Been working on my 76 Squire since Sept. V8 swap, C4 tranny, 8 in POSI. Front end is new, springs, shocks, bushings, etc... Can't wait for the paint! Have several Pictures, but not sure how many I can post.
The front end!
Found the panels on a Crusin Wagon in the scrap yard, couldn't walk by and leave them there.
looking good! One thing....i think it best to move the battery to the back, it will get awefull hot up there! Just my opinion.
I was thinking about that, got a big stereo going in and have been looking at dry cells. Going to plan on the battery going back there at that point. Really anxious to get it on the road.
That things going to be sweet! :o Are you going to keep the wood look on the sides?
SVOwagon
All the holes have been welded shut, no more woody...Just replaced the carpet on the inside too. Adding the 3 gauge display in the dash, recoverd the dash pad and rear inside panels with matching vinyl. Aslo installed the rally style steering wheel.
where did ya get the front springs? Are they coated?
They came from speedway racing in Lincoln NE. They are chrome and rated at 450lbs. They were 49.95ea.
Wow
I wish my car was that solid. Maybe when I move to Florida Ill be able to find a rust free wagon. My project is a lot uglier. ;D
Quote from: hoots on February 22, 2004, 05:11:21 PM
They are chrome and rated at 450lbs.
I have read it was not a good idea to chrome any front end parts, like springs or control arms, due to hydrogen embrittlement.
I don't claim to know much about metallurgy, but apparently the chrome plating process will make the surface of the base metal brittle and prone to cracking.
Maybe they use a different plating process. ???
Never heard of that before. I'm not going to race just pleasure cruise. I've seen several street rods with lots more chrome in the front end and they look good.
I was looking at your rad. I couldn't find two small rads I just got one. Mine still gets a little hot. Let me know how yours runs.
Henry
It's running about 200-210 on warmer days. The fans turn on a 190, same as the stat opening. The hot summer days and lead foot will be the real test though.
i think he means fans for the radiator.
One step closer to paint. Just got my scoop installed today. I sure need to invest in a better camera.
Just got my dash finished, what do you think?
looks great dude!! thats what i want mine to look like only black and red or something, i havent decided on the colors yet. good job man. keep up the good work.
What did you do to the dash pad to raise it up like that where your Tach is?
I used 2 dash pads from the scrap yard, cut the raised portion from around the gauges of one and formed it to the other pad. Smoothed out the top with body filler and covered with vinyl. I'm waithing on a 1.5" voltage gauge to put next to the tach.
I really like the look of your dash. I probably won't do that with mine, but I do want to say it looks really sharp. Nice job!
Thanks for all the compliments guys. I'm really getting excited about it. My rebuilt 8" posi is almost ready, and it goes in the paint shop the 1st of June. Haven't decided on rims yet, but am leaning towards 17". Some of these photoshop pics are really cool with 17's. If I wasn't so far over budget it would be a hard choice.
i hear ya..... i told my wife 5 to 7 thousand......its doubled that and not done yet :o ;D
:o
*Cough*
Um...I don't think I'm putting that much into mine. At least, I hope not! Then again, by the time I'm done....
yea....thats what i said too! Then i sank $4500 into the heads, cam, intake and distributor. :'( It hapeened soooo fast! ;D
I saw the pix of the dash, and I'm impressed... I don't want to raise it up any, but I do want to recover mine... Howd you do it? I'm thinking of getting a new dash cap for it, but I'd prefer a softer vinyl cover as opposed to a hardr plastic cover.
I thought about those dash caps too, I agree about the hard plastic. My original dash had a few cracks in it, I used body filler to fill them in and smooth them out. I picked up some vvynil at the local material shop and some spray trim adhesive to hold in place.
I've done several custom stereo installs that gave me the experience with this sort of thing. it's reaaly simple once you get used to it.
I'll be posting some more pics when I get it back from the paint shop next week.
That's great... I'll look forward to seeing them. It'll give me somewhat an idea on how to do mine....I must admit though that idea for where the tach was is very impressive... It looks like the car was made like that.
is this car painted and driving yet? i see you are from sioux falls. i am from worthing and work in sioux falls. i would like to check out your car somtime. here is a pic of my 73 hatch.
Tony Reiners
I've seen you cruisin around town, we'll have to get together. My ride should be done this week, I'll post a pic when it's done. You can email me directly at hoots971@excite.com.
Hey, what kind of stereo do you have going in? Any hints on stereo installs in Pintos?
most of the install is planned out and waiting in the wings. 6.5in. in the front kick panels, not willing to cut the doors, 5.25in in the rear sides beside the seats, not in the very back.
The subs (2-12in.) are going in the spare tire well. Where the amp and battery are going has yet to be determined.
Here's a few pics of the almost completed project. Still working on the front air dam and not sure how to make the lines. As you can see I'm still in need of the front turn signal lenses, so if anyone has some please let me know. I beleive the grill is from the 71-73 Pinto. Bought it as NOS on ebay.
looks awesome! What is the front air dam off of?
I found an OEM air dam for the front, actually I found 2.
Here's some pics of the engine compartment.
Hey hoots,
Looks like a nice clean V8 install.
SEE guys you do not have to hack up the core support to get a nice V8 installed. ;D
Nice job Hoots! REALLY NICE!!!!!!
From Pintony
The Shiny Police gives this a Thumbs up..... :police:
Couple more Pics, I'm almost done with the stereo too. They can hear me coming. I forgot what having a decent stereo can do for the ride.
I always liked SILVER Pintos... :) :drunk:
Hey Hoots, I must comend you on a job very well done! That has got to be one of the cleanest and classiest Pinto wagons I have seen....Rob :o 8)
You should enter your car for the 2007 calender. Excellent job!!!
Wow!
I'm not a fan of silver on anything, but it really looks GREAT on your wagon.
Top job, my friend!
-Harry
Thanks for the compliments, still working on cleaning up the engine compartment though. The oem ignition mod and volt reg has to go. I'm doing my research on the Pertronix dist with built in ignition mod. and 1 wire alt.
One problem I'm facing is getting a '12v while cranking' circuit. The tech line at MSD said "hook up a toggle switch".
Anyone have a suggestion?
Do you have a starter solenoid? Feed off the wire that triggers your starter. Could you let me know what you find out about the pertronix. someone on here told me about it back in 98 or 99, but I havent been able to dig anything up about it. But I havent looked in recent years.
Here's some updated pics on the stereo install. Also got my battery project complete.
Hey Hoots,
How does it sound?
It goes with out saying that you do NCE clean work.
Very nice touch painting the grills to match the carpet....
The re-pop work on your carpet looks TOP-NOTCH!
Very nice!!!!!!
CLEAN LOOKING!!!!!!
SWEETTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!
From Pintony
Give us some detail on the subs and front mid-tweets. Memphis and kicker????
From Pintony
Fusion Head unit CD/MP3
Fusion seperates up front
Orion power 4 Channel
MTx 12"s
:text_yb_warning: IT ROCKS!!
You'll have to stop by some time Pintony and give me a class on doing those door panels. Your's sure look nice.
Excellent job hoots! I'll be happy if mine ends up looking half as good. :drunk:
I am really impressed Hoots. I love a good Pinto project and yours is outstanding. ThunderPinto and I are looking forward to cruising with you one day.
VIVA-V8 Pinto Power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
High_Horse
I went to another show this past weekend, it's billed as the largest judged car show in the state. Once again they put me in the "special interest" class, which was one of the bigger classes. I like that though. Yes, I came home with another first place!!! The guy with the Nova wasn't too happy either... reminds me of the guy with the Monte Carlo I beat out last month. HAHAHAHAHA.
Congratulations, and keep up the excellent work. :amazed:
In a few words B, U, T, FULL job. Darn I love it when Chevvie's get beat out. Especially by a Pinto Cruiser. I'll bet those Cheevy guys are still moaning. LOL. You did a wonderful job on every aspect ofthe Pinto. Congrats. BOSS2300
Swapped out the cowl hood scoop for this one.
I haven't seen this thread before now and I must say, you have a BEAUTIFUL Pony!
I can't wait until the day comes when I can get mine repainted and looking great both inside and out!
I like the console arrangement where the center console meets the center cubby, I think I want to find one for mine when I get my Mustang II console in.
The hood scoop looks good, I've always been fond of the low profile ones just like that.
that is one very sweet ride. Whats the Size of the motor?
It's a 302, looking for upgrades need more HP. Also have the AOD trans and 8" posi.
Its a wonderful looking car. im going with the Aod behind my S/C 3.8
New engine installed!
Aluminum heads, roller rockers, KB pistons and rods, Weiand intake with Street Avenger 670 carb. Also had a shift kit installed in the AOD, what a major improvement. Shifts better than my old C4 and getting 22-24mpg on the highway.