PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA

Shiny is Good! => Your Project => Topic started by: frostedflakejake on January 11, 2013, 03:21:39 PM

Title: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on January 11, 2013, 03:21:39 PM
I purchased my first pinto about a week ago now. As you can see in the pictures, it's a orange 1972 Runabout with a 351 Cleveland shoved in the hood. Has a C6 with that manual shift. It was used as a street/drag vehicle. It came with a rear valence off the vehicle. Rear axle is locked; haven't calculated ratio yet. I honestly don't know a lot about working on cars, but everyone has to start somewhere. My father has successfully restored/built many vehicles so I will have him to turn to if I must. I have spent my entire life surrounded by a hotrod community; it's about time I got into it.

My Plans

First off, my picture for this vehicle is a half sleeper. What I mean is that I don't want the vehicle to look like a stock pinto from the 70's. If I show the car to someone I want them to think "Wait.... is this just a pinto with new shoes and paint or is it a real deal machine?"

Do body work until I get sick and tired of it. Might replace the driver side front quarter panel if I decided it's necessary. It has quite a lot of funk going on with it .

Create a custom front valence that will fit. The radiator got moved so far forward that a stock valence will no longer fit.

Get the vehicle repainted. I will do all the body work, sanding, and lay down my own primer. I will then send the car to Maaco. My father and I have found that this is the best way to ensure that Maaco does a good paint job. I've painted smaller objects before (motorcycle helmet) with pretty good success, but you can only get so far without a booth. As of right now, I'm thinking of a very dark green with very little flake.

Probably paint the bumpers a matte black. Not too sure. Have to wait and see how the paint turns out.

Change wheels. I can't handle the Weld Wheels. They offer little of style to me.

Put street tires on the front. I'll keep the street radials on the rear if they fit whatever wheels I decide I want.

Get rid of that ridiculous hood scoop and get a different air cleaner. Planning on a hood with a little bulge. Maybe 1.5"

I would like to lower the ride. But I know it will destroy the usability of the vehicle due to the headers. I will have to balance ride height and having the get the Hooker headers designed for the 351c swap. I won't be able to decide until I see the repainted pinto on the new wheels.

My fuel pump is hard mounted and makes a horrific amount of noise. I'm going to try to rubber mount it and maybe even deadening the panel it's mounted to in order to try to reduce the noise.

Add a power steering booster.

Add a power break booster.

Add cutouts and a different muffler (question on this below!!!!)

Change the carb. It has a drag carb with no choke and is a little unpredictable for my street use.



So that's the list! Nothing will get done until may. But I'm going to try and start collecting the few parts that I can. I'm a college student and I bought the vehicle over my winter break and I have a summer job at Ford so progress will be slow, but steady. I plan on keeping this car for ever. I really like the looks of it.

My first question! What muffler would you guys suggest for shutting up the 351? Since I want the car to kinda be a sleeper, I can't have it as loud as it is right now. I think it has flowmaster 40's. It sounds great, but I need it to be quiet for my purpose. My buddies have all run electrical cutouts dumping before muffler with great success. I was thinking of doing the same. The exhaust work on the car is really nice and I hate to cut it up, but I need to. Hell, even just so I can come home into my neighborhood past midnight without causing a stir. I will disconnect the mufflers and listen the vehicle with open headers first to make sure it's a noise I can live with. But I need ideas! I've never looked a mufflers to make something quieter before; only louder.

My second question! I don't suppose there is anyone who stamps out body panels for us pinto folk? If not, I've found a few places that makes fiberglass body panels. What is the word about these places? I know some people glass wonderfully and some of them should be shot for selling their product.

That's it for now :) ..... i think. I don't know much of anything about the motor. I guy I bought it from bought it how it was and he bought it how it was and so on and so forth.

Onto pictures!

(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_3968_zps33a131a8.jpg)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_3966_zps0ccc76db.jpg)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_3974_zps98d61917.jpg)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_3973_zpsb9b59c9a.jpg)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_3964_zpsb45578e7.jpg)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_3961_zpsf3f92742.jpg)
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: cannonball on January 11, 2013, 05:00:06 PM
looks great matey i like the orange my dad did his back in 73 he changed it from green to orange that was a bright daring color back here in england at that time,

have you any idea what it ran like in the 1/4 mile,,,
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Reeves1 on January 11, 2013, 06:22:30 PM
Quote
Create a custom front valence that will fit. The radiator got moved so far forward that a stock valence will no longer fit.

http://www.fordpinto.com/your-project/new-spoilerair-dam/


Quote
get the Hooker headers designed for the 351c swap.

Haven't been made since the 80s. You are looking at custom made. (Going through this now for my BOSS 302)
Just had a second look at your pictures. Are the collectors flat ?
Tubes go like this into the collectors  ....  ? Or like this ::  ? First one are the Headman Hustler Headers. If they are in real good shape & not ceramic coated yet, then get it done. It will make them last longer. No one makes them anymore.

With a built 351C you'll never have a daily driver (sounds like that is what you want). Work hard, save gas money....you are going to need it.


Quote
Add a power steering booster.

Add a power break booster.


I doubt you have the room. (Anyone know if Norm's car has boosters ?)

You have any good pictures of how the engine is mounted ?
Under car pictures ?


No need for a new carb (what size is it ?). You can put a choke in the one you have.

Some of your street problems may be a large cam. Maybe a stall converter ? How high ?

Due the lots of unknowns on it, you may end up doing a tear down to see what you have in the C-6 & what you have for a converter.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on January 11, 2013, 10:13:52 PM
Quote
have you any idea what it ran like in the 1/4 mile,

High 12's is what I've been told.

And yeah I've read through that thread with the front spoiler airdam. Thanks though :)

I'm pretty sure the tubes go into the collectors like this ::

Quote
With a built 351C you'll never have a daily driver

Sorry for the confusion. I have no desire for this to be a daily driver. It will be driven every weekend. I just want it to not look so much like a drag car.
Quote
I doubt you have the room.

I know it's wishful thinking. I honestly think I will be able to fit the power steering booster. But I suppose i'll just have to find out.
Quote
You have any good pictures of how the engine is mounted ?
Under car pictures ?

Unfortunately not :/ I am punching myself for not taking a bunch of pictures when I had the vehicle. I dropped it off for storage a few days ago.

Quote
No need for a new carb (what size is it ?). You can put a choke in the one you have.

Some of your street problems may be a large cam. Maybe a stall converter ? How high ?

Due the lots of unknowns on it, you may end up doing a tear down to see what you have in the C-6 & what you have for a converter.

I haven't a clue. I plan on pulling the motor in May along with taken inventory. I am uneasy about how much is unknown about the drivetrain and the entire car, but nonetheless it should be a fun summer project.

Thanks for your input! I really appreciate your time.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: From_Jonah on January 11, 2013, 10:50:23 PM
Holy smokes that's a beautiful car.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Reeves1 on January 12, 2013, 05:12:25 AM
From the front (your pics showing the headers under car) the headers look like the Headman Hustler version. Did you look at the motor mounts ? They "normal" in the normal location ?
The headman ones require front mounts.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/Cars/10-24-12_1706.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/Cars/10-24-12_1707.jpg)


They do not (from what I can see) look like the Hooker type, that the back two tubes on each side go through the fender & wrap around the frame rail.

Looks like a very good project ! Hope you keep us up-dated as you go along !
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: cannonball on January 12, 2013, 08:28:31 AM

its a problem when you can not fit the regular front valence, that is a make or break look for a pinto the original was a nice curved jobbie that was spot on for the car the hot pants front spoiler/ valence looks perfect on a pinto but all the other flat front air dams look o wrong really spoil the look of the car,
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: racer99 on January 12, 2013, 09:56:27 AM
^^^^
Sorry,I disagree.
Look at the avatar picture above your post.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Pinto5.0 on January 12, 2013, 03:34:07 PM
I wondered when someone was gonna buy that car. It was on Craigslist for awhile but too far away from me to check out.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on January 12, 2013, 05:35:38 PM
Quote
Did you look at the motor mounts ? They "normal" in the normal location ?

The motor mounts are not in the normal location, or at least I don't believe they are. They look to be moved forward, as you expected!

I will most certainly keep this updated as I progress. Although I'm afraid to say that progress will be non-existent until May except for trying to locate a few parts. Like a new rear bumper. Someone majorly dented the one that's on the car.
Quote
Holy smokes that's a beautiful car

Thanks! Unfortunately I would have to respectfully disagree. It is a bit "in your face" for my taste, but if you are going for that look that it most certainly fits the bill! Also it does need a fair share of body work. Every panel needs some sort of help.

Quote
its a problem when you can not fit the regular front valence, that is a make or break look for a pinto the original was a nice curved jobbie that was spot on for the car the hot pants front spoiler/ valence looks perfect on a pinto but all the other flat front air dams look o wrong really spoil the look of the car,


Well I'll try to remember that you won't like the look then  ;)
I hardly think that what I'll end up doing will look as correct as the stock front valence, but I like to think it will look better or at least less threatening than how it looks right now.
Quote
I wondered when someone was gonna buy that car. It was on Craigslist for awhile but too far away from me to check out.

Same! I've been following it for months and was wary because it never sold and all the other ones on Craigslist had. I think the lack of knowledge about the car might have scared people off. The seller was a kind old man once he opened up. Had lots of projects including a mint Road Runner in his barn!
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on January 16, 2013, 05:06:08 PM
So I was thinking, lots of people use these c6 trans' with the manual shift kits for drag use. So how do they launch the car? For those that don't know, its a floor shifter that moves strictly forward and backward. As so:

R
N
3
2
1

So how the heck do they launch the car? Keep it in neutral, rev, and then slam the shifter all the way back into first?
I'm merely curious; i don't race and i don't plan on racing.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: jeremysdad on January 16, 2013, 05:17:32 PM
Professional racers usually use a 'line lock' in the brake system, which does what it sounds like, it lets you apply the brakes, engage the lock, and it holds pressure in the lines for you. Then car goes in gear, and throttle is depressed to desired level. Switch lock off, and car goes vroom, down the track. lol :)
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Pinto5.0 on January 16, 2013, 06:30:28 PM
A trans brake is what they run as well as manual shift valvebodies
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: jeremysdad on January 16, 2013, 08:09:24 PM
That works, too. :) lol Forgot about trans-brakes.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Reeves1 on January 16, 2013, 09:25:47 PM
Odds are, it will have a stall converter.
I'll see if a link is on this computer for you.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/selecting_right_torque_converter/

Also, with a C-6 you likely had mods done to your trans tunnel. Big tranny !

You say the diff is "locked". As in a normal traction loc Ford ? Or has a spool ?

Will be interesting to see what all the car has in the end.

351C should do better than high 12s. Maybe not hooking up ?
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on January 17, 2013, 12:27:37 AM
duhhh. I knew about the line lock, but for some reason i never though to apply it to all 4 wheels. I mostly see guys use it strictly on the front for burn outs. Thanks for the responses guys  ;D

Quote
Odds are, it will have a stall converter.
I'll see if a link is on this computer for you.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/selecting_right_torque_converter/

Ooooo good link. Not sure I entirely understand how it helps launch the vehicle. So would I just have the car in first and then just mash the gas?

Like you, the quarter mile time concerns me a little bit. I also expected it to be higher, not that it's a huge deal for me though. That's why I'm looking into how the car would be launched. I know that the car doesn't have line locks. It does have a really hard time hooking up too, or so i've been told. Which makes a lot of sense to me. There isn't a whole lot of weight over the rear tires. I also haven't a slightest clue how built or how stock the motor is either.

I drove the thing for about 2 miles. It was too snowy and i knew too little about the vehicle to feel safe driving it home. I imagine it doesn't have the nicest freeway manners. So I drove it around the block when I got it home and off the trailer. That's about it.

Thanks for the timely responses guys! A nice group here  8)

 
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on January 17, 2013, 12:32:36 AM
Oh, I have dubbed her Pinelope by the way.

Probably not the most clever name, but I like it.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: jeremysdad on January 17, 2013, 07:38:59 AM
I've (and could be wrong, so grain of salt here) always thought of torque converter stall thusly:

I think of it as a clutch, since once it reaches stall speed, it locks (as it were) into a 1:1 power transfer (theoretically, but at the end of the day, it is a fluid coupling), like a clutch would when engaged.

If your powerband starts at say, 3000 rpm, then you would want to launch your car at roughly that rpm, so that full power is applied as soon as possible off the line. A high stall tc accomplishes that via slippage until that point (esp when combined with a line lock or trans brake), which is why high stall converters zoop in stop and go traffic (sluggish from idle-stall speed). They also make more heat than a low stall converter, so a cooler is a must.

Again, this is my understanding of the concept, and may or may not be spot on. Ymmv, not responsible for transmission component failure, etc. lol :)
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: racer99 on January 17, 2013, 10:26:17 AM
A stall convertor will not slip alot in normal driving.
I have a 9 in. convertor that goes 4200 on the footbrake
and 4900 on the brake.

Normal street driving it takes about 150-200 more rpm to
get the car moving over a stock convertor.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Pinto5.0 on January 17, 2013, 10:36:00 AM
Here is the tricky part of stall converters. If you intend to drive your car on trips or daily use at sustained highway speeds you are gonna want a stall speed below your cruise RPM. If you go 65 mph & turn 2750 rpm then a 2500 max stall is all you want or it will slip at highway speeds & build unwanted heat & wear things out prematurely.
 
This is why it's near impossible to run monster cams in daily drivers with automatic trannies unless it's equipped with a lock up converter. I ran a 5500 stall in my Duster with a .657 lift roller cam & 4.56 gears. I had roughly 1000 rpm worth of slippage when I was driving to cruise nites & keeping the engine under 4K rpm. You could feel it when you blip the throttle in gear.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on January 19, 2013, 12:34:38 PM
Quote
You say the diff is "locked". As in a normal traction loc Ford ? Or has a spool ?

Unfortunately, I don't know what that means. Here was my test: As I was leaving my storage facility the pinto was on jack stands. So i put the car in neutral and moved one of the rear tires with my hand and saw that the other rear moved as well. Also from the way the car handled turning around with the wheel fully locked it certainly seemed like the rear axle was locked.

Thanks for all the stall convertor info guys :)
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Reeves1 on January 19, 2013, 05:46:30 PM
I found that Pintos are so light on the back a locker can act like it has a spool , because there is not enough weight/traction to make the clutchs slip.
Lockers will slip. Spools do not.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on January 23, 2013, 12:29:28 AM
Purchased a stock front valence on Ebay. Not sure if i'm going to use it or fab up something from scratch. We'll see!
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on February 07, 2013, 01:10:27 AM
Does anyone know a good pinto part source? I'm looking for a good condition rear bumper for my pinto that is not meant to have the bumper guards. All the ones i've found so far have the holes for the guards.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: dga57 on February 07, 2013, 01:34:24 AM
Your best bet is probably Fred Morgan... he's on the site here.  Check him out for any Pinto parts you might need.
Dwayne :)
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on February 12, 2013, 12:34:05 AM
Quote
Your best bet is probably Fred Morgan... he's on the site here.  Check him out for any Pinto parts you might need.
Dwayne

Thanks for the heads up! Unfortunately he didn't have one :(

Evidently that bumper is pretty rare (via a pinto parts guy in SE michigan I called).

My father is going to look at a hood for me tomorrow! Fingers crossed!

Can anyone point me in the right direction to find a picture of a relatively stock looking gloss black pinto? I can't find one on google. Thanks!
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Reeves1 on February 12, 2013, 05:05:14 AM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/Cars/331stroker_zpsb28e583d.jpg)


If you want to see it bigger, right click & "save as". Should show up bigger on your computer ?
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on February 12, 2013, 02:20:12 PM
interesting... Thanks!
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on February 16, 2013, 02:24:47 AM
So this is the kind of color I'm going for. I have 3 more weeks of school and then I get a week off for spring break; during which I will be visiting my parents and doing some sort of work on the pinto. I'm hoping it's nice enough outside to do a good chunk of the body work. I plan on priming the vehicle myself before sending it to paint, but I would be surprised if it's warm enough for anything to stick. We'll see!

Color Inspiration (beautiful car by the way):

(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_3024_zps9b8ae8ce.jpg)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_3025_zps646892cc.jpg)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_3027_zps5d3bc95f.jpg)
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on February 16, 2013, 10:24:46 PM
Can i run 8" wide wheels in the back without spacers?
How wide can I run in the front?
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on February 18, 2013, 11:21:54 PM
Sorry for asking so many questions, but I found a rather unreliable looking website list the hedman hussler collector diameters at 3.5" for my application.
Can anyone confirm that?
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Reeves1 on February 19, 2013, 05:07:54 AM
Sounds right for the 351c collectors. Tubes are likely 1-7/8" or 2".
But Headman no longer makes them. They required front mounts for the engine.

Used set of what you may have ? For 351c & BOSS 302.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/Cars/craigliststuff121.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/Cars/craigliststuff123.jpg)
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on February 19, 2013, 09:43:34 PM
I do believe my engine is moved forward, actually i'm pretty damn positive it is. But i'm also pretty sure that my collectors are not flat. The collector is also huge. Probably 3.5". Bigger than 3" for sure.

Just trying to piece things together. When I get home in a few weeks I'm going to double check all my guess-timating before ordering wheels, tires, mufflers, and cutouts.

What do most guys run for performance tires? I'm having a hell of a time finding wheels and tire combos that fit both rear and front
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Reeves1 on February 20, 2013, 12:20:52 AM
No tubs on your car ?
Before working out your tires/rims, you need to know the width of the diff.
Contact a good tire shop & they should be able to help you out.
You'll need a bunch of measurements.

You may have custom headers.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on March 10, 2013, 10:01:25 PM
So I got the car back today.

+1 to the asshat who "wired" this car. Other than doing shotty work everywhere they touched, they also decided to make red battery lead ground and the black battery lead power. Of course by the time I figured it out I had cooked the alternator. Wasted 3 hours or so replacing the alt.

It was a 60 mile drive home. Rides at about 2600rpm at 55-60mph. Oil pressure at ~55 psi and temp at 180. Wrote up myself a big list of things to do. Including replacing the rotting fuel lines. With the leak it took be about 5 gallons to do the 60 mile trip.

I gotta get to bed! I got work to do! :)
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on March 11, 2013, 11:34:41 AM
So it's supposed to rain all day. Fantastic.
Managed to figure out the exhaust out of the collectors is 3" and the collectors are indeed flat.
The intake is an offenhauser.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Reeves1 on March 11, 2013, 07:17:21 PM
Pictures !  ;D
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on March 11, 2013, 10:53:33 PM
Soon Soon! I also paid more attention and realized my exhaust is bigger than 3" out of the collector (probably 3.5") and is then cut down right at the collector to 3".

I bought some wire today with the hope of fixing some of the dangerous looking wiring under the hood.
Tomorrow i'll upload more pics of the car as well as pics of the front valence and hood I have purchased!
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on March 12, 2013, 05:23:53 PM
First, the beautiful job someone did with the battery lead (note the wire color  ??? )
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4568_zps401f9b4b.jpg)

ahhhh much better now :)

(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4569_zps5feb8908.jpg)

Here are my "motor mounts"

(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4573_zpsa1fd51c9.jpg)

Some sort of Holley Carb

(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4574_zpsf5090811.jpg)

Back side of the passenger side of the engine compartment

(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4577_zps6fac3b9b.jpg)

Front side. Showing the brand new alernator I bought....

(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4578_zps13af2c08.jpg)

I wonder where this is supposed to go......
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4580_zps3f30c3ce.jpg)

And that black wire...
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4581_zpscf037a52.jpg)

275's on the rear

(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4584_zps6e0b0be7.jpg)

(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4586_zpsfc71a326.jpg)

Uniform dent on both pipes?
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4589_zps229bc023.jpg)

(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4590_zps38bbdb0c.jpg)

Lift bars

(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4591_zpsb2bc8af0.jpg)

She takes on a little water...
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4592_zps0a546cb3.jpg)
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: racer99 on March 12, 2013, 05:37:51 PM
Them aint dents,thats where the tubing bender shoes
collapsed the pipe while bending.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on March 12, 2013, 10:23:40 PM
Yes i figured it had something to do with the bending process.

Used these nifty rubber isolation mounts for my fuel pump (pics tomorrow). hopefully it stops the horrrrrrrrrrrr ible ruckus that it used to make. Something is also draining the battery with key power off (imagine that!!!) so I get to chase that rabbit soon; yayyyy.

It snowed today :| I was quite unamused but I worked in it regardless. Replaced two wires under the hood that had sections that were melted and had bare wire exposed. I'll be testing them tomorrow to see if they are a short. Could also explain the battery draining if they are indeed key-off power.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on March 12, 2013, 10:27:22 PM
Oh I almost forgot! The carb is not a holley carb. It is an AED race carb.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Pinto5.0 on March 13, 2013, 10:06:27 AM
Get the battery tested before chasing a drain that may not exist. 9 out of 10 times the battery is junk.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: racer99 on March 13, 2013, 12:09:38 PM
Your wiring is fine compared to the V8 Ranger I got in a trade.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on March 14, 2013, 09:48:00 AM
Quote
Get the battery tested before chasing a drain that may not exist. 9 out of 10 times the battery is junk.

Yeah I did. Well, actually, I went to get a new one and have the store dispose of this one because it seeps when it charges,  But they wouldn't take it because they tested it and they said it was good to go.

Also, I replaced two sections of wires in the car where the jacket had melted and there was just exposed wire. Now I go to hit the switch that should activate the starter and I get nothing. One of the wires I know I did correctly because it was the same color through and through and I just replaced a small section. I also replaced a ground wire but made the mistake of cutting the wire first and then going in the garage to make the wire with the ring terminal on the end. Got back out to the car and saw TWO cut black wires waiting for me to connect my new piece to. I connected it to the one I could have sworn I cut, but evidently I didn't. So today I have to fix that. I freed the entire harness and also found several more wires that had melted jackets on it that needed replacement. I think I'll just re-do the whole wiring. Shouldn't take me more than two days (i hope, cause i leave in three!). It's something I've done before and something that I think needs to be done so i figured why not? It would really look better too. There are so many dead wires from everything that's been removed from the car.

And it's actually blue skies today! YAY! No more working in snow.
Oh, my solid rubber isolation mounts for the fuel pump didn't work at all. I really thought they would because they did before. I'm starting to wonder if it's not the fuel pump that's making the noise but one of the hard fuel lines attached to the fuel pump vibrating on the body of the car. That also has to be fixed. It's so loud.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on March 14, 2013, 10:19:13 PM
Okay, so maybe I got a little ahead of myself ;)
After ripping up the old harness I figured only a few wires here and there needed to be removed/replaced so that's all I did. Figured out the starter had absolutely nothing to do with what I was monkey-ing with but was actually just remote wire on the solenoid switch for the starter had a crappy connection and my pulling on the harness loosened it enough to get it to loosen up.

So I fixed a few wires, put a new power wire lead on the distributor because the old one was barely even on the terminal and was all hacked up, and I also redid the battery ground to beefier wire (pics tomorrow!).

I really want to put the rear valence on the car but i don't see much point if I'm going to have to continue to mess with the fuel pump/fuel lines the quiet the vibration I'm getting. I'm thinking of just replacing all the hard fuel lines with rubber compound ones to see if that takes care of the rattle. Some of the fuel line is rotten so a section has to be replaced anyways.

I also need to redo the alternator lead because it's somewhere around a 12awg wire trying to carry a claimed 75 amps. Actually. Come to think of it. I spent all that time under the hood and I have no clue how the hell the alternator is charging the battery with the current wiring setup. Whatever, i'll figure it out tomorrow.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Reeves1 on March 15, 2013, 09:02:02 PM
Sounds like you need to find out why the outer coating melted in the first place. You may need to re-route the way they run.
I do not like splicing wires. The splices can cause problems. Best (if you can) replace the whole wire.
If it has shorted out the whole wire will have heat damage.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on March 16, 2013, 05:49:39 PM
Quote
Sounds like you need to find out why the outer coating melted in the first place

I'm guessing heat from the motor working on 41 year old jackets did it. I see no other logical explanation for why these small sections of the wires had melted jackets as opposed to the whole wire. Their location in relation to the headers also kinda made sense. The wires are all (now) as far away as the motor as they can be while still being in the engine bay. I removed as many pointless wires as I could, but alot of them ran behind the steering column into the fusebox and I couldn't even jimmy my way down there (pretty small guy), So i left them in case I get the motivation to do so and figure out what I do/don't need.

I'm not too worried about my splices to be honest. They are male/female spade terminals with the wires crimped and soldered into the terminals and then the two terminals soldered together as well. Then covered in shrink tube. I do understand that it would be best to replace the whole wire, but it would also take 20x the work. If I have a problem with the splice (ended up only using one because the 2nd I did I later found out was useless), then I will re-run the whole wire. It's not something extremely important. I think it's either a headlight or a turn signal.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on April 07, 2013, 10:41:38 PM
Found a bumber without the holes for the guards on ebay. Awaiting to hear back from the seller to see if I'm going to jump on it.

Spending some time researching/reading concerning getting what I want out of the cleveland. Which is ~400 and ~400 at the crank somewhere before 5k rpm.

Mostly school is kicking my butt. 4 weeks left, 8 exams, two reports, two papers. Also trying to prep myself for my internship at Ford as well. I'm a busy, busy kid. 
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on April 13, 2013, 03:46:13 PM
Here's a picture of the solid rubber mounted fuel pump
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4593_zps3f6786eb.jpg) (http://s847.photobucket.com/user/frostedflakejake/media/IMG_4593_zps3f6786eb.jpg.html)
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Reeves1 on April 13, 2013, 08:29:29 PM
These are what I am changing to.

http://www.holley.com/12-700.asp
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on April 14, 2013, 10:00:36 PM
Woah. That's different. I'm going to try fixing the rattle some more before I go out and replace a perfectly working fuel pump.

Here is the ebay link to the bumper I "won".
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-1972-ford-pinto-rear-bumper-/380614768427?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=jeZRK2%252BSs1gN1hD6%252FbED%252F7TBLfc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: pintoman1972 on April 29, 2013, 08:36:29 PM
Hi Jake,

Looks like you have a drag car that someone put on the street. 

For the street you need reliability. 

Took me the most of 2 yeras to convert my BEAST to the street.  And wiring is a big issue.  Take your time going through the wiring.  Once you know the circuit works correctly, such as the headlights, make sure it is fused correctly and that any joints are soldered and insulated correctly.

To make sure my wiring was correct I even pulled out the dash and dropped the steering column to get at it all.  Sure it took time and was a pain in the butt.  But once it was done it was worth all the effort. 

One circuit at a time and then YOU know it is correct.

Good luck and let us know how you are progressing along.

Dick
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on May 01, 2013, 12:38:00 AM
Hey thanks for your interest! :)

Mostly the car will just be used for weekend foolishness and something to work on when I get home from work. I'm not looking to get groceries or drive the thing to work; yet! It is a very, very crude machine. But for the time being, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I agree with you on the wiring as well. The last time I was with the car I was time constrained and thus very little real work got done. It's a gosh darn mess under the dash and under the steering column. There is clearly no effort put forth forward to making a harness of anykind; just all spaghetti! I can't stand it. It's likely nearly all of it will be redone. 

I go back to my parent's place in a few days so work will resume! I like to keep a schedule and make goals. Thus, I'm hoping to having the car finished (whatever the heck that means!) by July 4th.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on May 01, 2013, 12:52:41 AM
Quote
Once you know the circuit works correctly, such as the headlights, make sure it is fused correctly and that any joints are soldered and insulated correctly.

Yeah no joke there! Whomever did this wiring used no solder as far as I can tell. Hell, the power wire to the distributor didn't even have the right size female spade terminal on it. It was way too big and I can't believe it didn't fall off on the drive home.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on May 08, 2013, 09:24:02 PM
A few updates:

I got home thursday and decided the weekend was for fun and not work. Started re-doing the fuse box on Monday because as expected it was hacked into all over the place and bolts were used as fuses etc. etc. etc. I would show before and after pictures but I only have it functioning right now and not all neat and pretty. Tested the car, made it about a mile, got back home to discover my rear axle is leaking near the driver side wheel. Quite a lot. It's not going anywhere now until the seals get changed. Starting that tomorrow!
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Pinto5.0 on May 09, 2013, 07:22:57 AM
The wiring in my '73 is so bitched up that I plan to install an aftermarket fuse box/harness in it. Maybe that would be a viable option to clean up your mess as well.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on May 09, 2013, 01:16:12 PM
I installed an after market fuse box. I wouldn't really call it a fuse box... more of a fuse panel. Everything works well!
I decided to change it out after I randomly lost my tach and discovered that the power wire was just jammed next to a fuse. And the distributor and fuel pump and starter solenoid were all connected in a similar fashion.

Good luck on yours!
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on August 06, 2013, 07:22:26 PM
Alright! So it's been a few months and I have SOME progress.
Between two jobs and a girlfriend my time has been limited, but i'll stop making excuses now :)

I redid my gauges. I don't think i showed what they looked like before but I moved them and i think they look alot better now!
More importantly, I did all the body work on the vehicle. It was sanded, bondo was applied, rust was cut, patches were welded, more bondo, body skim was added, and it currently was almost a layer of black epoxy primer on it (no pictures of it black yet, i might shoot some tonight). I ran out of primer before doing a real solid coat. Next is to wet sand the car with 2000 and shoot it with more primer and then i think i'll drop it off at Maaco. Does anyone know how to remove the chrome strips that run across the roof of the runabout model? I tried popping them off but it really didn't seem like that was it. I even cut up my headliner to get to a bolt that was no where to be found...

Picture dump:
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4923_zps9147802c.jpg) (http://s847.photobucket.com/user/frostedflakejake/media/IMG_4923_zps9147802c.jpg.html)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4916_zpsde349044.jpg) (http://s847.photobucket.com/user/frostedflakejake/media/IMG_4916_zpsde349044.jpg.html)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4983_zps4002d8ed.jpg) (http://s847.photobucket.com/user/frostedflakejake/media/IMG_4983_zps4002d8ed.jpg.html)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4980_zps45269d30.jpg) (http://s847.photobucket.com/user/frostedflakejake/media/IMG_4980_zps45269d30.jpg.html)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/IMG_4991_zps73134145.jpg) (http://s847.photobucket.com/user/frostedflakejake/media/IMG_4991_zps73134145.jpg.html)
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on August 06, 2013, 07:26:16 PM
There was MUCH more bodywork than pictured but i figured you guys would get the point...
That driver side front fender was a WRECK. Took lots of tries to flatten it out.

I also picked up a 9" axle over the weekend and should be dropping it off at a shop tomorrow or the next day for shortening and rebuild.

I also picked up a Holley Strip dominator and a 4speed toploader. Neither are installed.
I might order new wheels tonight and new tires for the front.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Pinto5.0 on August 06, 2013, 10:08:04 PM
You had a roof rack? I'd love to find one for my 71.  Those chrome strips are on those T shaped rivets that are spot welded to the roof. Push them either toward the front or rear of the car & you should feel them pop off the rivets. Then just lift them off & grind the rivets off.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on August 09, 2013, 02:45:24 PM
No I don't have the actual rack :( I would also like one.

Alright great! Thanks alot I'll try that when i get home from work; i would have never thought of that. I thought FOR SURE they had some type of screw/bolt fastener going through the roof and I tore up my headliner trying to find it....
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on August 19, 2013, 08:19:26 AM
Well I got the chrome runners on the roof off! Out of 8 little metal tabs that stick up two of them broke off the roof. I don't think it'll be a major issue but we'll see when we go to put them back on.

Got the motor and trans pulled this weekend. Holy cow. What a HELL HOLE that was. I've heard before that the trans tunnel needs to be cut and adjusted to fit the c6? Well I can tell you that it doesn't, but then it will take you 6 hours to pull the drive train. Had to seperate trans from motor in the car and then ended up taking the fly wheel off in the car too (that was fun).

Also sanded the epoxy primer and put on a grey urethane primer. The car is now ready to be taken to Maaco!

(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/pintoprimer_zps70294595.jpg) (http://s847.photobucket.com/user/frostedflakejake/media/pintoprimer_zps70294595.jpg.html)
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on October 21, 2013, 11:29:46 PM
More progress.

Did some cutting and welding of the front valence to make it fit. I don't see why people would bother with fiberglassing a new valence to make it fit for this application, that is other than more variation of looks. But for 5 hours of work I don't think it looks half bad!

(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/DSCN1146_zpsadf612e0.jpg) (http://s847.photobucket.com/user/frostedflakejake/media/DSCN1146_zpsadf612e0.jpg.html)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/DSCN1150_zps2a2fe233.jpg) (http://s847.photobucket.com/user/frostedflakejake/media/DSCN1150_zps2a2fe233.jpg.html)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/DSCN1174_zpsa6cb7258.jpg) (http://s847.photobucket.com/user/frostedflakejake/media/DSCN1174_zpsa6cb7258.jpg.html)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/DSCN1175_zpsdbf9723a.jpg) (http://s847.photobucket.com/user/frostedflakejake/media/DSCN1175_zpsdbf9723a.jpg.html)
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: ETPinto on October 23, 2013, 12:42:02 PM
Awesome just found this thread good work!
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: hotrodln on October 23, 2013, 09:25:24 PM


Also sanded the epoxy primer and put on a grey urethane primer. The car is now ready to be taken to Maaco!

(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/pintoprimer_zps70294595.jpg) (http://s847.photobucket.com/user/frostedflakejake/media/pintoprimer_zps70294595.jpg.html)

Why not just finish the paint job yourself? basecoat clearcoat is pretty forgiving....a nd you can sand and polish it when your done. save yourself some dough! Looks good by the way. I had a 351 W in a pinto of mine with an FMX transmission. My current car has the original 4 cyl. 
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on October 24, 2013, 06:51:40 PM
Quote
Why not just finish the paint job yourself? basecoat clearcoat is pretty forgiving....a nd you can sand and polish it when your done. save yourself some dough! Looks good by the way. I had a 351 W in a pinto of mine with an FMX transmission. My current car has the original 4 cyl.

I know I can't paint in my driveway without dust being an issue; I've tried many times. The fee's Maaco will charge me are nil compared to the time and effort I have into the vehicle. And when, not if, they mess up I can just bring it back and have them re-do it for free :)

The car currently has a different cleveland and a 4-speed toploader into it that I had laying around. I pulled out the cleveland that was in it and am currently cleaning it up and will send it off to an engine builder sooner or later. I'm actually trying to purchase a Tremec TKO 5-speed off of a gentleman on craigslist right now. It should fit, but it might be a chore. It's significantly larger than the toploader. Either way I'm scrapping the c6. It was excellent with the stall converter for launches, but just wasn't as fun to drive as a manual. And the 3-speed was killing me. 
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on November 04, 2013, 08:11:16 AM
Couldn't find a drum brake kit for this bastard rear axle. The center of my new wheels are bare steel and are going to get powder coated, which is forcing me to think about what color to paint the car. I keep bouncing between radically different ideas.... anyways..

(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab32/frostedflakejake/pintoaxle_zps1b1b27ac.jpg) (http://s847.photobucket.com/user/frostedflakejake/media/pintoaxle_zps1b1b27ac.jpg.html)
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: entropy on December 08, 2013, 02:20:50 AM
Hey, what can you tell me about the rear end and rims that came with the car?  I'm looking to get some 275s under the back of mine and it's encouraging to see that it's been done before.  Any idea what the offset on those wheels is?
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Reeves1 on December 08, 2013, 08:02:09 AM
Jake - can you take some pics of your headers before you put it back together please ?

Here are pics/info on the original B2 headers from mine: http://www.fordpinto.com/your-pintos/new-car-!/90/
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on December 17, 2013, 10:39:57 PM
Quote
Hey, what can you tell me about the rear end and rims that came with the car?  I'm looking to get some 275s under the back of mine and it's encouraging to see that it's been done before.  Any idea what the offset on those wheels is?

Sure thing. The wheels were 15x8 with 4.5" of backspacing. They were mounted with (2) 1/8" spacers. The axle we believe was a Pinto 8". To be honest, we don't know. The previous owner thought it was a Maverick rear end but when we went to replace one of the seals we determined that was false. So then we tried Mustang II and that was wrong as well. So finally we took the damn thing into autozone with us and just bought whatever fit :) don't remember what it was. Probably just a stock Pinto 8".

My new wheels are of the same dimension as the Weld's that were on there and my 9" was supposedly made to the stock pinto width. I can't remember what that is now, but I looked it up and told my guy to make it that same width. And it all fits. I did have to do some grinding on the caliper but that was purely a function of the disc brake kit.

So to make a long story short, it's my understanding that you don't need to do any modifications to the rear end whatsoever to get 275's to fit; as long as you're okay with a fit like I have.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on December 17, 2013, 10:44:37 PM
Quote
Jake - can you take some pics of your headers before you put it back together please ?

Here are pics/info on the original B2 headers from mine: http://www.fordpinto.com/your-pintos/new-car-!/90/

Sure thing. Going back home in ~10 days so I'll take them then.
Just a reminder, I was wrong when I told you that the headers went into the collector in a :: fashion. They are in fact four in a line like ....     ....
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Reeves1 on December 18, 2013, 04:16:54 AM
I'll bet they are the Headman headers then. Like this:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/Cars/craigliststuff121.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/DerrickJB/media/Cars/craigliststuff121.jpg.html)



No longer made. If yours are in good shape they should be cleaned & ceramic coated, inside & out. Make them last longer & help keep the heat down in the engine bay.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on January 07, 2014, 12:33:34 PM
That is precisely what they are!
New driveshaft was going to go in, but some doofus purchased the wrong U-bolts... I wonder who that could be? ;)
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Reeves1 on January 07, 2014, 08:28:41 PM
Then you need to take detailed pictures of the engine mounts while the engine is out (is it still out ?) !
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on January 11, 2014, 08:21:47 AM
Engine is in :(
My old man can't really handle a car with an open bay and a perfectly fine motor sitting on a stand being in the same garage at once. He's not really handling retirement well; very bored.

I will do the best I can with the motor in. It's coming back out probably in August; i'll try to remember then.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Reeves1 on January 11, 2014, 08:24:19 PM
Did you freshen the engine ?
Open it up for inspection ?
Put a bigger cam etc in ?

Details, man !

 ;D
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on January 16, 2014, 12:50:17 AM
Oh I thought I'd kept you in the loop! My father had built a separate 351c with the hopes of finding a cool car to put it in, but, he has yet to do so. So we knew I had to pull my motor and either do a complete rebuild or get a different motor. In the meantime, instead of having the pinto just sit there hopelessly, we put his freshly built Cleveland into the car along with his 4-speed top loader. To be honest, I had nothing to do with it. He got tired of moving the car by hand and dropped the pair into the car; but I do think it's a good idea.

I know his motor was built to be relatively stock. More of a resto-job, but it was a thorough rebuild. I think crank is probably the only thing to stay stock. I only know what I can see which is Demon 750 carb and edlebrock air gap. He doesn't have the GM style distributor like mine either.
And as long as I'm being honest, my car is slowly getting built by pops while I'm at school, which upsets me. I simply don't have the room, tools, or time to work on it here. Needless to say I do what I can while i'm at home, but it's just not a number 1 priority for me right now.

I'm not even entirely sure I'll stick with my cleveland. When I get the cylinder walls checked I'll know. I've pretty much made up my mind on wanting to stroke it to the 380-390 range. But I have absolutely NO bias when it comes to who makes a motor. I would actually love, love, love to run a modern fuel injected V8. But I'm looking for 900-1000 combined hp and torque since I plan on moving this motor around to different (and much heavier) vehicles in the future. And finding a fuel injected motor that will do that, fit in the pinto, and cost less than a cleveland is damn near impossible.

And of course, I forgot to photograph the engine mounts for you. I'll ask dad to do it and send me the photos.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: t5gt40x on January 27, 2014, 08:49:16 AM
hello there! I dont mean to butt in, but I just registered so I could post about those Southside Machine Lift Bars. I was warned by a fellow who likes to build some pretty hairy cars that they are
treacherous, having ripped his Falcon apart at the front spring mount. I bought a set and installed them on my 63 Galaxie years ago, and it still hasnt been driven, and wont be until I remove them.
That is such a neat Pinto, I would hate for any difficult damage to occur. I didnt see any sign of subframe connectors, I would be very careful without them, and absolutely paranoid about those SSM Lift Bars.
Best of luck with that monster.
If you forego the Cleveland motorvation, you wont have much problem getting rid of those headers!
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on February 03, 2014, 01:27:22 PM
That's very interesting, and i certainly appreciate your warning. However I have switched out those lifter bars for Lakewood Action lift bars. Hopefully those don't have the same issue as the Southside ones.

Reeves, I go home Wednesday for a few days and you have my word that I'll take photos of the motor mounts showing the highest amount of detail possible.

I have a question that I had a hard time finding. What size wheels/tires can I run on the front of a first gen pinto? My front end is completely stock. Can i fit a 205/50 R 15 on the front?
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Reeves1 on February 03, 2014, 06:05:16 PM
If I wasn't up-grading my front to 5 bolt & bigger brakes, I'd be all over these: http://www.fordpinto.com/classifieds/?sa=view;id=2802

I have a set on the white car. Not sure on tire size though.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on February 03, 2014, 09:11:50 PM
Those are nice, good price too..

Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: t5gt40x on February 05, 2014, 10:24:48 AM
Im shooting for 195-65-15's on my 74 sedan eventually. It currently has 185-75-14's, I figure they ought to switch ok. Ive been wrong before.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: entropy on February 27, 2014, 02:45:06 AM
Sure thing. The wheels were 15x8 with 4.5" of backspacing. They were mounted with (2) 1/8" spacers. The axle we believe was a Pinto 8". To be honest, we don't know. The previous owner thought it was a Maverick rear end but when we went to replace one of the seals we determined that was false. So then we tried Mustang II and that was wrong as well. So finally we took the damn thing into autozone with us and just bought whatever fit :) don't remember what it was. Probably just a stock Pinto 8".

My new wheels are of the same dimension as the Weld's that were on there and my 9" was supposedly made to the stock pinto width. I can't remember what that is now, but I looked it up and told my guy to make it that same width. And it all fits. I did have to do some grinding on the caliper but that was purely a function of the disc brake kit.

So to make a long story short, it's my understanding that you don't need to do any modifications to the rear end whatsoever to get 275's to fit; as long as you're okay with a fit like I have.

Well, I guess the next logical question is, since you said you can't stand the Weld wheels, are you thinking about selling 'em?
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: frostedflakejake on March 17, 2014, 10:26:31 PM
Quote
Well, I guess the next logical question is, since you said you can't stand the Weld wheels, are you thinking about selling 'em?

Absolutely. As soon as it gets warm enough here for me to paint the bare section of the wheels I got I will be taking the rubber off the rear Weld wheels and selling them along with the complete fronts.
Quote
Im shooting for 195-65-15's on my 74 sedan eventually. It currently has 185-75-14's, I figure they ought to switch ok. Ive been wrong before.

I mounted my 15x8" wheel on my front end, which was changed over to 5 lug and bigger brakes, without any clearance issues. Sure it stuck out the body, but that gave me enough confidence to think a 15x6" would work just fine. Planning on 205-50-r15's.
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: entropy on May 08, 2014, 09:40:39 PM
Absolutely. As soon as it gets warm enough here for me to paint the bare section of the wheels I got I will be taking the rubber off the rear Weld wheels and selling them along with the complete fronts.
I mounted my 15x8" wheel on my front end, which was changed over to 5 lug and bigger brakes, without any clearance issues. Sure it stuck out the body, but that gave me enough confidence to think a 15x6" would work just fine. Planning on 205-50-r15's.

Well, when you do, I'd like a crack at 'em!  You can message me here or at entropy156@yahoo.com
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: 65ShelbyClone on May 23, 2014, 08:23:21 PM
Used these nifty rubber isolation mounts for my fuel pump (pics tomorrow). hopefully it stops the horrrrrrrrrrrr ible ruckus that it used to make.

Oh, my solid rubber isolation mounts for the fuel pump didn't work at all. I really thought they would because they did before. I'm starting to wonder if it's not the fuel pump that's making the noise but one of the hard fuel lines attached to the fuel pump vibrating on the body of the car. That also has to be fixed. It's so loud.

No, it's the pump. Holley red/blue/black carb pumps are notoriously loud. I have a Holley red in my '68 Mustang that is rubber-isolated and and hooked to soft lines and it's still quite noisy.

I'm not even entirely sure I'll stick with my cleveland. When I get the cylinder walls checked I'll know. I've pretty much made up my mind on wanting to stroke it to the 380-390 range. But I have absolutely NO bias when it comes to who makes a motor. I would actually love, love, love to run a modern fuel injected V8. But I'm looking for 900-1000 combined hp and torque since I plan on moving this motor around to different (and much heavier) vehicles in the future. And finding a fuel injected motor that will do that, fit in the pinto, and cost less than a cleveland is damn near impossible.

Well, a 351W-based stroker would use the same bellhousing and engine mounts as your 351C...
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Reeves1 on November 07, 2014, 09:17:56 PM
Up Date !

Pictures !

 ;D
Title: Re: 1972 Runabout w/ 351 Cleveland
Post by: Tonycando on November 19, 2014, 10:42:04 PM
If possible I would love to see some pics of work on the trans hump to clear the shifter linkage for the top loader,.i have mine mocked up in the car now and it will not clear the factory trans mount so I will have to build a new trans mount and cut out all the original stuff too clear.