Author Topic: Restoring my 78 Sedan (Read 115070 times)

dave1987 · « **Reply #60 on:** March 20, 2008, 03:42:03 AM »

I am very pleased with the new rear dash as it no longer bows up on the ends, and I can listen to my bass beat techno without hearing an annoying vibration the whole time! Instead I feel the vibrations.

EDIT: I found this picture of the bondo'd edge which was beveled to wedge into the rear window groove.

dave1987 · « **Reply #61 on:** April 13, 2008, 01:11:33 AM »

Today I did work on the battery tray. Turns out I didn't even end up using the original battery tray I found in my dad's attic!

Actually, the battery tray that is in the car is a replacement. I'm guessing that when my mom took the car in to have the battery replaced, at some point in time, that they changed the physical size of the battery to a longer one. The original battery tray is about 1/2" shorter than the one I have in the car at the moment.

Since the battery I use actually fits perfectly in the existing tray, I am going to leave it as it.

I, instead, removed the tray from the engine compartment and cleaned it up. But not without before and after pictures!

As you can see from the pictures below, the larger tray has seen better days. However, it is very salvageable!

dave1987 · « **Reply #62 on:** April 13, 2008, 01:19:26 AM »

After taking it all down to bare metal with the aid of my dad's air compressor and pneumatic 90 degree die grinder with a wire wheel on it, I was able to remove all the surface rust. Thankfully that is all it was, and I was able to stop the degradation of the tray before it got worse!

I bent the tabs on the sides back up, which are used to keep the battery in place.

After removing all the paint and rust so it was nice and shinny raw steel, I used some automotive "rust repellent" primer, following up with some rust-oleum indoor/outdoor textured grey paint. Why textured? From my personal experience, textured paint is rougher and stands up to much more of a beating. I will later paint it black, but for now the grey will do, just for protection.

Almost as good as new!

One question though, has anyone else seen this larger battery tray in other Pintos? I found it kind of cool that I have a battery tray with identical punch outs, folds and size, aside from the length!

TIGGER · « **Reply #63 on:** April 13, 2008, 02:56:55 AM »

Maybe it is a V6 tray? Just a guess......

dave1987 · « **Reply #64 on:** April 13, 2008, 03:58:05 AM »

It is possible. I do no know if the V6 tray batteries were larger or not though. We gave the vehicle specific information to Sears Auto Center when my dad and I got a new battery for the car after the engine rebuild and the new battery fits perfectly.

Judging by the appearance and condition of the original tray, I would say it was in there for at least 4-5 years before it was swapped out. That would be 1981 - 1982. I also do not know if battery measurements were ever changed for the 78 2.3L 4cyl engine. And if they were, when.

dave1987 · « **Reply #65 on:** May 06, 2008, 04:21:38 AM »

Today I started work on my electric fuel pump conversion. Why am I changing to an electric pump? Because I've gone through three different mechanical pumps in the past 12 months and this is my only vehicle. I need something reliable for when I drive down to Tremonton Utah this summer!

I wired the relay into the electrical system and mounted+wired in the inertia switch. I also installed a rocker switch to manually cut power to the pump while the key is in the forward accessory position.

The pump was mounted to a small plate made of 1/4" thick aluminum sheet metal, by means of a 1 1/2" conduit/pipe strap.

The plate was mounted to the undercarriage by means of the rear shock absorber bracket bolts, closest to the center of the car.

I have not connected the pump to the tank or carburetor quite yet though. I am going to drive around town for the next 4-5 days (until my next day off), to see if the location of the pump as it is will cause any issues with the suspension system of the car. I do not want to be driving around and hit a bump or dip in the road and have the pump crushed due to the rear axle. It should all clear just fine, but it's always a good idea to play it safe!

dave1987 · « **Reply #66 on:** May 25, 2008, 02:14:58 AM »

I couldn't get ahold of a bypass regulator for the fuel system anywhere in town so I am putting the electric pump conversion on hold and I am currently back to the mechanical pump setup.

Today I installed a SunPro Black Face Tach II on the steering column. I haven't secured it with anything but a large hose clam for now, but tomorrow I plan to finish that.

I purchased a left motor mount today since the mustang II one I have in there is really worn and making an irritating knocking sound (no, it's not the motor itself). Hopefully I can get that in tomorrow.

I will really try to get some pictures of the car up tomorrow. I have yet to get a nice picture of the interior with the new MII steering wheel in, but now that I have a tach in I will be a little more motivated to get one up.

dave1987 · « **Reply #67 on:** May 26, 2008, 02:38:00 AM »

I promised pictures so here they are! It was dark out but I will take better pictures later.

dave1987 · « **Reply #68 on:** May 30, 2008, 01:53:24 AM »

Today I went out to the salvage yard and pulled the sport mirrors off the Mustang II I pulled my steering wheel from a few months back.

I sanded them down and primered them today, hopefully the weather will permit me to paint them tomorrow.

dave1987 · « **Reply #69 on:** June 09, 2008, 03:16:38 AM »

So yesterday mom pulled out her graduation photo album from 1978, when she got the car as a graduation present from her parents (my grandparents). There are photos of her with the car, my grandparents with the car, and even the salesman with the car! No plates on it, just brand spankin' new!

Mirror perfect aluminum bumpers, gutter trim, clear turn signal lenses and everything. Even the "PONY" decals on the fenders, forward of the doors!

She won't give me the pictures yet, as she is saving them for my 21st birthday present in August, so you all will have to wait another 2 months for pictures of a Pinto, still under the original owner since 1978, straight from the dealership. Sorry guys.

As for restoration, the sport mirrors came out to dark to put on the car. They look like the color of the car when it's in the shade, but with the sun out it just looks goofy. I won't be putting them on the car until I have it repainted with new doors on the car, that way everything is the same shade.

Tomorrow I plan to drop the transmission and see if I can track down the source of my rough shifting and light clunking (which may be from the rear end). I will update when I find out though.

Cookieboystoys · « **Reply #70 on:** June 09, 2008, 08:03:51 AM »

Quote from: dave1987 on June 09, 2008, 03:16:38 AM

So yesterday mom pulled out her graduation photo album from 1978, when she got the car as a graduation present from her parents (my grandparents). There are photos of her with the car, my grandparents with the car, and even the salesman with the car! No plates on it, just brand spankin' new!

Mirror perfect aluminum bumpers, gutter trim, clear turn signal lenses and everything. Even the "PONY" decals on the fenders, forward of the doors!

She won't give me the pictures yet, as she is saving them for my 21st birthday present in August, so you all will have to wait another 2 months for pictures of a Pinto, still under the original owner since 1978, straight from the dealership. Sorry guys.

WOW! a very nice piece of history to go with the car.

ADaughen · « **Reply #71 on:** June 09, 2008, 09:08:24 AM »

Quote from: dave1987 on June 09, 2008, 03:16:38 AM

She won't give me the pictures yet, as she is saving them for my 21st birthday present in August, so you all will have to wait another 2 months for pictures of a Pinto, still under the original owner since 1978, straight from the dealership. Sorry guys.

you might be able to have her get a copy made of them... Even blow it up to a larger size...

dave1987 · « **Reply #72 on:** June 10, 2008, 01:48:40 AM »

Today I dropped the tranny for inspection. There isn't anything unusual as far as the gears and innards go, just very low on oil!

I believe I have found the source of the "oil drip" from my bell housing. Once I pulled the tranny down, the first thing I noticed was a gel like film coating the inside of the bell housing. I believe the tranny was low on oil due to the input shaft seal. I got it changed out today so we will see how it goes from there.

Since I had the tranny off I did a clutch inspection and ended up installing a new clutch assembly and pilot bearing while I was in there. The flywheel didn't seem to bad so I didn't have it turned.

12 hours of work and $112 in parts later, the car shifts nicer and it has a lot more get up and go now!

r4pinto · « **Reply #73 on:** June 10, 2008, 10:26:14 AM »

Interesting piece of history of your car. That'll be cool to see the first pics taken of your car to go with the current pics. Good to hear your transmission problem has been solved.

dave1987 · « **Reply #74 on:** June 18, 2008, 03:53:24 AM »

Well the clutch cable on the car went out today. It was an NAPA one, identical to the motormite one sold by parts america distribution centers (namely schucks). This is the second one it has gone through in the past two years. This one didn't even last a year!

Does anyone know if the Beck/Arnley cable is any better?

The NAPA/motormite one pulled through the "arms/retainers" that hold the cable body outside of the firewall and the pedal sunk to the floor. I had to drive the car to my dad's house without using the clutch, which I felt very bad about putting the car though, but my insurance company canceled my towing package because I had the car towed three times in a seven year period.

Not only that buch I found another transmission leak, Now it's coming from where the extension body couples to the gearbox. Anyone know where I can get a gasket for this?

For now I am out of a vehicle since I don't get paid until the 20th. At least it isn't to far away from now and where I work is literally right down the road from my apartment complex!

dave1987 · « **Reply #75 on:** June 26, 2008, 01:40:03 AM »

Replaced the cable with a Mustang II cable and it's working great. I'll try to take pictures tomorrow. I'll leave my camera on the counter to remind me!

popbumper · « **Reply #76 on:** July 05, 2008, 02:39:01 PM »

Dave:

This is SUCH a great documentary on your effort. My '76 wagon interior restoration is already two weeks deep, I am pulling the rest of the carpet tonite, and a good part of the dash is apart. Can't wait until mine looks like yours inside. REALLY nice job!

Chris

dave1987 · « **Reply #77 on:** July 14, 2008, 06:50:44 PM »

Thanks Chris! Glad to hear you are just into the restoration as me and others here are! I hope you will be posting lots of pictures too!

I snapped a few pictures today of the car. I just washed, quick waxed and detailed the car and finally got around to snatching the digital camera out of it's hiding place to share some photos with everyone.

Finally, here is a good shot of the interior!

dave1987 · « **Reply #78 on:** July 14, 2008, 06:55:44 PM »

And here is some photos of the damage to the cowl area. My dad said that the hood came up once while while driving and snagged the cowl which caused it. I believe it has had damage done to it while my oldest brother owned the car and the hood was not aligned properly when he removed the head off the engine.

Just recently, I was out along the border of Boise helpping a friend with her stranded car and we were jump starting it. There was a lot of wind that day which caught the hood and pulled it backwards, misaligning it. When I closed the hood it rubbed a bit against the cowl but no catching against metal.

I have no clue as far as how to fix this. The fold which lines up with the centerfold on the hood is collapsed, and as you can see, the cowl isn't even mesh with the hood anymore.

I am planning to have it fixed when I have the car repainted, along with my passenger's side lower quarter panel where it is rusted through (not bad though).

Any ideas as far as how to fix this temporarily?

dave1987 · « **Reply #79 on:** August 08, 2008, 02:14:42 AM »

How often do we get to share pictures of interior lighting? Not to often I thinks...

The oil pressure gauge and ammeter lamps are very dim and I can't figure out why. I am going to see if I can get them wired up in parallel tomorrow.

dave1987 · « **Reply #80 on:** August 12, 2008, 03:54:41 PM »

Here is a picture I recently had developed from a roll of film I was experimenting with in my 35mm Canon AE-1 Program.

I think the angle and the natural lighting shows off the car quite well, and masks quite a bit of the paint defects. It looks more like a classic photo than anything. (the white specs on the photo are dust from my dad's flatbed scanner).

I hope to have some time to post some new pictures I took of the car yesterday for my 2008 records.

dave1987 · « **Reply #81 on:** September 10, 2008, 12:22:02 AM »

August 25th - Dad buys a set of steel styled wheels off a 78 Bobcat from the salvage yard as a b-day present for me.

August 28th - Polishing of rings and center caps is done.

September 6th - Painting of wheels beings, starting with removal of old paint.

September 9th - Painting of wheels is completed and drying process has begun.

dave1987 · « **Reply #82 on:** September 10, 2008, 12:23:16 AM »

I will be having the pair of wheels which has paint on the tires swapped with the tires I have on the rear of my car right now, and then have them all balanced. About $60 of work at les schwab. So that's $30 for the wheels and tires, $60 for dismount, mount and balancing all four, and about $18 in paint. $118 for new wheels and two new tires...Not bad!

There was SOME smearing on the "spokes" of one of the wheels, but I have ways of correcting that. Here's what they'll look like!

dave1987 · « **Reply #83 on:** September 15, 2008, 09:57:42 PM »

I put the new wheels on the car today and wow do they look good! I will take some pictures tomorrow as I've had a busy day today. I did come home to a nice letter from Ford though! I inquired about a "build sheet" of the car about a month and a half ago and they told me it would take 4-6 weeks to research the vehicle's past and get the info for me and sure enough, pretty much right on time!

dave1987 · « **Reply #84 on:** October 12, 2008, 02:27:33 PM »

As time passes, this is becoming a restoration/customization project. Honestly, I think it's coming along quite well!

One of my goals this year was to add a center console to the car. I could not find a Mustang II console that didn't cost a fortune, however I did find a Merkur in the salvage yard that I frequent, and it fits quite well!

I had to paint the bottom section of the console black from the existing gray, but that was easy to do with the aid of some friends at KC Auto Paint & Supply, who hooked me up with some SEM brand adhesion promoter and a satin black paint.

For mounting the console, I only need to use the rear bracket, since the Pinto's center hub sits lower in the back than it does in the front. For keeping the console straight and level, this left a 1.5" gap between the floor and the console base. To correct this, I used a section of extra carpet that 1A Auto included with my new carpet and cut a section to fit around the base of the console downward to the center hub, giving the finished assembly a stock appearance!

For the shift boot, I am currently using a generic replacement leather boot cover that my younger brother used in his Mercury Tracer a year ago. I cut the spring around the base of the boot out, then used hot glue to secure the boot to the inner lip of the console.

The greatest thing about this console is that I can still use stock center cubby that sits under the stereo! I did have to cut the console short about 1 1/4" from the front so it did not run into the dash bracket though.

And now some glory shots!

dave1987 · « **Reply #85 on:** October 12, 2008, 02:31:10 PM »

And a few more...

dave1987 · « **Reply #86 on:** October 12, 2008, 02:32:40 PM »

And from the back.

discolives78 · « **Reply #87 on:** October 12, 2008, 09:51:45 PM »

your car is looking very good!

Chuck

TIGGER · « **Reply #88 on:** October 13, 2008, 12:00:59 AM »

Nice job Dave!

dave1987 · « **Reply #89 on:** October 13, 2008, 01:54:33 AM »

Thanks you guys! I love getting some comments from my fellow PCCA members, it means a lot hearing that it's coming along good from other Pinto owners.

The comments from people around town who haven't seen a Pinto in 10 years just isn't the same.

Now looking at those pictures, it appears I have a rats nest of wires to clean up under the dash....

Another thing I'm considering doing is taking the dash wood grain and the wood grain e-brake handle from the Bobcat that I parted out, and applying them to my car. However, I do not know how well that could come along, as I do not have deluxe door panels to go with them. Any input on this matter?

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Author Topic: Restoring my 78 Sedan (Read 115070 times)