Author Topic: New project... 1980 Runabout (Read 65405 times)

r4pinto · « **Reply #270 on:** October 18, 2016, 08:09:18 AM »

So I didn't do anything to the car last night. It was a rough day & just didn't give a crap about much. Today after the gym I plan to pull the choke assembly off the 80 carb & mount it to the one on the car. Right now the choke isn't hooked up so I know cold weather driving won't be too good & noticed the choke valve isn't opening so I think it's not right anyway. I am also going to see about hooking up the Clarion stereo. Think it'll be easier than the Kraco I have. Only thing is I need to get a tap for the fuse panel so I can have the memory preset working. Only thing is finding the tap.

I also need to replace some blown fuses in the fuse box, including the radio fuse which blew the other day when on accident the ground wire touched the hot wire & popped it. Instant short to ground. At least I know the fuses did the job. If all goes according to plan I'll be driving the car to work starting next week. The Impala isn't doing to well. Mr Leaky Leak is getting worse & has developed a noise in the front end.

dga57 · « **Reply #271 on:** October 18, 2016, 08:12:19 AM »

Gosh... I don't remember exactly. I bought five (figured I may as well have a matching spare) and I'm thinking they were about $350, give or take a little. That was in April or May of this year.

Dwayne

r4pinto · « **Reply #272 on:** October 18, 2016, 08:12:53 PM »

First fill up in who knows how long. Not even 91k on the clock, although the engine has about 130k on the clock. Ran great on the freeway. Didn't miss a beat. And the more I drive it the better it handles even with rusted out shocks

dga57 · « **Reply #273 on:** October 18, 2016, 09:57:49 PM »

Sounds like a winner to me!

Dwayne

74 PintoWagon · « **Reply #274 on:** October 19, 2016, 07:51:14 AM »

Quote from: dga57 on October 18, 2016, 09:57:49 PM

Sounds like a winner to me!

Dwayne

I agree..

r4pinto · « **Reply #275 on:** October 19, 2016, 08:04:32 AM »

Thanks guys. Since she did good on that test I am taking her on the final test tonight and that is driving the car to Plain City on the exact route I took to buy the car in 2012. That'll be the real test.

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74 PintoWagon · « **Reply #276 on:** October 19, 2016, 10:48:36 AM »

Good luck and be safe..

r4pinto · « **Reply #277 on:** October 19, 2016, 11:20:12 AM »

Thanks and sure will be. I am going to place a good spare tire in the car with my jack just in case and take the drive. The steering feels good, brakes solid, transmission shifting smoothly so no reason she won't do good. The headlights are actually brighter than my Impala and all other lights work. Did notice at first the wiper switch was iffy but once used a few times it never stopped working.

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72DutchWagon · « **Reply #278 on:** October 19, 2016, 02:51:51 PM »

A few days late, but well meant congratulation s from far away Europe on getting your Pinto on the road!
Nothing like getting an old machine functioning again, and having it do what it's supposed to do.

russosborne · « **Reply #279 on:** October 19, 2016, 05:20:16 PM »

Way to go Matt!
Russ

r4pinto · « **Reply #280 on:** October 19, 2016, 09:32:16 PM »

Just got done with a 69 mile round trip and the only issue is an occasional speedometer issue probably due to an old cable, and wipers that kept quitting. I filled up and got almost 24 mpg. That is accurate for that engine and carb set up. The same engine and carb got about that in the 77. The maiden voyage was to Plain City Ohio. Right past where she broke down in 2012. Mission accomplished

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russosborne · « **Reply #281 on:** October 19, 2016, 10:47:59 PM »

Did you stop at that location, shut the car off, and see if it restarted? :-)
Russ

r4pinto · « **Reply #282 on:** October 19, 2016, 10:50:17 PM »

Nope. The death in 2012 was a blown left front tire and fuel leak. It still ran, just couldn't drive or run safely. I did however make a stop on the way home. Needed to go to the store and pick up dinner as well as some glass fuses so I can get a working radio installed

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dga57 · « **Reply #283 on:** October 19, 2016, 11:14:06 PM »

Quote from: r4pinto on October 19, 2016, 09:32:16 PM

Just got done with a 69 mile round trip and the only issue is an occasional speedometer issue probably due to an old cable, and wipers that kept quitting. I filled up and got almost 24 mpg. That is accurate for that engine and carb set up. The same engine and carb got about that in the 77. The maiden voyage was to Plain City Ohio. Right past where she broke down in 2012. Mission accomplished

Congratulation s!!!

Dwayne

74 PintoWagon · « **Reply #284 on:** October 20, 2016, 08:12:00 AM »

Congrats on a successful trip..

r4pinto · « **Reply #285 on:** October 20, 2016, 08:15:28 AM »

Thanks! I'm thrilled about it. Tonight I'm going to install the radio after I get done at the gym, and tomorrow I will be driving it instead of my Impala to work. That'll give me a chance to see whether or not the exhaust is too low, which is a possibility since it was repaired temporarily with flex pipe. I hate using that stuff but it beats not having an exhaust at all. Hopefully it doesn't rain tomorrow since my wipers are iffy at best until I get the motor swap done. I figure I will pull off the old one, clean it up & put it back together. See if maybe it just had some rust or corrosion on the contacts in the motor since it works but not always

pinto_one · « **Reply #286 on:** October 20, 2016, 12:34:30 PM »

at least the switch is easy to get too, I often see when you do not use some things for a long time you have to wake them up using them more often ,

r4pinto · « **Reply #287 on:** October 20, 2016, 01:11:01 PM »

Quote from: pinto_one on October 20, 2016, 12:34:30 PM

at least the switch is easy to get too, I often see when you do not use some things for a long time you have to wake them up using them more often ,

Exactly my thinking. I think it is ok but I will be pulling it anyway since the 77 had a wiper delay from a truck I installed so it was planned to be installed on the 80.

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r4pinto · « **Reply #288 on:** October 20, 2016, 10:33:59 PM »

cleaned out the car some and installed this radio. The right front speaker wiring was spliced in a couple different places but it still doesn't work. Problem inside the door. For now I have another speaker on the floor so at least I get stereo sound.

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r4pinto · « **Reply #289 on:** October 21, 2016, 08:53:34 AM »

Drove the car to work today. I had some bad rattling from the driver door previously due to missing bushings on the striker bolt so as a temporary repair I put tape on it. No rattle on the drive. I also replaced the lighter in the car. It worked but when I'd plug in a phone it wouldn't work. Turns out the socket was rusted at the back contact. One from the 77 did the trick. I did find out the exhaust on the car is a little low so I will be fixing that issue when I install the exhaust from the 77 which will include a new muffler that I bought five years ago and never installed, as well as a nos exhaust hanger for the rear. Steering feels good and the heat is fair.

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r4pinto · « **Reply #290 on:** October 21, 2016, 10:16:50 PM »

Heat feeling better but decided to pop the hood to check everything out. Good thing I did. I forgot a hose clamp on the thermostat to heater hose. Slight coolant loss but not too bad. That explains the scent I had after I parked the car. Drove about 100 miles if not more since fixing her. She is doing very well so far.

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r4pinto · « **Reply #291 on:** October 22, 2016, 11:21:37 AM »

Her first car show.

dga57 · « **Reply #292 on:** October 22, 2016, 11:33:56 AM »

A true accomplishment!!! Hope you had lots of fun!!!

Dwayne

r4pinto · « **Reply #293 on:** October 22, 2016, 11:42:34 AM »

Thanks I am

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74 PintoWagon · « **Reply #294 on:** October 23, 2016, 07:53:40 AM »

Congrats, it looks great..

r4pinto · « **Reply #295 on:** October 23, 2016, 02:46:37 PM »

Thanks. It runs pretty good although I found the parking brake is junk. Cable is slightly stuck. Gonna try to free it but might have to cut the cable. Don't want to though since it is better than nothing for an emergency

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74 PintoWagon · « **Reply #296 on:** October 24, 2016, 07:23:36 AM »

A little lubrication probably free it up..

r4pinto · « **Reply #297 on:** October 24, 2016, 07:38:43 AM »

I might try it but it was rusted pretty bad on the outside of it so it's probably just gone. Especially with the rust all over the car.

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74 PintoWagon · « **Reply #298 on:** October 24, 2016, 10:17:47 AM »

In that case may as well just put a new cable in.

r4pinto · « **Reply #299 on:** October 26, 2016, 09:13:35 AM »

The car is running and driving good although the gas gauge is inaccurate. It showed between 1/8 and empty but when I put in 6 gallons it went above 3/4. Think the float might be bad. Will check into it later. Also not sure about the choke. The choke valve wasn't open too much so it may be too rich at full temp. Will pull the plugs to see how they look and go from there. Also need to fix a bad headlight connection since the passenger side keeps staying out. New plug is at my dads and will get soldered on.

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Author Topic: New project... 1980 Runabout (Read 65405 times)