hey,
Sorry for so many posts but I keep learning more about these cars and I keep getting ending up with more questions.
I read a past thread on this site about the comparitive weights of pinto engines and it listed the 2.8 v6 as weighing a little more than 100lbs less than the 2.3 l4s(305 vs 410). If this is so do they run lighter springs on the 6 cylinder cars than the 4's or if not then can you put the 4 cylinder springs on the 6's to get a little stiffer ride. Also are the mustang II sway bars interchangable with the pinto's and is there any differrence in thickness between the optional pinto swaybars and the mustang bars?
any info would be appreciated, I hope to autocross my wagon one of these days and has anyone had their pinto out on a course and how do they run? thanks
I had a friend that used Mustang II springs on his 74 Pinto.
What springs are you guys using in your early Pintos Mine are super saggy....
Frank
My advice is to go on the autozone website and look up a spring for a v6 and then on a 4cyl and see if the part #s are different. This is how I was able to determine how to buy counter parts for a 5 lug front set up. You can look up for a mustang and generally the springs for a wagon with v6 and air should be a heavier spring. But usually a new set of springs will set the front back to original and I just purchased a set for $75.00. I still have a 4 cyl. I like the stock set and try to lighten up the front by removing unneccessary parts and has the same results. A aftermarket set of polurathene bushings will make it ride stiffer and isnt overkill. Good Luck, Pintoman287
I'm glad this question was asked as I am planing a bunch of performance changes to my '74 Runabout. I had planned on the poly bushings already, obviously the mustang II front sway will help as well.
I will still have to look into the front springs. The rear axle will likely be replaced with something sturdier, I may change up to 'Stang II shocks, plates, and sway bar.
This is definately the kind of info a newbie like myself is looking for.
There were two sizes for the mustang II front sway bar. If you plan to use a rear bar, the bigger front bar will help the car from getting too much oversteer.
Bill
Advance Auto Parts lists the same front shocks for the 78 302 MII and the 80 Pinto: Monroe 20814 or Monroe 32118. For the rear end, the 78 302 MII is Monroe 32191. Advance also lists 78 302 MII front coil springs new for $70 a pair, P/N TRW CS8582.
This is some info I posted in the Project section and it may be of some use to you.
Squidd, see my posting in the General Help section about spring part numbers and applications.
The biggest front swaybar offered on the Pinto was a 15/16" which would have been used on the Crusing Wagons and any of the different sport options. From my experience, this bar actually works quite well. The biggest Mustang II bar is 1". The biggest issue in installing the Mstg II bar on the Pinto is that the end holes for the links are further apart that the Pinto and ends up putting the links at a bit of an odd angle to the lower control arm. They will work, but they tend to wear links out much faster. I have both bars if someone would like a photo to see the difference. Addco made a 1" bar that was closer to the correct Pinto shape, but I don't know if they are still making it.