ETA: I'M BA_ACK. 

This is the one I posted about being for sale in Tucson.

Bought it today. Will be getting it delivered in the next week.

Don't really have any pictures of it yet. Got some on my phone, but can't get them on this computer. Besides, I want to get some good ones once it is here.

It's a mess, really. But a promising mess. 

The below is pretty much from memory from a very long day today. 
Some  of this will be much clearer once I get some pictures up. He already took down his CL ad.

Oh, speaking of the seller. His parents were the original owners. He got the car when he was about 17 after his first car died. Or something like that. New York car for the first 2 years, then they moved to Arizona. No rust. Really. He put the turbo 2.3 in it and did lots of other work (some mentioned below) then decided to go crazy with it. That was probably his mistake. It was running with a turbo 2.3 and T5, but then he decided he wanted a "race car for the street"with a full cage etc.
It's now been sitting about 20 years. Guy put a lot of money into the full roll cage, sub frame connectors, and some other stuff (he didn't do the welding, had a local oval track race car shop do it)and then it got put to the rear. Been garaged the whole time. And this is Tucson, so low humidity.  It's setup for a fox Mustang 2.3 rear sump oil pan. Makes my life easier to put my Mustang 2.3 in it. Although for now I am stuck with the A4LD auto trans.
Recently had a brother pass away and he got his brother's 78 Mustang II. Decided it was finally time to let the Pinto go.

Rolls, full suspension and steering. Although the seller had put an 89 Mustang tilt column in it. Steers but no wiring done. Bare column, no plastic bits. I like the tilt, but not sure at this point. Has a quick ratio rack and pinion. Can't remember the name, starts with an S. I'll be putting the tubular upper control arms on it.

Comes with most stuff except engine/trans/seats. But in a lot of storage bins.
 Dash is apart, will be a challenge if I want to use it with the cage. But it's all there except for the stock radio.
Full factory harness, but we all know what I think of those. 

He shaved the door handles off, it's setup to use the door key to open the door. One side needs some work, hadn't been used for the 20 years or so.
Frenched power radio antenna on the passenger rear quarter.
Homemade (but he is really good, he makes rear seat deletes now for Fox bodied Mustangs) door panels.
Dual remote sport mirrors. I have them on the 74, will see which are in better shape.
Rear facing Citation X (remember those cars?) hood scoop riveted/glassed in. Only has a small hole cut in the hood for where his turbo something went, but simple enough to cut the hood to fully utilize the scoop for clearance for EFI assuming I keep that on my 2.3. The rear of the scoop is open.
8 inch rear with 4:10 gears. Something I've always wanted. Really means I need the overdrive transmission.
Grill and front lights all there somewhere. I saw most of the front end stuff. Mounting it all might be another challenge.

Honestly, I'd love to make this a tilt front end. Preferably with fiberglass, but don't know if there is a one piece 79 front end made. Could end up doing it with steel. Oh, the cage is run all the way to the front of the front subframe. Which is the cause of the challenge in getting it all together.

I will need to locate a windshield. All the other glass is there and good, including the Moon Roof and the hatch. Speaking of which I need the hydraulic supports for the hatch.

Has both bumpers, but not on the car. At least I should be able to do the tucked in mod with this car. Although if I remember right, the 77/78 came with aluminum bumpers. Something to look for later on.

I will make a vow here that I will NOT be tearing this thing down for the fun of it. Heck, it's already pretty much tore down. I will take stuff off if I am replacing them, but only when I am ready to actually replace it.

I need/want to go through the interior with a grinder to clean up some surface rust, and paint  it. I am not getting the cage certified, so I don't have to worry about not painting the welds.

Have to see if the power seats from the 97/8 Mustang I had bought for the 89 Fox Mustang will fit. Hope so, would be nice not to have to pay for seats right now. I could use the factory seats from the 74, but at this point they need a full reupholster job.

And yes, some buyer's remorse already. I can't tell anyone in my family about this, it would cause some hurt feelings that I spent money on another car right now. Plus I have doubts about my ability to do the work on this. Not from a mechanical point of view, this is all well within my skills. But more of a physical "can I get out there and really do the work" sort of thing. I mean I have a really bad track record lately of not getting anything done other than spending money. 

I really need to pull the engine/trans/radiator/computer/wiring from the 89 like tomorrow. Or at least this week so I can get that car gone. It would be easier if I could just buy all new stuff, but that isn't happening. It's here, it's paid for, so I need to use it. Until I put a Cleveland in this sooner or later. 
But for now I need to get it on the road asap, and the Mustang stuff will pretty much do that.

Anybody in Phoenix/Glendale who is bored and wants to help let me know.

I really hope this doesn't end up like my other two Pintos here did. Or the Mustang either. I haven't given up on the Ranchero.

Thanks,
Russ

I'm trying, but the " I think I can" keeps coming out  "I think I can't"

I just read the thread on my Ohio 79 Pinto. Maybe it is having this new car, but it wasn't as depressing as it was last time I read it not too long ago. Looking at that poor car and all the rust I don't know what I was thinking. Yet my Ranchero might have more rust than it did.

Going back and forth on pulling the engine/trans stuff from the Mustang. The seller has a friend up here who actually runs a Fox Mustang parts/salvage yard/shop (don't remember the name, but I had heard of it before this weekend) who the seller says may be interested in buying the leftovers. I had to send him some pictures and told him if his friend wanted to, I would take a different 2.3 along with a T5 trans for the whole car. Be MUCH easier on me. Haven't heard back if he has even seen the text yet. In that case I would most likely put a carb on the engine and have no need for the computer. Or save up and buy a stand alone EFI computer like a Stinger.

Hey, Phil, if you are reading this, I might have another complete 79 dash for you. 

Seriously, it is coming with a decent dash(pad even looked usable) , but with the cage I would have to really do some modifying. I am thinking about just buying a generic aluminum race car dash that you cut to fit and install gauges in. Depends on how much I would have to modify the stock dash. I like the idea of having the stock dash, but ...

Speaking of the Mustang, I actually went out and looked at it. I think the wiring is less than I had thought would need pulled. Tried to start it, battery was dead. Charged it up, think the car is too low on gas. Wife asked what did the gas gauge say. Doh. I didn't look at it, was just reaching in and turning the key. Maybe tomorrow. It was cranking fine when the battery was charged. I also may have hit the inertia switch in the trunk that turns off the fuel pump. I've done that before. But really think it is just out of gas, like it's owner. Or it knows what I am going to do to it and it won't go easy.  Honestly, if I had a good transferable title to it I would just sell it, but I don't.

I also got the Ranchero moved about a foot to the side so I can get the engine hoist out. Poor Ranchero. I really do need to get it done first so I can really work on the Pinto in the back behind the fence where the Ranchero is now. Don't know if I can do two cars at once(little Ranchero, little Pinto). I need to get it rolling at least. Just when I was planning on taking it apart. 

But at least I got SOMETHING positive done today. I have tomorrow off as well, have a cardiologist appointment at 10, then grocery shopping and nothing else planned. If I don't here from the seller I guess I need to get the Mustang running enough to move to the side out of the way and then start prepping for the big operation. I am hoping to have it ready to be taken away by whomever before Sunday when the Pinto is supposed to be here. I am hoping that with the Pinto against the gate and fully tarped except when I am working on it no one will complain to the city. I need to make sure to keep the weeds in check to help with that. Seems the city will drive around looking for things like that. I'm just not good at yard work stuff.

My primary care doctor visit today went better than I had expected. Mainly adding a couple of meds, and tweaking some others. He did a circulation test on my legs, a breathing test, and an ekg. All were ok. He wants me to have an echocardiogram done at the cardiologist's office (they do all sorts of tests, pretty big place). Upshot being I am not going to drop dead doing stuff, I just need to start doing it and get some stamina going. The way I've been feeling I was worried something was wrong with my heart/bypass stuff.

I'm really anxious to get the Pinto here. It's not really mine til then.

Thanks,
Russ

I don't know. See my post in the off topic area.
Thanks,
Russ

Heard from the seller without my having to send him a message.
Still on for Sunday, it will be before the break of dawn (for me) at about 10am. He has the title ready to go as well.

His friend is not interested in the Mustang. Probably a good thing in the long run. I won't feel so rushed taking the stuff from it.  I guess worst case scenario is I pay to have the shell taken away. Still think someone will buy it. After I have all the stuff I want off I will list it on CL, parting it out or all for a much lesser price than the individual parts. I need to get some gas for it, need it running to move so I can put the Pinto behind it. Hate putting gas in it just to take it apart, but it would be much easier if it moves under it's own power the next couple of days.

I hope I am doing the right thing. I probably am, but am having the middle of the night "what the heck am I doing this for when I have the Ranchero that needs work/money" moments.

Thanks,
Russ

Right now I am having serious doubts about using the Mustang for parts. Just moved it from one side of the driveway to the other as it was in the way of where the Pinto needs to go. 3 people couldn't really do it, I ended  up having to use the Subaru for a push truck. I can't work on pulling the engine/trans where it is at and I don't know if I have another move in me. Stupid thing wouldn't start It always started before. Maybe has sat too long with the gas. I put some more gas in, that was a major undertaking in itself. Bought a new gas container, then I had to modify it to even get gas into the fill pipe. And then I think it was about 2 parts into the tank and 1 part on the ground. I even ended up cutting the wires to the inertia switch and wiring them together, but still no fire. I think the Mustang knows what I am planning to do with it. Although at this point scrapping the whole car is a serious option.
I'm going to try to give myself some time to cool off. But if it wasn't so late already I'd be calling a scrapper.

I should be excited about tomorrow morning, but right now I am about 50/50 on calling the guy and telling him to keep the $500 but I don't want the stupid thing.

Thanks,
Russ

Well, the car is now at it's new home.
That's the good news.

The bad news is I saw a couple of patches on the driver's floor that I didn't see before. I can't really crawl around under it right now with my back hurting, and frankly am a little scared to, but I wouldn't be surprised if there is rust. Not sure about the passenger side, way too much stuff sitting on it right now.

I did the same thing with the Ranchero. I got under it and looked and didn't see it. I must have rust blinders on or something.

I'll know more once I get all the  parts out of the interior, but that won't be today for sure. I already have like 7 totes full of parts to take to our storage room. More than I can take in the Subaru in one trip.

Be going to Home Depot later on for a tarp. Or maybe I should just scrap it now and get ahead of the curve.

Thanks,
Russ

Sounds like getting everything out of the car and put away will keep you busy for a day or two.  Just try to stay focused on the anticipated end result!


Dwayne

I still haven't taken any new pictures, but these are from the day I looked at it in Tucson.
Hope they come out ok.
Thanks,
Russ

Last for now.
Go ahead and laugh.
Thanks,
Russ

We'll see.

I am taking the week of May 7-11 off from work (vacation time) to try and get the Mustang stripped and gone. Need to do some around the house stuff as well. It'll only be around 100 degrees out then. sigh. Seems I always manage to time this outside stuff just right.

Haven't done anything with the Pinto yet other than putting more parts in storage. Feel free to ignore the following story of what I did do this past weekend. Not even car related.

This past weekend I had to fix a patio door (sliding glass door) that didn't want to slide. Typical for me, it took about 2 days. Part of the problem was starting on it later at night when everything is about to close. I had thought I could just go buy new assemblies, but turns out there are several of them available. Trip one to HD Saturday evening.  Then I had to grind the heads of a couple of screws that hold the roller assemblies on to get them off so I could take one and match it up. Trip 2 to HD Sunday late afternoon as it was too late to run the grinder Saturday night. Then it turns out the new ones didn't come with those screws, so Trip three to HD just before they closed, but my guessing on the screw size didn't work. Couldn't do a test fit, all the screws in the size range I needed were in packages. Which meant I had to wait for the next day before work to run to a hardware store. Three trips to Home Depot, and one to True Value.
Got it all together Monday night after work (think midnight) amazingly, had the frame half apart. Works nice for about half the travel, and then sticks. Haven't had a chance to really look at it yet to figure out what is going on. Door never has worked right in the 4 years we've lived here, it is working better now than it has at least.
At least now I know how to change the rollers on a patio door if I ever need to do it again.

Thanks,
Russ

Thanks.
It was a learning experience for sure. Next time I might be tempted to just call the landlord. But since it's my brother I try to avoid that for little things.

Back to the Pinto. For some reason I have just not had any real interest in going out and messing with it. Got to try to get it tarped up tomorrow. Have the tarp even, just need to do it. Maybe during my upcoming vacation. Although there is so much I need to do then already.

Russ

Wow. Didn't realise it has been 3 months.
And no, I have not done anything. Been having to spend some money and time on my Subaru. AC went out, not fun here in Phoenix. Tried to make it without, lasted about 2 months. New compressor. Then just did the battery last Saturday before it totally died and stranded us somewhere. Still need to do belts, struts, and brakes. Belts are the most urgent. Turns out on the Subaru the AC belt is a stretch fit and you have  to have a special tool. So I got one and the AC belt. But I didn't realise that this has 2 belts. So I need to get the other one and get this done. Guy who did the compressor REALLY suggested that I do it as soon as I can. Wish I had known, it would have been simple to just buy the belts and have him do them when he did the compressor. Oh, well. I didn't even think about it needing belts. It's only 8 years old. Dumb me.

But, I am mentally doing some stuff. I just realised on the way home tonight I can do the JoeBob bumper tuck. Might look into getting the aluminum bumpers. Still kind of wanting to put the early front end and small bumpers on it, but maybe I should just be proud of the 79 and not try to make it something else.

I'm really flip flopping about the engine. Sometimes I look at the Ranchero and just see a donor vehicle. But I know in the long run I would be very unhappy with myself if I did that. But it sure is tempting at times. Haven't had any zoning problems yet with the Mustang, really hoping I can hold on to it until it cools off some here (late October) and then pull the engine and stuff.

Working lots of overtime. Have to get caught up on rent due to the Subaru, and then hoping I can spend some money on fun car stuff. I really want to put a T5 in it if I use the Mustang 2.3L.

 I am really hoping to have this at least together enough to run by the end of the year. On the road by say Feb. It is kind of sad, but when I think/dream about driving one of these cars, it is the Pinto. I'm not giving up on the Ranchero, but it isn't going to be right away. Having to replace the floor is just scaring me I guess. Thinking if I can get the Pinto going I will get some of my confidence back for doing this stuff.

Thanks,
Russ

Hi there to a fellow Arizonan. I'm in Tucson, so not too far from you. If you ever need an extra hand or just someone to talk Pinto to, my brother and I are just down the 10. Also, in your "signature" you mention a 1974 wagon that you are looking to unload, do you still have it and is it usable or a basket case? If it can be resurrected without a whole lot of effort, I might be interested in it. I've been on the search for a big bumper wagon. Thanks!
--Doug

Maybe my higher dose of anti depressants are working, but I have actually been looking at online videos of how to tear the Mustang apart. Thinking maybe if I just do even 15 minutes at a time, sooner or later it will get done.
I do like to tear things apart. Sometimes too much.
Thanks,
Russ

Well, sort of progress.
I have been watching videos of how to remove stuff like the dash and console from the Mustang. The people doing it had a cordless drill/driver. So I think to myself that would make things a lot easier and quicker.
So today I went and bought one. Had to go to PepBoys, so my options were limited. I really wanted a 24 volt one to match my cordless impact driver, but no dice. So I got an 18 volt nicad one. The only lithium ion they had was a 12 volt. I have heard that higher voltage is better, so I can deal with a longer charge time.
Also bought a set of bits and sockets that will fit, and an extension bar. And adapters to put "real" sockets on it. 
Charging the battery as I type this. Hoping to get out to the Mustang later today and try it out. 

The console will be the first to go. I may use part of it in the Pinto, or I may use the Mustang II one I bought for the 74, or I may combine them. I really like the Fox Mustang front half of the console, but the back end not so much. Plus the ebrake slot is offset on those, and the Pinto is right in the middle.

Then the dash and computer. I want the fuse box and harness off the dash, in fact I plan on using the entire Mustang harness. Should be a pretty good fit. So that is why the dash needs to come off. Plus I may try to use the ac/heater box and controls from the Mustang, not sure if that will work but I have the stuff so I might as well try at least. If not I can always sell it later on. I will be using the engine compartment ac stuff for sure. Might have to replace some or all of it though, the Mustang didn't have an ac drive belt when I bought it so I am pretty sure something is bad on it. 

I would like to take the SN95 Mustang power buckets out and try to use them, but they might be toast. The Mustang doesn't have a driver's window so at least the driver's seat has gotten wet. The 74 seats have been sitting outside in the weather for like almost 4 years, so they are toast (although they were needing redone anyway before I did that). Worst case I buy a different pair of seats down the road. 

Debating on trying to adapt the Mustang gas tank. The Pinto has it's original tank, and I have the fuel cell. But neither of those are setup for EFI. But the Mustang tank fills on the right, and the Pinto is on the left. And the fuel cell is neither for the moment. The fuel cell is a gallon or two bigger than the Pinto tank, and has a rear sump with AN fittings already. But then I would have to go with an external fuel pump. I need to look into that. I'm sure it can be done, just not sure if that is the way to go for me. Although with a full cage, the fuel cell just screams "Use ME!!!!!" 

Obviously I'm taking the engine and transmission and electrical. Even if I want to go T5, which I really do, until I get one I have to hedge my bets.
Radiator (for now at least). Exhaust. Not a perfect fit, but at least something to start with, and I did buy a new converter for it, which the 79 will have to have here for emissions.

Not sure what else.

I am thinking about cutting our the fuel filler door area. That would be a nice touch on the Pinto. I want to take the ebrake handle and cut the trans tunnel where it mounts, for the Ranchero. Maybe. I might just take the handle. Depends how energetic I am at that time.

Thinking about the hood release cable/handle. That would be another thing I'd like to put on the Pinto. Maybe. I may just eliminate the hood latch all together and use locking hood pins. Debating going fiberglass up front. Not right away for sure, but eventually. I've always been in love with a one piece tilt front end, and that would be perfect for this car. Can't find one, so I would have to make it. I may do it with the steel parts, just for fun, until I can afford fiberglass. Steel would be easier for me to work with, never done fiberglass at all. But that is just a dream at this point anyway.

But first thing is to get the Mustang stripped and then gone, and then get the cage and other inside stuff stripped (surface rust) and painted.

Anyone want to come help?

Thanks,
Russ