Just picked up a 1973 original pinto wagon. Body is solid and hasn't been in an accident.
She needs new breaks, master cylinder, et all, a new radiator and water pump. He says about $1,500. I'm thinking I'll keep ger.
Original a/c is there but not working right now, The engine and tranny are good, smooth running but smokes quite a bit.
What do you all think...my mechanic says she isn't worth it and I should sell to a collector or junk her.
Don't want to junk her besides my son (11 yrs old)likes her and already named her "Betsy". My mom had one when I was a kid...it was great for transporting us kids and the family dogs. We got rear-ended by a semi with no breaks when I was 15 and both of us made it out of the car. Any car nowadays and we wouldn't have. Mom always wanted another one.
Quote from: grey_wolf_chief on July 12, 2007, 02:01:26 PM
What do you all think...my mechanic says she isn't worth it and I should sell to a collector or junk her. Don't want to junk her and my son likes her.
It is all perspective. If you are willing/able to put forth the time, money and energy to get her going again, and you can do it as a 'Father/Son' (or is it Mother/Son?) project, then I say do it. All this, of course, will also depend on your mechanical knowledge, and your willingness to learn. There are quite a few very knowledgeable people on this site, as well as a bunch of info in the archives and forums.
Your car looks to be in decent shape for a car that apparently has been sitting for a while. It has a couple of very nice options (A/C, A/T, 2.0, deluxe interior). Personally, I think your car is a nice find, and I hope you and your son have fun with her if you do decide to keep her.
Good luck.
--Doug
The radiator and water pump don't scare me. Even the break pads, rotors, and cylinders are okay.
It is the master cylinder and break lines that worry me. She is running and I think I am going to give it a try.
I have some body men who want to take care of the small amount of rust.
I'm sure I will be asking questions in the very near future.
Thanks
Grey_Wolf_Cheif,
Just have them do the brake work....the wheel cylinder bleeds might be frozen and need to be replaced if they snap off.
A complete brake system overhaul sounds like it is in order and would be a considerable project even for an experienced mechanic...but brakes are very important.....lines and all.
I say go for it...the car looks very worth it.
High_Horse
You need to find out WHY it is smoking. Do a PROPER compression test to see if it is the rings. It just might be valve seals or a head gasket.
For some brakes are easy, most of the time they are just time consuming (expensive at a shop).
The car looks very good.
Let me see if I have this right: someone at a shop told you "should sell to a collector or junk her". Sorry, that makes NO sense to me. They understand that it HAS VALUE TO COLLECTORS but sending it to a junk yard is still in YOUR BEST INTREST??? Please don't tell me they offered to haul it off for you too; if they did, find a new shop.
Bill
Thank you to all....I'm going to go for it. This is my first Ford project...I've been mainly a mopar girl.
I have a break man who will supervise me while I do the work and then do a full system check for free and catch anything that I might miss. I've only done 2 break jobs so far.
The mechanic gave me an estimate $1,800 to do the work but then advised me against it (but did not offer to haul it away). He is concerned that it would just be a money pit, he did try to sell me another car however.
I have been pricing the parts and the most expensive one is $50 including the core.
As for the smoking, I'm pretty optimistic as there is no water in the oil.
grey_wolf_chief, DEFINATLY do not scrap it!
There are alot of similaritys between Mopars and Fords. When you are doing the work take your time and "Cross your T's and Dot your I's"! The car looks to be in great shape. Use it as a learning experience, some people just don't understand what the attraction to Pinto's are for people like "Me" or "Us" (most people on this site). They just DON'T understand!
Now if you've wrenched on cars already you've already got the ball rolling, and if someone is willing to look over your work, that should give you a little bit of insurance that you will be comfortable behind the wheel when you are driving it down the road. Also the feeling you'll get when you are behind the wheel is "I did it all myself" makes it all worth wile.
Remember what 77turbopinto said "For some brakes are easy, most of the time they are just time consuming (expensive at a shop)", just keep that in mind when you are working on the car so you don't get discouraged about how long it is taking. I have to keep telling myself that when I start to get discouraged on my project because I've been working on mine for about 1½ years.
Also keep in mind what douglasskemp said "It is all perspective" when people are asking "Why a Pinto". Just reply, "I want to be different" that'll make them quite down.
Just Do It!
turbowagonman
Grey_Wolf_Cheif,
You really don"t need to take that car to anyone if you work on cars...am I getting this right...Girl. I assume you have another car to drive. There is enough expertise here to see you though all of it. Do you have tools? Jeez...If I can do it.
High_Horse
P.S....Who ever told you to junk it ...keep that car away from them...you have a jewel.
From what I see, it's a great peice, a little work and it's really sweet. Brakes are easy, but sounds like your mechanic is a little high. ( and I mean a LOT ) I wouldn't even think of getting rid of her, body and paint only on mine was around $3,500 and it had a LOT of rust, your body is great. FIX ER UP
I am only a weekend mechanic, major classic car junkie though. I have most of the basic tools but have friends that have all the rest.
I'm glad I found this site because I'm sure I'll be asking questions. You are all making me feel alot better about my decision to buy...tossed it around for about a week and a half, she was only $610.00.
Is it true that when the odemeter rolls then the numbers are not centered anymore? If so then she hasn't rolled on mileage yet but the title has a mileage exempt so I might never know.
The tow truck driver said he couldn't believe how strong she sounded. He suggested taking it to a Vocational School and having them do the work to satisfy a graduations requirement.
Another car, not right now, fience just got a new job across the state and he needs it. I'll bus it for awhile. :( But it will be worth it.
WOW, The car is worth 3-4 times that RIGHT NOW, if not more.
Depending on where youe spend it, putting 2-3 grand in it will make it very dependable, and worth even more.
Great find.
Shop rates have gone up a lot lately, but do check around and get VERY DETAILED estimates for EVERYTHING you might need.
Bill
You should be in jail for only paying 610.00 for that little gem cause you truly stole from them!!!!!! Nice find and welcome to the Pinto (to be different world) family!
Steve
I catch a LOT of flack for my 2 car obsessions, Pintos & Subarus. I dare to be different, by choice. My Pinto gets a lot of Thumbs Up, from other drivers. My Subie gets evil looks from Ricers as I blow by them off the lights. I LOVE my Pinto & have heaped attention on her, mostly to keep her on the road as a daily driver. Tho I've done some subtle mods on the interior to make her more comfortable.
The question of worth in these great lil' cars is moot...NADA says like $3500...I MIGHT part with mine for that, but I kinda doubt it.
Of course she's worth it! When you get stuck on a part of your project, ask questions here. These folks are great and have helped me a lot.
p.s. - Crazy Horse - I'm half looking for a BRAT...ever hear of any around?
Flyer,
I have my eye on a brat 86 i think. The guy want $400 and has a bunch of extra parts some minor rust but some engine problems Phils toys
Quote from: FlyerPinto on July 25, 2007, 07:54:21 AM
Of course she's worth it! When you get stuck on a part of your project, ask questions here. These folks are great and have helped me a lot.
p.s. - Crazy Horse - I'm half looking for a BRAT...ever hear of any around?
Keep your eye on the Ultimate Subaru Message Board in the marketplace section... they don't come up often, or cheap, but they can be found. DO expect significant rust damage on most of these EA81 series vehicles. In the early 80's Subarus came with rust pre-installed from the factory. After '85 it was a US only dealer option. :lol:
Linky: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/
Cool, I'll check that out right away. Thanks a bunch!
Are you keeping the car or is it for sale? I bought one brand new and loved it. Let me know.
Andy
I'll bet you one thing, if you don't think it's worth it there are about 100 people here who will knocking your door down to buy it!! My 2 cents; your mechanic seems a bit on the pricey side, that sometimes means they don't want to work on it. Get on e-bay and find yourself some service and repair manuals. I have gotten both factory and chiltons from there. Sit down and study them and do it yourself. Any advise you need is right here. Pinto's are fairly easy to work on. That is a nice looking car!! Believe it or not, there are some people who are thinking (and your mechanic may be one of them) "why would someone pay good money for that piece of crap?" All I have to say to them is :showback: !!
Hmmm he said that it would be 1500+ ?? and he wanted to "unload it for you" "Take it off your hands" Etc. He wanted it. LOL But probably didnt want to admit it to you!
This is soo worth it i cant stand it. GIMMY GIMMY ;D LOL!
You will probably spend near 700 in parts for a complete redo of all the brake components. But they should last you another 15 years so money well spent IMO.
For example @ rockauto.com
Most all is rabestos stuff.
126 each for front rotors. (71-73 is a rare bird for front disks. so they are very expensive new)
35 ish for a decent master cyl. ( rock has a closeout rabestos one for 35 now. normaly 89)
70 for rabestos loaded calipers.
50 for new front bearings/seals
150 for drums
35 for rear hardware (self adjuster kits, holddown kits)
35 rear brake hose.
40 for front brake hoses
20 for some brake fluid to do a compete flush
I wouldn't worry about the steel brake lines unless you have rusty brake fluid. If its just dark and dirly then just blow some brake clean through them from one end to the other.
This is about $687. Not including shipping.figure at least 100 more for shipping considering the weight and compenant count You could probably spend about 30% less with cheapest stuff out there but in the long run is your saftey really worth it? JMO!
I recently did all of this through ebay and over the last 3-5 years. I spent alot less, but it took a long time to gather all the parts together.
Wish i could help you with some labor as i love to help out, but im sure were too far away and i stil have my time sucker to finish. LOL
If you have the time , document with pictures and posts as you do it! Im sure we would all love to see.
GL
Save the Pinto! and if you can't save it find somebody that will! I have never taken a Pinto to a mechanic. just a muffler shop and a tire shop, everything else I do myself, have pulled engines, transmissions, rear ends, all the small stuff, you know, alternator, starter, water pump, carburetor, done some electrical work, swapped out hoods, fenders doors, glass, Pintos are almost the easiest car in the world to work on! :o
i saw that car in englewood fl at a used car dealer for the last 4 years tryed to buy the car but the car dealer wanted wat too much and the door bottoms where rusting away!!! i hope you got it for a steal!!! the car dealer was not a good guy to deal with!!! best of luck!!! i have my 75 bobcat down in fort myers so maybe ill see you around
Keep her! Keep her!! KEEP HER!!! What a beautiful little wagon. I'm jealous!
This post is over a year old (7/2007) and the person has not been on since 1/2008. I'd say she has done whatever she was going to.
Didn't notice the date- I was too excited about the car.