First off, everyone thank the Texas A&M department of student financial aid for funding this project. I got my refund check a few weeks ago and was quick to spend a large part of it at Summitracing.com. This past week (spring break) I went home to San Marcos, TX to work on the pinto.
My goal for the end of the week was to have the front end of my 71 all rebuilt and back together with the Wilwood disc brakes and magnum 500’s on.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_2911.JPG)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_2909.JPG)
I got the front end apart Tuesday. It was surprisingly easy. Nothing a BFH couldn’t handle. Not surprisingly, things were less than shiny.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_2856.JPG)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_2863_1.JPG)
I got the control arms, strut rods, springs, and shocks all off and cleaned up the stuff. Spindles, strut rods, and control arms will all be Grabber Green because that is the official color of my friend and mines bustling custom shop.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_2906.JPG)
Cleaned up the frame a little...
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_2860.JPG)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_2903.JPG)
The Control arms got sent off to get the bushings pressed out and the new ones pressed on. The Brakes…I found out, were the wrong ones. So Tuesday I ordered the right kit, had it overnighted and all was well…Wednesday night came and the brakes weren’t there so I tracked them on UPS.com…they had been delivered…but they were at my College Station address. So I got in the car, drove two hours, got there at midnight to find my brakes sitting in front of the door. I went into the apartment, slept for 4 hours, and drove back in the morning.
Went to the local parts house, ordered strut rod bushings and ball joints.
I go to the machine shop Friday to find the bushings are for 74 and up Pinto/MII suspensions. Local stores only old uppers, and they had to order them. So the bushings stopped me from completing my task. I found a kit from Racer Walsh for 71-73’s that I ordered. So this weekend I hope to get it done. I'm looking forward to problems from the wheel/tire combination, next. Semi intelligent thoughts, suggestions, comments…all that’s welcomed. Expect more this weekend.
Got the front end all back together this past weekend (+monday)
I got the bushings from Racer Walsh friday, the folks at San Marcos Auto Machine were kind enough to press them on right then. My next task was remove the ball joints. Service book says to drill out the rivets, i tried that...then decided a grinder and a huge hammer would work better. It got the job done, but not without a bit of a mess. Ball joint fragments
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_2975.JPG)
the machine shop hot tanked the control arms so they were pretty clean already.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_2977.JPG)
I cleaned them up a little bit more and then painted them Grabber Green and then started bolting on the new ball joints inside. It was raining outside.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_2987.JPG)
One of my lower ball joints (i paid 125 for both at Autozone) had the wrong dust boot, of all things. Good thing i had ordered another set on ebay earlier in the week (36$ inc. shipping) So since i couldnt start putting things back on the car Sunday, i put the brakes together.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_2994.JPG)
Everything ready to go on
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_2996.JPG)
Driver side on. It took an innovative use of a spring compressor and a fair amount of time to get this side on.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_3001.JPG)
Passenger side on. Did this with my eyes closed. (not exactly, but it was much easier becasue i knew what i was doing and what to expect)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_3011.JPG)
Got tires from the folks at Discount tire. I'm not 100% happy with them. too much sidewall for my tastes, but i got them mounted and put them on.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_3018.JPG)
and this is how it sits-
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_3033.JPG)
New parts that should go on this weekend (hopefully)
Brake Lines. (Shiney)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_3040.JPG)
8" rear end from a bobcat. No pictures, but it's nice and non-shiney. I'll get it looking pretty though.
New rear leaf springs. Not sure about them. Ordered them from Summit. I'll let you know how it works out.
I'll be happy if i get the brake lines on the front. I'm going to be spending lots of time with the girlfriend this weekend, so my first true love will have to wait until i can work on him more (my pinto is a he...his name is Pinto.)
I'll have another update sunday night/monday.
I am impressed. I did this very same thing on my 77 wagon about 5 years ago. I replaced everything. And I might add that I made an effort to get the lifetime warrenty on rack and pinion,rotors,calipers, brake pads and front shocks. This will allow me to maintain this car into the future at a minimum cost. When I did my front end it cost me about a thousand bucks and I did all the labor myself. Shiney Black with burnt orange springs. Please note that I as well did the little wrestling thing with the springs.
Good Job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I see you went "FIRST CLASS" with the shocks and are using Konis! Great choice! Do you have any sources that have anymore Konis for the Pinto? Thanks for the post on your frontend experience. I'll be doing this to my 79 Panel in the not too distant future.
Those Magnum 500s look great, are they 14" or 15" Do you have any rubbing problems. What are your plans for the rear?
haha..i'm pleased to see people have read this post. Thanks for the feedback.
79panel, The Koni shocks came with another Pinto i bought. If you look them up on the Koni website, you can find them for sale as well as at Racerwalsh.com.
Tercin the Magnum 500's are 15X7 on the front and they don’t rub, surprisingly. I say that having only driven it about a block and back, though. They are a close fit. I had to use 15's with the Wilwood brakes. But so far, no rubbing. Had the brakes not specifically said "for use with 15" wheel or bigger" I’d have gone with a 14.
For the rear I’m putting an 8" out of a bobcat in there that I’m picking up this weekend.., stock gears, stock brakes, all that (for now). I have Magnum 500 15X8's for the back.
Then this summer/fall...there is going to be a 302 build up, some adjustable coil overs for the front, sub frame connectors, a locker and some nice gears for the rear end as well as (maybe) a disc conversion back there too. Some traction bars, a roll bar, and lots of other assorted, sure to be expensive parts. Going to re-do the engine compartment with sheet metal and make it look pretty. But that's all in the distant future.
Sorry I don’t have any pretty pictures from this weekend, but sadly (cry with me...) i didn’t get a chance to work on The Pinto. This weekend the girlfriend is coming up to A&M which means no work, either. Sooo it looks like it will be a week or so before i get the back half torn apart and put back together...but I’ll be sure to chronicle it as well. Thanks for your feedback, and keep it coming. I appreciate it!
wooooooo. Just picked up a 5-lug 8" rear from a bobcat in Junction, Texas. It took 3 hours of driving but it was well well worth it. And i was in good company. Anyway, i'm going to start tearing down the rear of the car sometimes around.........Now. It's 9:00 PM Texas time on saturday. ;D I'll take some pics and post them sunday/monday. My goal for this weekend is get the back half apart. (springs, shocks, rear...also take out the fuel cel in the trunk so i can prepare to cut out the floor of the trunk) It should be easy, i'm good at destroying things :)
Hey Chris!
Good luck with the rearend! Looking forward to seeing your photo journal of the event!! Thanks for the feedback on the Konis. I know the fronts can be found, but the rears are a whole other story! I've been lucky to find some for the rear of my panel, because they are different that the sedan/hatchback and they were the first number to get discontinued for the Pinto. I keep looking though, so I can have some spares for the day I will need to replace them.
Sorry it’s been so long guys. I’ve gotten a fair amount of work done in two weekends, though.
Last weekend I got the old rear all the way out and I got the new leafs and backing plates bolted to the 8â€. Had to buy some new U-bolts and drill the shock mounting plates (until I get the right ones off a maverick) but other than that, it was pretty much a bolt in deal. I was surprised. I got it in there and ordered brake parts. Drums, shoes, wheel cylinders.
This most recent past weekend I got the pinto e-brake cable on and adjusted, got the new wheel cylinders and shoes on, put the drums on. Ran the front braided lines and hooked up the rear metal line. Tightened up assorted bolts and double checked things. And I ordered some new tires. The front ones weren’t doin it for me and they were 220 or so dollars. So I went back to Discount tire and told them what I wanted. They were nice about it. Took back the front tires since I hadn’t used them, gave me some credit, and I ordered Yokohama AVS ES100s. 195 50 15 in the front, 225 50 15 in the back. I also ordered some center caps for the Mag 500’s (shiney spinners, of course) and I have wheel spacers and my Wilwood proportioning valve in hand. So this weekend it should be rolling, and I’ll be taking it on a test drive to see my wonderful, surprisingly understanding girlfriend perform at a dance show thing. I'm sure I'm forgetting some things, since it’s been so long. But on to what matters most…pictures!
The 8" rear end
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_3123.JPG)
the old 6 3/4"
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_3124.JPG)
New Afco leaf springs from Summit
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_3128.JPG)
Everything painted and about to go together
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_3142.JPG)
Rear in place. Kept the KYB Gas-a-just shocks. they worked well before :)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_3148.JPG)
Side view
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_3153.JPG)
Crappy picture of the front line on the caliper. (things are getting dirty already :( )
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_3155.JPG)
Picture of the car after i bolted on the front spoiler. Got it off ebay but didnt put it on because the 13" wheels didnt allow for much ground clearance
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/chrisscooljunk/websize/100_3205.JPG)
That's all i have for now. Questions/comments always welcome. Next week i'll get pictures of it with the wheels and tires on! maybe some beauty shots, who knows.
A few more pictures...
The center caps
(http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/wvi-2021-1.jpg)
The tires
(http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/yokohama/yo_avs_es_100_ci2_l.jpg)
I did this last week but as I posted there was an internal server error. Oh well. I’ll give the short version.
Last last week (last week in April) I took The Pinto on his first drive in a while. New wheels and tires were on, center caps were on. Seat was held in by one bolt and I had 2/5th of my 5 point harness in. I'm driving down the road and there is a little bit of smoke coming in the car. I dismiss it at first, because I think it’s just burning off paint, oil, all kinds of who knows what. Well, it keeps on smoking lightly. It didn’t smell like anything, just thin white smoke. About that time I notice my oil pressure is at 10 lbs and slowly falling. I HAD to make it to where I was going, it was only about a minute ahead, so I put it in 5th gear and rolled on ahead. 1300 rpm, 10lbs of oil. I pulled in to the parking lot at my destination and opened the hood to see what was smoking. My friends who were in the convoy with me directed me to the passenger side of my car. It was covered in oil. Pretty much I'm stupid, and the tire rubbed through a remote oil line. Thus, oil leaked everywhere.
Towed it home the next day, pulled off the remote oil filter crap, screwed on a regular oil filter, put 5 new quarts of Castrol GTX 20-50 in, and he is back in action. What worst is that I didn’t even NEED the remote oil filter (I did when I had headers on, but I couldn’t run an exhaust with those headers so it’s got manifolds on now) Simple problem that could have been avoided. Live and learn, though.
This past weekend I rebuilt the carburetor. It isn’t running right still. But I rebuilt the Holley 450 with #48 jets and a 3.5 power valve. I think it needs to be timed again, maybe a new distributor cap and rotor and hopefully it will be running perfectly. It’s definitely much better after the carb rebuild. (it’s not rough around 1500-2000 anymore, Brad) I’ll try some fine tuning when school is over and I go home for the summer TOMORROW.
The new leaf springs I put in are longer than the stock ones, so the rear shackles have folded and hit the frame. I'm going to try and flip the hanger, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll build a shackle lift (I’ll probably build the shackle lift anyway,
Anyway that’s about all I have to offer for now. Of course, here are the pictures of everything.
Tires, wheels, and chin spoiler on.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/67mustang/websize/100_3258.JPG)
Another shot
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/67mustang/websize/100_3262.JPG)
The oil hole..
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/67mustang/websize/100_3254.JPG)
Where all the oil went
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/67mustang/websize/100_3253.JPG)
the genuis solution
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/67mustang/websize/100_3285.JPG)
prop valve installed right by the seat
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/67mustang/websize/100_3270.JPG)
Engine. (Kinda shiney :) )
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/67mustang/websize/100_3260.JPG)
Some before/after pics...it's come a long way ;D
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/pictures/websize/100_2222.JPG)(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/pictures/websize/100_3266.JPG)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/pictures/websize/100_2467.JPG)(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/pictures/websize/100_3265.JPG)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/pictures/websize/100_0124.JPG)(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/pictures/websize/100_3251.JPG)
It's been really hot and i havent gotten much work done. I did buy a 263 piece craftsman toolset recently though.
Engine needs some tuning up. I'll be doing that within the next few days. the list of stuff to do keeps getting shorter. When i'm done with this list, i'll start making the list for the SBF conversion. I should be getting the forged dome pistons within the next week or so. Still looking for a roller block (87 and up) if anyone knows where one is for cheap, i'd like to know.
I'll keep everyone posted though.
thanks
-chris
Great work. Keep the pictures coming.
Say Chris, when you install the SBF, would you be interested in selling the rocker covers off the V6?
Seems evey time i post, there is an internal server error and it dosent go through. So i've been up to a few small things latley...
I got a new fiberglass hood from ebay, i ordered the inline radiator filler, new front brake line, other assorted stuff.
I'm having a large problem with the brake lines in the front. I need the right size fitting and a disc brake prop. valve. Local junk yard wants 50 dollars for one :-\
Good news, money wise...A&M is giving me some big butt cash money in a couple of months, and you can believe things here will pick up when i get that fundage. Nothing ridiculous. Most of it is going to go to the engine which i hope to be done a year from now or so.
Any suggestions on what to do? 302, 331, 347? 12:1 compression, 10:1....AFR 185 or 205 heads? Roller cam, or non? I'm not 100% set on what i'm going to do yet, so outside input is always welcomed.
Anyway here are a few pics. I got a spoiler from a 70's camaro that will be going on soon, and i'm looking for some new tailights from a 64 cyclone or maybe a biscayne or something of the sort. Any ideas on tailights are welcomed too. Once i get all that done i'm going to paint it and be "done" with it until the SBF goes in.
New hood
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/pictures/websize/Picture%20030.jpg)
Radiator Filler, shorter air filter.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/pictures/websize/Picture%20042.jpg)
The resident pig, Arnold
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/pictures/websize/100_1780.JPG)
I’ve been doing a little work to my Pinto latley. I painted it, ordered a roll bar, got a new center section for the 8â€, other assorted things. Thought I’d post a few pics and update things a little.
I’m getting a new fuel cell and carb this week. I’ll let everyone know how it goes.
Some pics-
The old center section onthe left, new one on the right. Has 4.30 gears and a spool. got it for $50 and has just been rebuilt
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/am/websize/DSCF1731.JPG)
Paint...just to get it all one color and looking semi-decent..professional paint and body work is on the list of things to do.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/am/websize/Pinto%20003.jpg)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/am/websize/Pinto%20007.jpg)
Nice looking car!!!! Where did you get the rear spoiler....... ???
I like Flat Black.......... ;D
The spoiler came off an 80-somethin camaro. I bought it on ebay for 10 dollars (inc. shipping) i didnt feel like spending 90 on a real Pinto spoiler. It bolted on nicely, about an inch and a half gap on each side of the trunk, but the look grows on me.
And thanks, Brad, it works, for now ;)
Thanks for the info, I will have to go to the bone yard and find one now. Our track lets us run aftermarket spoilers, and I am like you, dont want to buy a new one. Especially for a race car....... Great looking car.
I thought this was kind of cool. I found a picture of the car at different times to see how much it's changed. It's taken a long long time to get it where it is.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/am/websize/pinto.JPG)
The first pic is from when we bought it for 300 dollars. It had a 1.6 and a melted piston. My dad and i replaced the piston and drove it around.
The second is when it had a Racing 2.3. I was dumb for taking it out.
The last is how it currently sits. The wheels in the first two pictures are pretty heinous.
I'm going to try and put the roll cage in this weekend (i always say it but never do) and i just bought a roller 302 to build up by this summer/fall. I was going to go turbo 4 for a while, but when it comes down to it, there is no replacment for displacment. I'll keep you posted on all that
Nice to see it as it progressed. I always like the old US Indy mags. I can't say as I agree with the displacement comment. Things have changed. I have a 3.0 liter motor putting out 680 hp at the flywheel. I am getting ready to put that SVO motor in my Pinto and will be following a friends example who has a 260 hp at the wheels engine in his Merkur. The new EVO 8 is a monster with a 2.0 liter. That displacement comment is kind of being proved wrong of late. Love the Pinto though. Keep it up.
Jake
Hm....how did the fuel filler cap switch sides from the first pic to the subsequent ones!?!?!
The photo negative was processed backwards.
From Pintony
Bravo Chris,
You have one bad butt healthy lookin Pinto there. Nice, nice carrrrr!!!!!!!
High_Horse
Thanks for all the comments.
The gas filler question can be answered by computer editing. That was the only old picture i have, and it was facing the wrong way, so i flipped it around so it'd face the same direction as the other pictures. Good eye.
A few things that have happened this summer and in the past spring...
Roll cage, racing seat and harnesses, trunk redo. Looks like no engine this summer, or any time in the near future. School has gotten too expensive, and the Pinto will have to wait. But as always, here are some pictures. They talk better than me.
I needed a way to mount the fuel cell in the trunk, and angle iron sounded like a good idea so we got on that.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/am/websize/DSCF1776.JPG)
I cut out the trunk floor and spare tire recess and all that with a jig saw, which was not the easiest of tasks, but it got done. A 1/8" piece of sheet metal was put in it's place and a hole was cut for the fuel cell...cage, for lack of better term. When it was all done, it looked like this
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/am/websize/DSCF1783.JPG)
With the fuel cell in- It does sit a little low, and with the outlet fitting facing the rear they sit just under the rear valance which, I suppose, does nothing to rid the pinto of it's infamous "explode upon rear impact" reputation, and it defeats the purpose of a fuel cell. It needs to be fixed in the future, but for now it works.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/am/websize/DSCF1786.JPG)
The roll cage went in shortly after, at least most of it. Supports that go from the hoop to the front subframe aren't in. Not sure exactly how to put them in, either. I'll deal with that one later.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/am/websize/DSCF4018.JPG)
another shot
(http://photos.imageevent.com/chuck030701/am/websize/DSCF4058.JPG)
I got it all in, harness brackets, seat, etc this past weekend. Sadly my camera got stolen so I'm out of business til I get a new one. I'll get some shots up, though. Let me know if you have any requests.
Hey Chris,
What do you have done to the V6 that's in your car? I see it has the Offy mani and 4-barrel. Does it have headers and, if so, whose? Does it have a perf cam in it? What trans are you using? I'm still interested in the valve covers or possibly the whole engine, when you get to that point. Take care!
Brien
Howdy
79panel- I couldnt get headers to fit in the 71 engine compartment, so it's got manifolds on it. It's got a new Holley 4bbl and the offy manifold, like you said. Pertronix distributor, Msd 8 mm wires and MSD 6a box. the heads have a hole drilled in them to deal with the odd head temps the 2.8 normally had. Make the temps even out. Heads have been cleaned up in the ports. this model of 2.8 has decent head castings as far as air goes, so there was not much to do. It's ben bored .40 over, has a stock cam and valve train. it was originally a rear sump engine put i put the front sump pinto pan and pick up on it. Only problem is the dipstick goes in the block, not the pan so it's kind of awkward. THe transmission is a 5 speed manual with a hydraulic clutch, it came from a Bronco II. has a short throw shifter. It's a fairly stock engine. a cam and some stiffer valve springs would do wonders, i think. I'm hesitant to do that becasue i don't plan on keepin the engine long term. I'd like to sell the engine as a whole if possible, but if it comes down to it i'll try and get you the valve covers. it's a prety engine, nice and shiney when it's all cleaned up. It only has about 50 miles total on it. Bought it rebuilt and never run from a guy who was going to drop it in an MG.
Thanks for the interest, and take care.
chris
Man, why does that fuel cell cage look so familiar???
Funny story, i was reading and online message board and some nut case had done something similar. I figured if it was good enough for him, it was good enough for me ;)
im doing a very similar build. i am also going with a hoop cage, and possible fuel cell. i was curious why you didnt go with the horizontle removable bar, instead of welding it in? i have a 71 sedan as well. going with subframe connectors, 4 wheel disc brakes, 5 lug all around, posi rear end. thanks for the pictures. it gave me some insight on how things will look..
i'm not familiar with the removable bar setup. Also it's where my harnesses mount, so the stronger the better. I don't have much need for carrying passengers in the rear seat (which isnt there, anyway) so the welded bar isn't too big of a deal, unless i'm working on something in the rear of the car, and then i have to be a contortionist. Glad the pictures have helped you. If i can help in any other way, let me know
Thanks and Gig em