Pinto Car Club of America

I'm in Napa, CA and I have a 1978 Runabout. 2.3, 4 speed California car. It has the 6500 Feedback carburetor. A few months ago I had an engine compartment fire. No major damage but there are a number of very small vacuum lines that were melted. I need a source for these small vacuum lines, and I need to figure out where they all connect. Some are color coded but still the connections are a mystery. I would love to find someone locally who is familiar with these systems and could take care of the repairs correctly. It does run and is driveable so I could deliver it to a local shop. Any help is appreciated. This has been my baby for 14 years and I would love to get it back to where it should be. Thanks in advance......Rick

I owned a 78 Cal-emissions HB about 13-14 years ago.  It still had all the emissions stuff installed, an 89K little old lady car.  Unfortunately I do not have any detailed pictures of the engine and vacuum lines.  I did create a detailed thread on my dad's 79 wagon with the vacuum line routing.  It is a 4cyl 4spd, non cal-emissions car though.  Even though it is different, maybe the thread will be helpful?  Good luck to you.


Vacuum Connections for a 79 4cyl. (fordpinto.com) (https://www.fordpinto.com/general-help/vacuum-connections-for-a-79-4cyl/msg52925/#msg52925)

Have you checked to make sure that you need a smog check? Check with your county of residence and some posts in other forums indicate that in 2003 the cut off year chang3d and vehicles older than 35 years qualify as historically significant. Do some checking.. maynsave you some grief.

Here in the free state of Texas any vehicle older than 20 years qualifies for an antique plate....

$75 for 5 years, no inspection...

This is a smog map of California requirements to smog test the car. 1975 and older cars do not need smog tests. Outlying areas only smog on change of ownership. There rest test every two years. Typical cost is around $60 with coupon. It looks like Dalimoman could be in either the Basic or Enhanced category based on the fact that Napa is a split county according to the map.


Rural areas have a basic test (I believe static, two speed idle test). Also 1976 to 1996 cars have to have an EVAP test which is separate and cost an additional $15-$20. Enhanced areas have the car on the Dyno/Sniffer test when 1999 and older. 2000 and newer only get the OBD II plug in to see what the computer saw.


The lowest cost yearly registration is now $148 per year. We have "Historic" plates too but I don't know the application and limitations. Given I see very few cars with them I assume they are pretty much for Parade Cars only like Model T's.

Quote from: LongTimeFordMan on May 20, 2024, 12:47:57 AM
Have you checked to make sure that you need a smog check? Check with your county of residence and some posts in other forums indicate that in 2003 the cut off year chang3d and vehicles older than 35 years qualify as historically significant. Do some checking.. maynsave you some grief.

Here in the free state of Texas any vehicle older than 20 years qualifies for an antique plate....

$75 for 5 years, no inspection...

Virginia has a similar program... I think I paid 45 or 50 dollars for mine, but it's good for as long as I own the car.  No property taxes and no state inspections necessary.  Beats the heck out of California and probably a lot of other states! 

Dwayne :)