Author Topic: The Baby (aka the copper queen) (Read 34032 times)

blupinto · « **Reply #60 on:** January 05, 2009, 10:59:13 PM »

:hypno:She has a full tank of relatively fresh gas (1 month ago it was filled) and she'll be sitting for only that couple months. If it's still a good idea to get Sta-Bil I will. Thanks.

75bobcatv6 · « **Reply #61 on:** January 06, 2009, 01:17:20 AM »

After 60 days gas goes bad. mines been in there about 7 months.... i drive on a regular basis a 1997 Dodge caravan. Until i am done with the bobcat. and this Feb the van goes to its Home, and i get a 2001 Sable for a DD. So i would recommend that you use Stabil now before you have to drain the tank. its only 4-6$ for a thing of it. Best insurance you can get for your car. too bad i learned about it 3 months after i filled the car up. =/

blupinto · « **Reply #62 on:** January 16, 2009, 07:43:00 PM »

Well, it's time for an update:

I tried to pull a spark plug wire off a spark plug (yes I gripped close to the plug, as opposed to pulling on the upper part of the attachment or the wire itself and the metal contact stuck on the spark plug anyway!

So it looks like I'll need new wires. I couldn't get the plug off because I need the right spinner. sigh.

The armrest is inoperable. The only chance it'll have to live is Loctite super glue. Because I don't want to rebrake it I am saving it for showtime and in the meanwhile Baby's sportin' these red-hot mamas (see pix)
It's good to have friends in high places (how do they look Pintogirl? lol.)

dave1987 · « **Reply #63 on:** January 16, 2009, 08:03:06 PM »

The more I look at your door panels, the more I want a set of them in black.

Borg Warner Select Series of spark plug wires have treated me well. And with a 5 year warranty, the deal is even better. I got my set for $35 at Schucks (Parts America).

SEM makes a vinyl paint, which I have been using to change the color of my new center console from bright RED to BLACK. It has worked very well, surprisingly.

I have used SEM paints before on my current console to change from gray to black, but that was on plastic. The new console is solid vinyl, and I was worried about the durability of the paint. Using SEM's Vinyl Prep spray (which is like a cleaner. spray on and wipe off), it seems to be holding up VERY nicely, and I highly recommend SEM interior paints to anyone. My local auto paint supply store will color match any color you have and mix it for spray can use too. Check around with your local auto paint supply stores and see what they can do for you if you want to continue using those armrests.

pintogirl · « **Reply #64 on:** January 16, 2009, 08:35:03 PM »

Quote from: blupinto on January 16, 2009, 07:43:00 PM

Well, it's time for an update:

I tried to pull a spark plug wire off a spark plug (yes I gripped close to the plug, as opposed to pulling on the upper part of the attachment or the wire itself and the metal contact stuck on the spark plug anyway! So it looks like I'll need new wires. I couldn't get the plug off because I need the right spinner. sigh.

The armrest is inoperable. The only chance it'll have to live is Loctite super glue. Because I don't want to rebrake it I am saving it for showtime and in the meanwhile Baby's sportin' these red-hot mamas (see pix)
It's good to have friends in high places (how do they look Pintogirl? lol.)

Wow, those arm rest look awesome!! You sure are lucky to have an awesome friend like that!!! LOL They actually don't look all that bad!!

Love the leapord print seat covers!!!!

Yep, sounds like a run to the parts store is in order. Maybe once you get new plugs and wires, your baby will run better??? Let's hope so!!!

blupinto · « **Reply #65 on:** January 16, 2009, 09:18:44 PM »

LOL! Good one Kim!

Dave, I am still on the lookout for door panels and other goodies folks here are looking for. I recommend these deluxe door panels for everyone! There's a similar door panel that doesn't reach back so far. I only have the decorative piece (I got this in the early '90s too).

r4pinto · « **Reply #66 on:** January 18, 2009, 09:38:36 AM »

Looks like she is really coming along. Really nice work.. I am jeaulous of you being able to work on your car at the moment. It's just too cold & & snowy for me to work on mine.

blupinto · « **Reply #67 on:** January 18, 2009, 07:11:28 PM »

Thank you. I know I am fortunate to live in such a moderate climate. You folks in the ice and snow zones should move out here!

Good news: I found some goodies at the Oceanside and Santee swap meets that'll help me work on the Pinto I have and the Mustang II I'm hopefully getting. I found an extension piece and a working ratchet for spark plug removal and a Haines Mustang II repair book for a couple bucks. Now the bad news: At the Kobey's swap meet in San Diego I somehow lost my little purse that had all kinds of important stuff in it like my drivers license, a credit card, ATM card, cell phone, nail file, AAA card, etc. I hate thieves! I couldn't go to the junkyard today like I had planned. Cards are cancelled at least.

blupinto · « **Reply #68 on:** January 18, 2009, 07:23:46 PM »

>:(Did I mention I hate thieves?

I have yet another question: Does anyone have any advice for repairing interior stuff where the threads are simply brittle? I gently but firmly tried to pull the fabrics (the headliner and the top of the back seat) but they won't stretch and I'm afraid if I force the issue (pardon the pun) I will be very sorry. Apparently the pix I took are in a mystery file. I'll post them later. Thank you.

blupinto · « **Reply #69 on:** January 25, 2009, 10:08:33 PM »

Oh when will I learn...

I got an itchin' to fool with the Baby again and got her running. She idled well for a few minutes so I was encouraged to take her for a spin around my neighborhood. So far so good... until I turn around to go home. My turning point was a couple streets below where I live. I'm noticing a pattern here. Going down on a decline the Baby's fine. On level ground she's fine. Going up on an incline she's not fine!

Could this be a float issue or a fuel pump problem? I only bog down and stall on inclines we're ascending.

On a happier note I did find another crimpy hose that connects the air filter to the blue cannister filter.

75bobcatv6 · « **Reply #70 on:** January 25, 2009, 10:27:50 PM »

Possible for the Fuel pump but its Mechanical so i dont know. as for the float issue i believe that it would do it no matter what if the float was messed up. Alternative is to add a small 6-8psi external pump to help boost volume to the mechanical pump.

blupinto · « **Reply #71 on:** January 25, 2009, 10:42:26 PM »

Since I'm quite the novice about the fuel system I'll go along with that, but most Pintos can climb a hill without incident (running Pintos that is!) right? These aren't mountain-goat grade hills.

dave1987 · « **Reply #72 on:** January 25, 2009, 10:52:50 PM »

They SHOULD be able too. Mine did great when climbing over the blue mountains during my trip to Spokane a couple weeks ago!

It sounds like the fuel pump is going out, to me. I would recommend checking how much pressure you are getting from the pump using a gauge. Mine delivers a healthy 7-8 PSI.

If you convert to an electric pump, be sure to read through the safety thread here, and don't use a pump any higher than 4PSI. The mechanical pump delivers fuel in "spurts", an electric pump would give a constant stream of fuel.

blupinto · « **Reply #73 on:** January 25, 2009, 11:09:03 PM »

Thank you both for the info. In your opinion, which is better or more beneficial- mechanical or electric (when all safety issues are met)? Come on Tax Refund!

dave1987 · « **Reply #74 on:** January 25, 2009, 11:22:30 PM »

I really couldn't tell you. My gut is saying to go electric, as it is less likely to go out on you since just about every replacement mechanical pump available is re manufactured and I had four of them go out on me last year.

I have everything on my car to do an electric pump conversion, all I need to do is hook up the hoses. The only reason I have not done so, is I like the originality of the mechanical pump, and I have not yet found an adjustable fuel pressure regulator which will let me go down to 3.5 PSI, and still have a return valve on it.

Converting to electric does require some electrical knowledge, as you have to wire up a relay and the safety switch to operate when the car is running, and not when the ignition is off.

blupinto · « **Reply #75 on:** January 25, 2009, 11:32:22 PM »

$:-\$ Er... I know how to install a solenoid on a highway landscape sprinkler, and I know to shut off the electricity in my house if I need to replace a lamp or ceiling fan, but I'm not that knowledgeable on car electronics. After reading that thread about the electric fuel pump and relays and Hobbs switches I think I'l gonna stick to the mechanical one. I want to keep my girl as close to stock as possible. Sorry about the duds you had to replace last year.

dave1987 · « **Reply #76 on:** January 25, 2009, 11:35:37 PM »

Yeah. The only reason I haven't gone to another supplier is because my dad purchased a replacement pump for it back in 1987 from Schucks and got the lifetime warranty on it. I can still get my fuel pump replaced free of charge because of that, and I never had enough cash to pay for a different one.

And so I leave you with, beware of Schucks, Parts America or O-Reily's reman fuel pumps!

blupinto · « **Reply #77 on:** January 25, 2009, 11:44:21 PM »

Thank you Dave. I'm lucky to have a Pep Boys, Car Quest, Autozone, and Kragen (owned by the same folks that own Schucks). I'll shop around. But first I'll have my mechanic neighbor do that pressure test to see if that's the issue.

75bobcatv6 · « **Reply #78 on:** January 27, 2009, 01:41:05 PM »

Dave my fuel pump is from a Yamaha seika. runs 5psi, and is set an an auxiliary switch. not hard to wire one in.

blupinto · « **Reply #79 on:** January 31, 2009, 02:02:05 PM »

Update:

This morning my mechanic neighbor (a great guy, is Jerry!) took a look at the Bronze Metalist. He gauged the fuel pump pressure (average- 5 PSI) and was kind enough to do a compression check while he was at it. The readings averaged between 120 and 135. He looked at the spark plugs and judged them alright (no oil fouling, etc.) and checked the distributor and rotor. He does think the timing belt jumped or is otherwise off-kilter. He is also concerned about the knocking he hears in the engine. He says right now it's not driveable and the reason it's stalling on inclines is because the car doesn't have enough power to climb. Now I'm looking at timing belt (probably be a good time to replace it), battery, spark plug wires to replace for now. The belt might be fine, but I do see tiny cracks on the edge of the belt. Waaaa! I'm grounded!!!

discolives78 · « **Reply #80 on:** January 31, 2009, 03:37:04 PM »

Hey Kim!

I'm getting ready to do my timing belt so I'll take plenty of pictures, I've done it before, It's not difficult, just time consuming. I'm pretty sure Pep Boys still carries the belt. Keep your chin up.

Chuck

pintogirl · « **Reply #81 on:** January 31, 2009, 04:21:04 PM »

Quote from: discolives78 on January 31, 2009, 03:37:04 PM

Hey Kim!

I'm getting ready to do my timing belt so I'll take plenty of pictures, I've done it before, It's not difficult, just time consuming. I'm pretty sure Pep Boys still carries the belt. Keep your chin up.

Chuck

That would be Becky!!! LOL I'm sure she doesn't mind the name mix up though because we are Pinto buds!!!! LOL

blupinto · « **Reply #82 on:** January 31, 2009, 05:39:56 PM »

Kim's right... it's all good. Now if mine ran as well as Kim's... And thank you Chuck! That would be swell!

pintogirl · « **Reply #83 on:** January 31, 2009, 10:23:45 PM »

That sucks about the timing belt, and I am sure hoping that the noise is nothing major. I hope you can get things figured out soon. I am still at a stand still on the Green Machine too. So don't feel bad. I can't get hubby to take her for a spin and I wont drive her the way she is!! So don't feel bad that you can't drive you baby!! I can't drive mine either! They are 2 Pintos in a pod!!!! LOL

Keep us updated on the prognosis of the engine noise!!

Kim

blupinto · « **Reply #84 on:** January 31, 2009, 10:39:36 PM »

Thank you Kim! Tomorrow I'm pricing timing belts (the Rodeo needs hers replaced soon too). I just realized... I have a two-car western event! (get it? Rodeo and Pinto) ah well, you had to be there! LOL.

AS for the car stall issue: does what my mechanic said make sense? Lacks power when strain is on engine because of timing issue and falters and dies?

dave1987 · « **Reply #85 on:** January 31, 2009, 10:44:45 PM »

I know we had a member here with a 2.0 motor in an early Pinto which had issues on inclines. It was due to low compression in a couple cylinders. They did a valve adjustment and it brought compression back up to acceptable ranges, letting the car climb much better.

blupinto · « **Reply #86 on:** January 31, 2009, 11:26:00 PM »

Do you remember what the low compression numbers were? The lowest measured on mine was 120. I understand I want at least 120. If I could find that thread on the 2.0 I'll compare notes. Thank you.

dave1987 · « **Reply #87 on:** January 31, 2009, 11:31:31 PM »

I think the lowest ones were like 108-115 or something around there, might have been lower.

blupinto · « **Reply #88 on:** February 01, 2009, 10:27:12 PM »

Hey Chuck! (I always wanted to say that! lol)

Kragen and Autozone carry the belt, and it's way cheaper than a T belt for the Rodeo! The belt for the Pinto is a little over $13. I would love for you to post pix. I've replaced a starter (on an '82 Capri), an alternator and power steering pump (on Capri again) plus light bulbs, oil and filter, and other misc. stuff. I even reconnected the speedometer in the '75 Maverick I had so briefly (I never got to see if I did it right). I've never replaced a timing belt- way too major for me. I think I'll do it by myself. Well, with your help!

discolives78 · « **Reply #89 on:** February 02, 2009, 09:25:15 PM »

That's cool info. I probably won't get to the belt till next saturday, I went all out at the u-pull-it. Check out my project thread and my new Pinto pics, and let me know how my baby looks.

Thanks!
Chuck

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Author Topic: The Baby (aka the copper queen) (Read 34032 times)

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