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Author Topic: Returning to the Pinto world  (Read 5490 times)

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Offline john hamilton

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Returning to the Pinto world
« on: June 10, 2017, 03:54:50 PM »
I've finally scratched an itch I've had since 1985 and bought another Pinto.  I bought my first car when I was in the Air Force, a 1972 Pinto with a 289 V8 and a 4 speed.  I loved that car, but it was destroyed in a hit-and-run accident, and I never could replace it.  I finally bought the (new) 1971 Pinto from a member here and I'm looking forward to the project.  I still haven't decided to go V8 yet, but I'm leaning that direction.  I also build and road race MGB's, I have a 4 cylinder car and I've just finished a Rover V8 swap on another, so I'm not new to fabrication.  I use the forums to gather information, so I'll be leaning on you guys pretty heavily.  So, here we go again!  Thanks!

John
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Offline robertwwithee

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2017, 06:19:45 PM »
Welcome to the club.  Many will help you.

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Offline warhead2

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #2 on: June 11, 2017, 03:48:51 AM »
Welcome.

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Offline dga57

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #3 on: June 11, 2017, 11:50:15 AM »
WELCOME john hamilton!!!

Dwayne :)
Pinto Car Club of America - Serving the Ford Pinto enthusiast since 1999.

Offline dick1172762

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #4 on: June 11, 2017, 12:29:26 PM »
71/73 Pintos are harder to install V-8's due to the shorter engine bay. 74/80 Pintos are much easyer with its larger and longer engine bay. Think it out really good before you cut!
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline pinto_one

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #5 on: June 11, 2017, 02:04:59 PM »
I very much agree with Dick , install a turbo 2.3 , do not cut anything ,
76 Pinto sedan V6 , 79 pinto cruiser wagon V6 soon to be diesel or 4.0

Offline Wittsend

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #6 on: June 11, 2017, 04:41:58 PM »
Even a 2.3 is a very tight fit for a 71-73. Of late 65 Shelby Cobra and myself (wittsend) have done them. Lots to glean form others trials. I did a two part "So you want to build a Turbo Pinto" post that you can find herehttp://www.fordpinto.com/general-pinto-talk/so-you-want-to-build-a-turbo-pinto-part-1/msg76893/#msg76893 .  Part II is linked at the end of Part I.

Whatever you do make sure you can in fact do it. The frustration for die hard Pinto people is to hear of yet one more Pinto with its heart ripped out, sitting outside to rust because the owner abandoned the project. But if you are willing, capable and committed all the best.

Offline john hamilton

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #7 on: June 11, 2017, 11:28:25 PM »
I've considered the turbo 2.3 but haven't decided yet.  I'll have it planned out before I do anything.  Here is the MGB GT V8 I built from a bare tub.  Some cutting and welding involved, so anything is possible.
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Offline Reeves1

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #8 on: June 12, 2017, 06:36:24 AM »
V8 not hard...... I have several topics on it. Plus others have topics....

Parts: http://www.fordpinto.com/parts-resources-here-is-where-you-can-find-this-or-that/various-parts/

Offline Wittsend

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #9 on: June 12, 2017, 10:15:12 AM »
I've considered the turbo 2.3 but haven't decided yet.  I'll have it planned out before I do anything.  Here is the MGB GT V8 I built from a bare tub.  Some cutting and welding involved, so anything is possible.

Nice car. You obviously have the skills to do the job.

 Ironic, I have a friend who in the 70's had a Spearco (turbo 2.0) Pinto. The turbo died and he did swap to a 289 V-8.  He also had a MGB that was a slalom car with a Turbo 2.0 Pinto motor.  The V-8 swap proved to have a lot of problems and he got rid of it. The MGB he crashed testing it out in the California desert roads. Not a happy ending to either.  Today he drives a 50 Chevy 4 door with a stock 235 six.

Offline 65ShelbyClone

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #10 on: June 14, 2017, 06:37:24 PM »
Yeah, a 2.3 turbo isn't going to just slip into a pre-'74 Pinto. The radiator is inadequate, a mechanical fan won't fit, the intake will hit the hood, the pan will probably hit the rack, a (Ford) T5's shifter doesn't align with the tunnel hole, the 2.0 engine mounts are spot-welded to the frame and have to be replaced with 2.3 parts, etc.

If I were going to do a V8, it would probably be a little aluminum Rover V8. For a turbo with less of the swap hassle, probably a vintage kit for the 2.0.
'72 Runabout - 2.3T, T5, MegaSquirt-II, 8", 5-lugs, big brakes.
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Offline john hamilton

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #11 on: June 19, 2017, 10:17:32 PM »
It's funny you mention the Rover V8, that's the same engine I have in the Green MGB, and I just happen to have several with 5 speed gearboxes in the garage, so that thought has crossed my mind.  This isn't going to be a race car, just a weekend cruiser.  I might even add AC to make it nice in the summer.  Bigger front discs are a must, that's what killed my first Pinto, inadequate braking.
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Offline arkyt

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #12 on: July 18, 2017, 07:13:12 PM »
I inherited a '73 MG.  What you recommend as a fairly simple, cruising engine swap or rebuild the original?
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Offline john hamilton

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #13 on: July 24, 2017, 08:42:32 AM »
The easiest is probably a V6 5 speed from a Camaro.  There are well engineered kits available for this swap.  If you want a V8, the 302 5 speed swap from a Mustang is not too bad.  Some welding required, but not bad.  Motor mounts and headers are available for this swap as well.  The Rover/Buick 215 is a pretty easy swap, but the bell housing, flywheel and transmission are expensive and getting hard to locate.  Welding and some cutting are required for the motor mounts and mods to the firewall for head clearance.  D and D manufacturing has a new bell housing to install a Ford or Chevy T5 behind one, so that will help going forward.  A v8 spec T5 will have the best ratios for a swap.

The stock rear end will take a little abuse, but the 3.9 ratio is not ideal for a V6 or V8 cruiser.  Old postal Jeeps have a bolt-in rear axle with a better ratio and a limited slip, but they are getting rare these days.  I used a narrowed Ford 8 inch rear, but others use later model rear ends narrowed to suit.

Look at BritishV8.com and MGExerience.co m for examples.
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Offline 65ShelbyClone

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #14 on: July 30, 2017, 08:44:18 PM »
It's funny you mention the Rover V8, that's the same engine I have in the Green MGB, and I just happen to have several with 5 speed gearboxes in the garage, so that thought has crossed my mind.  This isn't going to be a race car, just a weekend cruiser.  I might even add AC to make it nice in the summer.  Bigger front discs are a must, that's what killed my first Pinto, inadequate braking.

Brakes are another non-plug 'n' play area of the early Pintos. Stock rotors are very expensive and you can't just use '74+ parts because all the suspension and steering parts are different. I've been looking at possibly using a mixture of aftermarket parts and maybe my own brackets to get the right rotor dimensions, but it's time consuming to research.
'72 Runabout - 2.3T, T5, MegaSquirt-II, 8", 5-lugs, big brakes.
'68 Mustang - Built roller 302, Toploader, 9", etc.

Offline dick1172762

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #15 on: July 31, 2017, 12:17:59 PM »
74/80 Pinto / Mustang II brakes can be made to fit, but with much work. Search on here as I think someone had a post about it in the past.
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Offline john hamilton

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #16 on: August 14, 2017, 10:14:37 AM »
I'm curious if the Granada swap will work on the '71 spindles.  Are the spindles themselves the same dimensions?  If the Granada rotors will bolt on, I can build my own caliper brackets. 

Or perhaps changing to the later cross member and using Mustang 2 front suspension and brakes.  If I go that route, should I use one of the aftermarket cross members or modify an original late model Pinto cross member to fit the earlier frame rails?

I've thought about building a full frame from Alston or S&W race cars, but I really want to drive it on the street.  If I go that far, it'll end up as a race car.

I really want a Pro-Touring type of car.  Power, comfort, handling and style!
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Offline dick1172762

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Re: Returning to the Pinto world
« Reply #17 on: August 14, 2017, 11:20:50 AM »
I have never heard of anyone doing a 74 / 80 cross member swap into an early Pinto. There's always a first and that would give you better brakes and steering rack. Lots of work, but I think you are up to it. If you go this way, keep us informed along the way. Good luck but just remember that a 74/80 Pinto would fix all.
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.