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Author Topic: 1977 pinto x 2  (Read 51941 times)

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Offline alwaysFlOoReD

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1977 pinto x 2
« on: September 10, 2023, 02:57:54 PM »
Hi. I recently picked up a beat 77 pinto coupe to put a built 2.3 motor into. The motor I got in trade for some construction work. Apparently the motor was built for salt flats racing in an early 90s Ranger. The pinto is in pretty rough shape, no motor or gas tank but that wouldn't matter anyway. The original 3-speed auto is still in the car. While loading, the rear bumper was pulled off...😭. Guess I get to learn aluminum welding... This particular pinto is on the back burner.

The 2nd pinto is in much better shape. It has the 2.8l/auto. Unfortunately the magic smoke got away. I'm not sure if I want to try replacing short sections of wire, or rob the harness from the other pinto. I'm leaning to using the full harness, reason being i can check all connectors for being loose, which i suspect caused the magic smoke to leave. So.... can anyone tell me how to remove the wiring harness? It looks like there isn't a connector at the firewall. Do I need to disconnect everything under the dash?

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Offline rob289c

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2023, 05:09:09 PM »
Follow the bundle where it goes through the firewall.  Under the dash are (I think) two connectors that will separate the under hood harness from the under dash harness.  You will not have to remove the under-dash wiring.  Just un-do the connectors.  If I get a few free minutes I will snap a pick or two of the connectors.  My under-hood harness isn't in a real accessible spot at the moment but will try you get pics of that too. 
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Offline alwaysFlOoReD

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2023, 08:20:29 PM »
Good to know. Thanks.
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Offline rob289c

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2023, 01:39:11 PM »
First pic is the feed from under the hood to under the dash.  The big grommet goes through the firewall.  THe second pic are the two under dash connectors that correspond to the under hood feeds.  Hope this helps.
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Offline alwaysFlOoReD

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2023, 08:34:04 PM »
Thanks both of you for the tips, I was able to re and re the wiring. Had a problem with the duraspark module but finally got it.
Unfortunately found some serious rot on drivers floor and firewall.
Will be draining gas tank next and see if it fires with new gas.
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Offline rob289c

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2023, 02:27:28 PM »
Keep working on it and post your results so we can all learn from each others' struggles.
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Offline alwaysFlOoReD

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #6 on: October 13, 2023, 09:43:13 PM »
3rd time trying to post to my own thread...
I ran into a snag with the wiring to the 2.8l alternator. The replacement harness came from a 2.3l engine, and the connection is different as well one wire is significantly bigger. I'm doing some research but any advice is welcome.

1st and last pics 2.8.
Middle two pics 2.3.

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Offline rob289c

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #7 on: October 14, 2023, 05:09:27 AM »
When I go out to the shop I will look to see what mine looks like.  1980, 2.3.
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Offline alwaysFlOoReD

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2024, 06:05:46 PM »
So I was stymied at the alternator wiring last time I was looking at it. I couldn't figure out why the plug at the alternator wasn't matching with any plugs in the wiring harness. Today I took another look. It seems when I put in the new harness pulled from a 2.3 engine car, I didn't look close enough. Best guess is the 2.3 engine has the alternator on the drivers side compared to the 2.8 on the passenger side, and I didn't have a 2.3 engine with an alternator to compare to the 2.8 in the car. So now I may have to reroute the wiring harness, or extend the wires from the alternator plug to reach to the plug on the drivers side. Which is what I think will be easiest... Going to look a little closer after supper.
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Offline alwaysFlOoReD

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #9 on: February 15, 2024, 11:51:58 AM »
I'm having problems finding the connector ends I need. Anyone have a source? I've tried a couple local parts places and rock auto and eBay. Its the end of the short alternator harness. I already have a new alternator end. I want to build a short extension harness that will use a female and male end like pictured so I don't molest the original harness.

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Offline rob289c

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #10 on: February 15, 2024, 05:40:37 PM »
There is an old, closed junkyard that is about 30 miles from me that has a 79 wagon that may have what you are looking for.  It's hard to get access and the owner is really old and had open heart surgery.  I will see if I can get access and see if that connecter is available.  It might be a while as I work out of state and not home too much these days.  It may be Spring before I get a chance to scout it out. 
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Offline alwaysFlOoReD

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #11 on: February 15, 2024, 09:56:23 PM »
Cool. Thanks. For now I'll make an extension using spade connectors. That should get me by until I find the correct plugs, or you find them. I have one old engine buried in snow and ice that may have the correct ends, but I haven't had the time or good enough weather to go look.
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Offline alwaysFlOoReD

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #12 on: February 25, 2024, 08:51:58 PM »
Found my other wiring harness. After I made a custom extension harness from the alternator to the regulator... Oh well, maybe I'll see about fixing the burnt harness, I'll need something for when I start on my first pinto. Not that that's happening anytime soon.
Otherwise I did some more electrical work. Found another regulator and mounted it on the inner fender after somehow fitting in a windshield washer tank where it doesn't really belong. Looks like I'll have to r and r the regulator to screw down the tank... oops. Got most of the ignition wiring hooked up and mounted the coil and the duraspark module. Hooked up the wiring on the distributor too.
Noticed there is a bunch of vacuum lines unhooked. Went thru all my Ford, Chilton, and other online and can't find vacuum diagrams for the 2.8l. Apparently they were put on California cars of that year but not the 49 states or Canada... FML. Oh well, I do have the books and will be reading up on the different emission systems and see if I can figure it out. Looks like there is a thermactor system, and a cat...
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Offline alwaysFlOoReD

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #13 on: February 25, 2024, 09:00:08 PM »
I went to the local public library the other day to look up some stuff on my 77 pinto. There are no hard copies of automotive manuals anymore...
Got the librarian to help me look online. Nothing... Then looked to see if any other associated library had anything. Nope. Kind of stupid of a library to get rid of books and not have a digital replacement...
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Offline alwaysFlOoReD

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #14 on: March 07, 2024, 10:18:04 AM »
Yesterday, I met up with a fellow forum member that is living close by in Calgary. We met up at Tim Hortons, and he was kind enough to bring along a manual where I was able to photograph some electrical diagrams, which will really help me figure out my wiring. Thanks to Toby!
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Offline alwaysFlOoReD

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #15 on: March 18, 2024, 08:05:20 PM »
Decided to do a compression test. Sparkplugs are indicating rich on every cylinder. Compression is not encouraging.

Dry/Wet

1) 75/

2) 100/

3) 120/

4) 100/

5) 75/

6) 70/75

Only did #6 for wet psi and got discouraged. I'll have to dig out my leak down tester and get my compressor operational. Which means running about 200 feet of "temporary" wire from the breaker to where I am. I only have 20 amp at my place right now, and need more to run the 5hp electric compressor motor. Probably won't get done tomorrow and were getting a big dump of snow starting tomorrow night for the next few days.
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Offline alwaysFlOoReD

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #16 on: April 01, 2024, 11:40:33 PM »
Picked up a pair of 2012 Ford Focus seats today... for free! They look to be in decent shape. Need a cleaning maybe. And one plastic handle needs replacing. Hopefully its new enough that ford has parts. No pics as its dark out and I didn't think of getting any when I was looking at them closer. They are grey. I'll need to die them to match interior color.
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Offline Wittsend

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Re: 1977 pinto x 2
« Reply #17 on: April 02, 2024, 12:07:47 PM »
Yea, the seat width area on the Pinto is kind of tight.  I used the seats out of my donor Turbo Coupe. The seats have adjustable side bolsters and I have to crank them in all the way. Good thing I'm slim. I wound up using the Pinto tracks.

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