Author Topic: Pinto Powered Mustang Roadster (Read 129864 times)

rob289c · « **Reply #180 on:** June 19, 2023, 01:12:37 PM »

I can't quit now! There is light at the end of the tunnel and I want to drive this thing. Even if it becomes my neighborhood "golf cart" I ned to get it to completion/. I think I'm in Year 4 with it. The Mustang in the previous pics was a 14 year project!

dga57 · « **Reply #181 on:** June 20, 2023, 03:58:33 PM »

Great advice!

Dwayne

rob289c · « **Reply #182 on:** June 24, 2023, 05:46:40 PM »

Progress today: Primed and painted the firewall brackets that I welded to the frame last weekend. Difficult to see in the pic as it is all black. Painted the transmission dipstick tube black and the handle of the dipstick red. Spent the bulk of the day applying and sanding body filler on the cowl. I'm just not that good at it so it takes multiple applications and sanding effort. I got it pretty good. There are a couple of spots that aren't right that I will attack during the next bodywork session.

It was supposed to rain today. I was doing the bodywork in the driveway and expected to have to move the firewall/cowl/trans hump inside when it did and I planned to finish my rear brake job. Since it didn't rain I stayed on the bodywork mission and didn't do anything on the brakes. Maybe tomorrow. I ordered the rear brake lines from CJ Pony Parts earlier in the week and they are due to arrive on Tuesday They will be installed next week. I also figured out how I am going to build the transmission mount lowering blocks. I cut some 2x2 square tube into appropriate length sections and will weld tabs to them. That will be a future project and pic.

Next weekend I have to sand/prime/paint my son's (really my) Impala front clip. It is a black car but has a red front bumper and white hood and fenders due to a deer hit. We are going to paint with black Rustoleum. I will use hardner and it will shine nicely when done. It will look better than it does today. With 280k miles it is far from a show car. That is going to cost me time on my project but it has to be done...

I will report any progress I make tomorrow.

rob289c · « **Reply #183 on:** June 25, 2023, 04:56:11 PM »

I did a few things to my buggy today. I installed the transmission dipstick. I finished the rear brake job. That included new shoes and wheel cylinder and painted drums. I also mocked up the dash and dash pad to the firewall/cowl assembly. I re-mounted the assembly back on the frame so I could see what is is going to look like. I made a mistake a while back (2 years ago?) when I narrowed the width of the dash. I thought it was going to be necessary, but found out it isn't. I am going to have to do a little more fab work to fill in the ends to get it back to proper width. I think I am going to modify it to house small front speakers. I'll make a silk purse out of a sow's ear (old saying). Anyway, it is coming along. Lots more to do but it is taking shape. Another post coming...

rob289c · « **Reply #184 on:** June 25, 2023, 04:59:30 PM »

I decided to see how it was going to look.

rob289c · « **Reply #185 on:** June 25, 2023, 05:00:30 PM »

I forgot this one...

rob289c · « **Reply #186 on:** June 25, 2023, 05:08:48 PM »

The Dash, Dash Pad, and inner rear quarters are going to be black. The orange and green are going away! I've got a lot left to do but mocking it up to see how it looks is motivating. Everything is an engineering work-around. It's "figure it out as you go".

Depending on how my Impala Paint job goes next weekend, I may try to get this buggy on four wheels. I'll get it off the front caster. I am going to have top figure out how to shorten the steering column shaft and get a universal of some sort.

dga57 · « **Reply #187 on:** June 29, 2023, 03:43:41 AM »

I totally agree that the mock-up would be motivating. I've enjoyed watching this project progress.

Dwayne

rob289c · « **Reply #188 on:** June 30, 2023, 06:20:02 AM »

I'm a little bummed that I have to do the Impala paint job. It's going to tie up portions of my Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday. (Monday I work and it will be the day I let the primer cure). It's a small job (only the front clip) but it is going to chew up time that could be spent on my project or other tasks.

Anyway, some small project tasks I will attempt over the weekend are to fab and install my new transmission lowering blocks. Due to driveshaft interference issues I had to drop the tranny a couple of inches. All it really did is to allow the engine to tilt rearward a bit so I need to fab pieces that will allow me to attach the trans mount to the mounting points in the transmission hump. The other small tasks I can complete are to install the rear brake lines and mount the rear axle vent hose.

Since I will be spraying primer and black enamel I am going to remove the strut rods and brake caliper adapters and spray them while doing the Impala. They are uncoated and I don't want them corroding. The steering knuckles are also uncoated but I am not going to remove the coil springs and control arms to get them out. I think trying to spray them with the gun will be a challenge so I will mask and carefully prime/paint with rattle cans.

Of course, removing and painting the strut rods and caliper adapters will prevent me from getting the thing on four wheels but that can wait till the following weekend. I want to get it on 4 wheels to put some weight on the coil springs so they can settle into their "normal" position.

Another task I will start figuring out is how to un-do my mistake of narrowing the width of my dash. I never should have done it but I can't turn back the hands of time. It will be a little cutting, metal fab, welding, and body filler work. I hate fixing mistakes but I will get through this.

In case I don't post anymore this weekend, a Happy and safe 4th to all!

Rob

rob289c · « **Reply #189 on:** July 09, 2023, 08:01:43 PM »

Last weekend my focus was the Impala paint job so I didn't do much (really nothing) on my project. With the Impala paint behind me, I made good progress on my Pinto-Mustang Roadster this weekend. Yesterday (Saturday} I fabricated, test fit, welded, and painted my transmission lowering mounts. I used 1 1/2" square tubing and 1" flat stock. They fit perfectly and will do the job is intended. Today I assembled the front end. I had fit everything last Fall and left everything finger tight. Today I torqued the T-bolts that hold the upper control arms in place, torqued the upper and lower ball jpoints, re-installed the strut rods, sway bar links, and caliper brackets (all painted last weekend with the Impala). I also packed the wheel bearings and installed the rotors. I installed the front shocks. Earlier in the week I cut about 24" out of the center of the '67 Mustang front bumper and welded it together in an area that won't be seen. I will mount that at a later date. I test fit the steering column. I think it is going to work just fine. I am going to have to get a u-joint to adapt the rack to the column. I may have to get a section of Double D shaft and adapt a bit.

Next weekend I need to install the front wheel spacers/adapters so I can install the 4-lug front rims. It will then be on four tires so the front suspension can settle. I hope I don't have to disassemble it and cut more off the coil springs. I think it's going to be good. I need to keep after this so I can get it done or almost done this Summer. I still have to do some metal work and body work on the dash, then some seal sealer, then more primer and paint work. I'm getting there...

rob289c · « **Reply #190 on:** July 16, 2023, 03:50:36 AM »

Yesterday I got it on 4 wheels and removed the caster. I had to use wheel adapters to get from the 5 lug 4.5 hub/rotors to the 4 lug 4.5 rims I am using. They are two piece adapters, I had to cut about 1/4" off the hub studs so the two halves would mate properly. They widened the front track a bit but from what I have read, it should offer more stability in turns which is good considering the short wheelbase. I bought 225 60-15 tires for all four corners. In retrospect I should have bought a smaller, narrower tire for the front. My thought was that with all 4 the same, I can rotate properly for maximum tire life. I don't think this will get many miles and it would look better with smaller, narrower tires up front. Let me know what you think. Anyway, I loosened the upper control arm pass through nuts and the lower control arm mounting bolts and bounced the suspension several times as advised in the kit. I will torque to spec this AM when I get out in the shop.

I also plumbed in the rear brake lines and secured the rear axle vent hose through the grommet that routes and terminates the end into the frame.

I don't know what's next. I have a abbreviated garage day today. We are hosting my father in law's birthday party so I can't get into anything too deep or too dirty. I may test fit and fab mounting brackets for the grill. It's starting to look cool so I want to see it in a more "finished" state. I need to get the steering shaft universal joint. I think I can use a 3/4-36 end at the rack input end and a weld-on 3/4 round after I cut the original Pinto rag joint mount and get it to the correct length. I may mess with that a bit too.

I will continue to report progress...

rob289c · « **Reply #191 on:** July 16, 2023, 08:32:06 PM »

All I got done today was to torque the control arm mounting hardware and the steering rack mounting bolts. I test fit the steering wheel/column and realized that even after removing the factory u-joint and 3/4 round shaft, I may have to cut it even shorter. I didn't have time to mess with it but will have to put my engineering cap on to figure out how to connect the shaft to the rack, but also how to mount the column to the dash. I also have to re-engineer the way the brake pedal assemble mounts under the dash. I modified the dash and cowl so I have less room than a stock Pinto. Where there's a will, there's a way...

rob289c · « **Reply #192 on:** July 18, 2023, 08:08:53 PM »

I think the next mission will be to mount the brake pedal assembly, mainly so I can secure the steering column in place so I can figure out what I'll need to connect the shaft to the steering rack input. I need to see if the u-joint will have to be 3/4 round or 3/4 double D at the column shaft end. I was wracking my brain on how the column was mounted and was looking through all my Pinto parts and didn't find what I was looking for. Finally I looked at the brake pedal assy and saw that it is what the steering column mounts to. I will try to mock up whatever I can under the dash so I can figure out how all that will go together and see what I have to modify to make it all work with the narrowed cowl and dash. More to come...

rob289c · « **Reply #193 on:** July 23, 2023, 10:13:50 AM »

Of course, nothing on this project is cut and dry or easy. Since I removed 8" from the center of the cowl and 3" out of the center of the dash, the brake pedal mount didn't fit and impinged on other under dash components. I had to cut the mount to get the brake pedal up and in place. I have a little more trimming to do on it but it all has to come back out anyway so I will do it later. The next issue is the brake pedal mount is also the steering column mount so now the mounting points on the column are in the "wrong" spots and since the brake pedal mount has been modified (cut), I have to engineer a way to mount the steering column. I spent time yesterday disassembling the column and brainstormed a way to modify the tube to move the mounting points up the shaft closer to the steering wheel to figure a way to make the mounting point not impinge on the brake pedal travel. It is going to involve cutting a section out of the steering column tube then re-welding. I need to figure out a way to secure the column it the proper position I am going to have to cut a section out of the steering shaft but not going to do that until after I receive my u-joint and mount it on the steering rack input. I will use my best effort to measure and hopefully not mess this up.

I did make some other progress yesterday. I installed the rear shocks. I installed the front brake hoses. They are 18" and another 4" of length would have been nice. I'll have t see how it works and will change out if necessary. I wanted to install the rear section of exhaust, but unfortunately, the single exhaust I removed from my Mustang years ago was from a V8 and the single exhaust intermediate travels down the left side of the car and I need it to travel down the right side of the car. I'll get that figured out.

Heading out to the shop now. Hopefully I can report success on the steering column project.

rob289c · « **Reply #194 on:** July 24, 2023, 08:26:29 PM »

Yesterday (Sunday) I performed surgery on the steering column. I cut 5" out of the middle of the steering column tube to account for the 8" I cut out of the cowl. I did this in order to move the column mounts closer to the steering wheel. I had to weld the two parts together, then grind smooth and prime/paint. I had to section it in the center has the lower end of the tube has the steering shaft bearing and has dimples that hold the lower mount in place. It's hard to describe if you haven't gotten up close and personal with your steering column. Anyway, I think what I did will provide me with the clearance I need. I received my u-joint so now I need to attach the u-joint to the steering tack input, then position the steering wheel where I can comfortable reach it while still being able to get in and out of the cockpit, then weld the shaft and u-joint together. Again hard to describe if you aren't here to see it. This coming weekend I will test fit it and figure out how I am going to secure the column into its position.

rob289c · « **Reply #195 on:** August 28, 2023, 03:30:55 PM »

It's been a month since I last posted, mainly because the progress I've made on my project has been hard to quantify, but also because of lack of activity on the site. I'm happy to see that there are some recent posts, so I decided to update you on my progress. I have been working to mount the steering column. I ran the brake lines but the long one from the proportioning valve/distribution block to the rear. Two years ago I cut about 3" out of each end of the dash, thinking I had to narrow everything but realized it wasn't necessary. After realizing my mistake I have dreaded the reconstruction but I did it last week. Luckily I saved the steel I had cut out...I must have known I might need it! I put tiger hair over the seams and roughly sanded/shaped it. Next will be regular body filler to hide my scabbed work. It will look decent...I wish I hadn't cut it apart! I also took 3" out of the top of the dash and welded it together. That will also get some additional body treatment. I have struggled supporting the steering column. When I narrowed the cowl I lost some of the under dash space where the brake pedal mount was also the steering column mount. I had to modify (cut) the mount, then put a spacer between the master cylinder and firewall to get the right brake pedal height. I fabbed a bracket and used some threaded rod for the forward steering column mount, but I need to come up with another way to reinforce the setup at the rearward mounts. It will come to me one of these nights that I can't sleep! As you've heard me say before, everything about this project is an engineering (and sometimes re-engineering) feat. Everything I am doing will have to come back apart so I can remove the firewall/cowl/trans hump so I can seam seal,, then prime and paint again. I'll be glad when it is done.

Wittsend · « **Reply #196 on:** August 29, 2023, 11:39:55 AM »

Good to see you making progress. Yes, I thought the site had seen its last post. It was THREE WEEKS between posts. I've often contrasted this site with the Corvair site I'm on. Both the Pinto and the Corvair have similar build numbers over same number of (nine) years. Yet here we had one post in three weeks. On the Corvair site we get about three posts in 15 minutes. And the irony is this is the ONLY Pinto site. Corvairs have two large sites and a number of lesser sites. If this site ever folds (hope it doesn't) I hope they offer and the Mustang II site accepts the historic posts from here. After all the Mustang II and the Pinto share a common platform.

I've also had to fiddle the steering column. I used the tilt column from my donor Turbo Coupe. It actually fit rather well but the adaptation of the column to rack was a bit of work. I found a more appropriate joint in the wrecking yard (newer Mustang) but had to hand grind the mating ends to fit. It will be interesting to see the final product. Hope you can post a video to YT showing it driving around.

rob289c · « **Reply #197 on:** August 29, 2023, 04:17:05 PM »

If I can get sufficient time on this I may be able to drive it around my circle before I put it away for the Winter. It won't be painted till Spring but I may be able to get it running, rolling, and stopping in the next couple of months. I have been working out of town and out of state at times so it's hard to stay on it for any duration. My issues with my steering column are related to my sectioning (narrowing) the cowl and dash and losing that under dash space. I had to shorted the steering shaft and the column is going to be a bit to the right so the ignition switch isn't in the way of the instrument cluster and dash. I think I can "mask" it to make it look presentable. Also, the position has to allow me to get in and out of the cockpit but not be so far forward that it's a long reach for the steering wheel. ANyway, it has been quite a project...

rob289c · « **Reply #198 on:** September 02, 2023, 06:10:24 PM »

Today I acquired a Mustang II header panel. I am going to mount it like a nose cone and build a shroud around it to blend it into the radiator support. I already had a grill that included the running lights and pony and will use them instead of what came with this assembly. It is in better shape. This one appears to have been from a Cobra II and the Cobra emblem is missing. The grill and running lights have some damage. There is also a crack on the lower part but I can repair it and it will be more than suitable for my application. I am likely going to cut the headlight sections off and use what is known as Dietz Style headlamps instead to keep everything narrower. I'm not 100% sure on that but I don't want the nose to be as wide as it would be with the factory headlights. Pic attached and just sitting on the bumper mounts for a "what will it look like?" shot. Any thoughts on this?

dga57 · « **Reply #199 on:** September 03, 2023, 02:24:47 AM »

I think that will provide good contrast to the 1967 Mustang styling at the rear.

Dwayne

rob289c · « **Reply #200 on:** September 03, 2023, 05:05:04 AM »

Yes, it reinforces the fact that it is a Mustang coming toward you! I thought about a '67 grill, then an '05-'09 grill, then I remembered the under-appreciated cousin, Mustang II and decided that would provide a better fit and the look I was after. The header panels are outrageously priced on e-bay; I was fortunate to find this one locally from a guy I have met at car shows. He has a '77 Mustang II Hatchback and he had two of them. I was able to buy the one in worse shape for a fair price so I'm happy. I'll have to do some fab work to mount it, then decide how I want to blend the panel into the radiator support. I will be out of the garage soon to make a little more progress on the dash. The sooner I can get everything mocked up and fitting correctly, the sooner I can take it all apart so I can get the firewall sealed up and another prime/paint session, then reinstall.

rob289c · « **Reply #201 on:** September 04, 2023, 08:03:44 PM »

Yesterday I did some Bondo work on my dash. I think it will look OK after my cutting and welding surgery. I wish I had never sectioned it but there is no going back. I think I am going to cut the Mustang II header panel at the green masking tape then blend it into the radiator support. I am going to try to attach a screen shot of the Dietz-style headlamps I am planning to use.

dga57 · « **Reply #202 on:** September 08, 2023, 05:09:04 PM »

Looks like it's coming right along nicely!

Dwayne

rob289c · « **Reply #203 on:** September 09, 2023, 06:53:10 AM »

I am going to try to make some progress over the next few days but have been working out of town quite a bit. Fall and then Winter will be here soon so that will put an end to my progress. I have to make hay while the sun shines! I hope to have some more to report over the next few days...

Unrelated content: yesterday I attended the Vintage Grand Prix festivities in Watkins Glen NY. The Mustang Club I was a member of when we lived in PA had been invited to display cars at a former Ford Dealership on the main drag so I joined them. I had my '67 on display amongst the Shelbys, Cobras, late models, and other fine rides. Mine got a lot of attention! It's the sliver fastback in the first attached pic. It was quite an event. There were various road rallies and a parade of cars throughout the day. Corvette was the featured car for this year but there was a variety from Corvettes to MGs, Porsches, Mustangs, Lotus, Ferraris, American Muscle, etc, etc. It's a festival for all car enthusiasts. Unfortunately I didn't see any Pintos or Mustang IIs...

dga57 · « **Reply #204 on:** September 10, 2023, 05:00:35 AM »

That's a pretty sharp looking '67 you've got there! Looks like a fun event!

Dwayne

rob289c · « **Reply #205 on:** September 10, 2023, 10:24:56 AM »

I've had the 67 for about 29 years...it was a special order car (Silver Frost paint), and otherwise nicely optioned for 1967. I "unprofessional ly" restored it starting in the Spring of 1995 and it took me until 2008 to drive it again. I did everything myself except tranny rebuild and final body prep and paint. All done in between building a career, part time military, raising babies/children, and other life duties. Kinda like my current project. I do so many other things that get in the way of my auto projects...

Thank you for the compliment on my car and yes, it was a fun event.

rob289c · « **Reply #206 on:** September 12, 2023, 04:50:10 PM »

Very little progress this past weekend. I had good intentions, but...on Saturday I decided to weed my garden. I had a full wheelbarrow and went out to the hedgerow to my dumping spot. Upon exiting I got attacked by a swarm of yellow jackets. I took off running with them chasing. I began beating them as much as I could. I was wearing shorts so my left leg and arm got the worst of it with some on the right leg. They were down in my left boot, in my left glove and anywhere else they could torture me! In the process of beating them off, I reinjured my left arm to a point that I am in more pain than I had with the original injury on July 23. I tore my left distal bicep tendon. It didn't detach but slight tear. Anyway, between the sore arm and the swollen arm and leg, I laid low and did nothing on my project. Today I removed the brace that connects the top and bottom of the radiator support and removed the grill and brackets from the header panel I got over Labor Day weekend so I can start planning how I am going to mount it. That's it...nothing else done. I will be heading to Ocean City MD tomorrow AM for a few days of R&R...more for my wife than me. I have used vacation days to work on my project and other things for me so I figured I better do something for her before I have to hear about it! I won't get to work on it again until 9/23...

Wittsend · « **Reply #207 on:** September 13, 2023, 10:46:49 AM »

Wow, sounds like a real world version of those Dodge Hornet TV Ads! Hope you recover soon.

Years ago I lifted up a loosely fitting rear seat in one of my old, long sitting cars as I was curious how far rust extended. I plunged my hand between the two seat halves and yanked the bottom section upward. To my immediate horror was a Opossum with its gnarly teeth inches from where I had just plunged my hand between the seats. I've been a suburban boy all my life and we never had pets. So, "Critters" are not something I'm fond of. I think in 1/2 second and taking all of three steps I was 50 feet away.

rob289c · « **Reply #208 on:** September 14, 2023, 10:54:50 AM »

I'm with you on critters, especially any kind of rodent! I even have recurring nightmares featuring rodents of all types that nip at me!

rob289c · « **Reply #209 on:** September 24, 2023, 07:38:30 PM »

Not a ton of progress this weekend. A few tidbits...I keep trying to reinforce and strengthen my steering column mount. I found that a bracket that I removed from under the dash during Pinto disassembly was just about the right dimension for the right side mount. I believe it to be a bit more sturdy than the threaded rod I had previously used. I have no idea what it used to support or connect, but it found a new home. I have an idea for additional bracing of what is left of the brake pedal mount that used to double as the steering column mount in its original configuration. Hopefully that will stiffen things up a bit more. As a reminder, by sectioning the cowl, I lost a lot of under dash space so it's engineer it as I go. Another thing I did was to weld the endcaps back onto the dash. My blunder of narrowing the dash has caused me days of extra work that still isn't done! I also ran the brake line from the distribution block to the rear of the car but I need to return the 2nd 40" line I bought and (hopefully) get a 30". That should allow me to tie it in at the rear junction block and finish the brake line plumbing. I am hoping next weekend allows for more project work. I lost a lot of time preparing my shop for a woman party she held today so that's behind me. I'll report more as I go...

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Author Topic: Pinto Powered Mustang Roadster (Read 129864 times)