Author Topic: Restoring my 78 Sedan (Read 116526 times)

TIGGER · « **Reply #90 on:** October 13, 2008, 12:52:58 PM »

I think it would look fine with or without the deluxe door panels. There is not much wood grain on the later style deluxe door panels anyway. Just my opinion.....

phils toys · « **Reply #91 on:** October 14, 2008, 11:54:00 AM »

If you want to know how it would look check the youtube link in my signature as min has those parts but not the deluxe door panels
the center counsel look very nice

dga57 · « **Reply #92 on:** October 15, 2008, 12:24:17 AM »

I wouldn't let the lack of deluxe door panels stop me from using the woodgrain pieces on the dash... I think they look cool.
Dwayne :smile:

dave1987 · « **Reply #93 on:** October 18, 2008, 03:35:07 AM »

I've got the sport mirrors finished and on the car now! Here are a few shots from inside for you all.

dave1987 · « **Reply #94 on:** October 18, 2008, 03:36:34 AM »

And the 2008 photos of the car are here too!

dave1987 · « **Reply #95 on:** October 18, 2008, 03:37:43 AM »

And a few more....

I am quite pleased with how well the car turned out this year. Just about everything I had planned to do got done!

discolives78 · « **Reply #96 on:** October 18, 2008, 09:25:17 AM »

I dig the sport mirrors and rally wheels! :amazed:

lookin' good Dave!

TOMMYS · « **Reply #97 on:** October 20, 2008, 05:24:00 PM »

DAVE ,YOUR CAR LOOKS REALLY NICE.I REALLY LIKE THE INTERIOR.YOU SPENT SOME TIME & CHANGE ON IT AND IT TURNED OUT REALLY GOOD.I WILL POST SOME PICS OF MINE AS SOON AS I CAN.I'M THINKING OF TRADING MY 88 MUSTANG SEATS OUT FOR 88 TURBO-COUPE SEATS.NOT SURE YET.ANY WAYS CAR IS LOOKING GREAT. TOMMYS

dave1987 · « **Reply #98 on:** October 21, 2008, 03:36:51 AM »

Thank you for the compliments everyone! I hope to have an updated video of the car up on youtube by the end of the year with the updated photos and progress shots.

I've been hit pretty hard by my allergies this year (every October) and I'm not feeling up to anything, even going to work. I may be away from the boards for a little while.

Pintopower · « **Reply #99 on:** October 28, 2008, 08:03:40 PM »

I love it! Nice job!

dave1987 · « **Reply #100 on:** November 16, 2008, 06:59:31 PM »

Update!

Thanks to Chuck (discolives78), I was motivated to finally get some of the engine painted! Yesterday I repainted the valve cover, belt covers, hoist loops and dipstick handle (the tube will be done shortly).

While I was under there, I figured I would finish painting the driver's side of the inner fender, as well as repaint the upper alternator bracket.

I was a little bit hesitant about the shade of blue used, because it wasn't really a positive match to the original. But the "Old Ford Blue" from Schucks is quite refreshing!

Here are some before and after pictures. The first picture was taken about 6 months after the rebuilt motor was dropped back in, and about a year before I even bothered to do anything else to the car. Quite the change!

Next step for the engine compartment... .Wire loom!

r4pinto · « **Reply #101 on:** November 16, 2008, 07:22:22 PM »

Looks great under there. BTW, what size battery do you have in your 78? At Carlisle last year I bout a NOS battery hold down for the car but my battery is wider (front to back) than the hold down.

dave1987 · « **Reply #102 on:** November 16, 2008, 07:39:53 PM »

I am not entirely sure, actually.

From what I gather off the battery, it is a Diehard C10 S30056/K438328. I'm sure Sears could pull up the battery for you. It is a very strong and reliable battery, and has served me very well.

I know that my battery is larger than the original one though. I still have the original battery plate for the car, but the one that is on it right now is about 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches longer. I am still using the original hold down though.

discolives78 · « **Reply #103 on:** November 16, 2008, 10:30:18 PM »

Looks good Dave! I need to paint my firewall and inner fenders too. I'm using a Napa battery in my car and it fits in the original bracket. It's been pretty good so far.

dave1987 · « **Reply #104 on:** December 23, 2008, 04:17:55 PM »

So I spent the night at my girlfriend's last night and everything was fine and dandy with the car.....Until I went out to warm it up this morning!

I went to turn the key forward to start the car and it wouldn't turn past the unlock position! It would just stop when trying to go any further and no amount of tapping the column would make it budge. I even tried my spare key!

So while sitting in the parking lot full of snow, with more snow falling from the sky, I disassembled the steering column to find the source of the problem. I initially thought it was the ignition cylinder, as I had to replace it once already during a similar situation. However, in desperation to get my little Pony going so I could drive the seven miles home to really get it fixed, I stripped the column down to the switch.

It turned out that the switch was jammed up. For some reason, it would not move past the "unlock" position, but not to the run or start positions. No problems getting it to move back to the accessory position though, of coarse.

I eventually removed the switch from the column and forced it to move (with a screwdriver) into the run and start positions, and then reassembled everything.

I knew it was acting up prior to this, but never thought anything of it. It would get difficult to turn the key forwards when cold, but I just thought it was how the ignition cylinder was. It turns out it was the switch the whole time!

Now, what causes this? Just and old switch? I pulled the switch from the 77 Bobcat at the junk yard to replace it with, just to play it safe, but how should I lubricate it?

UPDATE: I pulled apart the replacement switch I pulled at the JY. My guess is that the ball bearing in my original switch jammed up or came off it's track and got wedged in somewhere inside the housing, keeping me from turning the key all the way. I cleaned and polished all of the contacts on the replacement unit and lubricated the ball bearing and it's track with some long life bearing grease. Hopefully it will keep things smooth and not jam up on me again. I will have to see if I can find a replacement ball bearing for the original switch to fix it, if it isn't destroyed on the inside.

r4pinto · « **Reply #105 on:** December 23, 2008, 05:30:30 PM »

If it does act up you can get one from the auto parts store. It shouldn't cost you too much if I remember right. When I had my 78 & I was using it to drive to work I went outside one day & couldn't get the key to rotate. Turns out water got in the switch & it froze solid. That killed the switch, as after I dried it I took it apart the switch still didn't work.

I say with electrical parts like this it's better to be safe than sorry.

dave1987 · « **Reply #106 on:** December 24, 2008, 02:58:02 AM »

I replaced the switch tonight with the bobcat's one. Took the old one apart (which still worked by the way), and I DID find water in it! I'm guessing that the leak I have been going insane trying to track down is above the steering column, or near enough to it that the water travels above it. My guess is the wiper post! I would be willing to be cash that it froze up just like yours did r4pinto.

So, how easy is it to change a wiper post seal???

To clean the bobcat switch, I scuffed the copper contacts with a green scotch pad. I think I should be fine until it freezes really bad again. I'll just have to really watch it...or something.

It looks like a new windshield gasket won't be an optional purchase with the upcoming tax refund check.

gjb1st12 · « **Reply #107 on:** December 24, 2008, 12:05:22 PM »

Have a 1974 Pinto,restoring to the original condition,but need a few items.
Mainly a factory green steering wheel.If you could round one up I would be ever so grateful.
Gregg J Bearden

dave1987 · « **Reply #108 on:** December 24, 2008, 01:56:37 PM »

I will be going out to a yard with a couple avacado green pintos with green interiors. They have the deluxe "fancy" steering wheels on them, but the center horn inserts arn't in great shape. They'd probably be asking $70 for them regardless though. PM me if you are interested.

r4pinto · « **Reply #109 on:** December 25, 2008, 06:59:05 PM »

Dave,

What I did for the wiper seal is use the clear windshield sealer. I did that on my car when I bought it & have no leaks or anything from there. In the mean time You could do what I did & that is make a shield from some galvanized aluminum. On the 78 I never got the leak fixed so the shield going over the switch kept the water from getting in there.

dave1987 · « **Reply #110 on:** December 25, 2008, 11:36:28 PM »

Any pictures? If not, where did you put the shield? Right above the switch over the steering column/pedal bracket?

dave1987 · « **Reply #111 on:** December 29, 2008, 01:15:40 PM »

I believe I have found where the windshield is leaking! I was drive my girlfriend to work today and noticed two yellow "stains" which flowed from the edge of the windshield to the dash, on the rubber between the two. One is about 1/2" away from being directly above the steering column (which would explain the freezing ignition switch), the other is a few inches away to towards the door, which would explain the water on the rubber floor mat, and the wet carpet, and the wet towel between the carpet and floor pan, and the floor pan....

I'll take a pic of the leak spots. I'm going out to the garage right now to attempt a quick temporary fix with the silicon sealant I used successfully around the rear window.

EDIT: Here are some shots of where the water residue/mildew is:

EDIT 2: Repair completed. 5 minutes of work. Wiping down between the seal and the windshield, getting grime out, and then pumping some silicon between the clean surfaces. I probably should have gone and done the entire base of the windshield, but since I'm changing out the gasket in the next couple months I don't think it will be necessary.

dave1987 · « **Reply #112 on:** December 29, 2008, 02:50:08 PM »

Got some photos of my little Pony in the winter time. I trust my Pinto over my 07 Saturn on icy roads any day. Winter modifications include the two front auxilily lights ("fog" lights), 185/80/R13 WinterMaster studded snow tires on the stock rims with original hub caps, and mudflaps on the back to keep slush and ice build up around the rear bumper, and to keep water off the quarter panels.

The last picture shows the rust that is already starting on the passenger side quarter panel.

dave1987 · « **Reply #113 on:** January 07, 2009, 03:26:47 AM »

So I was staring at some pictures my mother gave me of when she picked up my Pinto at the dealership in Emmett Idaho back in 1978. It got me thinking, could I find this dealership on Google maps (in satellite view), even though the dealership is now closed?

Sure enough, I found my Pinto's original place of sale! When summer comes out real nice, I want to drive the car out there and snap a shot in the same location, if traffic permits, for nostalgia sake.

The contact info that Google provides for "Emmett Ford Inc." is the same contact information that the sales person wrote down on the Warranty Identification Card in my glove box. I'm guessing he was a dealership owner and sold it in the early 80s, or moved to a larger location. He was just on some crossroads back in the 70s with 4 - 5 of his cars for sale lined up along the main road.

How many Pinto owners get the chance to revisit the original place of sale?!

dga57 · « **Reply #114 on:** January 07, 2009, 04:28:33 PM »

Well, actually... the building which housed the dealership where I purchased my original Pinto (brand new in January of 1974) is still standing, although the dealership itself has gone out of business. Unfortuately, the original Pinto fell victim to a horrible accident with its second owner. Not sure exactly where my current Pinto originated although I still have contact information for the previous owners so that's something I may be able to find out someday. Incidently, I still have a 1983 Ford F150 4x4 that was purchased from the same dealership as the '74 Pinto. Bought it new on Halloween day in 1982 and it now has a whopping 69000 miles on it! That averages out to approximately 218 miles per month! Needless to say, it's in pretty good shape and I certainly have no immediate plans to replace it.
Dwayne :smile:

71pintoracer · « **Reply #115 on:** January 07, 2009, 09:28:39 PM »

I work at the dealership that my Pinto came from, so I get to visit every day!!

larjohnson · « **Reply #116 on:** January 14, 2009, 11:53:56 AM »

Dave1987:
Hey!!! Love the Pinto, just looked at your project thread on the 1978. It's really a sharp car. Anyway, on Ebay I've found dash caps for around $74.00 shipping included, and carpet around $114.00 or so plus about $20.00 shipping. Anyway, I got the 1971 Pinto from Washington State, and I'm buying new carpet for it next week. Reed had just put new carpet in this 1971 Pinto (since July 2008), but he didn't do it correctly and it looks like he made some bad cuts. Anyway, the carpet is new, and probably still usuable. I'll give it to you if you want it. I really haven't looked at it closely, since the car came in, as it's been at the garage ever since. But it did still look new, maybe it can be patched up or something. Anyway, just let me know.

Thanks.... Larry

dave1987 · « **Reply #117 on:** January 14, 2009, 06:08:57 PM »

I got your PM, larjohnson. It's all good!

The Pinto made it's first road trip yesterday. I drove it from Boise to Kennewick, then from Kennewick to Spokane, and from Spokane back down to Boise going through Mccall. About 19 hours of complete driving time in one day, through ice, snow and fog. The car did great and the trip was tons of fun!

Along the way I got to see a 74' and a 73' Pinto combo for sale in Pendleton. The guy wants $1500 for both cars. The 73 has a damaged left fender from a sign falling on it, but other than that it's running great and pretty straight for the most part. The 73' was the beginning of a project race car but was never finished and has the slotted mag wheels. I'll have pix of them up in the next couple days, posted in a different thread.

Once I got up to Spokane I got the red Mustang II full feature center console from the guy I contacted on Craigslist. Really nice college kid who even told me there was an 8" rear for $50 somewhere around Spokane if I was interested. He even went home and looked up the exact location and phone number for me! The rear end was located about two hours north of where we were, so I didn't bother heading up.

After picking up the center console I went to their "Pick-and-Save" salvage yard and found a brown 78' wagon with tan interior. Here's the thing, anyone near by might want to snag stuff off this while they can, there are a lot of good things still on it! The dash pad only has one small crack to the right of the gauges, and the steering wheel doesn't have any cracks at all (the button is still there too!)! The e-brake cover is in great shape, seat belts are still very black (original color), and the shifter assembly with the bezel is all still there!

I pulled the gauge cluster assembly as it is in great shape, as well as the door beltline trim (which is still in great shape!) and the front turn signal lenses which are still clear.

All in all, the trip was good, car handled well and didn't slid around at all really, and I returned home with some goodies!

The next few updates will be of the center console restoration for the Mustang II console that I will be swapping out the Merkur one for, and the windshield will be pulled this spring for a gasket replacement. At that time, the dash will be removed and wiper post seals replaced as well.

popbumper · « **Reply #118 on:** January 15, 2009, 11:27:25 AM »

Dave:

Sounds like you had a good time and are making progress. Congrats!

A favor if I may - if the '78 wagon you sppeak of has a steering wheel with a central horn BUTTON (which is how I read it), and it is TAN (how I read it), and is intact (how I read it), what can I offer you money-wise to go pull it, pack it, and ship it to me? PM me if you wish, I really need a good steering wheel for my '76, and tan would be a BONUS. Thanks for your consideration!!

Chris

dave1987 · « **Reply #119 on:** January 16, 2009, 11:28:51 PM »

The trip was very fun and I can't wait to do another road trip soon. Hopefully I can make it down to Utah to see my best friend and over to Portland for a northwest Pinto meet that apintonut is organizing.

I got the console from a very nice guy off Craigslist in Spokane who had parted out a Mustang II before scrapping it. He sold me this very solid center console for $25 and I made a 19 hour road trip to pick it up. While I was up there, I also stopped by a junk yard and got some new condition window felts/beltline trim and some clearer turn signal lenses!

I have made some progress with the center console the past couple days. I got the painted and changed out the wood grain insert for the coin tray. I just painted the shifter bezel silver since the original chrome has rubbed off just like gauge cluster chrome does. Since the shifter bezel that came with the console is for an automatic, I am going to be doing some fabrication/modification to make it into a 4spd bezel.

As for the painting process, I went to my local auto body and paint supply and they hooked me up with some more of the Landau Black color coat by SEM, as well as this product of SEM's called "Vinyl Prep". It is basically a cleaner that you spray on generously to the vinyl surface to be painted, then wipe it with a cloth, and finally rinse it with water. You repeat this process until water during the rinsing process no longer beads on the vinyl surface. After that, it is ready to be painted!

For the arm rest/compartment lid, I just used the color coat/vinyl paint. The armrest is made of some type of dense foam, and took a little more than half a can to change it completely to black. It soaked in the paint quite well and isn't crunchy or brittle after painting either!

Pictures are as follows:

1) The console when I got it.
2) After Painting
3) Compartment lid/armrest after painting
4) Inside of compartment lid/armrest

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Author Topic: Restoring my 78 Sedan (Read 116526 times)