Took the Pinto out for a test ride the other day with the new 2.5 Ranger motor in it, and everything went well. Had a really odd vibration in the car though.
Put the car back up on the lift, and found out why. The new Canton High Capacity Oil Pan that I put on the motor, is now rubbing on the steering rack. On the top of the rack, there is a rivet that made a shallow dimple in the pan where it was hitting.
I pulled the steering rack bushings and let the rack drop and rest on the studs. With the rack in this lower position, the vibration is gone. Now I know I need offset bushings to drop the rack to this position.
Everything I find for offset steering rack bushings points to Fox Body mustangs. Nothing for Pinto or Mustang II. Am I missing something?
Has anybody put a set of these in? What did you use?
Thanks!
Mustang Fox Body should work. Their on e-bay all the time.
Racer Walsh.com in Florida has them.
What's funny is Fox3 owners use them to raise the rack when their cars have been lowered a lot.
Anyone have the bushing dimensions handy? I might make some in case I need them...
I just spoke to a rep at Steeda, as I was looking at the aluminum ones they make. The rep said that bushings from a 79-84 mustang should work on my pinto (1980). I also tried Global West, as they make aluminum bushings too, but no luck.
I work in a machine shop, so I am pretty sure I'd be able to make a set for myself. Shouldn't be too hard to turn them up on a lath, then drill them out on a Bridgeport.
The biggest issue I have right now is trying to put in the 2-piece bushings. I can't pull the rack off the cross-member very far, as the oil pan is right in front of it, and I can't really drop it down as it is connected to the steering. May be able to undo the rag joint, drop it down, install them and put them back up.
You'll need to adjust for bump steer...... ie: lower tie rod ends the same amount.
or
Raise the engine.
How are the drive shaft / diff angles measuring up ?
Quote from: Reeves1 on July 28, 2014, 02:33:06 PM
You'll need to adjust for bump steer...... ie: lower tie rod ends the same amount.
or
Raise the engine.
How are the drive shaft / diff angles measuring up ?
Not sure on the Drive-shaft / Diff angles. The engine is in the same position with the same motor mounts. Transmission is a T5 from a 2.3 Mustang, Drive-shaft is an aluminum Ford Racing unit, and the rear end is an 8" out of a Mustang II Ghia. The rear end was raised a little as we didn't use the blocks between the rear end housing and leaf springs. Other than that, everything is pretty much in the stock location.
How would I go about raising the engine? Would it be easier than lowing the steering rack?
Also, forgot to add, I just got off the phone with a rep from Global West. Said they use to make offset bushings for the pintos, but not anymore.
He did say the RB-4 Aluminum Bushings should work though, so I ordered a set. I'll let you guys know how they work when they come in.
(http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-20865666099910_2271_120028073)
Quote from: 80_2.3_ESS on July 28, 2014, 02:57:09 PM
Not sure on the Drive-shaft / Diff angles. The engine is in the same position with the same motor mounts. Transmission is a T5 from a 2.3 Mustang, Drive-shaft is an aluminum Ford Racing unit, and the rear end is an 8" out of a Mustang II Ghia. The rear end was raised a little as we didn't use the blocks between the rear end housing and leaf springs. Other than that, everything is pretty much in the stock location.
How would I go about raising the engine? Would it be easier than lowing the steering rack?
Some bump steer info: https://www.google.ca/?gws_rd=ssl#q=bump+steer+correction
I do not know what motor mounts you have. So cannot advise.
Note though, when you change the motor placement, and not the trans, you'll change the angles at the trans tail shaft.
https://www.google.ca/?gws_rd=ssl#q=diff+angles
yes you have to lower the outer tie rods the same as you move the rack down. I ordered mine from baer brakes, google them, bill helped me make the kit because they didn't list one. hope to install in my 73 on Friday. my rack was lowered by 2 inches I think?