well... it's been running great and so far and I am happy with the mechanicals since I had the rear axle seals replaced and brake hardware changed. I was just going to replace the door and rear hatch seals/gaskets (Thanks Pintony!) but noticed that the headliner gave way (see picture below) so my plans to do the interior and windshield gasket have been moved up.
Some may recall the story went something like this... car sat for many years in the hot Nebraska sun and the interior literally baked to the point most of the plastic interior stuff just crumbles when you touch it. The rear panels are so brittle I can poke a finger thru them w/o any real effort, some of the duct work (defroster piece) have just crumbled and is held in with tape. Headliner and seat seams are coming apart. I also have minor issues with painted surfaces. Someone long ago removed a sticker (or something) from the glove box door with a razor blade I'm guessing as the paint is gone. The interior of the doors were painted a non matching color and there is a lot of over-spray from the Macco paint job it received. I knew I was going to do this... was just hoping I guess to put it off for a bit longer is all.
Once the headliner dropped... I decided to go ahead and get it all done now.
So... here's the plan.
1) I ordered the front windshield gasket and beltlines for the doors (Autokrafters) and a new headliner (Headliner Mart) in dark blue instead of the original light blue.
2) The gal that installed the new headliner in the 1973 is coming by Monday night to look it over and I have already asked her if she'll do this one in my garage and show me how. I can only hope she will still agree to that after she comes on Monday. ;D
3) Talk to the glass guy I do business with and setup the time to have him pull the windshield to make things easier to install the headliner. Gasket needs replacement as it is split/cracked and leaks bad so perfect timing.
4) With the windshield removed it will be the perfect time to sand and repaint the dash (Rust-oleum cobalt blue metallic) which from my test spray is almost a dead-on match for the original color but has a little bit more flake in it. I will also be repainting the interior of the doors to match the dash removing the original baby blue (Yuck!)
5) Another issue is the rear interior panels, brittle and crumbling. I have a spare set from the 1980 I scrapped last winter, they have holes cut for speakers and are black but in good condition so they will be used. I will paint them the same colbalt blue metallic the doors and the dash will get, the main reason I chose to go with the darker headliner as it looks to be the easiest thing to do and keep the colors matching. I will use plastic primer so hopefully the the Rust-oleum with stick good to the rear panels.
** I am hoping to keep the colors the same thru-out (dash, doors, rear panels) so I want to use the same paint - color - brand and hope the plastic primer will work as advertised and good. I know prep-work here will make the biggest difference so I will do my best.
6) Replace any duct work (defroster) that needs it (replacements from the 1980 I junked)
7) Cleanup and referb the plastic items on the dash (vents, heater controls, speedo cluster) and am considering ordering the leafing pen to re-do the chrome trim.
8) Install a new radio with CD/MP3 playback and speakers as the rear panel holes already cut. May consider door speakers as well.
9) still trying to decide dash cap (most likely) or vinyl for the dash. Ohhhh... it's ugly now.
10) I will need to find vinyl for the door panels (may have found something at Wal-Mart today) that will work. Passenger door panel has issues and looks terrible. My biggest problem/concern here is that I'm changing the color scheme from dark blue/baby blue to more dark blue and trying to eliminate the baby blue. Color matching here will be tough.
I will be using the original seats in baby blue as they still look OK and I really don't want to spend the money right now to have them recovered. Now would really be the best time to have them recovered so I can use the same vinyl on the door panels as the seats have but I just don't want to spend the money right now when it can wait. Perhaps next winter.
I also have a center console from a 76 Mustang II I want to install in this car. Not sure if I will paint it or possibly recover w/vinyl... still considering here...
Anyhow... I spent the night last night doing the initial tear-down and am ready for her to come see the headliner. Last time she installed the one in the 1973 but it was removed before I bought the car so she did it blind. This time I want her to see it intact so I have left all the rear panels installed and haven't disturbed it so she will know what we are starting with.
now for some pictures....
more pics...
hey cookieboy looks like you got a nice project going there. i wonder how many doz of cookies it will take to finish it? ;D make sure you got plenty of ca. raisins in those oatmeal cookies . see ya chrisf1219 in ca.
I'm looking forward to seeing this one completed. A lot of what you are doing are things I've done to my own 78 Sedan, or I plan to do (like repainting the dash and putting up a new headliner).
Keep the pictures and updates coming!
Tip of the week! All Fords I have worked on have a .040 /.060 dia hole in the rear end breather fitting. Over the years this will plug up and cause the grease seals to leak. Presure has to go somewhere. Simple fix is to drill out the breather fitting with a .125 dia drill and the problem is fixed forever.
Quote from: dave1987 on March 17, 2008, 01:28:14 AM
Keep the pictures and updates coming!
sure will....
glass guy is onboard, stopped by this morning and he's ready when I am. Headliner gal will stop out tonight and based on when she will have the time to install it the project will get underway.
Also... since I have the dash pulled I will be pulling the heater core and replacing the hoses to it. Looks to have the originals from 78 still on it and so.. well... might as well.
This morning I had a thought about my interior door panels...
Since I'm concerned with the door panels matching the rest of the paint and seats.... Finding the correct vinyl could be difficult. Passenger door panel is shot and needs replacement and I also have a replacement arm rest for the driver door but it's red. I do have a baby blue paint that matches the seats well and a set of door panels in light brown/beige from the 73 so....
I was thinking to paint the door panel from the 73 passenger side in the baby blue. Repaint the current driver door panel with the same baby blue so they both match. I will have to paint the red arm rest to match so might as well paint both so again they match. Then I was also thinking to paint the outline in the center of the door panels in the dark blue to add a little "pizazz" or help blend the baby blue into the dark blue that I'm switching to. see pics below... color isn't exact but you get the point ;D
I don't really like the idea of painting all this stuff (door panels and arm rests) but it's either that or find a replacement passenger door panel in baby blue and a drivers arm rest in the same baby blue color.
~or~
Find 2 replacement door panels and arm rests in the darker blue.
I'm just trying to get by for now on the door panels and seats so none of this has to be something that will last for years and years. Right now cheap and easy is the goal when it comes to the door panels and arm rests.
Update....
Looks like I get to try my hand at installing the headliner. The gal I had hoped would install/teach me how well... she doesn't have the time to do it right now due to medical issues with a family member so.... Last night she walked me thru the process and gave me lots of pointers. I did get to see the finished one on the 73 and I do remember lots of the details. The only real question I had was how to do the part above the driver/passenger doors and now I have the answer. She will help if I get really stuck but I really think with what she told me/showed me last night I should be able to do it.
I think I can! I think I can! I think I can!
This morning I stopped by the automotive paint/restore store we have local here in town (village glass) and they have all kinds of neat items for restoring cars. I got some of the push pins needed for doing door gaskets, some vinyl prep/cleaner for the door panels and they had some lite. blue paint for vinyl that is an even better match than the blue I already had. Plus it's for Vinyl! I also found they have the push on washers/lock nuts needed for the heater control cables. Yippy!! I needed some of these and haven't been able to find them.
Anyhow I have to order the dash cap today and consider when I will have the windshield pulled - this week vs. next week. I would like to wait for the gasket and headliner to arrive before I do that and hope they will both be here late this week.
Other than that been cleaning up the stuff for the dash - vents, heater controls, kick panels, radio bezel, in other words all the plastic up front. All of it was pretty clean and not much will have to be painted. I decided against ordering the leafing pen. I'm happy with the way the silver sharpie looks when finished. Seems to hold up fairly well and is easy to fix if scratched, plus I already have the pens required so I don't have to order, pay and wait.
I'm not really looking forward to doing the rear panels, they are BIG! and will require lots of cleaning. If I want the paint to stick well lots of prep and cleaning are required.
Funny enough
My Daughters car is the same colors..and we're starting the same project this summer....
So far we need high back seats and the back plastic.. I figured we would cover the plastic with a tweed or vinyl to cover the age/color and damage.
FrankBoss
www.PintoWorks.com
www.FrankBoss.com
Brian, make sure it is nice and warm when you install the headliner. It will make the job much easier and look much nicer. I installed the headliner in my 67 coupe years ago. My first attempt was in the dead of winter when it was real cold out. I could not get the wrinkles out for it to look good so I quit. The next term started shortly after and I did not have time to fool with it again till spring break. I picked a nice mid 60's day to do it the second time. WIth the car outside in the sun, the headliner went in like butter. It was amazing how much the difference in temperature made. The only thing I had trouble with was doing the curve around the back window. My neighbor, who does interiors for a living, helped me with that real quick. To this day, the headliner looks just as good as the day I put it in.
Quote from: TIGGER on March 18, 2008, 10:25:21 AM
Brian, make sure it is nice and warm when you install the headliner.
Thanks for the tip Tigger, I have to heat the garage anyhow so all will be good there.
Update... Dash Cap Ordered = Found on Ebay and called to order direct 1Aauto
cost was $57.95 and $28.00 Ship = $85.95 Total
Web Site = http://www.1aauto.com/
Ebay user name = www.1aautomotive.com
Phone = 888.820.3393
another update - gathering the interior parts and taking inventory. found the last couple items I was looking for tonight. I'm thinking I will spend the weekend getting all the interior parts cleaned and painted. It will be next week before I get the windshield pulled and so I can park the car outside to make room in the garage for painting.
I also removed the original rear panels. Tested to see if the new rear hatch gasket will work as good as the door gaskets did and all is cool. I have done partial cleanups of most in the interior parts but still more to do.
I need to run to the store to get some more of the items needed for cleanup/prep the plastic and vinyl parts I will be painting. Also need to get some sand paper for the dash and doors before I can paint them. I am planning to sand and paint after the windshield is pulled and before the headliner goes in.
Sounds like you're on a roll on this one cookieboy! I can't wait to see a Sprint back on the road again!
I have never seen door panels bubble like your passenger's side has. I've only ever seen them sag like my own passenger's side panel has.
1AAuto is great. I ordered my dash cap from them and am VERY pleased with speed of service and quality of product!
Quote from: dave1987 on March 20, 2008, 03:49:49 AM
I can't wait to see a Sprint back on the road again!
Thanks Dave, BTW it's not a sprint. Sprints were 1972 only and this is a 78 ;)
the entire interior has issues. I pulled the rear panels last night and they are just crumbling. The visors and door panels are bubbling, dash pad looks horrible, etc... once I'm done the interior will look a whole lot better and ready for me to start racking up the miles, daily driver bound this car is ;D
Thats not joke Cookieboy...I sent my Daughter to clean the inside of her car and the back panels are trashed...I wonder about this. since I have had Black ones that held up pretty good but the blue all have been compromised.
I've been kicking around doing a fiberglass and fabric covering like they do with sub inclosure's to reproduce a durable rear side panels...But then again it might be a little too much for her since she wanted to drive it last year...:)
Keep it up. your motivating me.
FrankBoss
www.PintoWorks.com
www.FrankBoss.com
ARGGG!!! I'm getting frustrated!
OK.. I'm trying to paint the plastic rear panels and doing some testing on small parts before I commit to the big parts and it's not working. Fish Eyes!!!!!
Here's what I have done....
clean parts with warm soapy (dawn dish soap)
clean with magic eraser
clean with mineral spirits
use "Valspar" brand plastic primer
then spray with Rust-oleum Metallic paint
and I get Fish Eyes!!!
:wow: any ideas on what I am doing wrong?
I have all the pieces needed to just put in the back panels and leave them in the original black but... everthing else will be dark blue/light blue and think it would look a bit funny/off if I do that. If I can't get this paint to stick and look nice however I will not paint them.
Well There's your problem!!!!
Mineral spirits have too much oil in it for painting.
Mineral sprits are for cleaning brushes and thinning oil based paint.
Not a suitable cleaning agent.
You would be better off with just soap and a good rinse.
Maybe some scotch brite to scuff and then a tack rag to remove the dust B4 painting.
From Pintony
Quote from: Pintony on March 22, 2008, 10:53:51 AM
Mineral spirits have too much oil in it for painting.
Thanks Tony for the info and call... my mistake and I know what to do to fix...
do over...
well... with Tony's advise and help all went well with the painting I wanted to get done this weekend.
I'm still waiting for the headliner and will wait for it to arrive (mid-week) to have the windshield pulled.
left to do... not necessarily in this order.
sand and paint the dash and doors.
paint door panels and arm rests.
remove heater core to replace lines.
install headliner and new rear hatch gasket
have windshield reinstalled w/new gasket.
Install the new door gaskets.
reassemble the interior and dash
install new radio/CD/MP3 player and speakers
Hey Cookieboy,
The panels and parts look awsome!!!! 8)
That is a GREAT color and will look very nice in your White 78 all glass hatch Pinto!!!
Keep up the great work!!!!
From Pintony
Thanks Tony, I really think it's going to look "WOW" when finished...
Got goodies from Fed Ex today. Some parts from Tigger I needed and my Dash Cap arrived.
Still waiting on the headliner to get here... I wanna get that glass pulled so I can get to work on the car.
been working on some of the other small parts...
here are a couple emblems that I refurbed the red/white/blue.
;D ;D YIPPY!!! ;D ;D
Headliner has finally arrived and car is going to get it's windshield pulled today!
...now I can get started on the Big Stuff!
I finished painting the interior stuff last night so that is all ready to go...
I know where I'll be all weekend :)
Friday Night! got the heater core pulled and replaced all hoses and clamps. Was even able to get "molded" top and bottom radiator hoses ;D
Tonight... sanding and painting the interior dash and doors...
Painting = Done!
gads... that took longer than expected... sanding, masking, primer and paint.
tomorrow I remove the masking to see how it turned out.
looks good so far ;D
Looking good Brian.
Quote from: TIGGER on March 30, 2008, 04:05:08 AM
Looking good Brian.
Thanks Tigger...
boy am I sore and a bit tired but gotta keep going....
garage is heated, tape is pulled and WOW does it look nice. almost want to install a door panel just to see how it will look but have to wait.
more pics with tape pulled and wiped down.
plus the next step ;D
Done! Headliner installed! Now that's what I call a busy and productive weekend...
I'm gonna go collapse now.... Ohhhh... I hurt... but it feels good ;D
Well... new door gaskets and rear hatch gasket are installed and fit good. I reinstalled the steering wheel and drivers seat so it's ready to go back to the glass guy to have the windshield reinstalled. After that's done the real fun begins ;D
On another note... almost out of propane for the garage heater, started "stinking" last night. Where is Summer!!! I didn't want to buy anymore :(
Lots of hard work there Brian!!!
Looking good!!!!
From Pintony
Thanks Tony, I really do feel like someone has beat me with a rubber hose. I'm sore in places I didn't know could hurt from all the climbing around inside this car. I guess being a "computer nerd" has it's drawbacks when it comes to activities like this...
Monday was horrible and it was all I could do to get thru the day. A good nights sleep and I really felt pretty good Tuesday and was ready to hit it again last night. But after twisting and turning, tucking and pulling to get the rear gasket to fit well. The odd angles and laying on the cold floor to do parts of the door gaskets.... I could feel the pain again and faded fast.
Them gaskets I got from you (door and hatch) really look and work great. I can't thank you enough for sending them to me.
On the up-side... I can afford to take a bit of a rest for the next couple days as I'm waiting for a few things to arrive and still have a few items to prep before the next step... then back at it!
now... where's that # for the gas place :lost:
gas will be delivered tomorrow so I can keep warm...
tonight I cleaned up the trim for the windshield and stripped the center piece for the new steering wheel. I had a bit of overspray on the trim so I used paint stripper to remove and all polished up before the windshield goes back in.
I also wanted to remove the wood look to the center trim on the wheel. I got the wheel from my old mustang II I scrapped this last summer. It's black with a thick leather OEM wrap. I will paint the backside plastic with the plastic primer and then the same blue paint I used on the dash as well as the lower cover for the steering column. I will also paint the kick panels to match, I think it would look funny if I didn't so one more painting session before I'm done... details man... details... soon reassembly starts ;D
Windshield is installed and with the cleaned trim and the new seal it looks sweet and I rest easy knowing the bugger shouldn't leak. George (the glass guy) told me they sealed it up tight and should be good to go. He also did me a small favor... installed my new beltlines ;D
The new tank is hooked up, it should be a little warmer this weekend in the 40's so will be decent to work in the garage so I should be able to get a bit more done this weekend. Debating on if I want to take the night off on Friday, get a few house things done or work on the car. Think I will take the night off...
Well... I did take Friday night off from the pinto.. rested up and ready to get back at it this weekend. I got the speakers I wanted for the front speaker mount. 2 - 3.5" Pyle PLX32's (nothing fancy and cheap) and will let me hook up the new stereo front channel's in stereo and mount in the original location. there will be a set of 6.5" speakers in the rear panels by the rear passenger seats. Nothing fancy here but should be enough for toolin' around town.
1) first picture is the tools/stuff I used to mount the speakers... drill bits, misc nuts, bolts and washers, an old blask t-shirt, some black glue, and of course the speakers.
2) first order of business was to drill the holes for the speakers. Then I cut a section of the old black t-shirt for the speaker cover. Taped it to the top of the box for the speakers (didn't stretch to tight) and put a bead of the weatherstrip and gasket glue down on the speaker bracket. Pressed to to the t-shirt and pulled it back off, touched up with a smaller/lite bead and reapplied. Let sit until glue was all setup. The glue used acts a lot like contact cement.
3) then I was ready to mount the speakers to the bracket. I had to use a bunch of washersto move the speakers away from the speaker base. The center tweeter on each speaker would have sit to high in the bracket if I didn't and I didn't want any issues when installing under the dash. I hope it all fits OK... It should...
Anyhow... plans for this weekend include... reinstalling the dash pad and putting the new cap on. Mount the new defrost vent plastic and my new front speakers. Reinstalling the light and washer controls, both side/dash vents and possibly the speedo cluster and heater controls and possibly start on the new radio install and other small items.
Lots to do but getting closer ;D
Well here's Saturdays accomplishments...
1) visors and overhead light
2) lights, wipers, vent and speedo
3) other vent and test fit dash cap (not glued down yet)
4) replaced the missing seatbelt cover and rear hangers installed (Thanks Tigger! perfect match for the headliner)
and stereo wires are run/hooked up so I tested my setup. Rear speakers are not mounted in the rear panels yet so my true sound can't be heard yet but sounds OK so far. I need to chase down a few things tomorrow before I can finish the dash, heater controls, radio, ash tray, glove box, etc... so I can't finish yet but... soon I hope.
Tomorrow I will glue the dash cap down for sure, need to replace some bulbs on the speedo cluster. And.... I have to find an ??? antenna extension ??? as the radio has the hookup on the wrong side ??? this could get interesting. Also seems I have to chase down a short/ground issue as rear turn signals work but the front don't ???
Ahhh... the fun of reassembly ;D
Lookin good there. I like your idea about 3.5's in the dash. I should do that. Oh wait a minute.. that's what I did 2 years ago. lol.
I didn't get any time today to do what I wanted, but I did get the dash cap glued down.
life gets in the way sometimes ;D
Nice work man, I should have you come out & take care of my dash ;D.. I wish
Quote from: r4pinto on April 07, 2008, 07:29:13 PM
Nice work man, I should have you come out & take care of my dash ;D.. I wish
Thanks Matt,
If I could make a living do this.... It's Fun! and really not that hard.
If only I didn't work 6 days a week and have a house and kid to manage...
Lot of work but all things considered Pinto's are easy when it comes to this. Headliner was my biggest fear but the sanding, prep, primer and paint on the doors and dash was a lot more work.
I have a red 77 wagon I get to do next ;D
Yeah, I get what you're saying. I'm just mainly lazy, and don't have a garage I can stick my 77 in. I do plan on doing a better job of painting my dash when I have my windshield out to replace my badly cracking windshield seal. Looks like a job that won't be too fun, so while I got the windshield out of the car I'm gonna take the other windows out and replace my torn headliner. The one I tore.
Matt, having the front windshied out while doing the headliner helps I guess but you don't have to remove any of the other windows (side) to put in the headliner. I didn't and it works fine. When it comes time I'll tell you how.
I spent some time working on the dash. it's all tested and lights/bulbs under the dash have all been changed and work. Stereo is mounted and wires run for the rear speakers, tested and works. The 2 front speakers under the dash are all hooked up. I have one more thing to mount under the dash and it's all finished. I have a few things left to paint and then I get to work on the rear and doors.
Today I installed the door panels and pulls and everthing I can do to the dash for now is done. I also sanded down the speaker mounts and I will be covering them with a piece of scrap material that was in the box with the headliner.
Quote from: Cookieboy on April 16, 2008, 11:05:32 PM
I also sanded down the speaker mounts and I will be covering them with a piece of scrap material that was in the box with the headliner.
Done! I brought the stuff required to cover the speaker mounts to work and got em' done. I will be mounting the 6.5" speakers in the rear panels where someone had previously cut holes for speakers. The speakers I bought and want to use wouldn't fit unless these mounts were made due to clearance issues with the seatbelt behind the panels. even now I am still a little concerned they will still have clearance issues as this will be cutting it close.
Lookin good. Lookin forward to seeing the final product.
Quote from: r4pinto on April 17, 2008, 01:02:28 PM
Lookin forward to seeing the final product.
meeeee.... tooooo..... maybe by this weekend but still have a bunch of small stuff to do yet.
after work I pulled the car out of the garage to paint the last few items..
..then got to work on the rear hatch and gasket. the gasket needed just a bit of trimming where it meets in the middle on the bottom, got that done for a better fit/match at the ends. put the push rods back on the body and door opens and closes as it should. gasket fits good and looks like it should make a solid seal.
paint was dry to the touch so I installed the kick panels and went inside..
..had some "power food" and assembled the steering wheel. then I took a last look at my speakers and the custom mounts I covered before I call it a night.
tomorrow.... reassemble the rear, mount the passenger seat, put on the steering... I hope ;D
Didn't get as much time last night as I wanted but did get the rear reinstalled. Speakers mounted to the panels, panels reinstalled, rear seat and cargo area rubber mat as well as the sun shade. Man it's a bugger finding the holes for the rear panels... I should have a good 5 hours after work tonight to work on it and hope to finish.
and my cool speaker mod... little switch next to the coin tray to turn em on and off...
setup so they can't come on unless the key/radio is on.
just had to have some "blue" mood lighting ;D
OK! Time to finish up..
a few final treats for the car and interior. I got the fuzzy dice with the car so I added the door locks and the new shifter knob. In blue of course. Put on the break cover and added the runabout emblem to the coin tray.
next..
tested the turn signal switches I got from Tigger and popped one in. Real easy to do. 4 screws slide out the old one in and slide in the new one.. Yippy!
and then..
sometimes I just have to much fun on ebay buying toys for my car. window treatments are next ;D
and then..
off for the first ride and get the steering wheel on straight. and a few pictures from around the car and the new exterior goodies and with the pin stripes removed from the sides.
Looking great! Love the 'super' detailing you are putting into the interior to make the car a little more plush. Good work!
-beegle55
and finally..
in closing a couple of shots at the finished interior..
Project Started 3/15/20o8 and Finished 4/19/20o8
Update = Video Added
click here--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhhXMIEud14
I like it! Congrats on getting the interior finished up. I like the sport mirrors too, and the fact that its a '78.
-beegle55
Nice Job Brian.
Thanks Beegle55 and especially you Tigger, Many, Many Thanks for some of the parts required to finish this up right.
WOW!!!! Nice work on the interior on the car. Like the runabout emblem on the center console. Real nice touch.
Quote from: r4pinto on April 19, 2008, 09:48:13 PM
Like the runabout emblem on the center console.
Thanks Matt, it was a lot of work but now I see the finished product... I'm happy ;D
I did the same thing with the runabout emblem to my 73. During the restore the quarters were changed and I had them removed so had to come up with some way to use em' ;)
V-E-R-Y cool!!! Looks fantastic!
Dwayne :smile:
Thanks Dwayne, I did take it for a couple drives this weekend...
Got.. thumbs up, waves, wah..hoo's and people were pointing...
can't drive a Pinto and keep a low profile that's for sure ;)
HAHA... Ain't that the truth. Gotta love that though eh?
Same thing happened to me on my trip home from Maryland... and that was with faded brown paint, dented hood, and rusted quarter panels! Can't imagine what kind of reaction I'll get driving it once I have it all together and looking good (hopefully by mid-summer).
Dwayne :smile:
I just had to... with all that blue and well me being Cookieboy and all....
I have a new partner in crime/passenger ;)
I LOVE IT!!!! LMAO!!!! :lol:
Now all you need is a box of cookies to share with your friend.
Quote from: r4pinto on April 28, 2008, 06:31:42 PM
Now all you need is a box of cookies to share with your friend.
absolutely... next time I'm at the store ;D
Hoola Cookie Monster???