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Author Topic: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time  (Read 60443 times)

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Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #120 on: July 26, 2014, 07:49:57 AM »
I thought my heater box was going to be a btch to get out but it dropped right out, straighten the little tabs on top and the defroster duct fell out and went right back up the same way, I was surprised how easy it was to replace the heater core.
Art
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Offline dga57

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #121 on: July 26, 2014, 04:41:54 PM »
I was surprised how easy it was to replace the heater core.

Art, I think you're the only person I've ever heard say that! 

Dwayne :)
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Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #122 on: July 26, 2014, 06:33:52 PM »
I thought it was going to be a lot harder. ;D Maybe my subconscious remembered doing it on the 79, because it came out pretty easily.
I hope those tabs for the vent are still there, the vent was just laying loose. I haven't crawled under to look. Not sure if I even can anymore. I can't do a lot of stuff that used to be easy for me. :-[ I can see the headline now. "Man dies under dash of Pinto because he couldn't get back up." :P

Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #123 on: July 26, 2014, 07:44:20 PM »
I thought it was going to be a lot harder. ;D Maybe my subconscious remembered doing it on the 79, because it came out pretty easily.
I hope those tabs for the vent are still there, the vent was just laying loose. I haven't crawled under to look. Not sure if I even can anymore. I can't do a lot of stuff that used to be easy for me. :-[ I can see the headline now. "Man dies under dash of Pinto because he couldn't get back up." :P

Russ
Russ, the tabs will be up there they are steel, if they are bent that means the duct may have bad slots and that's why it was just laying there, that or the last person to put it back up there just didn't  bother to twist the tabs if they are straight.
Art
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Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #124 on: July 26, 2014, 07:51:03 PM »
Art, I think you're the only person I've ever heard say that! 

Dwayne :)
Dwayne, when I first looked at it I thought it would be a nightmare, lol, then I looked at the diagram in the Ford manual and it all came together, took less than 20 minutes and it was on the bench.. Maybe it was just one of them days when everything goes right,LOL.. ;D
Art
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Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #125 on: July 26, 2014, 08:35:42 PM »
Thanks, Art.

I feel a little better now. I got everything out of the cargo area, and it doesn't look like a scrap heap anymore.  ;D But now I have to find room for everything. The seats are going to be the main problem, the rest I can find cubby holes to put them into.

I'll be back out later on to do some more work. I want to see how high I am going to have to raise the folding seat (w/o the cushion, of course) to clear the battery box. Two inches will probably be too much, but one inch might not do it. The idea is to keep it as close to stock as possible so those who don't know Pinto's won't know what I did, since the driver's side of it will be my secret hideaway spot.  ;D Small toolbox, jumper cables, etc.

I found the spare tire cover. It is broken, and I am afraid I might have done it when I put the seats in the back. :( I didn't know it was under there. Still, I can use it for a pattern later on. Although I don't think my spare (when I get one) will fit there. Speaking of which, I have 14 inch rims on the car. Was that a station wagon thing? I thought these all came with 13's.

Also, this car has a bumper hitch. Funny. Rated for 1000 lbs. Can a Pinto with a 2.3 even tow that much? At first I was going to get rid of it, but now I am not so sure. Would be nice having a car I can use to tow. Although when I do the bumper move that might force me to lose the hitch. I'd hate to have the bumper get pulled off. But that won't be tomorrow at least.

Oh, another strange to me thing. The alternator that was in the cargo area is an AC/Delco. Did Ford use those, or was someone putting a GM one?

Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #126 on: July 26, 2014, 08:37:21 PM »
Just a few more pictures.
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #127 on: July 27, 2014, 01:32:51 AM »
Well, I need two inches for the folding seat. So I need to get some 2x2 tubing. Once I have money that is.  :(

I also got the corrosion cleaned out on the ignition switch connector, nothing like baking soda and water.  ;D Had to use WD40 to get the water out. Somewhere I have one of those little $75 compressors that have a tank about the size of 1gallon. But it was way too late to make that kind of noise, even if I had remembered I have it. Note to self. Find the compressor.
Had to use channel locks to get the connectors back together. Then I thought why not try my battery charger to test the electrical, but being an automatic type it wouldn't work, which I had already pretty much known. I've got to get a cheap battery somehow. I really want to make sure everything I changed works.

Then for some reason I decided to take the exhaust manifold off. Mainly so I can see what it takes to get the battery tray off. It looks ok, but underneath the car from the wheelwell I could see that there is some damage to the fenderwell under the tray from corrosion.
Plus, I really want to find one of those Ranger factory headers for this. Got almost all the bolts off, then a monsoon storm started to hit and I chickened out and came inside. Right in the middle of House of Hair, too. Can't listen to it in here, my wife hates metal and loves country. I am just the opposite. We are constantly saying to each other why did we get married again? :o

Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline dga57

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #128 on: July 27, 2014, 08:11:54 AM »
Russ,
I can't answer all your questions, but I CAN tell you that all Pintos originally had 13" wheels.  I'm happy to see you continuing to make progress with your wagon!
Dwayne :) [size=78%]  [/size]

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Offline dick1172762

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #129 on: July 27, 2014, 12:51:22 PM »
Save that grill because you can cut out the teeth to fix a better grill. Most used grills have a tooth or 2 missing. Doint let that stop you from buy a grill. Easy fix.
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #130 on: July 27, 2014, 04:40:52 PM »
Thanks, Dwayne.
Dick, I had never thought of that. I was just going to toss it. Thanks!
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #131 on: July 27, 2014, 11:40:54 PM »
Well, got a very little done. I had to play plumber in the house.

Got the exhaust manifold off. Guess what I found out? The engine was using it for some support. The engine didn't fall out, but it did move a bit. I had the hood support bar I am using propped on the head just in front of the valve cover, and all of a sudden the engine starts tilting forward. Took me a second to figure it out. Was almost funny.

I also got the battery tray off. It is damaged, I didn't see it until I start to take it off. Missing part of one corner, probably would still be fine to use if I was going to have a battery there. Pictures below. Any one want it, let me know.

What else? I decided on the route for the starter cable from the battery box. Now I need to go to Harbor Freight tomorrow to get a cheap step drill bit, I have to make a 3/4 inch hole, and the biggest bit I have is 1/2. The grommet for the hole needs the 3/4 inch. They have one on sale for like $5.99 that goes to 3/4. That's about my whole Pinto budget right now. Hoping to get a little fun cash on my birthday coming up.

I'm a little mentally tired. This whole job situation is really getting to me, and I am running out of fun free stuff to do on the Pinto. There is a lot I could do for $10 here, $20 there, but I just don't have that most of the time. I have to register our Subaru by the 5th, and here in Phoenix it will be a lot more than the $50ish it would be in Ohio. Also need to get legal and get an AZ driver's license. Oh, well. Life goes on, whether we want it to sometimes or not.

Thanks,
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #132 on: July 27, 2014, 11:41:39 PM »
One more picture for tonight.
I need to go out before I forget and plug those holes.
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #133 on: July 28, 2014, 07:43:51 AM »
No tranny hooked up, probably why it moved on ya..
Art
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Offline dick1172762

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #134 on: July 28, 2014, 08:56:20 AM »
You got lucky!!!! That's a fox body mustang cast iron header you have there. Very good header. Got one on my 80 Pinto. Sell new for over a $100.
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #135 on: July 28, 2014, 02:16:22 PM »
Really? I never get lucky. Look out, the world may be coming to an end. ;D
Maybe I should plan on using it instead of trying to buy a Ranger one.
I am thinking this engine came from a Mustang, or a Ranger. It is definitely not a Pinto 2.3. Newer, from what I have been told. Whoever started the install never finished it. Seems they just dropped it in the engine compartment and quit.
Thanks!
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #136 on: July 28, 2014, 02:18:16 PM »
No tranny hooked up, probably why it moved on ya..

Art, the engine is just sitting there. Not attached to anything. I'm surprised it doesn't fall out. ;D
Thanks,
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #137 on: July 28, 2014, 02:42:43 PM »
Art, the engine is just sitting there. Not attached to anything. I'm surprised it doesn't fall out. ;D
Thanks,
Russ
Oh ok, LOL...
Art
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Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #138 on: July 28, 2014, 11:02:07 PM »
Got a little accomplished today. I guess that is all I can ask for.  :-\

I got that step drill bit I needed from Harbor Freight. That thing went thru the firewall like it was nothing. Not bad for $6.48 with tax. So I made a hole for the starter cable and routed it. I can't do the ends yet for two reasons. One is I am going to need a propane plumber's torch, my little soldering gun could just barely handle the 8 gauge wire, no way will it be enough to do the cables, and two, I don't have a starter attached to the engine so I don't know how long I need to make the end coming out of the firewall. No biggie, there really isn't a great rush.  :(
I really like the way I was able to route the starter cable. That wireway along the door is perfect. I really didn't want to have to go underneath the body.

Oh, I used Accel Lightning Cable. It came with the Mustang trunk mount kit. I looked it up today when I couldn't decide which cable to use(have 2 trunk mount kits) and found out this stuff is EXPENSIVE, so I figured I would splurge. ;D
It's just 2 gauge, which is what the other stuff is, but this stuff is supposed to be 50% lighter.

Please excuse the mess in the pictures. I am messy when I work.  :-[

I also took off the valve cover. I honestly don't know what I am looking at here. Don't know if it is a plain jane cam, a roller, or something that fell off a UFO.  ;D
Picture is attached, but I am going to try to search around for the answer as well.


Tomorrow I plan on going to a metal supply place in Mesa. They have a remnant section, hoping I can find a 4 foot piece of 2inch square tubing, prefer steel but aluminum would work. I would love a piece of solid aluminum, but I imagine that would be way out of my budget. I'd like to get that folding seat taken care of. I have some used angle steel (was the frame our old AC unit sat on, on the roof) that I am going to use to make a frame to box in that area from the floor up to the seat back. But I don't have any tubing for the spacers I need.

Thanks,
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #139 on: July 28, 2014, 11:12:38 PM »
Well, darn.
It looks like it is just the plain jane cam.
I guess having the Mustang cast iron header is all the luck I am going to have.
Which isn't bad. :-)
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #140 on: July 29, 2014, 08:05:43 AM »
Tomorrow I plan on going to a metal supply place in Mesa. They have a remnant section,
Russ, this is the place to go for metal...

http://www.industrialmetalsupply.com/Locations/Phoenix-Metal
Art
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Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #141 on: July 29, 2014, 12:40:35 PM »
Thanks!
That didn't show up in my search for some reason.
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #142 on: July 29, 2014, 11:06:31 PM »
Well, I finally got the steel tubing I need. Ended up at the first place I was going to try, the one Art suggested didn't have any in the remnant section that would work and I could afford and I was in a hurry because my wife was in the car and very hungry. So after we ate (at my favorite Chinese place of all time, which is in East Mesa   ;D )  I went to the other place and got a 5 foot piece for $11 something. Not bad. Did some other stuff over there while we were there afterwards.

Haven't gotten anything done to the car though. When we got home I was so tired I fell asleep on the couch for a couple of hours, then we had to go to True Value hardware to get some screws for the car.
I hope they work, I hadn't realized until we got there that the ones off the car are sheetmetal screws, not bolts. Talking about the two on each end that is. I think I got the right size, it was hard for me to compare them. If not, I will have to do something else, like use bolts and nuts. Which is hard to do when you are the only one working on the car and one is inside it and the other end is underneath. Will worry about that tomorrow after I cut the tube to size. It's a little too late for that tonight, the grinder makes a tad too much noise. :(


Thanks,
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #143 on: July 31, 2014, 11:31:01 PM »
Sigh.
Well, so much for that idea. :(
I won't be using the stock folding seat stuff after all. Turns out that putting the 2 inch spacer on to raise it caused other clearance issues I didn't think about in regards to the folding function. Probably for the best, that stuff weighs a ton and I was going to have to widen it somehow anyway. So I will still use the long piece  of tubing (maybe, see below) I cut to fit between the wheel wells, and the steel angle to make a frame, I will just have to buy some sheet of some sort for the lid and box, and a sturdy piece of piano hinge. I still want to be able to toss stuff in the cargo area, so it will need to be somewhat sturdy.

Speaking of the wheel wells, did you know that the tops of them are closer to each other than they are at the floor? I didn't.  :-[  They are like /  \ not l   l.
I measured the distance between them at the floor, but then tried to put the cut piece in from the top. It was only after shortening it twice that I figured that out by accident. I had the piece laying on the floor and realized it just slid into place. I stupidly just assumed I made a measuring mistake instead of double checking it before cutting them again.  :-[
Still useable, just not the perfect fit I was going for.

Also, I took the inner quarter panels off before doing this. I really like the look of the sheet metal vs. the panels. I think I am going to leave them off(they are garbasge anyway and I was going to have to replace them), and just fill in the little holes for the panel clips. Maybe install access panels for the holes for the tail lights. I've seen some that are for cars/trucks in the past, hopefully I can still find them when the time comes. If not, the holes aren't that bad looking.

It's too late tonight to start cutting the angle for the frame, so I am probably done for today.  :( Yes, I tend to focus on one project at a time. Otherwise I end up forgetting stuff when I get back to it.

Speaking of cutting, I spent yesterday cutting the tubing. I couldn't find the wrench for my grinder, so I ended up using a hacksaw. My arm still hurts and this was only 16 gauge.  :-[
And then after I was all done I did find the stupid wrench. Idiot me, I put it where it belongs, there is a slot in the handle of the grinder for it. I never thought to look there, I never ever kept it there in Ohio, but when we were getting ready to move I must have thought that it was a good idea but then forgot about it 4 months later.

I might end up replacing the tubing I have with a larger gauge. I have an idea I want to think about/research that would require a thicker gauge metal. I just need to find out how thick it should be. It's a crazy idea :o but I think it might solve some of my issues with stuff I want to do with the car eventually.

Thanks,
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #144 on: August 01, 2014, 02:32:46 AM »
How to get really depressed without trying.
Do a search on subframe connectors.
Read the search results.
Read the ones that you were involved in.
Read the one that was about your 79 Pinto project.
Read the one in that about having to put your dog down.
Instant and total depression without trying.
And I still can't find the posts I am looking for.
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #145 on: August 01, 2014, 06:48:35 PM »
On to more cheerful stuff.

Can you guess from the pictures what I am going to be doing a bit later?

Yep, pulling the engine.  ;D

Of course for my wife it is more of a  >:(

I am hoping that I won't find the frame rail is damaged along with the fender well. That could put a big downer on all of this. But I need to know, and the sooner the better.

I have had some stuff for sale on craigslist that I won't or can't use on the Pinto.
Last night I added that I would trade for use of an engine hoist, if the person brings it to my house. Well, that did the trick. I've had like 4 people interested. This is for the other battery relocation kit I have, the one with the marine style box. It still goes for almost $100 on Summit's site. I paid like $40 for it on the clearance table a few years ago. the guy is supposed to bring it over this evening. Should take all of 5 minutes. In the one picture below you can see a white piece of clothes hanger. That little thing is all that is holding the engine in place.  :o


Now if someone would just buy the radiator and MkVII electric fan so I could have a little fun money for my birthday next week.  :( I am almost to the point of scrapping the radiator just to get a little cash. I have that and one slotted aluminum rim that was in the back of the car. Short of pulling a tire off and putting the rim on I am not even sure it is for a Pinto. I don't even know how to measure it, it could be 13-15 inches, depending on the spot I measured it at. Plus now the folding seat metal. Maybe I could get enough for the dollar menu somewhere.

I also decided that I want a Harbor Freight flux core welder. I know, I know. But it sounds like it would be the right tool for me. Cheap and it does work, although like most I think they over rate it's capacity but I wouldn't be doing 1/4 inch stuff. Not more than 1/8th at most. Simple, cheap, and easy. Three very important considerations right now for me.
Since I found out how cheap and easy steel can be to get I have a few things I would like to do with a welder.

thanks,
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #146 on: August 01, 2014, 08:22:08 PM »
Well, my luck with people is consistent, if nothing else.
Still waiting to hear back from the guy if today is going to happen or not. I seem to have this happen frequently when dealing with others. One of many reasons I tend to try not to have to do it.

I did find out I have the correct 2.3 frame mounts, so that is one less concern. Finally found a picture in the manual of the two types.

And unless I am really wrong, I don't have a transmission crossmember to go along with the missing transmission. I sure haven't seen it anywhere. Another thing to buy later on.

So I sit here and wait. sigh.

Update, I will be waiting until tomorrow now. I hate relying on others.

Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #147 on: August 01, 2014, 11:31:17 PM »
I got just a little done.

I got the tube going across the rear floor installed. More or less. It is as good as the factory did the fold down hinge there, but I am going to just consider this temporary. I will probably be changing the tube for a 14 gauge, if not a 1/8th inch later on. I am using the factory holes for the two larger screws at each end. I am planning on welding the tube in place once I decide on the thickness I want to use. Yes, I do have other plans for it besides just this.  ;D Not going into details yet, it all depends on if I get a welder and learn how to use it.

Decided to see if I could use the smaller piece of the fold down as a base for the new lid. I think it will work.
The three little tubes are mainly just to make sure for now that the lid that is there stays there. Although I may end up doing something similar to this later on. There will be a frame for the lid going all the way forward to where it will end.

These wagon cargo areas are pretty small. I can barely be in there on my hands and knees, my back is scraping the roof.

I'd probably be out there doing some more, but some guy named Noah is going around looking for pairs of animals.

thanks,
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #148 on: August 02, 2014, 03:16:23 AM »
This is more or less me trying to convince myself. And somewhat of a ramble about what I need to do versus what I want to do.

I am not going to take the car any further apart.
I am not going to take the car any further apart.
I am not going to take the car any further apart.
I am not going to take the car any further apart.
I am not going to take the car any further apart.


Help! It isn't working. I WANT to take it apart.  :o

I keep reading other people's posts and it is making me want to do more than I have planned.
It is already much further apart than I had planned when I bought it. But then I thought it was complete and just needed some stuff finished up to at least be drivable.  >:(

I still need to take the rear bumper off so I can do the bumper move. I just can't decide which way to go. :-\ I'd like to remove the reinforcement stuff for weight. But the other way seems easier to me, even though it is more work. ??? I guess part of the problem is that I can't picture how to reattach the bumper once the inner stuff is gone like some have done. And I really want the bumpers tucked all the way up against the body. But with the inner stuff still attached, the stupid things are really too heavy for me to work with.

Interior is out of the car except for the dash. The dash doesn't need to come out, there is nothing wrong with it or the body behind it. Repeat that until it sinks in Russ.  :-[

Trans is missing >:( , and engine will be out later today, I hope. Yet another thing I hadn't planned on doing, but it is really a must so I can check out the damage on the driver's side inner fender. Once the engine is out I can really start work on the engine compartment. That shouldn't take much cash. It is really pretty clean, not a lot of grease. Give it a good scrubbing, should look much better. Then I have to figure out what to do about the damaged area. Replacing the inner fender  is beyond me. Most likely I will do what I usually do in these situations. Patch it up the best I can and live with it. I am thinking putting some sheet metal on the outside of it and seeing if I can weld up most of the holes. I've got two grinders, so grinding down the welds isn't a problem.  ;D
As long as the damage isn't structural I am not too worried. I'd just like to make it look better and make sure it doesn't spread. If it is structural, I am going to cry. :'( And then figure out how to make it safe at least. I can't lose another car to something I should have seen before buying it.  :-[


About all that is left is suspension and glass. And doors. I am NOT taking them off, I can't lift that much weight anymore. Although I do need to rebuild the hinges. If I could get an 8 inch rear I'd take this one off. But I am not doing that until I have one. Glass will need to come out when I have the car painted, but that is a long ways off. Better to keep it installed and reasonably protected. And to keep the water out when it does rain like it did tonight. About had to man the lifeboats.  :D

I see a couple of people who have done the wooden body tilter that I had posted about a few years ago. I keep thinking that I can do that, I HAVE done that with a much bigger car. But since there is no rust on this car I don't NEED to do that. I don't think I have the room to do it anyway. Besides, I don't NEED to do that. Lather, rinse and repeat, Russ, until it sinks in.

No point in taking the front suspension off yet. I want to rebuild it, but until I have the money to do it I need to keep the car rolling at least. I haven't even really looked at it. I am just going to rebuild it, it has to be bad at this point. Rubber doesn't do well here in the desert.

And I need to work on the battery box/storage area yet. I have it pretty much planned out in my head, just need to do it. I'll have to bolt the framwork together for now, but eventually I'd like to weld it together. At least this is something I can do most of the work now. I'll have to decide what to use for the box at some point. Needs to be strong enough so that it won't collapse if I set something on it. I will have lots of framing to help prevent that.

I might as well remove the gas tank. I have no idea how long the car has sat, but I am sure the tank needs cleaned at least. i don't even know if there is any gas in it.

Thanks,
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline russosborne

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Re: 2nd try at a Pinto-74 wagon this time
« Reply #149 on: August 02, 2014, 04:21:40 PM »
 :'(
There is frame damage. But it looks like that at least was welded correctly.  :-\ I need to take pictures, but won't get to that until later. Wife needs to go spend money. ::)

Good news is that the guy who came with the hoist is building a '72 Chevelle, and the radiator I had was setup for a chevy. so he bought both it and the MKVII fan. Only $40, but at least now I have a little spending money. Maybe I can go out to eat for my birthday. Or spend it on Pinto stuff.  ;D
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.