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Author Topic: New member, new project 1973  (Read 3627 times)

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Offline jwpauto

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New member, new project 1973
« on: May 06, 2015, 01:26:19 PM »
Greetings group, as a birthday present I found my wife a 1973 Pinto, burnt orange with pearl flakes. Super solid body and 63,xxx original miles.

That was Monday, this week is Mother's Day and for mother's day I got her a 302 being stroked and bored (347) a c4 trans and a bunch of other goodies.

I joined up because I'm going to need a little help sourcing some stuff like a Mustang II bellhousing for the trans, front springs and 8" rear end.

Any help is appreciated, I have a generous budget.

Best regards,

Ron

Offline Reeves1

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2015, 03:12:20 PM »

Offline Reeves1

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2015, 03:13:31 PM »
Use the 157 tooth fly wheel. High TQ starter is smaller than a "stock" type.

Offline dianne

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #3 on: May 07, 2015, 07:02:37 AM »
Nice Pinto!
Vehicles:

- 1972 Plymouth Duster (To be a Pro Street)
- 1973 Ford Pinto wagon (registered ride 195)
- 1976 Mustang II mini-stock
- 1978 Mustang King Cobra II
- 1979 Ford Pinto Runabout
- 1986 Chevy K5 Blazer
- 1997 Suzuki Marauder

FORD: Federal Ownership Respectfully Denied

Offline jwpauto

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2016, 03:02:15 PM »
Finally have an update. Last summer had the motor built out and got lots of goodies, found a ford 9" out of a 1970 cougar for $100, just got done putting the rear end in and let me just say I aced it on that one. Perfect fit, no cutting or welding required.

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2016, 07:19:38 PM »
Congrats, glad to hear you're progressing.
Art
65 Falcon 2DR 200 IL6 with C4.

Offline jwpauto

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #6 on: March 14, 2016, 08:44:16 AM »
biggest fear was having to cut the perches off and weld new ones on. DO YOUR HOMEWORK it pays.

Offline jwpauto

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #7 on: March 14, 2016, 08:47:45 AM »
Looking at rear shock options, I'm not converting to 4-link this year. I'm debating on going with a coilover so I can have some adjustability, any recommendation s on something affordable? Otherwise I was considering using an air shock. I'm going to need some additional ride height to get a bigger tire in. Feedback?

Offline jwpauto

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #8 on: April 08, 2017, 11:14:26 AM »
Well let's just say this project has been on the back burner for some time. But moving along again. Do have a question about what to do for front lower control arm bushings. Nobody lists them, '74 are too wide.

As far as where I'm at, rear end was in, but lower shock mounting plates were wrong. Ended up slotting the originals, installed air shocks, installed right stuff detailing disc brake kit, new 10x15" wheels with 5.5" backspacing to clear frame on the top side. About 3/4" is outside the fender.

Front end has been completely disassembled and is over at the machine shop, 1975 Granada rotors/hubs are getting bearings, modifying the '74 GM caliper bracket kit to fit the 73, they'll have it all bead blasted, painted and dry hung to get the modifications done so it should all slide right in. So I should have some adequate breaking. They're also cutting the mustang 2 springs to match the pinto ones I pulled out. No idea what to do for the lower control arm bushings. Any suggestions?

Also suggestions on steering rack? I have purchased a '74 rack and bushing kit. Im thinking the easiest way to go is to cut out the '73 mounts and then locate the engine and transmission with the c4 transmission mount and slotted stock transmission crossmember. After I have that mocked up, mount the '74 rack to the front cross member. I'll have to see how all that lines up with the column and steering shaft installed.

I'm hoping to have the chassis rolling by the end of the week and then over to the body shop for locating the motor and fabricating the frame mounts for the motor in addition to closing up all the more unnecessary holes in the firewall as all the HVAC had been removed. I'll also have them clean and paint the engine bay. We'll also work up a core support solution as it did need to be cut, there was no way the motor goes in without doing so. Cutouts also need to be made for the headers.

While it's over there I will have them modify the rear frame rails and ties I bought for a '74 and get those bolted and welded in.

I'm guessing about another week for that, then it comes back to me for all new brake lines, braided fuel and cooling lines, fuel cell, battery relocation, wiring, gauges and linkage.

Offline jwpauto

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #9 on: May 07, 2017, 12:13:33 PM »
Just some random update images. Rear end finally together and sitting on the ground again, about 60psi of air in the rear shocks. Struggling to get front springs in. All front bushing and ball joints have been replaced, granada brakes fitted to spindles, caliper brackets cut and welded, checked fitment. Just need to get the front springs in and I can roll this sucker to the body shop for the engine mounts.

Offline Reeves1

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #10 on: May 07, 2017, 05:41:28 PM »
Granada caliper bracket pictures ?
Thinking of this route for one of my cars.
The Wilwood ones for a 72 do not line up properly.....t hey need an 11" rotor to work right & they do not make one for this.

FYI - engines can be installed into any Pinto without cutting the rad support. Done it many times.

Offline oldkayaker

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #11 on: May 07, 2017, 06:12:03 PM »
jwpauto, impressive project.

Reeves1, link shows one method of using Granada rotors on early Pintos.  It maybe what jwpauto is referring to.
http://www.fordpinto.com/pinto-faq/front-disc-brakes-(4-5-lug)/msg6498/#msg6498
Jerry J - Jupiter, Florida

Offline jwpauto

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #12 on: May 07, 2017, 07:45:32 PM »
That is exactly the conversion I did. Only difference was the brackets were bought from Summit and looked slightly different, but the method of modifying them was the same. Upper/Lower Arms, spindle and brackets all got a coat of black paint before going back in the car.

Offline jwpauto

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #13 on: May 07, 2017, 07:49:26 PM »
On the ground again. 15x10 in the rear, 15x7 in the front, slightly larger sidewall in the rear. I don't have the exact tire sizes and math on me right now, but it's a small difference. Off to the body shop it goes for the frame ties, motor mounts and steering rack.





Offline Reeves1

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #14 on: May 08, 2017, 08:15:10 AM »
jwpauto, impressive project.

Reeves1, link shows one method of using Granada rotors on early Pintos.  It maybe what jwpauto is referring to.
http://www.fordpinto.com/pinto-faq/front-disc-brakes-(4-5-lug)/msg6498/#msg6498

Looking at the pictures in that topic - looks like the pad sits above the rotor like my Wilwood kit on my 72.
Not sure if I'll leave them on or go back to my OEM disks. OEM pad actually has more pad on the rotor than the Wilwood.

Offline jwpauto

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #15 on: May 09, 2017, 04:33:14 AM »
She's off to the body shop. Was nice to see her outside for once.



Offline 65ShelbyClone

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #16 on: September 02, 2017, 06:08:18 PM »
How much backspacing do the front wheels have? It looks like they fit really well.

I'm wondering because I have two sets of 15x7s with different BS and am trying to figure which one to put on the Pinto.
'72 Runabout - 2.3T, T5, MegaSquirt-II, 8", 5-lugs, big brakes.
'68 Mustang - Built roller 302, Toploader, 9", etc.

Offline Henrius

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Re: New member, new project 1973
« Reply #17 on: August 13, 2018, 12:27:15 PM »
That is the nicest looking hood scoop I have ever seen on a Pinto. Did you fabricate it yourself? If not, where did it come from?
1973 Pinto Runabout with upgraded 2.0 liter & 4 speed, and factory sunroof. My first car, now restored, and better than it was when it rolled off the assembly line!