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Author Topic: Project Warhead  (Read 22109 times)

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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #60 on: April 21, 2020, 05:43:16 AM »
Most definitely thats the plan  For the gas.

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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #61 on: April 25, 2020, 05:09:40 AM »
Worked on cleaning up the transmission some more. Need to get a parts washer. Also put a little primer down in the passenger fender area.

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Offline 71pintoracer

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #62 on: April 25, 2020, 09:03:35 AM »
Your work looks really good! Good to see you making progress, mine is going to be a long term build as well.
I was wondering if you were going to remove the round side windows? I've been eyeballing mine from time to time and I'm not sure if the rubber will survive. Or if there is anything that could be used to replace it. The carpet is faded so they will have to come out at some point. The rubber holds the glass and the trim panel and has a bead on the outside so it's a very specific piece.  :)
If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #63 on: April 25, 2020, 09:57:16 AM »
Your work looks really good! Good to see you making progress, mine is going to be a long term build as well.
I was wondering if you were going to remove the round side windows? I've been eyeballing mine from time to time and I'm not sure if the rubber will survive. Or if there is anything that could be used to replace it. The carpet is faded so they will have to come out at some point. The rubber holds the glass and the trim panel and has a bead on the outside so it's a very specific piece.  :)
Thanks yes im keeping the portholes I like them. As for the center chrome trim that goes in the middle of the porthole gasket that can be found new for 70s Ford Broncos believe its the chrome windshield trim. Should be a reference on the site about it. As for the rubber who knows how long it will last? When I get to  that part im going to see if there might be some other rubber  gasket that could come close to replace it. Like the rear trunk gasket on the Wagon is the same for a 1999-2002/ 04? ford ranger extended cab.

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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #64 on: April 25, 2020, 09:58:25 AM »
Found the chrome trim.

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Offline 71pintoracer

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #65 on: April 25, 2020, 10:14:54 AM »
OK cool thanks for the info! I'm keeping my windows for sure I'm just concerned about the rubber. I think they're going to have to come out at some point.
If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #66 on: May 13, 2020, 04:42:06 AM »
Did some more cleaning and then primed fender and coil spring cup area. Plan on just using black rustoleum paint for the cup area. And truck bed liner for the rest of the fender area.

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Offline pinto_one

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #67 on: May 14, 2020, 07:53:23 AM »
looks like you have the dreaded rust out from the battery tray , very common , no one ever cleans this area when changing batterys , at least you can get at it with the fender off and weld in a new peice
76 Pinto sedan V6 , 79 pinto cruiser wagon V6 soon to be diesel or 4.0

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #68 on: May 14, 2020, 08:20:12 AM »
Yes that's the plan when I get my welder. Battery  tray and the battery fender area are my first 2 repairs with the welder.

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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #69 on: May 22, 2020, 05:12:48 AM »
Got both spring cups painted and the top of the driver's primed.

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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #70 on: May 29, 2020, 03:19:44 AM »
Did some more painting on the spring cups. Primed and painted the middle area where the lower control arm gos on the passenger side. Almost ready to start putting the passenger side suspension back together. Almost have all the new replacement parts.

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Offline pinto_one

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #71 on: May 29, 2020, 09:52:15 AM »
guess before you put the supenson back on finish up the welding on the battery box area , I always burn fresh paint with the splater from welding , then have to repaint , hate doing things twice , great job your doing ,
76 Pinto sedan V6 , 79 pinto cruiser wagon V6 soon to be diesel or 4.0

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #72 on: May 29, 2020, 10:45:54 AM »
I would love to weld but don't have a welder yet. My plan was to leave the fender off and was only painting the area that i have done so far. I plan to use welding blankets to cover the area and suspension to protect it.

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #73 on: June 11, 2020, 02:52:50 AM »
Did a few touch ups/ I installed rubber spring isolators and installed the passenger lower control arm with the balljoint. Had to work to get the control arm in with the new bushings. If you use a 6in 2x4 to put under side on the sleeve of the bushing and hit it with a hand sledgehammer it will help get it into position.


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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #74 on: June 12, 2020, 03:57:37 AM »
Got the bolt hole little bit more straight hopefully  i fixed it enough. I installed the driver's control arm and ball joint. Also painted the outside of the sping cup. Im moving in the right direction.

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Offline Wittsend

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #75 on: June 12, 2020, 11:27:03 AM »
Your perseverance and methodical "one step at a time" process should be inspiration to those who struggle with their Pinto projects. It is easy to get caught up in "window shopping" website catalogs but that shiny new part that was purchased at the click of a mouse..., it might take 10 hours prep work to install with a lasting effect. Keep your hands on the plow!


25 years ago someone gave me a '61 Corvair Lakewood station wagon. I used it mostly for storage but the winter of 2019 I decide, 'I'm 62 and if not now..., then WHEN???' So, I opted to make it a winter only project with the anticipation that it might take a few winters. Covid-19 has spread it into the spring - and possibly the summer. But the thing is you have to start, and you have to persevere. I'm getting close to putting the engine back together but it started with this  :o

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #76 on: June 12, 2020, 12:18:50 PM »
Thanks for the compliment. Im trying to just stay focused in certain areas. I have all the front suspension cleaned and painted its basically ready for me to put it together. Im getting my mig welder today. So will have other stuff i can work on.


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Offline Wittsend

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #77 on: June 12, 2020, 02:34:33 PM »
Not sure if you have ever welded..., or not, but here are a few things I learned with MIG. In addition to a helmet and some form of a jacket a Pro Welder friend told me to wear ear plugs. That keeps any sparks from striking your ear drum! Make sure the metal is CLEAN. Have a good solid ground. If it is a 120 volt welder avoid extension cords and if you need one make sure it is 12 gauge and only as long as needed.

 Sheet metal is a pain because you are likely replacing rusted areas. Anywhere the metal has thinned it is suspect to blowing a hole rather than fusing the steel. For me that is (notice I didn't say 'was') the greatest difficulty. Putting a piece of copper tightly behind those areas (potential holes) helps as it continues the continuity of current and also helps to draw heat. If you feel the gun pushing away from you, you have too much wire feeding. Use recommendation s BUT wire feed speed and current levels are something you perfect over time.

Be prepared to GRIND. MIG welding is a constant additive method. Other forms (gas, TIG) you add metal at your choosing. But MIG is like Arc welding, you aren't welding unless you are adding.

What Welder did you get? 20 years ago my wife was in Costco and they had a floor model $450+ Lincoln MIG PAK 10 on sale for $250. It has been a workhorse for me. Just try and stay within the duty rate cycle. Thankfully I have never tripped the internal core breaker. The other is if you are using shielding gas over flux core make sure you turn off the bottle. Nothing is more frustrating than days later finding you have leaked $35 of gas from a new bottle!

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #78 on: June 12, 2020, 02:57:22 PM »
I have welded with Mig yrs ago. Took an Auto body / refinishing Class. Not to hard going to practice some before I commit to welding on the car. I bought the Eastwood 135 should fit my need for now. Still have to get a helmet and gas and a few other things.

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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #79 on: July 09, 2020, 01:17:23 AM »
Got my Eastwood welder a few wks ago. Also got my floor pans when I get to that point to install them. Haven't done much work the last few wks. I started trying to remove the old undercoating on the passenger fender with a propane torch and paint scraper.

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Offline Reeves1

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #80 on: July 09, 2020, 06:32:18 AM »
I used Joe's Hand Cleaner (no grit).
Pink stuff & like jelly.
Use gloves & slather on (with care due to sharp edges) and let sit over night (longer doesn't hurt).
Scrapes off easy with a putty knife.
Use a second time if required.
Easy & safe, no fumes etc.


See the top two containers on the left, the one I use is on the right, white with red letters...

https://joeshandcleaner.com/products/

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #81 on: July 30, 2020, 09:57:21 PM »
Partly installed drivers strut on drivers side. Also put on some undercoating around strut area. Also so Eastwood frame rust protection before I installed the strut. That is aluminum foil wrapped around the brake lines to protect it from spray. 

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #82 on: July 30, 2020, 10:01:13 PM »
Does anyone think that this strut i bought from Speedway will be a problem? The angle is off like a 1/2 inch but the rest of it matches up.

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #83 on: August 07, 2020, 06:28:39 AM »
Got the driver's shock, strut arm n bushing and steering knuckle installed.

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Offline Wittsend

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #84 on: August 07, 2020, 01:49:21 PM »
How did you deal with the different strut? I think the main thing it would change is the caster - if anything. But primarily I think it would either correct a design problem - if in fact one existed..., or not even install because things wouldn't line up.

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #85 on: August 07, 2020, 03:35:10 PM »
How did you deal with the different strut? I think the main thing it would change is the caster - if anything. But primarily I think it would either correct a design problem - if in fact one existed..., or not even install because things wouldn't line up.
The new strut is for the passenger side. I haven't  tried to install it yet. I think it will work  im hoping.

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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #86 on: August 21, 2020, 01:58:04 PM »
Partially got the upper control arm in. And installed the upper ball joint on drivers side. Need to readjust my spring to sit in the groove in the lower arm. Need to spray on my truck bed liner on the passenger side before I install the rest on that side.

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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #87 on: August 27, 2020, 08:19:50 AM »
Put on some truck bed liner on passenger side and some anti rust coating in the strut arm/ frame area. So i tried to install the old studs on the new strut arm and couldn't get it to go any further. Im going to measure the hole and the stud. I believe the holes need to be drilled out just a hair. Ill post my findings in the next few weeks. The strut arm is from Speedway.

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #88 on: August 27, 2020, 07:21:21 PM »
From what I remember the struts are different between the Pinto and Mustang II.  I don't remember what it was off the top of my head as it has been almost 15 years.  I had both front ends at the time and I was parting them out at the same time and I noticed those parts were different. 
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Offline rob289c

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #89 on: August 28, 2020, 09:10:13 AM »
I have strut rods from an '80 that you are welcome to.  Let me know if you want them.
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