I have just purchased a late model cruising wagon with a 2.8L V-6. It is my first Pinto and I have not seen a lot mentioned about the motor. I am hoping that someone has some input for my first Pinto restoration.
What a great car to start with. What is the condition of car and what would you like to do with it. The 2.8 is a very tough motor that has alot of parts available for it.
For the most part the car is pretty solid. It needs a drivers fender, hood, grill and possibly floor pans. I have not had the car delivered yet so I'm not sure what the condition of the motor is. I have always liked the Pintos and didn't want to see this one sent to the crusher.
Right now I am still open to what I would like to do with it. I am still trying to get ideas. I think that I have found the right website for Pinto ideas though. Hopefully I will know in the next couple of days what the condition of the 2.8L is.
Hoods and fenders are not hard to find, the grille on the other hand is not. I have been looking for a spare one for my 2 '78s for awhile. I recommend cutting the rusty floorpans out and fabricating your own back in. It is much easier than trying to put used stock one's back in. Hopefully your motor is good. Pull out all 6 spark plug and squirt in some light oil, and let set awile. Do this if engine has not ran for a long while. Then let set for a few hours and turn by hand, if it does then turn several revolutions--by hand. then change oil and filter(filter is a pain to get to), then try and start. May also try some fresh fuel and fuel stabilizer. I would also prime the carb.
Fast 34
We turned the motor over. Then we got it to start by priming the carb. The motor didn't sound bad but I will know more when I can put some new plugs and wires in it. Do you know of any on-line sites that sell body parts for the cruising wagon. I have found rear quaters but that is about it so far.
Hello NuPinto Owner,
Please post the contact info on the 1/4's that you found for the Pinto wagon.
This is NEW information I or many members would be interested in.
From Pintony
I would keep an eye on Ebay DAILY as things are added all the time. Pintony has alot of NOS (new old stock) stuff, so get ahold of him too. Keep an eye on the "parts for sale" here as new items are allways popping up. You may need to adjust your valves, since no one ever seemed to do it on those engines. I have also had a problem with the shear pin going bad on my dist. 2 times, and I do not know exactly why. It runs real bad when it goes.
Hello Fast34,
If you shear athe pin from your dist gear it is most likely you are running the wrong oil OR you are reving the engine before the oil has a chance to warm. 10W-30 oil is like axle grease at 0 deg. F.
When starting any engine in the cold it is a good idea to keep the RPM below 3000 for a bit.
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Adjusting the 2.0 cam to rocker clearance
Using the factory setting of the valves always seemed too much
FACTORY .010 on the intake and .012 on the exhaust.
I usually run them a bit tighter .008 and .010 on a cam that has been run and when re-adjusting a warm engine.
Never adjust the clearance on a HOT 2.0 engine.
From Pintony
This is a worn out 200,000 mile V-6. It has about 20-25 psi cold and around 8-10 going down the freeway, and 0 at idle hot. I finally just put a shortened up nail in it. Hope to get my other motor rebuilt and put in soon. I'll be putting the M2 4 speed back in too.
Pintony,
The 1/4's and the rocker panels were on JC Whitney. I double checked them but it doesn't tell me if they are for the wagon. It just tells me that they fit a 1977 Pinto. If you know if they will work or not please let me know. I will keep looking though and let you know if I find anything.
Quote10W-30 oil is like axle grease at 0 deg. F.
0 deg??? Good thing I don't have that problem.