Author Topic: pinto Questions (Read 2479 times)

360pinto · « **on:** February 17, 2009, 10:44:22 AM »

Just some more questions about pintos.
what differences is there from earlier pintos (70s) to my 1980 pinto? I want to put a manual steering rack from a 70s in my 80. will it bolt up? just in general other than front fenders and hood what else is different between these years? are they basicly the same? any info will help. im workin on a project car just gathering info now.

turbo74pinto · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2009, 11:59:54 AM »

any 74-80 pinto or mii rack will work for you. i think the flange that bolts the rack to the column is different though. for the most part, everything from 74-80 was the same minus sheet metal. i know 73 was kind of a loner year, for sure the rack was 73 only and i think a few other parts. 71-3 had a different radiator core support, different firewall/tranny tunnel and shorter rear springs. im sure there is more that i didnt say.

bob

discolives78 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2009, 10:40:00 PM »

Bolt on swaps from different Pinto~s vary some. I have put the 79-80 square front end and bumpers on a 78. If you swap bumpers, you have to take the strut cylinders too, as the 78 bumpers sit lower than the 79 and the bolt pattern is different. 77-78 had aluminum bumpers that look like 74-76, except no bolt heads. 74-76 bumpers are steel. 71-73 has a narrow 'blade' bumper I don't know how you would mount to a later car. 74-78 fenders are interchangeabl e. 71-73 headlight rings are different from 74-75, but they will interchange (by changing mounting hardware) 71-73 cars have different hood mechanisms because they didn't have inside hood release. I put a 78 hood on a 72, but I used hood pins because the latches didn't line up and the radiator support was different. Wagon doors are different than fastback doors (roofline issues). The dash pad, and instrument cluster were different for 79-80. 77-78 has it's own 'raked' front end with soft angled fender extensions and a slanted grille, as opposed to the earlier style. The fender extension on this year also incorporated the turnsignals. The extension divided the signal in half vertically. Earlier front spoilers and valance panels may not work on your late model. I'd recommend looking at 'newer' parts cars, 74-80, like turbo74pinto said, as a lot of these are interchangeabl e, with few exceptions like front seatbelts and carburetors.

Hope that helps some, and :welcome: to the group!

Chuck