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Author Topic: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project  (Read 2013 times)

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Offline firepinto

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Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« on: October 10, 2022, 01:16:32 PM »
So I pulled the old 79 hatchback out of the tree row and got it running again.  Plans are to work the kinks out of it with the 2.3L until the V8 and TKX trans are ready to go in. I picked up a Mercruiser 188 boat motor real cheap, and working on converting the long block to car mode.


I will get pics added soon, but let's start with what is already done or acquired so far:
  • Eastwood Triflow GM style radiator installed. (2.3 location)
  • Speedway Motors 5 Lug 11" front brake rotor conversion.
  • 14x7 American Racing wheels (Old and rusty from my 73 Mach 1)
  • 8" non removable carrier axle from a Granada, not installed needs seals. (2.47 gears ugh)
Next big purchases :
  • Tremec TKX 5 speed
  • Quick time SFI bellhousing
  • McLeod clutch
  • Drive shaft
  • Headers / manifolds
  • Engine mounts (make?)
  • Front coil springs
The goal is to be complete by next summer to make "Sick Summer" drag week, if it actually becomes an event. I will need to refresh my memory on Mustang ii motor mounts and why the driver side frame mount needs to be moved back one inch.  If I can make my own solid mounts that would eliminate that, I'd want to go that way.


More to come.
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2022, 01:53:48 PM »

Here is a later picture of the paint:
https://odysee.com/@firepinto:4/20220724_173948:7?r=7AfRadTDoboqyWTcQBBHUa7mvkaVyYqe

I'm currently taping off the passenger side stripes.  Front will be gloss blue with stars!
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2022, 02:34:34 PM »
The Mercruiser 188 with most of the boat gear taken off:


https://odysee.com/@firepinto:4/20220916_142611:4?r=7AfRadTDoboqyWTcQBBHUa7mvkaVyYqe
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline rob289c

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2022, 07:41:11 PM »
Interesting project!  Keep it going and keep us informed!
rob289c

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2022, 08:56:29 PM »
Lets take a little step back in time with some more pictures.  This is just after getting it back out again.  I think the new starter was the project at the time:

https://odysee.com/@firepinto:4/20210912_092445:b?r=7AfRadTDoboqyWTcQBBHUa7mvkaVyYqe

The Rustoleum restoration begins:

https://odysee.com/@firepinto:4/20210926_103339:d?r=7AfRadTDoboqyWTcQBBHUa7mvkaVyYqe

The Eastwood Triflow GM style radiator installed:

https://odysee.com/@firepinto:4/20211031_162128:6?r=7AfRadTDoboqyWTcQBBHUa7mvkaVyYqe

An engine bay view with the new radiator and my old modified air cleaner:

https://odysee.com/@firepinto:4/20211106_171318:8?r=7AfRadTDoboqyWTcQBBHUa7mvkaVyYqe

And my first floor patch on the driver side in the rear:

https://odysee.com/@firepinto:4/20220604_155216:1?r=7AfRadTDoboqyWTcQBBHUa7mvkaVyYqe

'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline dga57

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2022, 07:12:46 AM »
As rob289c said, that's an interesting project!  I think the "Stars and Stripes" theme is going to look amazing!  I'm looking forward to following your progress.

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

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2022, 11:03:07 PM »
I have some videos on my youtube channel of the Pinto resurrection in this play list:



Also a Mercruiser 188 play list, which will be the first V8 to go in the car:



Be warned the "shorts" videos are mostly dumb and mocking YouTube. lol

'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline Wittsend

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2022, 10:45:43 AM »
I'm curious what cam is in the Mercruiser engine. A lot of times boat engines will use a cam that is best suited for the narrow, constant 3,500-4,000 RPM range a boat engine runs in. Not much on the bottom end because the prop to water slippage is like a high stall convertor and not too much on the top end because..., well they don't want you revving the engine very high for lengthy periods.


Update - curious I did some checking. This Melling cam https://partshawk.com/melling-syb-35-engine-camshaft.html seems to be the OEM replacement. It looks to have a bit more duration and lift than a stock cam that are typically in the 260 (190@.050) duration and .400 lift range:



SPECIFICS:
Advertised Exhaust Duration304 / Exhaust Duration at .050 inch Lift 221

Advertised Intake Duration283 /
Intake Duration at .050 Inch Lift 206

Exhaust Valve Lift .453Intake Valve Lift .445

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #8 on: October 12, 2022, 11:37:28 AM »
I'm not sure about the cam, but I've seen people say they are close to a truck cam?  I know it is a 351w or 302 HO firing order.  They took a grinder to the intake manifold to delete on the firing order. They also say it has 351 heads on it, which in 1973 had bigger valves.  I was able to verify 351 casting marks when I removed the intake manifold.  I am curious to see what it will dyno with an Edelbrock Performer 289 manifold, 600 cfm 4 barrel, underdrive alternator pulley and aluminum flywheel.
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #9 on: October 12, 2022, 11:41:38 AM »
Here is a pic of the granada that donated the 8" axle I will start with.  I have seals and new wheels studs in hand.  Might just put a mini spool in it. It has 2.47 gears, and I'd rather have a 9" with removable carrier for when power gets serious. So I don't think I'll change gears for now.
https://odysee.com/@firepinto:4/20220611_105358:9?r=7AfRadTDoboqyWTcQBBHUa7mvkaVyYqe
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline rob289c

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #10 on: October 13, 2022, 08:06:27 PM »
Keep it going...I will be pushing my project into the corner for the Winter so I will be interested in reading about your project.
rob289c

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #11 on: October 14, 2022, 10:41:09 AM »
Got myself the Milodon pan.  Thanks to the people here who have posted about it in the past. Sure wasn't cheap, but for a USA made part that I don't need to modify, I'll take it.  Did some research on Milodon since I haven't heard of them.  They have strong roots in vintage drag racing, so I feel it is a no brainer.  Sure gives me the itch to get a dual quad carb setup on a tunnel ram manifold though!

https://odysee.com/@firepinto:4/20221013_193225:4?r=7AfRadTDoboqyWTcQBBHUa7mvkaVyYqe
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #12 on: October 15, 2022, 10:23:44 PM »
So I've been reading over the rules for "Sick Summer", or all the Sick week drag weeks.  Looking at the classes, I could run Stick Shift, but may have trouble meeting the 3000 pound minimum weight.  I'm thinking of the 275 Street Race category.  Problem is they require all seats, and finished interior with optional headliner.  Also the floor boards need to have factory shape.  My floors are mostly gone lol.  I had ripped out the back seat years ago, and the carpet pretty much rotted away.


Rock Auto does have a good selection of new carpets in the $200+ range.   Also found front floor panels with factory style shape stamped in them for like $360 something on ebay. 


Today I made another junkyard run to the newly arrived 79 Pinto wagon.  Had plans on getting the back seat, but after clearing the entire back end out of scrap metal, and flipped up the seat, I gave up.  Huge mouse nest.  Like old enough to rot into dirt.  So I took the grill and headlight trim for spares, since a factory looking grill is also required.  Also got some black arm rests and center tray. 


So I made my way to the 71 Mustang II V6.  It has plush white vinyl seats.  The front seats didn't look terrible, the driver seat was starting to tear some.  I flipped up the back seat and it looked great.  Got them pulled out and was charged $73.50 for all my goodies. 


It has some black marks on it that I think will clean up.  I hope it bolts right in to a Pinto, but really it just needs to look like a seat. I thought about getting the front seats, but really I'll be getting real racing seats in the future.  My interior is going to look crazy with a bunch of different colors. lol
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #13 on: October 19, 2022, 07:45:28 AM »
I picked up some mustang II exhaust manifolds from Ebay.  I chose the shorter style for the passenger side.  It is a D8 casting while the driver side is a D5 casting. The passenger side manifold looks like it will flow much better than the driver's side, I'm hoping that isn't too muck of an issue.

https://odysee.com/@firepinto:4/20221017_193705:c?r=7AfRadTDoboqyWTcQBBHUa7mvkaVyYqe
https://odysee.com/@firepinto:4/20221017_193724:e?r=7AfRadTDoboqyWTcQBBHUa7mvkaVyYqe
https://youtube.com/shorts/Os6wbeeFVaM?feature=share
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline entropy

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #14 on: October 20, 2022, 10:24:10 PM »
Given the dismal power numbers of the V8 MIIs, I'd be a bit worried about how restrictive those manifolds are.  Maybe it's possible to extrude hone the hell out of them...?
1972 "Hoonabout"
SBF swap
8" rear 4.11 posi
G-Force 5 Speed
10 point rollcage
Single stage NOS Cheater system

275 rwhp 350 lb/ft on motor.....some thing a bit more than that on the spray.

Offline Wittsend

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #15 on: October 23, 2022, 07:36:44 PM »
What else are your options that don't cost significantly? If this is a street car you want torque more than you want HP at a high RPM (where headers matter most). I can't account for these Ford cast manifolds but years ago there was a dyno test with a mildly built Mopar 360. They tested everything form lowly cast 318 exhaust to TTI headers that cost $800+. At 5,800 RPM the difference was all of 10 HP. You don't want to fight perpetual fitment/leak issues which on a tight fit can be difficult to remedy.

SBF heads are known to not flow well compared to others. The exhaust manifolds are probably not as limiting a factor as you might think especially when attached to mufflers. Especially back in the 60's/70's they would do test where the stock cast manifolds, SINGLE, small diameter pipe, restrictive muffler was replaced by headers -  AND dual, large pipes and freer flowing mufflers. And then they would claim headers added 20 HP. Comparing apples to oranges.


I always take a die grinder to my heads and manifolds. Remove what you can of any casting flash. In your mind follow the exhaust flow and remember it has inertia. Focus on the curves. You can't get too deep but do what you can. I also focus on the outlet and can get the opening about 1/8" larger. Not sure if any of this helps but half the joy is thinking that it does and feeling good about that.

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #16 on: October 24, 2022, 07:29:48 PM »
All good points I can agree with.  This car will be a slow evolution from street car to more drag car orientated.  I don't want to go so far into the drag car territory that it can't be driven on the street.  That wouldn't be good for the drag week plans.  Eventually it will need a safety cage.  With this 302 Windsor I don't have any plans to spice up the engine any more than Mercury Marine already did.  I'm mainly just doing an aluminum fly wheel and underdrive alternator pulley for less losses, 4 barrel intake and MSD ready to run distributor.


I really really don't want to get crazy with the hooker headers that send a pair of pipes through the fenders, or the set that runs them under the cross member.  I haven't done one of these drag and drive event weeks before, but just making it from track to track seems like the hardest part.  Simplicity would be a big bonus.  For now I need to keep a small budget and save the big money for a new trans, bellhousing and clutch, and would really like some QA1 suspension up front.  For next year the cast manifolds will have to do, but I want to weld up some of my own log style manifolds similar to the "stainless headers.com log style turbo headers".  Except they would be flipped back to the conventional rearward direction, and perhaps have some turn down pipe built in.  The back half of the car already has full 3" exhaust from the transmission to the rear bumper.   A Summit glass pack inline with a Flowmaster Super 44 at the tail end.  I'm figuring 2.5" pipe from headers to a Y pipe into 3".  But, I can't fabricate any of that until I have everything in the car.


My real end game goal for this car is to run a 351 Cleveland block.  That will be the point that I start to turn up the power and actually try to be competitive.  There may or may not be a hole in the hood for a dual quad tunnel ram intake or other craziness.  I will try to stay a little period correct with the 70's, but might venture into fuel injection. lol For now I call that the dream.  Setting small goals for now.
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #17 on: October 25, 2022, 05:24:48 PM »
Tom Bailey just announced on his youtube channel that Sick Summer is a go!  Sounds like tickets will go on sale December first.  Warhorse has an official deadline now. 


In case anyone is interested: https://www.sickthemagazine.com/sick-summer 


I wouldn't mind not being the only Pinto out there. lol
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #18 on: December 12, 2022, 06:35:58 AM »
A little update to what is going on with the pinto:




She is getting an air dam!
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline Wittsend

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #19 on: December 13, 2022, 12:21:22 PM »
In my Sunbeam Tiger world they suffer from cooling issues. There are holes in the radiator cradle for the horn and they deliberately get blocked off because when idling the (hot) air that pushes out the back of the radiator just recirculates through the horn holes back through the radiator in a continuous loop. Even more importantly at speed the air pressure under the car inhibits the hot air in the engine compartment from escaping. Someone found out that an air dam would force air around rather than under the car creating a negative pressure and assisting in evacuating the hot air. Very useful those air dams. Some have used garden edging with the hollow round top. They slit the top and slide it over the sway bar, then cut notches and secure it with hose clamps.

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #20 on: December 15, 2022, 02:50:58 PM »
Pulled the Pinto out to bring the snow plow in for repairs.  That air dam is sitting low!  I eyeball it with the bottom of the floor.  Good thing this is a summer car. Lol
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline Wittsend

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #21 on: December 16, 2022, 01:17:48 PM »
"Good thing this is a summer car. Lol"

Did you mean to say, "Good thing, this is a Fourth of July Car." ;D

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #22 on: December 29, 2022, 05:43:47 PM »
I ran into a snag with the axle I bought to swap into the Pinto for V8 power and 5 lug conversion.  It will still solve the 5 lug issue but will have 2.47 gears.  Apparently it is a Ford WER 8.7 axle that all parts are discontinued on.  It was from a V8 car, but will not be a good candidate for racing.

https://odysee.com/@firepinto:4/ford-axle-not-8.8-not-8:1?r=7AfRadTDoboqyWTcQBBHUa7mvkaVyYqe

It will still go in the car for now, while I drive it on 4 cylinder power.  On the plus side, it is in very good condition inside.  Probably will get awesome gas mileage, which will be a good thing with the current clown show going on in the economy. lol Now to find a cover gasket...

I don't know if I'd be able to find better gears.  I think the lowest I've seen for these WER axles is 3.25.  I will probably start gathering parts to do the Explorer 8.8 axle modification.  One side gets cut down to use another short axle, making it a centered differential. 
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #23 on: December 29, 2022, 06:32:50 PM »
Well I found the gasket, pretty cheap even!  Summit also has it for $8 and verifies that it is for a 8.5 or 8.7.  But Amazon is slashing prices on it.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-rds55003


https://www.amazon.com/FEL-PRO-RDS-55003-Cover-Diff/dp/B000C2AMAY
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #24 on: December 29, 2022, 06:54:01 PM »
Doing some searching, and found someone may have put 8.8 lockers in an 8.5/8.7?

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/ford-8-5-rear-axle.270912/

Maybe I could put an 8.8 mini spool in it?
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline firepinto

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #25 on: December 29, 2022, 07:58:00 PM »
I also believe I found the correct seals for the WER 8.7 axle:
Axle shaft:
https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/TM-8660S
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tmk-8660s

Pinion Seal:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tmk-3604

I guess I will find out. lol
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #26 on: January 08, 2023, 06:27:53 PM »
I got all the seals in the axle, got a brake job on one side done.  I found one spider gear had real bad wear on the pin it rides on.  I just cleaned it up and put it back together.  We will see how it goes!



I think I will be gathering parts to modify an Explorer 8.8 axle with 3.55 gears.
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #27 on: January 14, 2023, 01:27:25 PM »
LOL, after looking down inside your rear end for over an hour I think I deserve a honorary degree in Proctology!

Kidding aside hope you make the right choices and get what you want/need. Likely too wide but I sold the donor Turbo Coupe 3.55 Posi and four '88 Turbo Coupe wheels for $125. Hope you can find a similar deal in your area.

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Re: Warhorse - 1979 V8 Drag n Drive / Bracket Car Project
« Reply #28 on: April 17, 2023, 02:33:04 AM »
I began my axle swap project with my Granada 8.7 and Calvert Racing goodies.  Still having trouble getting the front leaf spring bolts out.  I had hoped to reuse the spring shackles and hangers, but no luck.  The bushings wore away and the bolts almost wore through the hangers.  I can find rubber bushing replacements, but everything else is not available.  I will try getting a set from the junkyard, but odds are they will be bad too lol.  Might have to fabricate my own hanger, but I dont want to spend a lot of time on it.  Down the road I would like to put spring sliders on. 


https://youtube.com/shorts/9bGtBVu2ymE?feature=share


I guess I know why it handled so bad now.
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!