because of the acid, not rust per se. Now, here is a bit of my usual luck. I have a radiator support with both aprons from a Mustang II I bought to put on the late lamented II I just scrapped. Everything is there and rust free. Except for the battery area. That has a piece of sheet metal riveted on. Figures.
I didn't get any pictures tonight. I didn't really think I would need the camera out there. But I will get some tomorrow.
I found out one good thing. It is much easier for me to work on this stuff with the car up on jack stands. Bending over tends to make my back really hurt, I have degenerative disk disease in my lower back. But i spent about 3 hours on the Pinto itself after the hoist was done, and I am not in that much pain. :-)
Relatively speaking that is. I am always in some pain.
Russ
Sounds like you got a lot accomplished!! It's amazing how that happens. Only going to do this, but then by the time your done you have a frame left over! LOL ;D
I hear you on the jackstands! We actually have a lift, and it is so much nicer to work on them in the air! I even cheated and waxed one of my Pinto's while it was on the lift! LOL Sure makes doing the bottom alot easier!!! ;D
I had to force myself not to take the doors off. I only was able not to becuase I don't have room for them in the garage right now. Otherwise I would be down to a shell. I REALLY enjoy taking stuff apart. :-)
A lift would be nice. I sort of have access to one, but it is like 40 miles away, and the car couldn't be left on it. A guy I work with has one. Be useful for something like exhaust work.
I really really miss the rotissorie I had out in Phoenix. Just one of many car things I had to sell when we moved to Ohio 4 years ago. Can't afford anything like that now.
Russ
Well, just got home. Have a 1992 Ranger 2.3l engine and 5 speed trans in the back of my Blazer waiting for me to get them out. $180. The engine has all the accessories still on it. Trans has the shifter. The guy is going to give me the computer once he finds it and gets it off his truck. Very nice guy.
Bad news is I think I may have pulled a groin muscle while helping get the engine in the blazer. ouch. Got to get the stuff out of the blazer today. Can't close the back window with it in. Took 3 of us to get it in. Hope I can take it alone.
Russ
Does that engine have the 8 plug head? I bought a Ranger new in '89 & that 8 plug engine was garbage. I had to file Lemon Law after having it at the dealer 11 times in 30K miles.
yes a 92 is a 8 plug head and i have a 90 ranger with 350+K miles on it and i never had to change anything but plugs and wires,oil,oil filter, and clutch 2 times, and fuel filter once at 229,000. It runs still but rings are shot.
yup, 8 plug head. I think they got it working after a couple of years. It passed the emissions check here recently, so it should be ok. Going to be an interesting learning curve though. Never had a distributor-less engine before.
Got it out of the Blazer and into the garage in it's new home for the next who knows how many months. Felt bad for not doing anything on the Pinto, so I spent some more time on it getting stuff ready so I can pull the engine/trans. Got everything done now but 3 nuts/bolts. One side of the trans cross member is loose, but I don't want to take that bolt out yet. The other side is giving me problems. I might need to get under the car from the passenger side and hope that gives me a better angle. It is the passenger side that is the problem. Can't seem to get anything on the nut. Seems like something is in the way, but I couldn't tell what.
Lastly, the bottom nut on the exhaust manifold to the exhaust pipe. Again, can't get a wrench or a socket on it right. I might have to just cut the exhaust pipe. Between the grinder and the sawzall that would be the quickest/easiest way to go, but I don't want to have to cut the exhaust. It is still in very good condition, was replace about 3 years ago, and checking it out tonight it seems very solid still. But I am not going to spend 5 hours trying to get the nut off either.
Also still have the shifter linkage. Since this is an automatic, I just need to remove one cotter pin. Wanted to do it tonight, but I really couldn't see it well enough to do it.
So far no signs of rust underneath. Guess having a car that leaks oil has it's plus side. :-)
Unfortunately the same can't be said about the outer sheet metal. But I knew that was bad going in to this 2 years ago.
Russ
Engine is out!!
Special thanks to Fred Morgan for the advice about using a come along on the transmission. Worked great!
Now I have a mess to clean up. I made a strategic decision (otherwise known as impatience) and pulled it without sealing up the transmission. Oh well. Plus I have to figure out where to put this engine and trans. My garage is getting full very fast!
pictures to follow. I have some from bringing the new stuff home yesterday, and I am going out right now to take pictures. Didn't want to mess with it while actually removing the engine/trans.
Russ
this is to see if I can get the pictures up here.
hmm, I thought I attached 3 total, all less than the max allowed. Maybe you can only do one at a time?
Russ
last one for now. pic of engine on hoist.
Ah, got it now. there is a button for additional attachments. I am not as dumb as I look. No one could be that dumb. :-)
bottom picture is of the lower radiator support. The buck tag is still there, need to look up the numbers on it.
Russ
here are some pictures of the car other than the engine compartment.
hey, I just found out you have to type something in this box or else it gives you an error message.
Oh, the black stuff on the driver's side is road tar. I went through some freshly applied tar quite a while ago. Figured might as well leave it on at the time. It will come off when I do the body work. :-)
Russ
Well, karma strikes today.
Moved my Blazer to a closer parking spot at lunch, and was sitting in it with the air on. Then the air shut off and then the battery light came on. Turns out the serpentine belt went. Had to have my wife come pick me up after work. Don't have any money to fix it til Friday since I spent that money on the engine and trans. Figures. so the Blazer has to sit in the parking lot where I work. 30 some odd miles away from home.
Was going to go out and play around a little with the Pinto tonight, but now I am just drained.
It's always something.
Russ
Sigh.
Decided it would be better to go out to the garage and piddle around instead of moping around the house.
So I start pulling out the interior panels in the back. I had the driver's side out just after I bought the car to replace the seat belt, so I knew what to do and needed something easy and not greasy.
So I get the driver's side out first. Notice something not so good. Rust on the inner wheel well along the floor where it steps up from the passenger area to the hatch area. Hoping it was just my eyes, I poke at it with the screwdriver in my hand. Sure enough, it goes right through.
Need to take pictures. It isn't that bad, maybe 4-6 inches long and a few inches high. The passenger side has some rust in that same area, but I didn't poke it, and it doesn't look anywhere near as bad. Just something I didn't want to see, especially tonight. This is the first rust I have found actually in the passenger compartment.
Ended up also taking the back seat out. Things look pretty solid there. the only part left to do is the piece of metal on the piano hinge that lays flat when the seat back is in the down position to cover the gap. Couple of small philips screws that I think I am going to have to grind the heads off. And I am not going to do that until the gas tank is off the car. :-)
After looking at the rear seat area, I am back to thinking that I am going to make one side of it behind that cross member (which I hadn't realised was there) that goes from door post to door post into the battery compartment. I will use a battery box, as well as basically building a box to hold the box. Just need to work on ventillation for it. Would like to use an Optima battery, but I still want the ventillation.
The other side I think will become the electrical room. Fuse box, starter solenoid, etc. It will be boxed in also. Might use that piece that is still there as the lid. It is already hinged at least. :-)
I may not be able to do a lot, but I am sure that doing that stuff is well within my abilities. I am going to be rewiring the car anyway, a mix of the Pinto harness, the Mustang II harness I have from the dearly departed car, and some homemade if needed. I am an electronic tech, playing with wiring stuff has always been fun for me. Only problem is that I tend to get everything nice and neat, and then decide to change something and have to undue it all. Going to really try to avoid that this time.
Russ
Russ
Russ:
I swear you are my long lost twin brother:
1) Your car color is the same as mine, though different year and model
2) You are 51, I am 50
3) We both have lower back problems - all I have to do is STAND for a while and it's bad news
4) Your project is suspiciously starting to look like mine
5) Your wallet is suspiciously starting to look like mine (empty)
6) We are both in electronics (you a technician, me an engineer)
7) We both have the "enjoy taking everything apart" disease
8) You enjoy the discovery of unsuspected, hidden rust as much as I do
9) You live in Ohio, I used to live in Ohio
10) We both have a mysterious "draw" to the Pinto - my first one was a '79 wagon, AH HA, yours is a '79 coupe, I see the connection now.
At this point, I REALLY strongly suggest you remove your doors. Why? You know you want to - let's do the same things. It's like a contest - it's fun. :P
Chris
I would like to remove the doors. I just don't have a place to put them right now. I have the interior panels I took off last night laying on the Pinto's roof.
I am not sure yet what color I will paint this. But I found some umolested original paint under the back seat last night, and it does look good.
Born in Mansfield, Ohio, got moved out to Phoenix, Az when I was 10. Moved back here in 2006. Wish I could go back to Phoenix, but wife loves it here and the job market for techs is as bad out there as it is here in Northern Ohio.
My wallet has been empty for quite a while. Wife still can't find a job. So it is going to stay empty for quite a while longer. :-(
You aren't related to the Yarman family by any chance?
Double sigh. More rust. Still not too bad. But rust is rust.
Here is a picture of the newest find, and a couple of pictures of the rust from yesterday. Not sure how the last two pictures are, they were point and shoot. I didn't feel like climbing into the car, and it was too dark for the viewfinder on the camera to show anything. They are both of the driver's side area. I forgot about the passenger side, but it isn't anything like this.
Russ
You know, some days/weeks it just doesn't pay to get out of bed. This has been one of those weeks.
Blazer serpentine belt breaks on me at work. I somehow kill a large amp at work that is used by production. Now all product that uses that amp is shut down until it gets fixed. As far as anyone can tell, it wasn't my fault, but I was the one using it when it died.
Been hurting in places I have never hurt before. Have no clue as to why.
Have wife go with me to work today, since I bought the new belt for the Blazer and it is still in the parking lot there. She takes the car and goes home. She gets rear ended on the way home. Didn't seem to damage the car, but she is stiff and sore all over, especially her back.
Got Blazer fixed. I thought. On the way home noticed that the temp gauge isn't moving. Don't know if it is the sending unit, or wiring, or ?
Then I start to hear a bad noise when I get off the freeway and in the neighborhood. Take a quick look at it when I get home, find out that the stationary idler pulley isn't spinning. Wonder if that is what caused the belt to go the other day. Worst of it is that I will have to take off the belt I just put on, and it took two of us to put it on at work. I don't have two of us here at home. Plus about $19 including tax for a new pulley. Going to try WD-40 first, see if I can get it loose. I doubt I can, but got to try first.
Ok on to the Pinto. Again, should have stayed out of the garage. Thought I might give removing the passenger seat a shot. Well, can't find the right deep socket to do it. And I found RUST on the passenger floor just before the toe kick panel starts. A nice hole about 3 inches in diameter. I pull up the carpet and didn't find any more in that area. Still have to get the seats out and the carpet pulled before I know if there is any more.
So I start feeling like really taking something apart. So I take the doors off. Nothing went wrong! I already knew that the doors have rust along the bottom. So I decide to take the windshield trim off. Bad mistake. Not only do I bend beyond repair one piece, I manage to pop a dollar coin size chunk of windshield off. It didn't crack, a layer came off. The way it sounded I thought the whole thing had shattered. It really popped.
No pictures yet. The way things have been going I am afraid to touch the camera. I'll try and get some later on today. If I decide it is safe to get out of bed. Although I don't have much choice. 5th anniversary today with current wife. We are going to Cici's for dinner. whoopee. Can only afford that this week since we got a coupon for 2 meals and 2 drinks for $9.99. Cici's is an all you can eat pizza place for those who don't know. Similar to Eatza (Eatsa?) Pizza out in Phoenix. Cici's has a taco pizza that tastes just like Jack in the Box tacos. Since there is no Jack in the Box anywhere near here that is the best we can do. Now if someone would do a pizza that tasted like a Whataburger double meat with cheese no pickles I would be in heaven. None of those around here either.
Russ
Forgot one other thing.
I have the Mustang II floors that I went to Altoona PA to buy in January, before I knew the II was beyond repair. Good news is that I can just cut a perfect patch piece out of the passenger side one and weld it in. Bad news is I had just tonight decided I was going to put them up for sale on Craig's list to get some cash. So much for getting any cash. The way my week is going they wouldn't have sold anyway.
I know I am whinning. I don't have the energy to do anything else right now. :-)
Russ
Have any trouble getting those Mustang Hurricane wheels on there without having them rub?
:look:
umm now you dont have to worry about storing the glass
:surprised:
i have trim for a windsheild for a 78 and a 76 it it will help but i think they are different let me know and i can bring it to the ohio gathering
phil
Geez! :surprised: Not quite sure what to say except to wish you and your wife a Happy Anniversary. We have a CiCi's here and it's okay... the important thing is that you're celebrating... not WHERE you're doing it!
Your aches and pains are probably a result of all the extra work you've put into dismantling your Pinto this past week. You're using muscles you haven't used in a while!
Be thankful your wife wasn't hurt in the accident. Celebrate that with an extra slice of that taco pizza!
I know life is hard sometimes... we all have those times... but try to accentuate the positive! Yes, you have to take that new serpentine belt off the Blazer again, but at least it didn't break! Things could always be worse.
And it's even okay to whine a little every once in a while!
Enjoy your evening out and, again, Happy Anniversary!
Dwayne :smile:
Thanks, all.
Ended up buying a new idler pulley. Should have checked the old one out first, it isn't frozen. The new one isn't spinning either. Oh, well. At least I know I have a new one on and shouldn't have to worry about it for a while. Got to spend some more time on it tomorrow. Flush out the cooling system and put the battery on a charger. Either the alternator or the battery is going apparently. With my luck probably both.
Going to try and get some more Pinto pictures also. Problem is if I go into the garage I want to do some more taking apart.
Russ
Quote from: dholvrsn on July 10, 2010, 12:33:04 PM
Have any trouble getting those Mustang Hurricane wheels on there without having them rub?
Well, I haven't driven it more than 10 feet with them on. But just from feeling around the tire I think at least with the tires currently on there will be a rubbing problem. But that is why I bought these. $40 for the set of 4.
There is room on the outside, so maybe a thin spacer would be all I need. I was planning on rolling the fender well lips anyway at some point before painting. I won't be worrying about that until I get the 8inch rear installed, which won't be for a long time most likely.
I haven't even tried putting them on the front, I am sure they would rub there.
Took a bunch more. Then I started working on the windshield removal. I wish I could remember what weed eater string I had used when I took the 69 Mustang's windshield out, cause the stuff I have now bites.
Anyway, here are the pictures.
I am wondering if this car was hit at some point. The picture of the crack in the passenger side windshield post along with the ripple that is on the passenger side rear quarter between the quarter window and the hatch really make me think it has.
The third pictue is of even more rust I just found. Again on the passenger side, this is behind the front seat. Getting scared about what I will find once I get the carpet up. Oh, well. It is still much better than my poor II was.
The ripple you see on the a-pillar and the c-pillar is that way from the factory. That is where the roof is put on. If you look closely you will see the same thing on the other side. :o
Thought it might be that, but the passenger side is noticiably worse than the drivers side. And there is no crack on the drivers pillar.
Was working on the Blazer. Backflushing the radiator. had to let it run to get up to temp several times, since I flushed it several times. Lots and lots of rusty water. Finally got it clean, but the radiator probably needs boiled out.
Kept looking at the Pinto, and before I knew it there were no taillights, rear side markers, or hatch on it anymore.
Anyone know how to remove the vinyl piece that covers the gap at the rear bumper?I pulled it up, but couldn't see any attachment points. And how do you remove the quarter windows?
Russ
at least for a while. :evil:
Quote from: phils toys on July 10, 2010, 03:24:18 PM
:look:
umm now you dont have to worry about storing the glass
:surprised:
i have trim for a windsheild for a 78 and a 76 it it will help but i think they are different let me know and i can bring it to the ohio gathering
phil
Thanks. I don't know if those years would work. I'd rather wait on it for now until a) I know for sure, and b) I could afford to pay for it.
Russ
Quote from: russosborne on July 11, 2010, 10:23:57 PM
Thanks. I don't know if those years would work. I'd rather wait on it for now until a) I know for sure, and b) I could afford to pay for it.
Russ
if it fits it is yours all you have to do is show up at the ohio meet
phil
Well, according to all who answered on the site they will work. So if you still want to I will take them, but I will pay you back someday.
Russ
And now on to the good (HA!) stuff. Been a couple of days since I did anything, so I went out tonight to just clean out some stuff I had in the Pinto. Silly me.
Got 90% of the carpet out without removing the front seats. And guess what I found. 40cents. Bet you thought I was going to say more rust. Oh, wait. I did find more rust. Is there something special about the passenger side on these things, or am I just lucky? At least one more 3-4 inch diameter spot on the floor behind the passenger seat, not a hole yet, but I think I could push a finger through if I tried. And there is rust all along the rear part of the passenger side of the crossmember(?) that runs from side to side inside the car. The piece that the lower piece of the bottom rear seat bolts on to. Not sure how bad it is, need more light. And more courage. :-)
The driver's side still looks pretty good, although it does look like there is some rust around the drain plug behind the driver's seat. I have never yet seen one of those that isn't rusted. There is also a small spot in front of the seat. Again, I couldn't see how bad. Can't wait to see under the seats.
Will try to get some pictures later this week. Working extra at work, so I haven't really had the energy to do much when I get home.
Does anybody know the size of the nuts that hold the seats on? I really haven't had any luck yet. I think the ones on the passenger seat are rusted. But I can't get anything to fit.
Russ
if i wern't so lazy i would have looked up the part #'s my self and yes they are all the same do you need the compleet set or just peices?
phi
l
Quote from: russosborne on July 14, 2010, 02:31:33 AM
Well, according to all who answered on the site they will work. So if you still want to I will take them, but I will pay you back someday.
Russ
Quote from: russosborne on July 14, 2010, 02:43:51 AM
Oh, wait. I did find more rust. Is there something special about the passenger side on these things, or am I just lucky?
Naw, Russ, you are not lucky. Think about the standard relationship of a car to the environment and you will understand why the passenger side rust is always worse. Given that a car travels with the drivers' side to the INSIDE of a roadway (at the crown), all the water/slush/salt/mud/puddles run to the right side of the car - the PASSENGER side - which is exposed to a far greater volume of nasty elements, therby developing rust both more quickly and in greater amounts.
Even my Texas car rust was worse on the passenger side.
Chris
Quote from: phils toys on July 14, 2010, 12:01:33 PM
if i wern't so lazy i would have looked up the part #'s my self and yes they are all the same do you need the compleet set or just peices?
phi
l
The only one I need is the upright one on the driver's side. I managed to get the others off ok. Been too long, forgot how to do it. Been saying that to myself a lot lately.
Thanks,
Russ
Quote from: popbumper on July 14, 2010, 03:29:02 PM
Quote from: russosborne on July 14, 2010, 02:43:51 AM
Oh, wait. I did find more rust. Is there something special about the passenger side on these things, or am I just lucky?
Naw, Russ, you are not lucky. Think about the standard relationship of a car to the environment and you will understand why the passenger side rust is always worse. Given that a car travels with the drivers' side to the INSIDE of a roadway (at the crown), all the water/slush/salt/mud/puddles run to the right side of the car - the PASSENGER side - which is exposed to a far greater volume of nasty elements, therby developing rust both more quickly and in greater amounts.
Even my Texas car rust was worse on the passenger side.
Chris
That makes sense. Especially here in the midwest, lots of slush and snow on the sides of the roads. Heck, there is lots of it in the middle of the roads in Akron.
Thanks
Russ
I just got an offer from someone on the vintage-mustang forum I am on.
It is so unbelieveable that I won't say what it is until I am sure about it. But let's just say it would be a major course correction on what I am doing with the Pinto. Something I really wanted to do but didn't have the money.
BTW, has anyone put a 4.6 from a 96 Mustang in one of these? :-)
Russ
I havent seen a 4.6 in a pinto yet would be pretty cool been trying to talk my bro into puttin a LS1 or 4.6 into his AE86 corrolla. If you do the 4.6 swap you should so go with the 6 speed trans talk about a fast pinto.
Well, this one would be coming with the automatic from the car also.
Along with computers, complete wiring harness, fuel tank, dash, steering column, driveshaft, etc. No rear end, but I would like the 8 inch I already have anyway. I probably won't use all it is coming with, but it would be nice to have it all just in case.
Let's just say he is making an offer I can't refuse. If he wasn't drunk or something when he made it.
I did a search, and found a post and a few replies about this from about 4-5 years ago. There is a link to a Mustang II that has one in it and it looks killer. Although that one is a 32valve engine from a Cobra. The one I am maybe getting is from a 96 Mustang GT. So I don't know for sure any details on the engine, but Google here I come. :-)
Russ
Russ
The one I may be getting is a 2V engine. Which is ok. Found lots of info on these things, going to take a while to digest. Probably shouldn't get too excited until the parts are in my garage.
Russ' Law-Every silver lining has a cloud.
But boy am I excited just thinking about it!
Russ
lol i just read you motor classified im guessing you got that 4.6 to your house?
Not yet, a week from this Saturday. But I would like to make room now. I don't have room for 2 engines, much less 3.
But I did confirm that the guy is serious. :-)
Russ
How to get a little carried away.
go out to the garage wanting to do one little thing.
Not be able to do the one little thing. (quarter window philip screws on trim won't come off, going to have to grind the heads off).
Decide to work a little more on the windshield removal.
Taking windshield off, and not knowing where to put it.
Take dash bolts out. Some where something is holding the dash in, maybe a missed bolt. Need to go back and review some posts on that.
Did I mention somewhere back in time that I tend to be impatient? :-) But at least I got something needed done. Need to get underneath and pull the gas tank and lines, but still not feeling up to that physically.
I really wasn't planning on taking the windshield all the way off, just wanted to get another side free. Oh, well.
Pictures later this weekend.
Oh, may not be getting engine stuff until the 31. I didn't know he still had to pull it all from the donor car, so I told him I could do it a week later if it was better for him. He is going to let me know.
Put the Ranger engine/trans on Akron Craig's List. For Free. Need all the good karma I can get. :-)
Russ
Oh, while I am thinking about it. On this car there were 5 or 6 hex headed screws under the windshield holding the dash. And I think the only way to remove them without taking the windshield out would be to use a flex shaft on a socket. These were 1/4 inch heads also. I tried using a standard nut driver, and at least with my hands I was putting way too much pressure on the windshield. A socket with u-joints might work, but there really isn't much room for anything with the windshield in place.
And I ended up making the most progress with the windshield by using a one sided razor blade, having it between the sealant and the windshield, and pushing it along to cut. I used a screwdriver and a gasket scraper as pushing tools. But I also had removed a whole lot of the sealant around the windshield beforehand, so there wasn't as much for the razor blade to have to move through. And you need enough of a hole to get the razor blade started.
Russ
Quote from: Bigtimmay on July 14, 2010, 04:42:25 PM
I havent seen a 4.6 in a pinto yet would be pretty cool been trying to talk my bro into puttin a LS1 or 4.6 into his AE86 corrolla. If you do the 4.6 swap you should so go with the 6 speed trans talk about a fast pinto.
The 4.6 is really really wide, I see some potential issues there, then there is the rear sump oil pan....never seen a 4.6 w/ a front sump. But yea, that would be a sweet swap!
Saw a Mustang on tv that had a stock 32 valve Navigator engine swap, ran in the 10's.... :fastcar:
the oil pan is going to be an issue. Might have to take a couple of them and make one. Will have to wait and see. Once I get the engine I am planning on just putting it in the engine compartment to see just what I will need to do.
The person giving me all this also found a spare set of frame mounts that he had taken off the k member that he is keeping, so he will be giving them to me. so if I can find a spot to put them on the Pinto I will be able to just use the Mustang mounts for the engine. Unlike the V8 mounts for the II/Pinto, these are all over the place. :-)
there is a post from 2005 or 2006 on here that has a link to a Mustang II that had the 32 valve 4.6 installed, and the car didn't look all hacked up, so I know it is possible. If this was an early Pinto, I don't know if I would even try, since putting a regular 5.0 in those isn't easy. I am imagining that putting the 4.6 in mine will be about the same difficulty as doing that. My goal is to not have it look like someone drunk with a torch did it. :-)
I actaully bought a 69 Fairlane with a 429(not the boss one) that did look like that once I got underneath it. I was stupid to buy it, but I had just gotten out of the Navy and really wanted a car and wasn't thinking. Didn't have it for very long.
Russ
One engine down, one to go.
Put the Ranger 2.3 engine/trans on craig's list last night. A kid came and got it today. For his dad's Ranger that has well over 300K miles. I didn't think a Ranger could last that long here in the rust belt. I really hope it works out for him, seemed like a good kid. Kid being probably 20ish. God I am feeling really old. 51 in a few weeks.
Someone here said they probably want the Pinto one as a spare, so hopefully he will take it.
Nothing new on the Pinto today, took all my energy to get the Ranger engine loaded up. Maybe tonight. Way too muggy out there right now.
Russ
you asked for it, you got it. Well, no one asked, but here are some more pictures of the last two nights work.
and a few more.
The last one shows more rust. I sort of knew this was there, I could see it when I sat in the driver's seat. I was just hoping that it wasn't rust, but it is.
It is hard to see in this picture, and the other picture I took is worth. It is the lower corner on the driver's side. The metal is separated there like a piece of plywood that has gotten too wet.
Couple of notes to anyone thinking about taking the dash out. At least on a 79.
Mine had 5 bolts along the windshield, you either need a flex drive or remove the windshield.
Remember that there are vent controls on BOTH sides that need to come off first.
The steering column HAS to come out, or at least be dropped. There is a bolt in the center of the dash above the column that goes to a bracket, and that bolt has to come out.
Probably easier if you remove the heater control first.
Headlight switch and windshield wiper switch need to be removed, or at least remove the electrical connectors.
Most of this should be done before you take all the dash bolts off. I did it afterwards, with the dash hanging. Some of it may be easier to do that way, but if you want to make sure not to break anything I would disconnect it all first.
Russ
I was googling last night, and found this site.
http://www.themustangshop.com/modswap.cfm (http://www.themustangshop.com/modswap.cfm)
It is about doing a 4.6 swap into an early Mustang, but lots of useful info. They use a II front suspension, and even sell a Canton Racing front sump oil pan.
This is starting to look much more doable. :-)
Russ
Not much done today. Didn't really feel like doing anything at all.
Only went out to the garage at all because my wife was watching one of her shows and it was more annoying than usual.
Got the dash and engine compartment wiring harness's completely removed.
Also got the heater box out. I didn't realise that it came off with the 4 nuts from the engine side of the firewall. I figured it out after I took the front cover off of it and still couldn't find any mounting screws. At least I didn't break anything this time.
Was going to take the rear part of the harness out, but I guess I just was too tired and I forgot about it.
Been a long week, and it starts all over again tomorrow. I just can't wait. :-( honestly, about the only thing keeping me sane right now is the Pinto. If I had said that even 5 years ago I would have said it was too late, you have already lost it. :-)
Russ
Well, might be road tripping to Dayton this Saturday after all. The guy giving me the engine and stuff says he will have it all out of the donor car by tomorrow. Waiting to here back from him.
Hope my Blazer can survive the trip. Can't afford to rent anything.
Yes, I can find something to stress about in any situation. :-)
Have done nothing to the Pinto. Been stressed at work, so much so that if something went wrong I might revert back to my old ways of throwing stuff and beating on stuff. So I am avoiding the Pinto for now.
Russ
Quote from: russosborne on July 22, 2010, 02:38:30 AM
Well, might be road tripping to Dayton this Saturday after all. The guy giving me the engine and stuff says he will have it all out of the donor car by tomorrow. Waiting to here back from him.
Hope my Blazer can survive the trip. Can't afford to rent anything.
Yes, I can find something to stress about in any situation. :-)
Have done nothing to the Pinto. Been stressed at work, so much so that if something went wrong I might revert back to my old ways of throwing stuff and beating on stuff. So I am avoiding the Pinto for now.
Russ
Avoiding the Pinto is probably a wise decision. Hope things become a bit less stressful for you soon!
Dwayne :smile:
Russ I just have one question.... How did you find a Pinto in Ohio that didn't have much rust underneath?? Mine is a rust bucket & so was the one I got in Alliance lol. I saw the pics on car domain & it looks like you got a good base to start out with. I am jeaulous! Can't wait to see the finished product.
I guess I just got lucky. I wasn't even looking for a Pinto when I bought this, I was just looking for cheap transportation that I could work on myself if it broke. Found a whole lot of early 90's stuff that you couldn't see the engine with all the stuff in the way and most wouldn't pass emissions(which we have in Akron). Then I found this on Craig's list over near Findlay. I didn't even look underneath it, was too scared too.
The seller had it on here for sale, but I didn't even know this site existed then. He is the one that told me about here.
There is lots of rust on the outer body though. Hood and doors are shot, and quarter panels need replaced as well. But yeah, it is pretty solid for a midwest car. Think the seller told me he got this one either in Indiana or right on the border.
Russ
Russ:
Just STOP it. Now I know you ARE my long lost twin - you were looking for cheap transportation.....next thing you know the car is coming COMPLETELY apart.
Oh my. This is like looking in a mirror in so many ways. It's somewhat painful.... :P
Chris
Hey russ! I removed my windshield this spring and cut the gasket away from the windshield, then pulled the separated the cut section away from the windshield. I cut down into the gasket around the edge of the windshield and just pulled up the gasket that was on top of the windshield, was pretty easy. A sharp razor is the key here!
This link takes you to the post in my project log that has pictures of the glass still on the car after cutting away the top of the gasket that holds the windshield down and in from the outside.
http://www.fordpinto.com/index.php/topic,7356.msg94946.html#msg94946 (http://www.fordpinto.com/index.php/topic,7356.msg94946.html#msg94946)
Quote from: popbumper on July 22, 2010, 05:25:34 PM
Russ:
Just STOP it. Now I know you ARE my long lost twin - you were looking for cheap transportation.....next thing you know the car is coming COMPLETELY apart.
Oh my. This is like looking in a mirror in so many ways. It's somewhat painful.... :P
Chris
Chris, I hope you don't look like me. That would be awful for you.
It did take 2 years before I took it apart.
Definitely going to Dayton tomorrow. I really am worried about my Blazer making it both ways without any problems, but how do you turn down a free deal like this? Looked into renting something, but we just can't afford it. If you are in Ohio and between Akron and Dayton tomorrow and see a metallic dark red Blazer 4 door and a white Ford Taurus alongside the road, that will be me and my wife.
Russ
Quote from: dave1987 on July 23, 2010, 01:01:38 AM
Hey russ! I removed my windshield this spring and cut the gasket away from the windshield, then pulled the separated the cut section away from the windshield. I cut down into the gasket around the edge of the windshield and just pulled up the gasket that was on top of the windshield, was pretty easy. A sharp razor is the key here!
This link takes you to the post in my project log that has pictures of the glass still on the car after cutting away the top of the gasket that holds the windshield down and in from the outside.
http://www.fordpinto.com/index.php/topic,7356.msg94946.html#msg94946 (http://www.fordpinto.com/index.php/topic,7356.msg94946.html#msg94946)
That will work on 78 and down car im pretty sure in 79 they started glueing the windsheilds in.
If i lived anywhere close to ya id just go pick that motor up for ya in my dually so you wouldnt have to worry about not making it.Hope the trip goes welll with no prblems though.
Quote from: russosborne on July 23, 2010, 01:48:25 PM
Chris, I hope you don't look like me. That would be awful for you.
It did take 2 years before I took it apart.
Definitely going to Dayton tomorrow. I really am worried about my Blazer making it both ways without any problems, but how do you turn down a free deal like this? Looked into renting something, but we just can't afford it. If you are in Ohio and between Akron and Dayton tomorrow and see a metallic dark red Blazer 4 door and a white Ford Taurus alongside the road, that will be me and my wife.
Russ
Russ:
Fraternal twin then, perhaps. Besides, I ain't no prize anyways, so no biggie. I just like the parallels between these projects.
Now, first, if I saw you on the side of the road I'd stop to help. And second, the wife is from Toledo, so the next time we visit the area (next year probably), I expect an invite - er..., would appreciate visiting with you!
Chris
may or june of 78 they stopped using the gaskets and switched to glue in. So if you have a later production 78 model it's a glue in. The glue in glass is also larger than the gasket glass. Gasket glass is the same for 71-mid 78, after that you have bigger glass. Glue in type windshields cannot be used with a gasket, they are far to large. You CAN glue in a late model windshield into an earlier model, but you will need the outside AND inside trim for the late model. The inside trim from a late model fills in where the gasket on an early model would normally be. I've done a lot of research on the two if you can't tell....;) :P
Yeah, mine is/was a glue in. Why did they use a gasked at all? Seems like Ford finds a better way of doing stuff, and then they insist on going back to the old way. My 69 Mustang windshield was a glue in. It also had a removable cowl panel, which was a change from the earlier Mustangs, and then on the II's and Pinto's Ford went back to the welded in place ones that make cowl rust repair extremely painful.
Russ
Ok, take two.
Taillight mounting.
I was thinking about mounting either the stock taillights or who knows what ones from the inside. At least on my 79, they look like they were added at the last minute the way they are mounted.
Might mean having to do some cutting on the rear panel, but what is a little more modifying? :-)
Probably going to be adding a higher floor to the back, so there wouldn't be any worry about hitting the lights when doing stuff in the hatch area.
I have actually thought about using the ones I kept from the II. Haven't taken a serious look at if they would be even close, but I do like the 3 section look they have. 69 Mustang taillights are my all time favorite, the way the 3 sections stick out on each side. Maybe I can come up with something similar.
Thoughts?
Russ
(let's see if this posts THIS time)
I don't know whether it will work or not, but if you're making modifications anyway, I think Mustang II tailights would be awesome on a Pinto!
Dwayne :smile:
What a long day. But successful. Got the engine/trans and misc. home without any issues. Getting them out of the blazer may be a different story, but not going to try tonight.
No pictures yet, will take some tomorrow. I still have to find a place to put all this stuff.
Russ
Quote from: russosborne on July 24, 2010, 09:03:53 PM
What a long day. But successful. Got the engine/trans and misc. home without any issues. Getting them out of the blazer may be a different story, but not going to try tonight.
No pictures yet, will take some tomorrow. I still have to find a place to put all this stuff.
Russ
Russ,
Glad to hear that the Blazer got you there and back safe and sound! Maybe things are going to go better... starting now! Think positive!
Dwayne :smile:
My usual response to that is
"I AM positive. I am positive things will get screwed up"
But I am too tired to even make that response right now. I had to get up at 9am. that is more like 2 am to you day shifter types. I don't usually get up until close to 1pm.
thinking about going to bed right now, which is like way early. I don't usually go to bed until 3am or later. It is 10:27 here right now.
Russ
Quote from: russosborne on July 24, 2010, 09:27:52 PM
My usual response to that is
"I AM positive. I am positive things will get screwed up"
But I am too tired to even make that response right now. I had to get up at 9am. that is more like 2 am to you day shifter types. I don't usually get up until close to 1pm.
thinking about going to bed right now, which is like way early. I don't usually go to bed until 3am or later. It is 10:27 here right now.
Russ
I've been called a lot of things, but never a day-shifter. In fact, I'm the consummate night-shifter! 30 years and counting on the third (graveyard) shift. I normally go to bed around 9:00 a.m. and get up around 3:00-3:30 p.m.. I work 10 p.m. til 8:00 a.m. during the week and 7:30 p.m. til 8:00 a.m. on weekends (every other weekend). Probably couldn't function if they put me on any other shift after all this time! :lol:
Dwayne :smile:
I never liked that shift. Mainly cause most places made you come in Sunday night, and I like having Sunday night off. That's my relaxation night.
Plus it was always hard for me to go to bed that late in the day and then get up that evening. Never seemed like I got any real sleep. All in my head, I know.
But at least you understand how things are working "off" shifts. People who only work day shifts usually don't get it.
Russ
Well, I had to go out and get the Taurus cleaned out at least so we can go shopping tomorrow. So here are some pictures of stuff other than the engine and trans that I got.
Top picture is of the Mustang driveshaft. The second one is of the Mustang and Pinto driveshafts together, Mustang on the left.
Third one is of the Mustang carpet, he gave the whole thing to me. Might come in handy, stock Pinto carpet won't work for me except for the area in front of the bucket seats, if that.
Last pic is of the wiring harness still in the Taurus trunk.
Russ
And a few more.
First is most of the wiring harness laid out. He gave me the entire harness.
Second is a lot of the stuff I got installed in the Pinto. :-) I really have run out of room in the garage.
Third is the console from the Mustang.
Fourth is the dash.
Russ
and the last for tonight. I am not going back out, too muggy.
first is comparing the Pinto dash to the Mustang dash. I thought that the Mustang one would be way too wide, but they are very close. There is a lot of difference in the depth, though. I am going to have to tear the Mustang dash apart to work with it, it is really heavy all loaded up. Hate to do that, but I can't even begin to try anything with it the way (weigh) it is. :-)
Second one is the gas tank from the Mustang. I got it and all the lines even.
Third one is the steering column and wheel from the Mustang. Both of the airbags were deployed when the car got hit in the front. I wouldn't even try to use them anyway. Not too sure about the column, it is a tilt, which would really be helpful for someone as old and fat as I am. But I really don't like the steering wheel. But it has the cruise control controls in it. Not too sure what to do there. Cruise control would really be good, helps keep me from getting tickets. And I have a steering wheel I REALLY want to use, it is the one I have had on the car since the first couple of days I had it. It was originally meant for my 69 Mustang, but it works well on here. One of the old style 3 chrome spokes with holes in the spokes and a soft foam type black grip. The only wheel I really enjoy. Had one on my high school 69 Mustang even.
Speaking of which, I just found a place that still sells the bare foot gas pedal pedals. :-) Yes, had one of those on my high school car.
He honestly gave me everything he won't be using on his project, to use or sell or give away as I see fit. Going to try to use it all, but some of it just might not be physically possible to use in a Pinto. ABS brakes, for one. Hoping to be able to use the cruise control. Since I am using the engine, trans, and computers from the same car, it should work, if I can figure out how to change the controls around.
Russ
I'm really surprised that the width of the two dashes is so similar. I hope that swap works... it will be interesting to see a totally unexpected dash layout in a Pinto! What year Mustang did this stuff come from? I know you probably said somewhere before, but I don't remember. I'm anxious to see the end result!!!
Dwayne :smile:
It is all from a 1996 Mustang GT convertible. Not that the convertible part matters as far as I know. :-)
That dash weighs a ton! I could barely get it out of the back seat of the Taurus by myself. It looks like it is several inches deeper than the stock dash, which may make this really difficult. I will have to get it somehow mocked up in the car and try sitting and getting in and out to see if there is enough room. And the console has the emergency brake hand lever on the passenger side, instead of in the middle. And that is one thing I didn't get, the Mustang ebrake stuff. But moving the Pinto one shouldn't be that hard, if that is how I go.
It would definitely be unique, if nothing else. But I am going for more than just that. If if looks cobbled together I won't do it. Hoping that I can make it look like something that Ford could have done.
Who knows? I will be doing good if I can get this car back together again in any configuration.
And how is this for an idea? The Mustang gas tank has a largish bump on the top on one side. I was thinking about cutting the spare tire well out and flipping it over and re-installing it, so the gas tank bump would just fit inside that. If I went with a fuel cell, I would have to do some modifying anyway, and I kind of prefer using the factory tank. There are tons of stuff available from new tanks, senders, to even covers (the factory one has a cover even) for them. Shoot, another thing I didn't get was the tank straps. But those are available cheap as well.
Russ
Quote from: russosborne on July 25, 2010, 12:54:55 AM
It is all from a 1996 Mustang GT convertible. Not that the convertible part matters as far as I know. :-)
That dash weighs a ton! I could barely get it out of the back seat of the Taurus by myself. It looks like it is several inches deeper than the stock dash, which may make this really difficult. I will have to get it somehow mocked up in the car and try sitting and getting in and out to see if there is enough room. And the console has the emergency brake hand lever on the passenger side, instead of in the middle. And that is one thing I didn't get, the Mustang ebrake stuff. But moving the Pinto one shouldn't be that hard, if that is how I go.
It would definitely be unique, if nothing else. But I am going for more than just that. If if looks cobbled together I won't do it. Hoping that I can make it look like something that Ford could have done.
Who knows? I will be doing good if I can get this car back together again in any configuration.
And how is this for an idea? The Mustang gas tank has a largish bump on the top on one side. I was thinking about cutting the spare tire well out and flipping it over and re-installing it, so the gas tank bump would just fit inside that. If I went with a fuel cell, I would have to do some modifying anyway, and I kind of prefer using the factory tank. There are tons of stuff available from new tanks, senders, to even covers (the factory one has a cover even) for them. Shoot, another thing I didn't get was the tank straps. But those are available cheap as well.
Russ
A friend of mine has a '96 Mustang Cobra SVT convertible. That dash in your Pinto will be awesome! I hope it works!
Dwayne :smile:
I have to keep coming up with things I can do for free, like playing with installing the tank. I really would rather work on the engine install, but just the front sump oil pan is several hundred dollars. So that won't be happening any time soon.
Fitting the dash is something else that should be essentially free. I can buy bolts and nuts type stuff, just not expensive things.
Once I get the dash to fit (if I can do that) then I can start working on the wiring, which is fun for me. having the complete Mustang wiring harness, as well as the Pinto and the Mustang II harness will give me lots of ways to do things.
Russ
Something else dash related, I need to figure out how to include the vin from the Pinto dash into the new setup. I was thinking about cutting off the part of the dash that goes along the windshield, and using the Pinto piece there. Another minor detail. I really don't want to be arrested for vin tampering. :-)
Which reminds me, I need to keep the upper part of the fender aprons that have the vin stamped. What I am thinking about doing is cutting the aprons out from the frame rail up to about 3 inches from the top. I have some either 1.5 or 2 inch angle steel that I would run underneath the top for reinforcement, and I was thinking about folding the extra apron that is left around the bottom of it, making it smooth from inside the engine compartment.
Not the best way to go, would rather do something like a 12 point roll cage, but that ain't happening, plus you lose the vin's that way. I seriously doubt if I would ever sell this car, but you never know for sure what the future may bring. Plus, this is affordable and different.
Russ
Russ
Nothing you've described doing should be considered VIN tampering. What you are doing is making sure the right VIN stays with the right car. Shouldn't be an issue.
Dwayne :smile:
I agree with Dwayne. Your car isn't a Ford Mustang that was junked, & you are just making sure the VIN stays with the car. If you are in doubt you may want to check with your local BMV or police dept. They might be able to give you some info as to what to do..
Just a though.
Well, you never know. In a few years these could be the new Mustangs as far as collectors go.
Or not. :-)
And the less you ask those types the better, in my opinion. Why give them reasons to look closer.
On another note, I got the engine and trans out of the Blazer tonight. What a pain. ended up having to have my wife drive the Blazer forward while I held on to the hoist. Didn't break anything, but came real close. I didn't have the engine hoist chain on the right places, and when it was free of the Blazer the engine rotated and almost hit the driveway on the top. But finally got it back right side up and in the garage and safely on the ground.
Boy is this thing huge! This is going to be interesting.
Russ
Quote from: russosborne on July 25, 2010, 11:17:46 PM
Well, you never know. In a few years these could be the new Mustangs as far as collectors go.
Or not. :-)
And the less you ask those types the better, in my opinion. Why give them reasons to look closer.
On another note, I got the engine and trans out of the Blazer tonight. What a pain. ended up having to have my wife drive the Blazer forward while I held on to the hoist. Didn't break anything, but came real close. I didn't have the engine hoist chain on the right places, and when it was free of the Blazer the engine rotated and almost hit the driveway on the top. But finally got it back right side up and in the garage and safely on the ground.
Boy is this thing huge! This is going to be interesting.
Russ
Sounds like you have your work cut out for you! :surprised:
Dwayne :smile:
Well, nothing new to report. I have been so tired lately I am not getting anything done when I get home. Think this past weekend was a bit much for me. Getting old sucks.
I need to get out in the garage and get my work bench cleaned off, so I can start taking apart the 96 Mustang dash. I am anxious to see if it will fit in the car. 20 years or so ago I wouldn't have to take it apart to find this out, but now I can barely move it by myself.
Was looking at the engine while it was on the hoist. I think that at least for installation purposes I can just flip the oil pan around and make it a front sump. Doubt it will work for real, but at least that will let me start test fitting the engine. I can't afford several hundred dollars for the Canton Racing front sump pan.
Russ
Side note-can we edit images once we post?
Let's try this one again.
Well, I need to remember just who is doing this. Me. I need to expect problems.
Was out getting some stuff together for the guy coming to get the engine and trans, if he wants this stuff as well.
Took a good look at the 96 dash. Kept thinking it just looks bigger than the Pinto. I put the two together again, and while the top along the windshield is just about perfect, the 96 has about 2 inches extra width on each side. I don't think this will be a show stopper. Then again I always screw up when I think. I may have to cut off the ends. I need to get the dash stripped so I can put it in the car and see just what I need to do.
here's a couple of 4.6L engine pictures.
Russ
Yep! It looks like there done be a 4.6 engine down there, underneath all them there hoses! ::)
Not much done today. Got the back bumper off, finished getting the wire harness off, had to take the driver's seat off to do that.
Wanted to take the gas tank off, but the strap nuts didn't want to cooperate. think I am going to have to cut them, but the tank has gas in it still, and once I jacked the car up it started leaking. So no cutting for a while.
Last picture is of the stock engine getting ready to go bye. Hope I am doing the right thing.
Russ
well, went out to gather all the stuff for tomorrow. decided to do a little bit more. took the passenger side seat out. cleaned up the garage some, got almost everything that was on the roof of the Pinto off.
took off the steering/brake support bracket. got the gas pedal off. only thing really left in the interior is the ebrake handle and the brake pedal and it's main support.
Then I took a good look and had an "Holy S#$% what have I done" moment. One of those where my overall lack of success in the past rises up and stares me in the face. Will this car ever run again? Am I over my head?(probably) etc.
Been kind of a lousy week. Wednesday would have been my 20th anniversary if I had stayed with my first wife. That still haunts me badly.
That added onto my already depressed state about my job and finances is almost enough.
If you have to ask almost enough what I won't tell you.
oh well. oh, my 51st birthday is this coming week. At least I am well over half through with life.
Russ
Been there, done that Russ! (the holy S#$% moment) and yea, it's damn scary! :hypno:
All you can do now is press forward, I have been reading this thread with much intrest and from what I have seen so far you have strong mechanical skills and are doing a fine job!!
Oh, and BTW, :happy_bday:
Russ,
I think it may be fear of that "holy S#$% moment" that prevents me from starting on my Pinto. I know deep down inside that if I EVER disassembled it to the point you have, it would never be put back together again! But... that's me. We're talking about you. You obviously have more mechanical skills than I do and either more time and/or energy than I do, so I'm betting you'll get it back together this time!
As for the wife thing, I know how you feel. My first wife and I would have been married 28 years now. Y'know what? I don't care. I'm far happier with my second wife, and from what I can tell she's happier with her latest husband (#3) too. Concentrate on your relationship with your current wife and put the past behind you. You recently celebrated five years and that's an accomplishment!
Have a great weekend!
Dwayne :smile:
I don't know about the mechanical skills thing. to a point, yeah, but not at the level lots of people here have. Been taking stuff apart and putting back together most of my life, but normally it would be right away, not taking apart and waiting who knows how long. I used to regrease my pedal crank ball bearings about once a week. :-)
I don't have the money to do this "right". Don't have the proper tools, etc. But I am stubborn until something hits me in the face hard enough to make me come to my senses, like what happened to the Mustang II project, I couldn't ignore that the front crossmember was shot after seeing the control arm mounting point had rusted and came apart. Even then, if I had a real welder and could use it, I would have kept going.
The guy who gave me all this Mustang stuff is putting a 66 Mustang body on the 96 GT frame(ok, floor). Now he has energy. :-)
Here's a link to the mustang site where he is posting his progress, if anyone is interested.
http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/great-lakes-vmfers/602812-latamud-ii.html
I am just trying to keep going with this, between boughts of depression and pain. Have a bad back, among other things. It always hurts, sometimes just a little, and sometimes more.
The thing with my ex wife is that I divorced her still loving her, and her me. She was born with some brain damage, and it took me quite a while to realise that I couldn't deal with it the way I should. so I dumped her back on her parents and feel like sh#t for doing that. I still sometimes see something and think " I bet Paula would like to go there", Paula being my ex's name. We were married almost 14 years, kind of hard to just let that go. At least for me. I have always tended to live half in the past.
Oh, well, enough of my problems, pretty sure I have bored you guys to sleep. Or else made you want to avoid me like the plague.
Sitting here waiting for the guy to come get the Pinto engine and stuff. he is already over an hour late, no word if he is even coming.
And the update must have caught me. Can't post this, so I copied and put it in word to post later.
Russ
Well, I can understand the guilt feelings... and they are probably justified to a point, but it's not easy dealing with a special needs person. I've had about fifty years experience with that. My sister was born with Spina Bifida when I was three years old. Her needs are many and varied, and raising her was a family effort. She turned 50 this June and as she ages, her needs have become even more demanding. This has proven out to be good training for what was to come later. Sixteen years into my current marriage, my 46 year old wife suffered a major stroke. Being in the pons area of her brain, it has affected her vision, memory, balance, and speech. This was a seemingly healthy, active woman who was a nurse by profession. She can no longer walk unassisted, obviously can't drive or work, and she needs assistance with pretty much every aspect of day-to-day life. Even with a lifetime of care-giving experience behind me, it sometimes threatens to overwhelm. Believe me, I know where you're coming from. If you could no longer meet Paula's needs, returning her to her parents was probably the kindest thing you could do.
Keep plugging away at that Pinto... I'm still betting you'll have success in the end!
Dwayne :smile:
Thanks. Yeah, you have had a lot of what I had a little of.
Russ
a few more pictures.
The guy still hasn't shown up or called or anything.
And the 96 dash IS a bit too wide, but still going to try to make it work. Since I am using the engine and trans from the same car, it would be nice to have the tach and gauges all work. It also seems not quite equal on both sides. Might be the Pinto, but the driver's side of the dash seems wider than the passenger side. At least more is sticking out on the driver's side.
Russ
I sure hope you can make that work! Somehow or another, that Mustang dash looks right at home in there... and I really didn't much figure it would! Will be nice to see a Pinto with a more modern dash setup.
Dwayne :smile:
yeah, I think so too, although I am sure that somewhere someone is having a heart attack just thinking about this. :-)
At least it seems that Pinto people are more willing to accept things like this than a lot of the vintage Mustang people. Granted there are a lot more of them, so even if percentage wise it is the same, number wise there are more there.
I had a horrible thought today. Transmission. I don't know if the II that had the 4.6 in it had a manual or auto, but looking at the size difference between the 4L70W and the C3 is scary. I am really concerned about that now. I don't mind doing some minor adjusting with a sledge hammer, but if I have to cut and weld, that is another matter.
Russ
Oh, if you can see the smaller vent on the driver's side top, just near the edge, that is about where I think I will have to cut the dash. Just at the outside edge of the vent, but of course this is just eyeballing it. The passenger side isn't quite as bad, but I think I may need to reposition the dash first, something isn't centered. Either the dash or the Pinto. :-)
Russ
and what I am thinking of doing with the vin is to cut out the vin on the stock dash, with a large amount of the dash still attached. Then cut a vin sized slot on the driver's side front of the 96 dash and mount the vin from underneath. So if you look through the windshield you could see the vin, it would look like I had just put the 96 pad over the stock dash at that point.
Russ
That heart attack you mentioned would belong to Pinto Purist Becky (blupinto), but she'll get over it! I prefer my cars pretty much stock too, but somehow this idea of yours appeals to me.
Dwayne :smile:
P.S. - I think what you're planning to do with the VIN should work just fine.
well,take 2.
Where'd my post go? My fat fingers strike again.
The best thing about the vin this way I can go back and weld and grind the cut piece back on to the dash if needed and no one will be able to tell it was ever cut out.
Becky is a purist, huh? Boy, she isn't going to like me one bit. :-) I was thinking about getting a 79 Ford factory service manual, then thought for what? except for the suspension almost the entire car won't be covered in that manual.
Russ
hmm, apparently you can't preview any pictures you add, and then once you post, you can't remove them if you made a mistake. So here is take two.
got a question.
On my car there is what sort of looks like something supposed to be a cross member on the inside of the car, behind the front seats, where the bottom of the rear seat bottom sections bolt on to. These are not quite touching the transmission/driveshaft tunnel, but do go out to the inner body panel. They are spot welded. See picture.
I am thinking about doing two things with these, and don't know if it is a good idea. Well, one idea is questionable.
One is I am going to use these as the mounting points for the front part of the box I am going to build. Inside this box will be the battery on the passenger side, and the fuse box and assorted electrical stuff. If you cant picture this, the battery will be in one seat well, the other stuff in the other one. This will be my electrical room. :lol:
This I have no questions about. Pretty straight forward.
Now, for the real question. I am thinking about adding some metal and welding these to the tunnel. It is only about a quarter of an inch, maybe a half. Also will seam weld them. Ok, that I am doing regardless. Sorry, brain dead right now and getting cramps from typing.
The question is I am thinking about using these as the rear connecting points for my home made subframe connectors. If I decide to do this, one thing I will be doing is to use a fairly thick piece of metal as the front of the box for the electrical, like 1/8th inch since that is the max my welder can handle. This would be one piece going along the floor from inner panel to inner panel. And there will be some added bracing at the top at least for the top of the box to rest on. probably like 1.5X1.5 angle, since I have lots of that. The height will be however high I need to clear the battery and stuff. Not going to be very high, hoping about level with the hatchback floor area.
Thoughts? I want more than just a small area for the rear to weld onto, which is what the leaf spring bracket seems to be to me. And this should be pretty close to that same area. I might go ahead and make a small piece to go from there to where I would have the main subframes at just to add some strength. Hell, I would like to frame the rear of the car at least, but that isn't happening.
Oh, the battery will be in a sealed box that is vented outside the car, probably using one of the rear seat belt bolt holes.
Hmmm, maybe my computer at home is different then this one. I could have sworn there were 6 pages already.
Oh well.
Thinking about going wild this weekend. My wife is going to be in Myrtle Beach SC for her son's wedding. Her mom paid for her trip, we couldn't do it. I am glad she is getting to go.
Anyway, been looking on Craig's List. Found a small and affordable (for me) arc welder that I am going to go look at Saturday morning. It is a Campbell Housfield(spelling?), one that WalMart used to sell. It is just a 115V unit, welds up to 70amps. Which is about all my house electrical can handle. :-(
thinking it might be easier to use than my mig that doesn't have gas. Plus Eastwood has some neat things for arc welders, a spot welder attachment and a stitch welder attachment, both of which will work with this arc welder. This way I can actually get some work started on the welding stuff I need to do.
Really wish I could get a used Lincoln tombstone, but they run on 220V, and the cheap ones on Craig's list are all about 150-200 miles from me. Plus they are still about double what this one will cost. $55, figure I can afford that. Already have gloves and a couple of helmets, need to get some welding blankets. Need to get the gas tank off the Piinto FIRST!!!! :-)
Going to WalMart tonight, wife needs a few things for her trip, and I am going to see if they still sell the ford stereo removal tool. Funny, this 96 has the stock radio and cd player, and it has Ford's theft deterrent mounting(the holes you have to put the tool in) yet you can buy those tools all over, or even use a bent coat hanger. Some deterrent. Mainly deters the owners from changing the stereo I think.
Another sign of my stupidity, I am working on taking the 96 dash apart while it is in the Pinto, instead of cleaning off the work bench.
Russ
Russ
Well, things might get slowed down a bit or ten.
I just got home from buying a welder. Or at least it will weld once again once I get it working.
Bought a Lincoln WeldanPower(spelling?) gas powered ac/dc arc welder. Has a 16 HP engine. needs a bit of work. The head gasket might be bad, not sure. There is a broken wire going to a bank of capacitors, which the seller thinks is why you can't get it to start an arc. I don't have a clue at the moment, if that is all that is keeping it from welding great. I don't expect it to be that easy. It didn't come with cables, but I can get cheap ones for now, once I get the engine running.
I am on a welding site, www.weldingweb.com (http://www.weldingweb.com), and have read some interesting things there in the past about these welders, which is why I bought this one. It would be the answer to my dreams (welding dreams) if I can get it to work. No worrying about if I have 110 or 220 or neither around. :-)
While it may be a bit much for sheet metal, I was looking into the Eastwood stuff, they have a stitch welder and a spot welder that attaches to an arc welder, so that will work.
I am not going to have 2 cents to spend on either of these for awhile. I will still be working on the Pinto, trying to fit the 96 dash in to it, etc, but if anything costs money it will have to wait.
My wife is going to kill me. I had started out telling her I was going to spend $55 on a used 110V 70A arc welder, and this is over budget. But if I can get it to work it will be worth far more than the cost I paid, and far more versatile than that $55 one.
It is still in the back of the Blazer, I need to go out and take pictures. I don't have a clue where I am going to put it, the garage is still full.
Russ
Quote from: russosborne on August 06, 2010, 03:40:38 PM
Well, things might get slowed down a bit or ten.
I just got home from buying a welder. Or at least it will weld once again once I get it working.
Bought a Lincoln WeldanPower(spelling?) gas powered ac/dc arc welder. Has a 16 HP engine. needs a bit of work. The head gasket might be bad, not sure. There is a broken wire going to a bank of capacitors, which the seller thinks is why you can't get it to start an arc. I don't have a clue at the moment, if that is all that is keeping it from welding great. I don't expect it to be that easy. It didn't come with cables, but I can get cheap ones for now, once I get the engine running.
I am on a welding site, www.weldingweb.com (http://www.weldingweb.com), and have read some interesting things there in the past about these welders, which is why I bought this one. It would be the answer to my dreams (welding dreams) if I can get it to work. No worrying about if I have 110 or 220 or neither around. :-)
While it may be a bit much for sheet metal, I was looking into the Eastwood stuff, they have a stitch welder and a spot welder that attaches to an arc welder, so that will work.
I am not going to have 2 cents to spend on either of these for awhile. I will still be working on the Pinto, trying to fit the 96 dash in to it, etc, but if anything costs money it will have to wait.
My wife is going to kill me. I had started out telling her I was going to spend $55 on a used 110V 70A arc welder, and this is over budget. But if I can get it to work it will be worth far more than the cost I paid, and far more versatile than that $55 one.
It is still in the back of the Blazer, I need to go out and take pictures. I don't have a clue where I am going to put it, the garage is still full.
Russ
This might be a time for some quiet discretion. If she hasn't already found out differently, I'd be tempted to let her go on believing it IS the $55 welder! What she doesn't know probably won't hurt either of you!
Dwayne :smile:
Wow that's a lot of ATF on the floor.......
Dwayne, already told her, pretty much had to. She does the bills, and keeps track of the bank account.
She is ok with it, just can't spend anymore for awhile. That was my birthday money from my parents, plus a little.
Russ
Quote from: dave1987 on August 07, 2010, 10:33:23 AM
Wow that's a lot of ATF on the floor.......
HUH?
Russ
(my brain hurts)
Well, today was interesting. I went to the all mustang show at Summit Racing in Tallmadge this afternoon. Met a few people from the mustang forum I still hang out on.
Got to feeling bad seeing the 69 Mustangs there.
So once I finally got home I felt like being destructive.
So I got the grinder out and finally cut the straps on the gas tank, and got it off the car.
Still feeling destructive, I took the grinder to the screws holding the trim on the quarter windows, and finally after much cussing got them out. Damaged the stainless, but at that point I didn't care. At least I didn't cut the gaskets or break the windows.
Still not done being destructive, so I was going to cut out the spare tire well. Couldn't find the corded jigsaw, and the cordless needed charged. so I took a break.
Went back out, and decided to work on the tail lights instead. Did some preliminary cutting on the tail panel on the passenger side. need to cut more, but got too late to make that much noise. Plus the cordless needed charged again(I hadn't fully charged it before).
Pictures below. The one of the tail light clamped on is just to give an idea of how it will look. the plan is to install them from the inside. Oh, and they will be changed to all red lenses. One of the tricks I learned from the II sites. :-)
So I got to be destructive yet constructive and the same time.
Russ
forgot about pictures of the new welder. not that it looks like one at the moment.
I am actaully thinking about going out and throwing some gas in it's tank and hooking up the battery from the Pinto and seeing if it will start.
What's the worst that can happen? hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Russ
Call me crazy, but I kind of like the tailights. I'll be anxious to see those completed!
Dwayne :smile:
I think by mounting them from the inside, they will work. If I mounted them the way the Pinto ones are, they would look too huge.
BTW, no boom from the welder. No nothing. Probably a good thing, since there is no muffler on it.
Either the battery is dead, the cables on the welder are bad, or there is a real problem. The cables do look pretty bad, and I couldn't find my old battery terminal cleaner. I didn't check the battery itself, I need to just put it on the charger and see what it says. Hopefully between those two it will at least crank. It does crank by hand, so it isn't locked up. Just like on a car, get it to crank, then check for spark, then check for gas.
Or I could go and read the manual for it, and make sure I didn't have something off that was supposed to be on. :-)
Russ
One thing I forgot about the tail lights. I am going to have to remove a lot of the support bracing behind the panel. I will redo it after I get the tail lights mounted, but it will be with either angle or tubing. The back side of these tail lights are huge (compared to the Pinto ones) probably at least 4 inches in depth.
I will be leaving the center area, where the hatch latch is, and out as far as I can.
Russ
Quote from: russosborne on August 07, 2010, 10:23:45 PM
I think by mounting them from the inside, they will work. If I mounted them the way the Pinto ones are, they would look too huge.
BTW, no boom from the welder. No nothing. Probably a good thing, since there is no muffler on it.
Either the battery is dead, the cables on the welder are bad, or there is a real problem. The cables do look pretty bad, and I couldn't find my old battery terminal cleaner. I didn't check the battery itself, I need to just put it on the charger and see what it says. Hopefully between those two it will at least crank. It does crank by hand, so it isn't locked up. Just like on a car, get it to crank, then check for spark, then check for gas.
Or I could go and read the manual for it, and make sure I didn't have something off that was supposed to be on. :-)
Russ
Oh, for Heaven's sake, Russ... don't read the manual! Don't you know? Real men NEVER read the manual until they have exhausted every other possibilty! :lol:
Dwayne :smile:
Well, this isn't finished, but it gives a good idea of what it will look like. Of course I got some areas cut too much, and others not quite enough, but not bad for eyeballing it.
I won't worry about getting it exactly into position until I am ready to do the real installation. Not sure yet about using the chrome trim that goes with these, if I do it would be more cutting most likely.
I forgot to take pictures of the inside of the trunk showing what all I cut out.
I am also going to have to trim the plastic housing that goes behind the lens, but no biggie. Or just make some rectangular boxes for the light bulbs. I will try trimming the II parts first. I think that will work fine.
Just realised I will have to come up with some sort of gasket between the lens and the body. Silicone might be the answer.
Shoot, I can't attach any pictures right now. for some reason the page is missing the right hand part that has the "browse" button for attaching. ???
Russ
Well, it is sort of working, I have "Brows" instead of "Browse", but there is enough to click on. :-)
The last picture shows where I cut part of the support. OOPS. Oh, well, that is what angle and a welder are for. :-)
Russ
Are the pictures this size ok?
I just noticed that I can about double them here. I have them set for another site that has a 50kb max.
My camera is set to 2Mb, so I have lots of room to play with.
Russ
No comments on the Mustang II tail light? Good/bad/horrible?
Russ
look fine too me im still trying to figure out if i wanna leave stock bobcat tails on mine or if i wanna do sumthing crazy like led strips.
Quote from: russosborne on August 10, 2010, 02:25:25 PM
No comments on the Mustang II tail light? Good/bad/horrible?
Russ
I already told you... I like them. I find them rather intriguing for some reason, although I normally prefer maintaining a stock appearance!
Dwayne :smile:
well, I thought it might be "I didn't think you would REALLY do that" kind of thing. :-)
I may be taking a break from posting/working on the car for a bit. We just got home from unexpectedly having to put one of our dogs to sleep. I might want to go out and do lots to the car, or I may just want to sit and cry. Probably some of both.
Russ
I'm sorry to hear that. We had the scare of that this last week with out cat Louis,(louie) i wish you the best, and you have my sympathies and condolences. not an easy thing to have to do.
Quote from: russosborne on August 11, 2010, 02:27:03 AM
well, I thought it might be "I didn't think you would REALLY do that" kind of thing. :-)
I may be taking a break from posting/working on the car for a bit. We just got home from unexpectedly having to put one of our dogs to sleep. I might want to go out and do lots to the car, or I may just want to sit and cry. Probably some of both.
Russ
So sorry to hear of your loss. That's a decision that is never easy to make or to accept. Please know you have my deepest sympathy and will be in my thoughts.
Dwayne
well, still taking a break. maybe that has been a bad decision. I am having major "wow are you thinking" about this whole thing. Hey, wowisn't what I wrote. I wrote W. T. F. without the spaces or periods. Even the forum software doesn't like me.
I don't have money to do anything. $10 is a major expense. yes, I was given the 4.6 mod stuff, but it is still going to cost money to get everything done. I don't really feel like doing anything. A pinto is not "the car" to me, it is just the car I have available. Yet here I am in the middle of a project that many people are saying is impossible. I feel I will most likely prove them right. Should I put a 302 in this? It would be a lot easier. But then it would just be another Pinto with a v8. I want to be the leader once instead of a follower. Problem is I don't have the tools, money, or really the experience. And I really want to do this on my own. I don't mind helping other people on their cars, but I have found out that when it comes to my car I want to be the one doing all the work. I realised this many years ago after a friend was helping me sand the body on a GTO I had bought from him said "that is good enough" and I didn't think so. I didn't say anything, but it made me think.
Part of this recent being in the dumps has been the dog stuff. But part of it has just been from standing back, taking a deep breath, and realizing what I have started here.
I recently sold the 8 inch rear end I had bought when I first bought this car, because I had the 8 inch from the II, and it was a bolt in, no problem installation and I thought that would be the right way to go. Well, it was when I was going to just do a 2.3 engine again. But now that I need a 5 lug rear I am really regretting selling that one. Going to need the 5 lug to match the front. I will need real brakes on this car if I ever get it done, and the little 9 inch brakes just aren't going to cut it. And the II rear is difficult at best to find better brakes for, since ford in their wisdom made the II rears(and the Pinto ones, since they are the same) unique in the ford 8 inch world.
And no, I am not drunk. I wish. I haven't had any alcohol in over 20 years. I do have clinical depression, and right now the meds aren't doing their jobs. Obviously.
Russ
Oh yeah....you ARE my twin.
Standing back and asking "what have i gotten into"?
Oh yeah. They come apart easily, not so much together the same. And they cost money.
Sorry to hear your troubles, I TOTALLY relate. Right now I am also in a "could care less" attitude, especially with the weather being 100+ degrees every day. Hopefully I'll get back in the swing myself once it cools down.
Chris
come on russ lets keep this going i also understand the money situation i think most of us do that is why you do what you can if toy need advice we are here to help and you will still be doing it on your own we would love to see the car at carlisle but if it is not done oh well if you decide you go back to a 2.3 i still nave the peices and you can have them back.
just rember some progress is a great thing every little thing gets you closer to the end result.
phil
it was great meeting you and look forward to seeing this project in person.
As the old saying goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day!" Clinical depression is difficult enough, but I'm sure it has been exacerbated by the recent loss of your beloved dog. Until some of that passes and the meds start to kick in again, my suggestion would be to step back for a few days. Sometimes we are too close to a problem to see the solution. I'm sure there are lots of things you can still accomplish without funding. Do those things first and dare to believe that the funds will become available someway, somehow when you reach the point where you can't go forward without them. Good luck, Russ... and whatever you do, don't give up.
Dwayne :smile:
Well, the weather isn't in the 100's. But the humidity sucks. I will be out there and hardly do anything and my shirt is soaked in sweat. I am probably a bit dehydrated, hardly drink any water, mostly diet soda or diet koolaid stuff. Maybe I should get some diet gatorade, except they don't have my flavor in that. Or at leaast I haven't seen it. Fruit Punch.
Phil, I am not going back. That stuff is yours. Don't try to give it back. :-) I am at the point of no return on this thing. 4.6L or bust!
Wish I could find my darn dvm. I can't troubleshoot the welder without it. I should take a picture of it. I cut off the Pinto muffler, and have it on the exhaust pipe of the welder. I need to go from about 1 inch to whatever the muffler is, maybe 2 inch. Maybe use a soup can as an adapter. :-)
Phil, I just saw the post on dash pad recovering, and realised that I didn't give you the dash pad. I know it is in the garage somewhere, will have to find it before you come to get the engine and stuff. It needs redone, but could be a good practice one for doing it yourself. ???
Russ
i have 2 or 3 i can practice with but i put a cap on mine and i am very satisfied with it. but i will take all the parts you dont want or need.
phil
be careful, you may end up with a whole car.
seriously, things aren't quite that bad. yet.
be glad when this friday gets here. payday. I can then afford to get a new 9/32 socket so I can get the 96 dash apart. I really need to get something done as far as going back together. Might work on the tail lights some more. Need to buy more cutting discs for the grinder.
Then I need to get the rear axle off the car. Been delaying that thinking I may need to roll the car around, but I will just worry about that if it happens. Actaully, I think it is more of a psychological thing. Once there are no wheels, it isn't a car. Yeah, stupid, I know. But that is how my mind works (when it manages to ).
I also need to get the welder welding. Got the wiring diagrams yesterday from Lincoln, they have great customer service, even though I bought this used and it is almost 30 years old.
Russ
9/32 socket to take apart a 96 dash? if its a 96 everything on it should require metric sockets? Or did ford do sumthing crazy again?
well, that is what I had thought. 9/32nds works. If it is metric I don't have that size either. 1/4 is too small, 5/16 is too big.
Not sure what 9/32nds is in metric land.
Russ
1 mm = .03937"
9/32 = .28125
.28125/.03937 = 7.14 mm, so a 7mm socket would be closest (might fit).
Chris
You know, I used to enjoy math. Now it makes my head hurt.
Thanks!
Russ
Quote from: dga57 on August 01, 2010, 01:04:22 PM
Well, I can understand the guilt feelings... and they are probably justified to a point, but it's not easy dealing with a special needs person. I've had about fifty years experience with that. My sister was born with Spina Bifida when I was three years old. Her needs are many and varied, and raising her was a family effort. She turned 50 this June and as she ages, her needs have become even more demanding. This has proven out to be good training for what was to come later. Sixteen years into my current marriage, my 46 year old wife suffered a major stroke. Being in the pons area of her brain, it has affected her vision, memory, balance, and speech. This was a seemingly healthy, active woman who was a nurse by profession. She can no longer walk unassisted, obviously can't drive or work, and she needs assistance with pretty much every aspect of day-to-day life. Even with a lifetime of care-giving experience behind me, it sometimes threatens to overwhelm. Believe me, I know where you're coming from. If you could no longer meet Paula's needs, returning her to her parents was probably the kindest thing you could do.
Keep plugging away at that Pinto... I'm still betting you'll have success in the end!
Dwayne :smile:
I also have a daughter of spina bifida. able to walk . We live turkey .
web pages: http://www.spinabifidaturkey.com/smf/index.php (http://www.spinabifidaturkey.com/smf/index.php)
My sister was born in 1960 and learned to walk with the assistance of leg braces by the time she was four. Believe it or not, she managed to go to public schools. A series of operations were done to fuse the bones in her feet together so that when she was fourteen years old, she was finally able to walk without the braces. She worked as a computer operator for many years before her health declined to a point where she was no longer able to do so. She retired on disability in 2006. She is still able to take a few steps with a walker, but is more or less confined to a wheelchair nowdays. Considering how little was known about Spina Bifida fifty years ago, it is a miracle she survived, let alone growing into a productive adult. My very best to you and your family... especially to your daughter. How old is she?
Dwayne :smile:
Wow... talk about hijacking a thread! My apologies, Russ... didn't mean to do that!
Dwayne :smile:
not a problem for me. I don't own this thing. :-)
it's here for everybody.
Cars aren't the most important things in this world.
Russ
well, spent a little time out in the garage today.
Found something rather scary. Pictures attached.
This is the top of the subframe and floor support on the passenger side, from about the front of where the seat would be forward just about to the seam where the floor pan meets the firewall.
Now, you may be asking, just what was he doing cutting the floor there? I'll see if you can guess for a bit. The one picture should pretty much give it away.
Btw, to answer a question I had asked a while back, the subframe/floor support has an internal width of about 3 inches.
Russ
extending the subframe to the front leaf mounts, or across to tie the two together for a more "uniframe" vehicle?
essentially. I am not sure yet where I am going to have them end up in the back. I think I am going to just have them go straight back to the little crossmember thing where the lower rear seat goes, and then see about running something to the leaf spring mounts if needed. I am going to reinforce that crossmember as well. But for all I know that could be where the leaf spring mounts are. I honestly haven't looked that much yet. The II leaf springs actually mounted to a plate that bolted onto the floor, with the bolts coming from the interior side. Wish the Pinto had a similar setup. Would be a lot easier to do the subframes. I do have those plates from my II, but I really doubt if they would work, the floors are different at that point between the two cars.
I also am going to try to add braces for where the seat mounting bolts go. It may not be needed, but why not. I know it is pretty important on the fox body cars, and it can't hurt.
My right hand(mainly the thumb) is killing me. I used a pair of tin snips to cut the floor. Worked pretty good, but it takes a lot out of the hands. Not sure how I will do the rest when the time comes. Advantage of the tin snips is they don't make any noise, so I can use them late at night when I am usually out in the garage. But I am having a hard time just typing right now from the pain.
Russ
The crossmember thing is in this picture. It runs from roughly the door post to the trans tunnel, on both sides. I want to add to the top of it, and have one piece going from side to side.
I had wanted to run one under the car at that point instead, but decided that it would be easier to modify what is there. Plus I won't have to figure out a way for the driveshaft to go through.
I am going to be making a box essentially on both sides of the tunnel from that point back to where the floor goes up to the hatch floor. The passenger side part is where the battery is going to go, and the driver's side is where the electrical stuff will go, fuse box, etc. The top is going to be hinged. I think I am going to be using the back of the rear seat(the metal plate part). Who needs a back seat anyway? Besides, once the roll cage is in, there won't be room for one.
Russ
Maybe I should fit the 4.6 and trans first.
NAH, why do anything like that? :-)
I am like the cartoon character who is walking on air. As long as I don't know it is impossible I am going to do it. :-)
What's the worst that could happen? I waste my time and kill a Pinto. At least I won't be demo derbying it. And I am having fun(most of the time anyway). And I want to be different than everybody else.
(although if I had been given a 302 I would have been just as happy with that!)
Russ
(yes, I have been reading other threads)
Quote from: russosborne on August 25, 2010, 11:20:30 PM
Maybe I should fit the 4.6 and trans first.
NAH, why do anything like that? :-)
I am like the cartoon character who is walking on air. As long as I don't know it is impossible I am going to do it. :-)
What's the worst that could happen? I waste my time and kill a Pinto. At least I won't be demo derbying it. And I am having fun(most of the time anyway). And I want to be different than everybody else.
(although if I had been given a 302 I would have been just as happy with that!)
Russ
(yes, I have been reading other threads)
Makes sense to me! Go for it!
Dwayne :smile:
Anybody want a slightly usedand abused 79 Pinto?
Just joking. I haven't had the energy to get out and do anything with it the past week. Spent some time working on the welder, so far it is going like the Pinto, that is coming apart instead of going together.
Three day weekend coming up, hoping to get a little bit done to it at least. Would like to at least get the passenger side subframe connector fitted. I should go get another matching 2x3 piece for the other side. Just have to see if I can afford to spend another $40 right now. Plus I need to spend a little bit on the welder for some switches and electrical outlets.
I have to spend about one day doing yard work. At least an afternoon, if I feel up to it I can work on the car in the evening. Supposed to cool off some this weekend, I really hope so.
Really wish someone would answer my ad about trading the II 8inch rear. I want to take the 6 inch off, but we may have to be moving soon, and I need to keep the Pinto rollable. If I had the 8 inch from a 65-70 Mustang then I could get it on. HINT HINT. :-) I could get a 9 inch cheap, if I wanted to deal with narrowing it. Lots of them on craigslist lately. But narrowing it would be way too much work and money for me.
Russ
russ ,
here is what i have done with the parts sofar
Looks like you could almost drive with it. :-)
Need to get you the dashpad.
Russ
my wife saya it just looks like clutter oh well most "GREAT" artist are never really appriciated untill later. let me know when to come and get the rest of the stuff. phil
Quote from: phils toys on September 02, 2010, 06:13:01 AM
my wife saya it just looks like clutter oh well most "GREAT" artist are never really appriciated untill later. let me know when to come and get the rest of the stuff. phil
I think there must be something wrong with your wife... it looks like art to me!
Dwayne :smile:
Phil, that guy did come and get the engine and trans. If you still want the other stuff let me know when a good time for you to come over is. I'll get the rear end off and get the rest of the parts gathered up.
Russ
Well, so much for that idea.
The dash from the 96 Mustang won't work. It is too deep. It goes out(towards the rear from the windshield) to within about 6 inches or less from the front seat mounting bolts. There is no way I could even get into the car with it that far into the interior.
Thought about trying to cut it down to just use the very front of it, enough to mount the instrument panel and radio stuff, but then I wouldn't even have a defroster, not to mention a heater. And in Ohio that stuff is mandatory, at least for any car I own.
Not sure what I am going to do yet. I still have the Mustang II dashes, they are not as deep, but I haven't put one in the car to see how it would fit. But looking at them tonight didn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling.
I had really wanted to use that dash. It had everything I needed, and it was already set up for the engine and computer. Maybe I shouldn't even try to use the 4.6L engine. I am really feeling like scrapping the whole stupid thing right now.
Story of my life. Even stuff given to me doesn't work out.
Not sure if I am even going to do anything more to it for a while. I really need to get my Blazer fixed up so I can drive it this winter. The way the streets don't get plowed around here makes 4wheel drive a necessity.
Russ
Quote from: russosborne on September 12, 2010, 03:35:36 AM
Well, so much for that idea.
The dash from the 96 Mustang won't work. I am really feeling like scrapping the whole stupid thing right now.
Bummer :(
Maybe stepping back and working on the Blazer for a little while will help you renew your committment. Hang in there - I just know you're going to make something out of that Pinto yet!
Dwayne :smile:
OTOH, maybe the 4.6 and related parts could be trading stock for something more doable.
The "barter economy" shouldn't be overlooked and it can sometimes even be fun.
your stock dash is safe in storage if you need t back just say so. no problem giving it back or any other parts
phil
Thanks, Phil, but I am commited, or is that commitable?
Went out tonight and did some more damage. The 96 dash is now not going to fit in a 96. :-) Thought I could cut it some and see what happens. Well, good idea but too much of a curve now at the windshield.
so I pulled one of the II dashes down. It might work. It might be a tad short from side to side, but not a lot. Basing that on the metal part that screws to the pad piece. This is the piece that goes along the windshield. The curve is right. Not sure about the whole dash though. I would have to remove the brackets along the doors that the Pinto dash supports bolt to just to see how good a fit it would be.
Still not sure what I am going to do. Maybe end up making a dash that would use the 96 Stang parts. I did a quick check, and the 96 instrument panel won't fit the II dash without major surgery, so that is out. Maybe just go with the II dash and add the 96 radio and cd player(seperate pieces).
Maybe just go on and do other stuff and come back to this later on, hoping I have a brilliant idea somewhere along the road.
Seriously thinking about seeing if I can turn the pan around on the 4.6 and just dropping the thing into the Pinto to see where I am with it. I had gone out tonight to do just that, but didn't have the energy to move the welder around and then deal with the car, especially since I noticed that I have not yet removed the exhaust pipe, which would really be in the way in the engine compartment. Plus if I left it in there, it would make some needed room in the garage right now.
Russ
Hang in there, Russ! Brilliant ideas happen when you least expect them!!!
Dwayne :smile:
Well, here is an update, sort of.
We are trying real hard to move. We are currently renting a 2 story house, and my wife is having some physical issues(doctor is suggesting a wheelchair for most of the time) and this house isn't going to work. And I am seeing problems start from the stairs as well. Oh, renting another place isn't likely, we don't have the upfront money, and we have 3 largish dogs and a cat.
Going through the preapproval process to try to buy our own place. I am eligible for a VA loan, if I can qualify.
That leads to a couple of issues with the Pinto.
1) We may not be able to get a decent house in a decent neighborhood with a 2 car garage. Living here in Ohio where it snows, I have to have a garage to put our main car in. Shoveling snow off the car everyday before going to work just isn't in me. I honestly am in pretty bad shape physically.
2) If we do get a place with a 2 car garage, getting the Pinto there won't be easy. We are looking at moving about 50 miles away from where we currently live (Akron) to the Youngstown area. Why? Because it looks like that is about the only area that a decent house in a decent neighborhood is in our price range.
So where does that leave things? I am trying to get the energy to put as much of the Pinto back together as I can. Doors, fenders, seats, hatch, hood. Maybe even the steering column, so it will be steerable.
Once that is done, I will have to wait and see what is going to happen house wise. Basically will have 3 options. Keep the car and pay to have it towed(much money we don't have), Sell it(right, after I have started to modify it), or scrap it.
Not sure yet what will happen. Sigh. Looks like I may have killed another car.
Russ
Try looking in Girard where I live. Plenty of single floor homes cheap & taxes are low.
Is Girard a decent place to live? I know nothing about it.
Thanks,
Russ
I've been here 44 years. It's pretty quiet & safe. I'd still walk the street at 2AM without a gun. Property tax is about 20% of what Youngstown wants & there are single floor homes in the mid 30's.
Thanks!
That is my expected price range, and it is good to know that it is a decent area. We will have to road trip to check it out. Been to Youngstown a bit, and up to Warren once, but never there.
Course, this is a sign of my luck. The mortgage person sent the pre approval packet to me requesting the usual stuff, but it hasn't shown up. I think she is going to have to mail it again. :-(
Russ
Sorry to hear about your housing dilemma - I understand where you're coming from. Our house is a split foyer so going up and down the steps happens probably a dozen times a day. That was fine up until my wife suffered a stroke 3 1/2 years ago. We would be SO much better off in a single story house - our problem is that we own our home and the real estate market is in such turmoil these past couple of years, we're reluctant to even try to make a move. We just keep waiting and hoping the economy will improve. Good luck in your search for a new place to live and lets keep our fingers crossed that the Pinto can move along with you!
Dwayne :smile:
Thanks, Dwayne!
Yeah, these stairs are just taking their toll on us. I have seen a dramatic decrease in my wife's ability to even walk in the two years we have lived here. And it isn't helping me either.
My wife is pretty much insisting that I keep the Pinto because she says I am not a nice person if I don't have something to tinker with. We will have to see. Her well being comes before any car.
Russ
Russ,
In a fundamental sense, I agree with your statement, "Her well being comes before any car." Of course it does. On the other hand, I know from experience that the role of caregiver can be a daunting one. I know that from my handicapped sister and from my wife. You had some of that with your ex-wife... you know what I'm talking about. The Pinto (or any project which truly captures your interest, for that matter) can provide you a much needed outlet. Keeping it, even if you have to slow the pace, will surely contribute to your emotional health and, in turn, to your wife's well-being as more and more of her care falls to you. I don't get to play with any of my cars as much as I used to but when I do, it makes for one of the few times I can forget all the day-to-day stuff and concentrate on something fun.
Dwayne :smile:
I am hoping to be able to keep it, but who knows? Just found out today that we are going to be approved for $10K less than I had thought (if we ARE approved), which is about a third less. Makes a big difference in the choice of houses. A lot less of them have a 2 car garage and the other stuff we need at this price. Still some out there, so will have to see what happens. Going to go do some more scouting around this Saturday. Got several houses to check out(from the outside, since we aren't preapproved yet). Hoping the neighborhoods are safe.
If I do have to give up the Pinto, I will have to go back to some of my other hobbies. but none of them let me beat the !@#$ out of something. :-)
Russ
Well, at least there are houses available in that price range! I don't know of anything in my area for that kind of price... or even close! :surprised: Good luck house hunting!
Dwayne :smile:
good luck with the house hunting i know it is not easy i have done it a couple time but only bought once.and a few years later i have add my garage.maybe you can find one with out a garage and add it i got mine through a place similar http://www.carports.com/ohio/index.html (http://www.carports.com/ohio/index.html)
they installed in about 4 hours and has been trouble free for at least 3 pa winters.mine is 20x20 and cost was around $4,000
phil
we need to get together so i can get the parts out of your way.
Anybody want a real project? Only $4000.
That is how much(give or take a little) in cash I will have to come up with if we are going to be able to buy a house. With a VA loan, I have found out you can't roll any closing costs into the loan. $1000 would be barely doable. I have let my family know what the deal is, but not really expecting them to hand over any money like that.
There is a slight chance we would qualify for some assistance from the city of Youngstown, but A) we have to buy a house in the city and B) part of it is income based, and with it being just me and my wife, we always seem to make too much money for that stuff.
Oh, well. Still moving forward with the mortgage stuff for now, maybe a miracle will happen. I might not have to worry about moving the Pinto now, but I will be too depressed to even look at it. I have been fighting the urge to play my favorite video game(Final Fantasy III Nintendo, or VI when they released it on Playstation). That is my escape mechanism. I don't play it to win, I play more just to get lost in that world.
Russ
I believe in miracles! Hang in there!
Dwayne :smile:
Well, an update or something.
Nothing really new yet. Although Dwayne's miracle may be about to happen. My wife was injured years ago on the job out in Arizona. She has been going to an ankle specialist here in Akron the last couple of years (took a while to find one willing to deal with an out of state worker's comp claim). Anyhow, she is having more problems with her ankle. So out of the blue the company handling her claim asked her if she would be willing to accept a one time payout to end their responsiblility. She is waiting to hear what their initial offer is. She also wants to use some of that for the closing costs and moving expenses. If the payment is large enough I am ok with that, but if she does this then we would have to pay for any future doctor stuff dealing with her bad ankle, so I am a little leery. I also don't think they are going to offer her anything like she thinks they will. But who knows?
Haven't done anything with the Pinto yet. Been feeling like working on it some mentally, but haven't had the energy. Haven't gotten any more done to the welder either. I basically haven't done anything beyond go to work the last couple of weeks. No energy when I get home at night. But I am feeling a bit better about some of the stuff, including dealing with the 4.6L. I haven't gotten the computer from the guy who gave me the engine yet, he was supposed to send it, but hasn't. But I think I am going to use it, and just do whatever it takes to make it fit.
Hey, why not. I can't really screw the car up any more than it already is (as far as it ever going back to stock is concerned).
Phil, let me know when you want to come get the rest of the stuff. I still have to get it all together in one place, but any time you want to come is fine.
Russ
Three words of advice, Russ: Negotiate. Negotiate. Negotiate! A lump sum settlement MIGHT be a good thing, but don't let them low-ball her! Best of luck! I strongly believe that good things happen to good people!
Dwayne :smile:
I do too, that is what worries me. :-)
She has a figure in mind and won't go lower. I just tell her that they have a figure in mind and won't go higher, so be prepared to not settle.
Alternatively, her mom may let us have the closing cost money if nothing else works out. Wish I knew, it makes a big difference in what house we can afford, if any.
It's a safe bet that whatever they offer initially is NOT their final offer, but she really needs to consider compromising a bit too... especially if there's a wide gap between their offer and what she's hoping for!
Dwayne :smile:
They will try to settle for a couple thousand at best hoping you are desperate. I hate dealing with those issues, they always want to screw you.
Well, I was going to say nothing new, but actually there is. We (I, technically, wife isn't on app) have been fully preapproved for a house loan. And my mother in law is going to give(sort of)(as far as the bank is concerned anyway) closing money if my wife's insurance settelment doesn't happen in time.
So now we can seriously start house hunting. Have decided that since they approved us for more than I had anticipated, a 2 car garage is a minumum. So the Pinto should be staying with me. Poor Pinto.
Looking in the Youngstown/Warren area. we found a couple of really nice ones in northwest Warren, which would make my commute easy. But we have since found a house we both really like in youngstown, so am not sure yet. Going to try to get an agent to show us some houses this weekend. Although it seems that agents around here only work 9-5 and not weekends. At least the couple I have contacted seem to work that way. Maybe they don't need money and this is a hobby to them?
I tried to get the driver's door back on by myself. Note I said "tried". :-( The stupid things the door hinge bolts tighten into on the inside of the car are just sitting there, and they move and even fall out! Oh, well. Maybe I will just leave the car as is and take it to the new place in pieces.
Russ
congrat on the "new home" let me know when you have the peices gathered up so i can come and get them, maybe when it is time to move i may be able to lend a hand as well i do have a traier not enclosed to haul larger items
phil
Quote from: russosborne on October 18, 2010, 06:49:52 PM
We (I, technically, wife isn't on app) have been fully preapproved for a house loan. And my mother in law is going to give(sort of)(as far as the bank is concerned anyway) closing money if my wife's insurance settelment doesn't happen in time. So now we can seriously start house hunting.
Russ,
Glad to hear things are looking up! Keep us updated on the move!!! We care!
Dwayne :smile:
Thanks, Dwayne.
Things always look brightest before the storm. Or something like that. :-)
I just have to try not to get frustrated and junk the Pinto. I look at it and think there is no way I can get it running again. Having to convince myself it will be worth the cost to get it towed well over 50 miles. Maybe closer to 80 depending on where we end up at.
Maybe I should take it just a little more apart, so it would fit in my 95 Blazer suv. :-)
Russ
Thanks, Phil.
Will have to see what is going on.
There still may be a whole (more or less) Pinto in your future.
Just what your wife would love, right? :-)
Russ
Well, another update.
No word yet from the insurance company other than "maybe by the end of this week".
The good news is we made an offer on a house in southeast Warren. It wasn't on my search list, but the agent showed it to us, and of course this was the one my wife wanted. It is a decent place. Brick, one story no attic. Fireplace, not sure if it is usable or not yet. Basement partially finished. Which will be my domain, my wife does NOT like basements. 2 bedroom one bath. We are going to have to downsize quite a bit.
2 car garage. Going to be tight in there. Currently in a 2.5 car garage. The new one might be deeper than the current, not sure. It didn't feel deeper, but I didn't have a tape measure.
Being on the s.e. side it will add a couple of miles to my commute, going to have to find a way to not go through lovely downtown Warren.
Haven't gotten an answer back yet on the offer. We offered 1500 less than the asking price, plus seller to pay closing. Been on the market a while and we are the first to make an offer, but it is an older person who has already dropped the price and isn't quite realising the new real estate reality. So who knows? We will go full asking price if we have to, only makes 8 dollars a month difference on the payment, but he will still have to do the closing costs. Hoped to hear back today, maybe tomorrow. My wife was wanting me to call the agent, she is a bit anxious. :-)
Russ
Sounds good. If I had it all to do over again, I would have gone with a single story house. Ever since Gloria had her stroke, the stairs have been more and more of an issue but we really don't want to sell now, the economy being what it is. I hope it will all work out for you!
Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Dwayne :smile:
Thanks.
I think the seller doesn't understand that the market is so down. Especially around here. Hopefully he will see the light. I wouldn't mind a different house if it comes to that, but my wife loves this one. It was the one she walked in and the angels started singing etc. :-)
Russ
Quote from: russosborne on October 25, 2010, 02:19:56 AM
Thanks.
I think the seller doesn't understand that the market is so down. Especially around here. Hopefully he will see the light. I wouldn't mind a different house if it comes to that, but my wife loves this one. It was the one she walked in and the angels started singing etc. :-)
Russ
It is a foolish seller who would, in this economy, reject an offer within $1500 of his asking price. You never know, though. When we bought our house in 1997, we made an offer that was more than $5000 below the asking price. We made the offer at approximately 2:00 p.m. and they accepted it by 6:00 p.m.! They were, to say the least, motivated! lol They had run into problems with the neighbors because of having sixteen dogs and were basically being "run out of town on a rail", so to speak. They had found a house outside of a subdivision and they were ready to move on it, but needed to sell this one first. It made for a win-win situation. Hope your home purchase works out just as well!
Dwayne :smile:
Thanks.
He countered with raising the selling price to 45.5K($2000 increase over our over, $500 over asking price) to cover him paying the closing costs.
I said nope. We offered original asking price with him paying 4% for closing(which is the max he can per the VA it turns out). Waiting to here back.
Checked the house out on Zillow.com, turns out it has been for sale for well over a year, and with 4 different agencies. So not looking good. Found out also he (seller) is 80. I am getting set to consider other houses.
Russ
Update of sorts. The agent called back, the seller wants to sit down with her tomorrow evening and go over the numbers, but she is pretty sure he is going to agree.
It will make my wife happy, which is the most important thing.
Russ
Dang, wish i could get those kind of numbers out here in "liberalville". Hell im looking at 150, 200 for a stinking condo as a good deal ! Single fam homes around here go for at least 350+ still!!!
Quote from: russosborne on October 25, 2010, 10:00:21 PM
Update of sorts. The agent called back, the seller wants to sit down with her tomorrow evening and go over the numbers, but she is pretty sure he is going to agree.
It will make my wife happy, which is the most important thing.
Russ
Sounds good... I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Dwayne :smile:
Quote from: 71hotrodpinto on October 26, 2010, 12:40:45 AM
Dang, wish i could get those kind of numbers out here in "liberalville". Hell im looking at 150, 200 for a stinking condo as a good deal ! Single fam homes around here go for at least 350+ still!!!
I agree with you... those prices are phenomenal! Here, a small single family house can still be had for $125000 or thereabouts, but $45000 would get you nothing! I'm jealous!
Dwayne :smile:
Well, you guys aren't living in northeast Ohio. Where jobs are really scarce.
There are lots of areas here that the prices are closer to Phoenix AZ. Even Akron is pretty expensive if you want in a decent neighborhood. Hence the move to Warren. Mansfield, which is the town we really would like to be in, is about double the price of Warren. In fact, the house we offered on is very similar to my grandfather's house that we stayed in when we first moved back here. It would go for close to $90K in Mansfield. And Mansfield has been hit harder with shutdowns and job losses than Akron.
And of course we didn't hear back today, but there were some really bad storms across the entire area, so that is understandable. Although a call saying that would have been nice.
Here's a link to the listing for the house. It is not a mansion by any means. But it will be good.
http://www.burganrealestate.com/listings/detail.php?lid=58254257&
Russ
Heck, it looks like a perfectly nice house and I'm still reeling in disbelief at the price. I know some areas of the country have been harder hit than others, but it's still hard to believe that house for that amount of money! I hope it all works out okay - I just know it would be a good thing for both of you!
Dwayne :smile:
That house listing is at least 80000 where I live in Illinois. Looks like a deal to me at full price. It is a nice set up for sure best of luck,
Well, the seller accepted our counter counter offer. :-)
Now the real stress starts. All I can think about are ways for the deal to fall apart. Hopefully we can be settled in before Christmas time. Looking like 45 days til closing, but not sure. Sooner would be better.
I am anxious to get started on organizing MY garage. :-) :-) :-)
Thanks,
Russ
congrat russ just let me know when and i will try to be there with a van and a trailer to help move
phil
Thanks, Phil.
We are having movers move us, I can't do it anymore. I can't believe how much my body has gone down hill the last 2 years. :-( And I am actually taking better care of myself now. Seeing doctors, taking meds, etc. Even walking everyday. 3 dogs, no choice. :-)
But I may take you up on that offer with the garage stuff, I am going to be doing that myself. Gas and food will be provided of course. :-)
Try to think positive, Russ. This deal has "success" written all over it!
Dwayne :smile:
real quick update.
House is looking good, still not sure but things are finally moving along. Won't be sure until after closing. :-)
Bad news is that the Pinto may not make the trip. I was going to rent a Uhaul truck and car trailer, but unless the insurance company is willing to greatly increase their offer(which my wife just got today and it was stupid low) we won't have the extra money for that. I am getting a decent bonus in Dec at work, but that may have to go to pay the moving company, because we just can't do that ourselves anymore.
Stay tuned, same bat time, same bat channel. Just not sure what bat day. :-)
Russ
holy cow. when did I get over 400 posts?
russ i will be in macedonia/ twinsburgh on nov 16 how close is that to you so i can pick up the rest of the parts?
phil
Russ,
Insurance companies ALWAYS try to low-ball you to start with. I there's any way possible you all can hold out, refuse the initial offer and consult an attorney. Sometimes that will send them scurrying to sweeten the deal! Good luck!
Dwayne :smile:
Quote from: phils toys on November 18, 2010, 10:27:03 PM
russ i will be in macedonia/ twinsburgh on nov 16 how close is that to you so i can pick up the rest of the parts?
phil
Phil, that is about 10ish miles or so. But are you certain about the date, that date has passed already.
Russ
Dwayne,
I was expecting a lowball, but my wife wasn't, and it really shocked her. Worse was she almost accepted it thinking we had to have some money to move. After talking to her, I got her to realise that we can do this without any money from that, it just won't be as much fun. :-)
They offered 6K to cover my wife's medical expenses for the next 25 years. I did some quick math and showed my wife that $50K was a little more realistic, and that isn't even really covering the surgery she will have to have at some point. But it would cover her office visits and a wheelchair and scooter. Which she really needs. She can't even walk in Walmart anymore, it is hard for her to go from the car to the entrance.
So far they haven't even acknowledged getting her counter offer. Surprise surprise.
Russ
umm i mean the 23 and again on the 28
thanks
Phil, I sent you a PM.
Russ
Hey Russ! Greetings from Montana! Glad to see that the old "Brown Bomber" is going to good use! Pretty cool to see the car again after almost 3 years. Glad to hear that you are getting a new house. I just sort of skimmed over the thread, and didn't catch everything, but sounds like your wife is having sort of a tough time as of late. Hang in there, everything will turn out as it should.
Hey, was wondering if you were still around.
The Pinto was a daily driver (or at least had to be available as one) until this April or so. Got a 95 Blazer with 4wheel drive for winters, driving the Pinto in the snow was scary. So I decided to make it the project car instead of buying something else.
Going to be a long process, us moving has changed my priorities for now.
My wife had a broken ankle from a work related accident years ago, and it is getting really hard for her to get around anymore. Of course the insurance company from that is being a pain. Wouldn't even pay for the wheelchair the doctor prescribed, so we are doing without it for now. But things will work out. we are moving into a one story house, so that will be a big help for her.
Glad to hear from you, always wondered if you guys ever made it to Montana. Do you still have the Bobcat, and have you done anything more with it?
Russ
Well, we just sent our landlord our 30 day notice, so the house had better work out. The bank screwed up again, they had it appraised by an FHA appraiser, but we are doing a VA loan, and this guy isn't on the VA list. So they are having another one done this coming Monday. GRRRRRR. We are due to close on the 10th, going to be cutting things close. Way too close for my nerves at this point.
Still hoping to be able to move the Pinto, but just don't know. If my Blazer had a tow hitch there wouldn't be an issue. I just am not sure if we will have the money. Without the insurance money as a back up we are really cutting things close as it is. Oh, well. que sera sera.
Russ
Hope everything works out on the house, I learned just how irritating it can be trying to push all that stuff through, and timing is everything, when it comes to getting out of one place and getting into the next. It can be a royal pain, but the end result is well worth it. Tis far better to make a mortgage payment than renting and paying someone elses!!
Well, another update. This one mostly great news.
The insurance company just made a compromise offer of 39K, that is close enough to us.
So I can definitely get the Pinto to the new home. And can relax a little about expenses. Maybe I can afford to get the brakes replaced on my Taurus now. And get the Blazer ready to use.
If there is a new home. Closing may get delayed thanks to the lousy service we have gotten from Huntington Bank's mortgage service in Youngstown Ohio. Yes, I am definitely NOT recommending them.
Russ
Russ,
Glad to hear that the insurance company made a more acceptable offer! That should help ease the strain a little. Hope all goes well with your closing (they can be such a pain!). Keep us informed!
Dwayne :smile:
Thanks, Dwayne.
I have some more news. I am not going to be continuing with the Pinto. Decided I don't want to move it and have decided to get rid of it. I want to go a different route and my wife has ok'd it. I have asked Phil if he wants it, if not it will be up for grabs for about a week, then it will be scrapped. If Phil doesn't want it, the same deal will go to anyone else. Free, come and get it. It is rollable, but otherwise completely apart. Although there are some things already gone, including the wiring harness and dash. And some other stuff. Comes with the Mustang 4.6 Mod motor and all parts associated, if wanted. Whatever someone doesn't take will be scrapped. I am pretty sure that it won't be a Ford product. Really what it may be is to buy a 1970 Pontiac Lemans and make a GTO clone out of it. I used to have a real 70 GTO, and that is the car I most regret getting rid of. Even more than my 69 Mustang.
Yeah, I know. I just really have wanted something else all along, and I have a chance to do it now so I am going to take advantage of it while I can. Moving is giving me a great chance to start over. Maybe even get the garage ready BEFORE moving something else in.
Thanks,
Russ
Opportunities are worthless if you don't seize them when they are available! Go for it! If that Pontiac is your heart's desire, then that's what you should have. I do hope you'll hang around here, Pinto or no Pinto. We consider you a friend!
Dwayne :smile:
Thanks!
I don't know what I will end up with. All I know is that I don't want to settle anymore, I want something I want, not just something that is there.
If the Lemans is for sale when we have the money, I will see if I can talk him down some and my wife up some. :-) It really is worth what he is asking, if it isn't a total rust bucket underneath. And it is in driveable condition. But who knows? My main concern right now is still getting the house buying over with and get moved in. I have so much stress over that it isn't funny.
I could even end up with a Pinto down the road. I would say that after having this one, they are in my top 5 or 6 cars I want. Someone has one for sale in Phoenix on the board that I would love to have later on, but not at the moment. I need to get a big enough garage for the cars I have, much less the ones I want to have. :-)
And I am still hoping to make it to Carlisle in the spring.
Russ
The only one I knew of for sale down here on the board was my Fiancee's Bobcat. which we have decided to keep since I now have some time to put into fixing her up more.
if some one want s the car please speek up, i do have some of the missing parts you can have as well other wise i will get what i can haul in my mini van and the res will go to scrap :( russ if you need a ride to carlisle i have room we will be taking the van and the bobcat but we will be hangin out there for a few day after wards. going to hershey, and gettysburgh.
phil.
Thanks, Phil.
Getting to Carlisle won't be a problem.
If anyone wants the Pinto speak now or forever hold your peace. :-)
there is lots of rust, but nothing that couldn't be fixed. The front subframe of the car seems really solid as far as I can see. Just check out the pictures here for much more details.
If anyone wants the 4.6 mod motor and auto trans let me know. I would hate to scrap that, but no sense keeping it if I won't be using it.
Russ
Dang! You're in Ohio and I'm in Omaha. :(
More good (NOT) news.
The deal just got blown up. The second appraisal came in at $35K, not the $45K sales price. The agent is going to talk to the seller, but in her words "he is going to pop a cork". We could come up with the extra money once my wife gets her insurance settlement, but we don't have any guarantee of when that will be. Plus that would kill all other spending, including the Pontiac.
What is worse is that we should have known all this 2 weeks ago if the bank hadn't screwed up.
Never ever use Huntington Bank for a mortgage loan.
I think I am going to be violently sick.
Russ
I'm really sorry this is turning into such a crazy deal for you Russ. :( I hope things start to look up and you get the deal you are looking for.
Thanks.
Didn't hear back from the real estate agent if the appraisal killed the seller(he is in his 80's and told her he was giving the house away at the selling price we agreed to. 10K less is about a 22% reduction from that price).
I am getting really tired of the bank changing what they want from me all the time also. Always adding more conditions. Like they don't really want to give us the mortgage but aren't allowed to say no.
If it wasn't for my wife I would have just walked away already.But this is the house she really wants.
If we have to use a large part of her settlement money for the house, I don't know what I will be doing car wise. I wish I could keep the Pinto as well as get the Lemans, but having the Pinto sit outside on grass for who knows how many years would kill it. It would end up like the Mustang II I had, looks ok from above, but rusted away underneath. But I may end up with nothing. At least I have a bunch of video games I can always start playing again without spending any money.
Russ
Hang in there, Russ. Buying a house is no walk in the park, even when everything goes right. Banks are famous for always needing "one more" document or piece of information whenever there's a mortgage involved - it's just the way they do business. Who hired this appraiser? I've seen the photos of the house and I agree with the owner that he's giving it away at $45K. $35K is an absolute insult, I don't care HOW depressed the housing market is there! Might it be worthwhile to hire your own licensed appraiser? In the meantime, I'll try sending good thoughts your way... not much help, I know... but it's the best I can do!
Dwayne :smile:
Well, as far as the house goes, I am sure we are going to get it eventually. Hopefully before the end of the year, because I would hate to be homeless. We are challenging the appraisal. The seller isn't going to make any decisions until that is finished. I asked about hiring another appraiser, but found out that because it was done for the VA, this appraisal sticks with the house for 6 months, and the appraiser who did it is the only one who can change the amount. We rescheduled our move date for the 23rd, hoping that will work. I already have that day off for the holidays, so that would be good.
Also, I came up with a possible way to keep the Pinto. I posted a question in the general Pinto section about it.
Russ
Things are sounding better and better! Hang in there!!!
Dwayne :smile:
I think Phil may have solved my problem. Now I need to talk the wife into letting me keep the Pinto and get the Lemans. This could be fun.
I did get her a Kindle for Christmas, and let her have it last night. Maybe she will be in a good mood. :-)
Russ
Sounds like a good time to run it past her! ;)
Dwayne :smile:
As long as I don't have to spend a lot of money she is ok with it. I priced the galvanized roofing, and it should be well under $100.
Getting it ready to move is going to be fun. I haven't done anything with it thinking I wasn't going to be keeping it. I haven't done anything at all in the garage and I have a lot of stuff to sort and pack. And I still haven't gotten the Blazer ready to drive, and I really need it with all the snow.
I just don't have any energy, have been drained by the house deal.
how much more snow are you supposed to get?
Who knows? Maybe a foot?
I think I am going insaner than I already am. This house deal is going to kill me. Now the VA is involved in the appraisal issue, so hopefully they will get it straightened out. My guess is the appraiser who came in so low is going to get a good talking to if nothing worse. But we are still in limbo. Don't have a clue about when we will be closing.
My wife still hasn't gotten the paperwork she needs to sign for the settlement. It was supposed to be here Monday, found out today that it didn't get sent until yesterday, and they don't know how it got sent(postal, fedex, etc). grrrrrr.
Yes, I really do have a black cloud all my own. I know it could be much worse, but still I would like something to go the way it is supposed to once in a while.
Russ
For everything thing that is out of place where pieces have not fallen there is a place in time where those will align just right for you. Just have to be patient.
Well, got some big news.
No, not about the house. although we should be closing on the 28th.
I just got rid of the Pinto. I have been going back and forth on keeping it, and decided that I just didn't want to keep a car in the backyard at our new place. So I put an ad on Craig's List early this morning, and got almost one hundred replies. I just finished replying to all of them that it was gone.
I gave it away, put the ad in the FREE section. The guy may be showing up here since I gave him the info. Pretty sure he will be keeping it, not scrapping it. I didn't expect it to go this fast, or even at all. But he came with his brother and a car dolly and took it away. They still have to come back to get the rest of the bits and pieces and I have to get the title signed over.
Kind of sad, but honestly it is a big relief knowing that I don't have to deal with it in the middle of all this moving insanity.
Russ
Russ,
It is kind of sad, but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do! Hope you'll stick around here and keep us informed on the move, and settling into your new home!
Dwayne :smile:
well, I will stick around until someone kicks me off for getting rid of the Pinto. :-)
I still really want to do a Pinchero. I have owned several Rancheros over the years, and the thought of having a Pinchero is really exciting. But who knows what will happen. I didn't expect for us to be able to buy a house anytime in my lifetime, and that is happening. So anything is possible.
Still looking forward to Carlisle this spring. I haven't gotten to any of the big shows since we have moved to Ohio, and I am tired of missing them. So I am going to this one no matter what.
I'll look forward to seeing you there, then!
Dwayne :smile: