Author Topic: New to me 79 Pinto glass hatch ESS (Read 22087 times)

russosborne · « **Reply #120 on:** March 01, 2019, 05:38:24 PM »

YAY, SCOTT

We're back! Been going through withdrawals for sure.
One thing I've learned is I need to keep a copy of important posts on my computer so I can reference them if the site or the internet is down.

Got good news and not so good news.

I bought a Tremec aftermarket T5 off of CL locally for $600.
Here's the info for it.
1352-251 A/M 79-93 330 2.95 1.94 1.34 1.1 0.63 - 2.76
Won't know for sure until I use it, but from the bench checks I could do without opening it, it seems ok.
Actually bought it the Sunday the site went down. Seller has a Fox Mustang he is having a monster engine built and knew the T5 can't hold it.

I started to put the front end together, and went to mount the spindles, and realized I didn't have the castle nuts for the upper ball joints. These were the ones I bought at a swap meet here a few years ago for the 74 orginally. I guess I just never paid attention if the nuts were there. I had to order some off of Amazon, got them but haven't been able to get back to the car since I received them.

I did finally get the hatch lift supports (along with the body mounts) installed. Nice. The hatch opens by itself now, and I don't have to hold it up anymore.

I sold the Miata seats. Took my usual bath on them, I took $75 for them, had them listed for $125. Guy is on disability. Why not. Needed them gone more than I needed the extra money. He was the only one interested in them.
Bought a HF engine stand (new, with 20% coupon)from HF.
Also a bag full of Taylor wire loom T's of different sizes cheap off of CL. I have several factory harnesses from different cars for the actual looms, but not many connectors/T's. And I found out they aren't cheap brand new.

Figured out how I am going to install the dash. More or less, need to decide on details. But I am basically going to cut the ends off of it by about 4 or so inches. Don't want to cut too close to the VIN. Don't want to draw attention any more than I have to. Yeah, full cage. That won't draw attention.

That is one of the decisions yet. That way the main part can still be installed/removed normally in between the cage. I will permanently mount the ends (at least that is the thinking right now). One thought I just had is to leave the top of the dash alone, and cut just the face. Might be able to angle the main part in, but I have to remember normally there will be a windshield there. Got to play around with it some more.
But at least I do have 1 solution that will work for sure.

This was a vacation week for me, and I didn't get much done. Did go to a new doctor as my previous one moved to a group I can't go to with my insurance. He has some concerns, some of which are affecting my get up and go. Hopefully we can get some of it improved. Got another week vacation in a month I think. Or two months, I can't remember right now. It's either the end of March into April, or end of April into May.

Anyway, I am trying to be a good neighbor and not making noise outside after dark, which is the time I actually tend to want to get started. Just had an idea to not make noise at least while dropping things. Put a blanket or something under the work area. $:-\$ I have plenty of good halogen work lights (bought off of Facebook I think, my wife actually found them for sale for me) so lighting isn't an issue.

Thanks,
Russ

Wittsend · « **Reply #121 on:** March 02, 2019, 11:56:17 AM »

So, I guess the March deadline... has slipped by the wife unnoticed... . Don't discount those nights (working quietly) because shortly the 90+ degree weather will be upon you.

The 2.95 1st T-5 you acquired is a desirable gear set to have. Especially with a higher torque engine and a light weight car.

russosborne · « **Reply #122 on:** March 02, 2019, 11:39:24 PM »

Thanks.

The March deadline is really the end of March, so I still have time. But it most likely won't happen. But we have had some family issues to deal with, so the Pinto is not number one right now. As long as I am making progress, she really doesn't care about the deadline.
Plus, we are getting a decent tax return, so she can spend money anyway.

So can I, hopefully. But our Subaru might be needing some repairs, some I can do and some I can't. Have to see.

As far as the trans, yeah, this is the one to use for my situation. When I found it for sale on OfferUp, I was crossing my fingers that he wouldn't sell it before I got the money to buy it. He did have it listed funny, I only found it by accident.

Russ

russosborne · « **Reply #123 on:** March 06, 2019, 06:27:10 AM »

well, I think I've decided how to pull the rear end. I'm just going to unbolt the leaf springs and pull it all out. No shocks to worry about.
Yes, I just ordered new leaf springs.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/AFCO-20311-Pinto-Mini-Stock-Leaf-Spring-138-Lb-Rate,24115.html
Not sure why, but I started thinking I should get new ones a couple of days ago. These are about $40 more for the pair than the Landrum brand they also sell, but the AFCO just sounded like a better product from reading the descriptions.
Might be too harsh, but I doubt it. I'm kind of going for a go kart feel anyway. I can always change them later if they are too bad for me.
Need to get some shackles. Thinking about getting the old style long ones that we all used in the 70's, only cutting them down to match the stock ones. Need bigger bolts than the stock ones have, plus I'd like thicker steel. Ordered some poly bushings for the rear ends of the springs as well. These fit the Pintos, but the bolt holes are too big for stock shackles. They actually are for Chryslers of some sort.
Also ordered the AN fittings I think I will need for the fuel cell/fuel line. At least for the back end of the car. Already have half inch fuel line waiting to be used.

For anyone asking, YES, our state tax refund came today. We are splitting it, and I've spent about 2/3rds of mine in one go. Slowly whittling down the wish list at Speedway anyway. Mostly AC stuff left on that one, and that stuff will have to wait.

Thanks,
Russ

russosborne · « **Reply #124 on:** March 07, 2019, 03:20:52 AM »

Well, pretty much all spent on my end.
Bought a pair of Speedway strut rods (the stock ones) and an Edelbrock rebuild kit for the carb I originally was going to use on the Ranchero but now it is a Pinto carb. Already have the book on those carbs. Been 30 years or more since I tore into a carb. I've heard the carb cleaners aren't so good anymore, guess I will find out.

I did buy a video game I've been wanting. It is the Sony PlayStation Classic Console, the little mini one loaded with a bunch of games. Price dropped to under $40, couldn't refuse. I have the Nintendo NES mini, but missed getting the SNES one before they sold out and are now going for over $100. Maybe someday.

Maybe I shouldn't have bought the strut rods, but I decided I didn't want to use my limited time/energy cleaning up the originals. At $60 for the pair, it's not the worst thing I have bought by a long shot.

Double checked, my next week off is the end of April/first of May. Might be a tad warm by then, but honestly it might be better for me to be in heat than cold the way my body is getting. Going to try to pick away at it some each weekend before then. I may have adhd, it's hard for me to stick with doing one thing at a time. I always tend to start something, then get tired of that and move to another thing. Etc. I can focus, it is just hard. I've always been this way, I just never knew in my younger days that it wasn't so normal.

See, talking about the Pinto and get sidetracked.

ETA: I am pretty sure I am going to swap to the 74 front sheet metal. Been looking at pictures of the 79's and I just don't really like it. I will also be doing the small bumper, most likely fiberglass. Will have to come up with the valance panel. I've asked in the General forum if anyone knows if MAP351 is still making his stuff. I also will have to remove the cowl scoop from the 79 hood and put it on the 74. This will probably all be after the car is on the road though. Maybe.

Thanks,
Russ

dga57 · « **Reply #125 on:** March 07, 2019, 02:29:42 PM »

Russ,

A lot of people think it's necessary to see one thing through before starting another. My personal feeling is that any progress is still progress. Shifting focus on a project of this sort may slow things down a bit but, if you stick with it, the destination is still the same.

I don't mind the looks of the '79/'80 Pintos but if you prefer the appearance of the older ones, then why not use the sheet metal from your '74. In a project of this sort, you build the car that YOU want.

I know it gets really hot out there, but maybe it won't be too bad the end of April. Hope not anyway!

Dwayne

russosborne · « **Reply #126 on:** March 07, 2019, 11:04:31 PM »

I guess I never looked at the 79 front end much before. Mine had the grill and stuff in the car. Just looks "off" to me. Yeah, I will use the 74 stuff I have, but will need a small bumper and valance. Oh, and a grill.

As far as the bouncing around stuff, it would be nice to just get something finished. I just need to force myself to do it.

Thanks,
Russ

russosborne · « **Reply #127 on:** March 09, 2019, 06:58:07 PM »

I had to get up at 10 to go to the post office today, so when we got home I forced myself to go out and do something.
I got the trans and engine separated finally. My impact driver ran out of juice before I could get all of the flexplate bolts off. Going to try to get it on the stand tomorrow. Might have to buy some bolts to mount it. Don't have a can of misc. bolts laying around like I used to when I was young and doing this stuff all the time.

And I found out the engine has been rebuilt. I took the passenger side exhaust manifold off so I could get to the starter and noticed something. It has a tag on it. And I don't like how the block looks near the tag.

Now I am a bit worried about it. I've been debating with myself for a few weeks about if I should open it up and regasket everything at a minimum. I think today has finished that debate.

Thanks,
Russ

russosborne · « **Reply #128 on:** March 10, 2019, 07:59:35 PM »

Note to self. Always go with your first plan.
Or, how to do a lousy job cutting the dash.
I will get it to look ok, just going to take more work.

I bought a diamond edged metal cutting grinder wheel yesterday.
Tried it out today. It works GREAT!

But, the problem is I overthought how I wanted to cut the dash to fit around the roll cage.
I thought I had a way to make the top section fit without cutting the width very much if at all.I really wanted to avoid cutting anywhere near the vin. And I had to keep reminding myself that sooner or later there will be a windshield, so I have to remember that.

Well, I was wrong. Not for the first time, just ask my wife.

I cut the top off from the rest of the dash in the area where the pad mounts, so the cut wouldn't show when it was all back together. That was a good idea to hide the cut, but it turns out I shouldn't have cut it like that. I still needed to cut the width, it would have been better to go with my first idea of just cutting the whole dash about 3 inches or so on each end. I will still have to cut the lower part of the dash like that.

I will probably try to weld it back together in the car with it mounted in place later on. Or at least make some brackets to go behind it for support. But planning on doing some welding, and this area won't show.

I also got the gas tank out. I ended up cutting the straps near the bolts. So now I can start really planning on where to cut the spare well out. Speaking of which, while taking the tank out I noticed something in the very front of the well area. There is some sort of thing that the safety plastic shield is attached to that is maybe 3 inches deep from the floor and a few inches wide. It looks like all it is for is that plastic shield thing?
But it is right where I need to cut the front of the well. Going to have to look into that.

Also, the rear of the well is only about an inch or less from the tailight panel. Much different than the 74 wagon setup.
I may have to cut just the well out from the inside of it instead of cutting out a square around it like I had planned. It also isn't centered. The wagon pretty much is.

Sometimes doing crazy mods isn't that easy.

Thanks,
Russ

russosborne · « **Reply #129 on:** March 16, 2019, 05:53:11 AM »

I got something today that should help me do some of this stuff and the Ranchero also.
A Lincoln Handy Mig.
OK, I know it might not be considered a real mig, but it is, just small.
It will be perfect for car sheet metal. I already have a smallish tank that is hopefully still full of 75/25 gas. And 2 HF cheap welding carts. Been procrastinatin g on building those since I got them last year.

We got our Federal tax refund, and I decided I should buy something I really need to do all this stuff with. I wasn't looking forward to trying to flux core weld using the HF flux core only welder. I have a HF mig as well, but I don't think it is still good. Had it under a tarp but didn't realise the the tarp came off and it got rained on for who knows how long.
Can't try it out until at least Sunday, Karen has stuff planned for later today. Ikea.

I guess I forgot to mention the new leaf springs. Afco 138lb. And I bought a pinion seal and differential gasket. Going to change the seal when I swap the rear end housings. Looks like it is leaking pretty good. And I bought a yoke tool. $45 for a 3/8ths thick one that has a spot for a piece of pipe. https://store.bleepinjeep.com/product/yoke-wrench-tool/

Hoping to get out there Sunday and get some stuff done. Even if it is only one or two things, I want to make some progress every week.

Thanks,
Russ

dga57 · « **Reply #130 on:** March 16, 2019, 06:28:04 PM »

Quote from: russosborne on March 16, 2019, 05:53:11 AM

Hoping to get out there Sunday and get some stuff done. Even if it is only one or two things, I want to make some progress every week.

Sounds like a plan!!! Hope it goes well!

Dwayne

Wittsend · « **Reply #131 on:** March 16, 2019, 10:26:06 PM »

I gave my son a free HF MIG and he gave it to someone else. Pretty much says something right there. I have had a Lincoln Mig Pak 10 the past 19 years and it has been reliable. At the time Eastwood wanted $425 but my wife saw it at Costco (floor model) for $250. The only thing missing was a $12 nozzle. If you have the really small bottle (About 18") I recommend you upgrade the size. The cost to upgrade the bottle will be saved after a few fillings.

If money is an issue you don't really need the yoke tool. I made a plate to torque the crank bolt (a similar 100-150 Ft. lb's) when I changed the timing belt on my Mazda. In this case it locked to an existing bolt on the front of the engine. When I did the timing belt in my mother in laws Mazda the plate fit the flange but it did not line up with a bolt hole on the engine. To remedy the problem I just made a "peg leg" out of piece of angle iron that was a bit longer than the distance to the ground. I was easily able to exert the torque needed because the full weight of the car was countering the pinion shaft rotation (see image). In your case you don't need a plate. Just bolt the angle iron to the flange and tighten.

russosborne · « **Reply #132 on:** March 18, 2019, 02:28:42 AM »

Thanks.
I bought the tool, it's easier for me to buy one than to try to fab something up.

This weekend was a bust as far as the Pinto goes. My wife wanted to go to Ikea to get a couple of work tables for her craft room. Well, we ended up getting a new bed as well. So guess what I spent all of Saturday night to 3am and about two more hours Sunday doing?
I am in so much pain it isn't funny.

I did get something for the Pinto. Found a used pair of Weiand sbf valve covers on Craigslist and picked them up Saturday on the way to Ikea. Since I have the Weiand intake, I figured why not, at least for now. They've been soda blasted. Not sure what I want to do with them. I like polished, but keeping it polished is a real pain. Maybe powder coat them. Or just paint them. I'll post a picture once I get one taken.

Thanks,
Russ

dga57 · « **Reply #133 on:** March 18, 2019, 02:00:22 PM »

Assembling Ikea furniture is a nightmare compared to working on a Pinto, but at least it is something accomplished! Hope your muscles will feel better soon!

Dwayne

russosborne · « **Reply #134 on:** March 22, 2019, 01:23:55 AM »

Nightmare is a good word. But I am finally getting over the pain. We went from a king size to a full. Lots more room to get around now, still getting used to the new size though. Don't think the kids (2dogs 1cat) are totally thrilled with it.

Bought something else for the Pinto today. 4 aluminum mag wheels and roller tires. $20. Yes, twenty. I will have to get pictures later, I couldn't copy the ones that were in the ad. Probably 15x7, didn't have time to look. They will work to get the car on the road.

Thanks,
Russ

dga57 · « **Reply #135 on:** March 22, 2019, 11:10:02 AM »

Those wheels sound like a real steal!

Can't imagine going from a king to a full bed but I definitely understand about space considerations . At one point early in our marriage, Gloria and I had a king bed, along with a dresser, chest, and nightstand in a room that was 10 x 12. No room to get around at all!

About five years ago we decided to remodel two side-by-side bedrooms in our five bedroom house into a new master bedroom. The result was a 16 x 28 room with his and hers closets and a seating area that includes an electric fireplace. Now we have a king bed, a huge dresser, a media chest, two nightstands, a boudoir bench, two chairs, a corner curio and a ficus tree in there and still have lots of space to walk around. It was a simple project because the two rooms were mirror images of one another. The closets were in the far corners so nothing needed to be done there. The windows are to either side of the headboard so again, no alteration needed. Once the dividing wall was taken out, we closed up one door and re-wired to relocate the light switches to a position beside the remaining door. The original lights, centered in the rooms, were replaced with recessed can lights and wired to work together off one dimmer switch. We added a ceiling fan with light between them in the area where the wall had been removed, wired to a separate switch. I paid an electrician to do all that stuff. I framed in the doorway and hung the drywall there as well as the drywall to fill in the gaps where the wall had been and had a professional painter do the drywall finishing and new paint. Once that was all done, I installed new hardwood flooring. Total cost on the whole thing was about $3500 including the materials, the fan, and the fireplace. My electrician and painter were co-workers of mine and charged very little, so that was definitely a factor, but I wanted the expertise of professionals and would have hired through normal channels if I had not had a connection. The demolition, framing/drywall hanging, and floor installation were things I felt comfortable with being DIY projects. With such a nice room, we decided to furnish it accordingly and spent a little over $10,000 on solid cherry furniture and an adjustable bed. As far as I'm concerned, it is probably the best investment I've ever made and is the reason that we'll likely live in this house until the day we die. The biggest aggravation of the whole thing was the assembly of the fireplace (purchased from Home Depot). The instructions were near useless and it ultimately took two people to hold it together until the final steps were performed by a third person and actually stabilized the whole thing. My son and daughter-in-law had the honor of getting involved in that mess! lol Anyway, I hope you and Karen don't have too much trouble adjusting to your cozier bed; the space you created around it is probably well worth the sacrifice!

Dwayne

Wittsend · « **Reply #136 on:** March 22, 2019, 12:20:02 PM »

IIf you can't read this then you grasp my frustrartion. So many tgimes I will simply cut and paste directly from a PCCA post and it resizes the font.

Wittsend · « **Reply #137 on:** March 22, 2019, 12:23:41 PM »

If you can't read the post above then you grasp my frustration. So many times I will simply cut and paste directly from a PCCA post and it resizes the font when it posts (looks correct prior). WHY???

Wittsend · « **Reply #138 on:** March 22, 2019, 12:26:29 PM »

Anyway, what I had wanted to say was:

"... The result was a 16 X 28 room..."

Sounds like parking for four Pinto's to me!

dga57 · « **Reply #139 on:** March 22, 2019, 05:05:22 PM »

Quote from: Wittsend on March 22, 2019, 12:26:29 PM

Anyway, what I had wanted to say was:

"... The result was a 16 X 28 room..."

Sounds like parking for four Pinto's to me!

You're right, but instead it is parking space for two sorry old worn out bodies.

Dwayne

russosborne · « **Reply #140 on:** March 23, 2019, 05:39:29 PM »

Dwayne, that's OUR line.

I just came in from actually touching the Pinto.
And I do mean touch. With a cutoff wheel.
this is just the first rough cut of the trunk floor, there are things underneath that I better not cut, so this was just a quick one to get the biggest piece out of the way. I won't know for sure how much more I need to cut until I get the fuel cell and it's mount mocked up in there. It also depends on if I want it centered. The spare tire well is NOT centered, off to the passenger side quite a bit, and that is pretty much what I cut out today.

and I got a picture of one of the wheels. Made in Brazil. Best I could tell the company is called Mangala? But they are dirty, so maybe I missed the big name. 15x7J. No clue what the J stands for. ???And they are directional. Two have "right" and two have "left". Again, not the ones I want when finished, but these will do the job for now. And they are better than lots of the ones I have been seeing. Current tires on them are P205/70. Will see what else fits these wheels.

Thanks,
Russ

russosborne · « **Reply #141 on:** March 25, 2019, 04:37:44 AM »

Got two things accomplished today.

One was I finally sold the SBF C6. Got a whole $60 for it. Guy who bought it is going to have it rebuilt so he can put it in his wife's truck, which needs a new transmission but he didn't want her to not have it to drive while the original was being rebuilt.

Second was I finally built on of the HF welding carts I bought like a year or more ago. Got the Lincoln Handy Mig and the Lotos ( I never heard of them either until I saw it on the HD site) Plasma cutter (very cheap from Home Depot, hope it works) on it. The gas cylinder is still sitting in the Ranchero. Cart is in the house, so will wait on the gas until ready to use it.

Oh, found someone selling some 1/8th sheet, getting two pieces, each about 40x15, for $30 total. Engine frame mounts here we come. He/they(not sure) has a shop in Tempe, has lots of other sheet metal for sale similar size but different gauges. Same price. Hope to get more when I get paid. Have to get up a bit early today (Monday) so I can go get it before work. But it should be worth it.

Also got some bolts/washers to mount the engine on the stand. It's an HF one, all I am seeing is it slowly collapsing once the engine is on it in my mind. I am sure it will be fine. But....

Thanks,
Russ

russosborne · « **Reply #142 on:** March 28, 2019, 11:18:49 PM »

Ordered something to help with making the engine mount brackets.
http://www.swagoffroad.com/SWAG-12-TON-Press-Brake-DIY-Builder-Kit-_p_72.html
I paid the extra $100 to have it fully assembled. I do not want to practice welding on something like this. Plus I don't have a welder capable of the thicknesses involved even if I could weld that well.
Only does up to 13 inches wide with 1/8th, but will be perfect for the brackets.

Tomorrow I am expecting to get some stuff done on the Pinto. Need to get the engine on the stand so I can move the hoist and then move the Pinto forward a foot or two. Then it will be all level, so I can get the rear on jack stands.

Thanks,
Russ

russosborne · « **Reply #143 on:** March 30, 2019, 09:19:02 PM »

this is a slow process.

Got a couple of things done today.

Went on a minor road trip, diagonally across Phoenix to a suburb called Gilbert. Picked up an Edelbrock Victor Series High Performance Street Mechanical Water Pumps 8840 from a guy on the vintage Mustang forum. $80. Hoping it works on the 351. Summit's write up only has it for the 5.0 from 86 to 93, but the 5.8/351 should be the same. Could be an outlet position thing or something. Since this is a swap, I am not worried about factory correct.

It's been sitting for many years, but has never been used.

Finally got the engine on the stand. Sort of. It's on, but is rotated 90 degrees and I can't get it to move. I can't get the retaining pin out to rotate it. Will work on it some more maybe tomorrow. Hopefully.

russosborne · « **Reply #144 on:** April 18, 2019, 12:40:58 AM »

Lots and not much. That's what I have been doing to/for the car.
Got the rear end half off. Need a new cut off blade for the grinder. Cutting the U bolts off as I can't get to the nuts on them safely.

Bought a few things. A Lunati dual timing chain. Bunch of stuff for the garage I don't have. An older Montgomery Ward arc welder. Very basic, but it works. A metal cart that will be a good welding table. Thing weighs a ton. An extension cord for the welders. An air line kit, it's a Milton one. Pretty cheap, hope it works. Also got a bunch of Milton V series connectors. Supposed to be good for some extra air flow.

Getting warm here. I have to get busy on this. Or else I will be "sweating ON the oldie Pinto". 😂

Thanks
Russ

russosborne · « **Reply #145 on:** May 21, 2019, 12:51:42 AM »

Still in buying mode. Mainly tool stuff.
Bought a boroscope that works with your phone.
Bought a real AC/DC arc welder. Older Century. Probably mid '70's. 220V AC. Will need new leads at some point. Not right away though.
Some thread chasers.
A mounting bracket for the radiator.
A few hundred pounds of scrap steel tubing and a few small pieces of plate. Will be great for welding practice. $12. It just barely fit in the Subaru.

Finally got rid of the Mustang stuff. Bulk trash, but someone took it all before the city. Also got rid of both Pinto gas tanks, and the 74 exhaust.

Probably forgetting about something. Just glad we are back.

Thanks,
Russ

russosborne · « **Reply #146 on:** May 21, 2019, 04:15:13 AM »

Let me try this again. Maybe we can't add pictures to our posts due to the way Scott had to get us back up.

I got the engine on the stand correctly. Even got it half apart. Got rid of the efi stuff, and got the accessories off. And one head removed. Lots of rust in the water passages. Not good. Hoping I can still use this engine. Probably going to have to take it all the way down to the bare block, and have it hot tanked and checked out by a machine shop.

Changed plans with the seats again. I ended up finding some RCI poly seats cheap. I will eventually get some covers for these, but not until the car is running, unless I somehow come across some really cheap. These are the style I had originally wanted, so it worked out in the long run. My wife isn't happy that these are the third pair.

Got rid of a bunch of stuff the last two bulk trash pickup days. We have those once a month. Although I think both times nothing actually ended up in the trash. In total, the Mustang hatch, door, sway bars, Pinto gas tanks (both the wagon and this one), the wagon driveshaft, the most recent bucket seats, the centerline copy wheels, 5.8 efi stuff, axles from the CV rear, and other misc stuff. About all I have left to drag out is the rear end from the wagon, and the donor Crown Vic rear I took the disk brakes from.

Thanks,
Russ

russosborne · « **Reply #147 on:** May 21, 2019, 04:16:33 AM »

picture test

pinto_one · « **Reply #148 on:** May 21, 2019, 12:54:30 PM »

The picture came out well , but the old post listing has not , guess the are still working out the bugs , and doing the same thing at my place , cleaning up and out the old junk that I know I will never use and still working on my retirement complex , its been on year since I have started and halfway there , good luck on yours

russosborne · « **Reply #149 on:** May 25, 2019, 05:24:35 AM »

Hmm, the picture is gone now.

Guess it will be best not to post any more pictures until Scott gets everything back together.

I've got a potential dilemma. $:-\$
Came across someone selling an 83 5.0 running engine for $350. Not quite what I want, but then the 351W isn't either. But it would be much quicker to get the Pinto on the road again. (cue Willie Nelson).
Now, by the time I get that much cash together (middle of June) it will likely be sold. But, if not I might go for it. The T5 stuff will all work. I would have to get a flywheel for that style engine (think they were 50 oz balance by then) but I have to buy a flywheel and clutch either way. I don't know if it comes with all accessories and carb/etc. Not going to bother the guy with questions until much closer to the time I would have the cash. If it doesn't come with the intake/carb, I would have to buy those, as I have an intake for a 351W and a larger carb that would be too much for a stockish or even a not so stockish 5.0. Maybe even the 351W. It was meant for my Cleveland in the Ranchero.

Being able to just drop in a running engine would be great, but then I don't have the best of luck with that. The 351W was supposed to be that.

Going to try to get the rear end out this weekend. Just need to cut the passenger side u bolts. Need to get a couple of saw horses to set the other one on to clean/paint/assemble. Was going to get the cheap HF ones, glad I didn't. Read the reviews on those, not good. Not good for a 2x4, definitely not for a rear end.
Maybe start mocking up the fuel cell mounting. Maybe pick a spot for the battery box. Have I mentioned I am going to put the fuse box right next to that? Will find or make a little box for it, more to keep it hidden from prying eyes. Having a glass hatch can be a bit revealing.

I am working Monday, will be pure overtime. That is how I am getting the extra cash. Either for that 5.0, or a cam and springs for the 351 someone is selling on the Mustang forum. At least that is the plan for the money at the moment. I'm running out of littler things to buy for the Pinto. Clutch, flywheel, hydraulic clutch stuff, driveshaft (probably, doubt if the 2.3l one for the T5 will fit), new disc brake parts for the Crown Vic rear discs. Heat and A/C. Windshield. Can't forget that one. I'm sure once I really get into it I will find lots of little things I will need, but nothing really is popping into my head at the moment.

Thanks,
Russ

News:

Current Classifieds

Author Topic: New to me 79 Pinto glass hatch ESS (Read 22087 times)