Howdy,
I'm new to the pinto scene, and have a few questions to ask you knowledgable folks. My neighbor has a pinto for sale, and it got me thinking about buying it. I was wondering, however, what are some bad rust out spots for these cars? It looked a little rusty on the rockers, and where the floor pan meets the firewall. Do these cars have torque boxes? Also, I have a 351w and was wondering if I could fit it in w/out too much cutting. Rear end wise, how wide are these cars? I have a 9" out of a 68-72 F100 - I assume i woiuld have to narrow it. Would I have to cut the trans tunnel out to fit and aod in it? Any other useful tips/info you guys have would be appreciated.
thanks
Welcome.
The front floor near the firewall seems to be a trouble spot, but easy to repair. The rockers rust, but they are avalible, as are the full quarters. Take a look under the dash best you can, they tend to rust in the cowl area. Also look around the frond leaf spring mounts and the floor near them.
They don't have torque boxes like the early stangs have.
As far as the rear goes, drum to drum is about 56", 57" or so, I can't find my notes. There are 8" rears that direct bolt from pintos and mustangII's.
I never did the v8 thing, but I plan to at some point. Not much room in the tunnel either.
Good luck,
Bill
the 8" or 9" rear out of a maverick or comet is 5x4.5 bolt pattern and a bolt in fit. you just have to use the maverick tieplates and u bolts. you will have to slightly modify how the shock attaches to the tie plate. rear is 56" axle flange to axle flang and measures 43" spring centers same as a pinto.
hi wayne here:no such animal as torque box in a ford.
or pinto. as i ask every 1 who ventures down this road.
what are you going to do with this car????????
how much money are [you] willing to spend????
are you doing the work???
do you want a safe street rod ?????
and are you willing to do it right????
answer all above/ and the 351-w will fit very easy
i would go with a c4 you can use the stock shifter drive shaft /if auto trans is in it
if its a c4 have it rebuilt. we can get deeper after you answer the questions, i have built many pintos. i have a 460 pinto [now]
i am building. wayne you can go to johisaree@yahoo.com
e mail me at johisaree@yahoo.com ok wayne