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Author Topic: Project Warhead  (Read 22073 times)

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Offline rob289c

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #120 on: November 17, 2022, 04:21:43 PM »
This quite a project you have going and I don't know how I have missed your posts.  Had I noticed it sooner I would have compared notes with you with the project I have going on.  Yours looks to be a straight resto, while mine is re-using as much as I could from my rotted out Pinto to make an oddball car.  I will follow this as you progress.

One question:  what did you have to do to get your strut rod and lower control arm holes to line up?  I also bought the Speedway arms and they too seem to be off by a little bit.  I think I can tweak them but wondering what you ended up doing.  Mine came with the press in studs too but I am going to use Grade 8 bolts instead as I am going to be bolting the sway bar mount on top of the strut rods and the studs won't be long enough to accommodate bot the rod and mount.
rob289c

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #121 on: November 18, 2022, 04:40:54 PM »
Rob thanks. I plan on doing a few mods to the car more electronic side. The strut rod on the passenger side I still haven't messed with it yet. I plan to tweak it with a long cheater bar in very near future. I still don't have a tank for my welder, but I'm working on that next wk.
Like I said I welcome any questions it keeps me motivated.

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Offline rob289c

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #122 on: November 27, 2022, 09:22:06 AM »
I have some comments on the strut rod issue.  It looks like you have one factory rod and one that you bought at Speedway.  I didn't think I needed my old strut rods and gave them away but unfortunately I found that the kit I bought from Speedway that didn't require strut rods, when I attempted to install I found out that the Speedway kit doesn't work with a stock Pinto Crossmember.  I had to go another route with different lower control arms.  I am finding that other parts that Speedway lists for Pinto and Mustang II only work with the Speedway or Heidt's crossmembers, not the factory stock crossmember.  That is true for the strut rods that you and I purchased.  The speedway arm isn't designed to work with the factory frame.  The Speedway frame has a different mounting bracket and doesn't go through the frame like the factory configuration.  I think if I put mine in the vice and heat to cherry red, I will be able to bend it slightly to make it line up with the factory frame mount.  The good news is that the mounting holes in the strut rod line up with the holes in the Speedway lower control arm...you just cant bolt it on because the angle is wrong to get it to line up with the frame mount.  Other than the angle being different, do you see any other differences from the factory rod?  Is the overall length the same?  Are the Speedway bushings the same as the factory bushings?  Mine old ones are long gone. 

I looked back and saw that I had offered my old strut rods to you in an earlier post before I gave them away to someone else.  I wish I had kept them!  I also wish I had researched and asked more questions about the Speedway parts.  I assumed that they could be used with a factory crossmember but they don't.  I asked the sales rep if the kit would...he assured me it would and even passed me to a tech support specialist and I told him what I had and he too assured me it would all work together just fine.  I know better now.  I thought if anything on my project would be a no-brain, bolt-together endeavor, it would be bolting the front suspension together.   It isn't...
rob289c

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #123 on: November 30, 2022, 04:25:22 PM »
Rob i still have my factory one. Everything is the same except the angle. The bushing end was why I was changing mine out. Its still solid but do you think it had rusted to much to be usable?

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Offline Reeves1

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #124 on: December 02, 2022, 12:54:55 PM »
Take the new ones to a machine shop & have them bent to the right angle ?

Offline rob289c

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #125 on: December 02, 2022, 06:44:28 PM »
I have an oxy-acetylene torch that would heat them cherry-red in seconds and they would easily bend.  By this time tomorrow I should have my old strut rods back.  I contacted the guy I gave the remnants of my Pinto to and he said I can have them back.  I will be stopping by his brothers farm where my old Pinto is and grab the parts I need.  The lower control arms, including the strut rods are in the hatch area so I will throw them in the back of the pickup and disassemble when I get them home.  Hopefully they are where I left them.  I will see if Speedway will take back the ones I bought.  Store credit will be fine as I will be buying more parts as I continue on my project.
rob289c

Offline Reeves1

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #126 on: December 03, 2022, 12:59:02 PM »
Heat them like that will weaken the metal.

I'll buy them if you'll ship to Alberta ! I was going to buy some anyway....PM me if you want ?

Offline rob289c

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #127 on: December 07, 2022, 08:05:07 AM »
Reeves1: I have decided there is too much corrosion in the bushing area of my OEM strut rods so I am going to use the Speedway rods after bending to the correct angle and transferring the sway bar end like mounts to the Speedway rods.

Warhead2: I attached a pic of my rods OEM vs Speedway that shows the different angle between the two.
rob289c

Offline rob289c

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #128 on: December 11, 2022, 06:37:06 AM »
Yesterday I bolted my OEM and Speedway strut rods together, put them in the vice, heated, then bent to the proper angle.  I test fit the Speedway rods to see how they line up with the lower control arms, frame, and sway bar links and everything appears to be fine.  Just letting you know in case you want to try it on yours.  I don't think you will be able to bend the Speedway rod without applying heat first. Until I get my coil springs to the right height and get weight on them, I'm not going to final assemble and torque anything. That will be done in the Spring.  I am just test fitting and finger-tightening parts at this point.
rob289c

Offline dga57

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #129 on: December 11, 2022, 05:25:58 PM »
That will be done in the Spring.  I am just test fitting and finger-tightening parts at this point.

Experimentatio n still counts as progress in my book!

Dwayne :)
Pinto Car Club of America - Serving the Ford Pinto enthusiast since 1999.

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #130 on: January 04, 2023, 12:35:14 PM »
Looks good on the strut arm.
Small update did so rust removal on drivers side floor pan. Did have a whole lot of time so will finish it another day. One picture is the the frame rail and all the stuff field mice/ rats stuffed in there over the yrs. Thats all for now Happy new year everyone.

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Offline rob289c

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #131 on: January 07, 2023, 05:52:45 PM »
Rusty floor work...nasty job!  I had to do the passenger side front floor pan in my Mustang.  Pinto was too far gone to salvage.  Using what I could for my Mustang/Pinto Roadster Project.  Lots of fab and welding ahead for you...
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Offline firepinto

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #132 on: January 08, 2023, 06:23:28 PM »
My floors are about as bad.  I have some ebay reproduction floor pans still in the box that I have to get to soon.
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #133 on: January 09, 2023, 11:47:16 PM »
The passenger is worse. I have bought floorpans from Joe Bayura. They are not to bad of a reproduction. I still have a long way to go but trying to stay motivated. But as long as I keep doing something to the car its one less thing

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Offline Wittsend

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #134 on: January 10, 2023, 11:53:31 AM »
My passenger side was bad too. Likely because water leaks in the car and puddles there due to road camber. I took a sheet of steel and fashioned it to fit in the area cut out. I put a few dimples in it using a larger/smaller socket on each side, guestimating they were centered and hitting the upper socket with a 5 pound hammer. Worked Ok, but not the best. Stopped when I missed the hit and tweaked my index finger. Overall the repair works and has held for years. I just hate (MIG) welding thin metal to somewhat suspect old metal. There is a fine line between cold welds and holes blown in the metal. 20 years of doing it and I still dread the process.










Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #135 on: January 14, 2023, 10:55:33 AM »
I did a little cutting of the rust, then cut down the new floorpan. I need to trim it a little more but so far so good. Also nicked my thumb with the grinder when I turned it off.

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Offline Wittsend

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #136 on: January 14, 2023, 01:44:30 PM »
No one gets out without paying "Skin Dues." I was building a Tiny House with my daughter . I was using a push stick on the tablesaw, but I had my index finger extended too far. I was also holding the push stick too high. When it caught the blade the stick slammed my finger down into it. Honestly the physical pain was 5 on a scale of 10. The financial pain was an 11 on a scale of 10. 45 minutes in the ER for 4 stiches and the bill was $5,600! We went back and fourth with the hospital but it still cost $2,200. The young Dr. suggested I could return to the hospital to get the stiches removed. Not after that bill. I took them out myself.


Offline rob289c

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #137 on: January 14, 2023, 03:21:51 PM »
Ouch!  I know what you mean about the physical pain not what one would think.  Several years ago I detached my right distal bicep tendon.  It felt like a rubberband snapped on my arm...not much pain but freaked me out when my bicep was up near my shoulder!  Got it fixed and is as good as new.
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Offline Reeves1

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #138 on: January 15, 2023, 12:02:54 PM »
Rusty floor work...nasty job!  I had to do the passenger side front floor pan in my Mustang.  Pinto was too far gone to salvage.  Using what I could for my Mustang/Pinto Roadster Project.  Lots of fab and welding ahead for you...

What year Pinto ? I need some parts... 71-72

Offline rob289c

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #139 on: January 16, 2023, 07:44:13 PM »
Mine was (I guess still is) a 1980.  I held on to parts I have used, will use, and might use on my current project.  I gave a lot away, and then gave what was left of the body to a local guy that had a Pinto.  What parts do you need?
rob289c

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #140 on: January 17, 2023, 12:21:55 AM »
Did some work to passenger floor. Cut out some rust. Only worked on it for a little bit tonight. No grinder injuries lol but wore thicker gloves just incase.
Cardboard under car just for spark defelting
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Offline rob289c

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #141 on: January 17, 2023, 07:53:20 PM »
The frame rail looks pretty solid.  Good thing.  I'm looking forward to Spring so I can get back on my project...
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Offline Reeves1

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #142 on: January 18, 2023, 08:49:05 AM »
Mine was (I guess still is) a 1980.  I held on to parts I have used, will use, and might use on my current project.  I gave a lot away, and then gave what was left of the body to a local guy that had a Pinto.  What parts do you need?

Lower (cable) steering shaft

Offline rob289c

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #143 on: January 18, 2023, 06:48:13 PM »
Reeves1: Not sure what you mean by lower (cable) steering shaft.  I attached pics of my steering shaft but I don't knw what you mean by the cable.  Wiring harness? 
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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #144 on: January 18, 2023, 10:58:01 PM »
Rob for most part the front floorpans were only part that was really rusty the underside of the car is good along with frame. But rust in normal spots like lower panels in different spots and bottomms of doors. This has always been an Oklahoma car so no big problem with salts on the road.

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Offline rob289c

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #145 on: January 19, 2023, 04:17:03 PM »
That's good...mine was a NY rust bucket...lived near Buffalo, and spent several years sitting in dirt before I rescued it.  It was a good donor for my project, but too far gone to restore or try to get roadworthy.  Parts of it will live on in a different form.  It's the closest I will get to re-living my Pinto Youth of the 1980's...
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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #146 on: January 19, 2023, 11:49:54 PM »
Yeah I may be the youngest here lol I'm 39 will be 40 in June. But my car was owned by my dad and I remember riding in this car at 4yrs old. So it holds a big spot in my heart. Can't wait for the first time  i get to drive it.

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Offline Wittsend

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #147 on: January 20, 2023, 10:12:48 AM »
I find it amazing that some families (still) have cars going back to their childhood. My first 10 years were spent in New Jersey. My father went through a 57 Plymouth, 60 Falcon wagon and a Chevy wagon in that time. The Plymouth and the Falcon both had the engines die. I don't think my father ever changed oil. A divorce and move to So. Cal. provided company cars for my step-father. So, none of those cars ever stuck around.

I've had 10 daily drivers in my live and about 5 collector cars I wanted to be daily drivers - but that didn't work out and each was a DD for far less than a year. I've had 10-15 collector cars 7 of which I still possess. The closest thing I have to a heirloom car is my friend bought a 1973 Datsun 510 new. He kept modifying it until it was basically a race car on the street. Smog laws had it parked by 1982. In 1998 he said if I wanted it I could come and get it. Smog laws became more favorable and in 2002 I put it back on the road. By then I was older, it was a harsh ride, smelled of gas all the time and it felt more like a noisy go-cart. By 2006 it was back off the road. But I spent many a night in that car in my late teens/early 20's cruising the streets and looking the part of COOL. So, I guess you could say THAT Datsun 510 is my equivalent  "family heirloom" car. I still have THAT car today.

Offline rob289c

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #148 on: January 21, 2023, 04:22:16 PM »
I'll be 62 in April and my 67 Mustang Fastback and this "thing" I'm building will become heirlooms.  I think my son or daughter and son-in-law will want the Fastback, but I'm not sure if any of them will want the current project.  They would probably be too embarrassed to drive it or even been seen in or near it. :)  I've had the Fastback since before either of them were born.  This year it will be 29 years...time flies!  I wish I had a few of my other rides from over the years...
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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #149 on: January 21, 2023, 05:32:49 PM »
Only did a little triming last night.  Need a smaller cutting wheel so I can get in so tighter corners.

I make the 4th owner of my pinto 1st was the guy who bought it new only drove it a few 1000s mile and traded it back in then my Dad then around 89 my Dad and uncle did a even car swap,  my uncle drove it less that 2000 mile and clutch went out so he parked it. Then asked me if I wanted it in around 99 but I never started on it until like 2004 rust removal of carpet and seats then 2016 was finely able to get it moved to a friend's house and started working on it.
 
Hopefully your kids take some interest

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