Pinto Powered Mustang Roadster

[rob289c]

I got home from my 2.5 month Michigan assignment on May 23.  I was faced with all the "must do" chores that didn't get done while I was away.  Yesterday was the first time I worked on my project since I put it away last Winter.  Yesterday was the day I was to replace the valve stem seals.  I didn't remove the head when I had the engine out of the car so replacing the valve stem seals may be a futile mission if there is a valve, head or gasket issue but I had them so I decided to change them out.  I have been stressing about this for a year but got at it.  I watched videos, read forums and got advice from members in this group.  I did the compressed air method.  I have my KD 3087 valve spring compressor that while not the easiest to use, it allows me to do the job with the head on the engine and the engine in the car.  It makes it easy to get the cam followers out.  Getting the valve keepers out is easy; putting them back in can be challenging.  I did #1 exh and intake, and #3 exh.  I was into #3 intake and I dropped a keeper down an oil return hole.  I heard it drop into the oil pan.  Now I have to drop the pan to retrieve the keeper.  Extra work that I didn't want or need.  Based on the placement of the oil return hole, I believe the keeper is in the upper/rearward part of the oil pan.  I don't know what it's going to involve but it doesn't look like a fun or easy job.  I did a real good sealing up the pan while it was on the engine stand so it will be a bitch getting it apart, cleaning the mating surfaces and re-sealing.  I have no one to blame but myself.  I should have plugged the holes.  If anyone has tips, I am all ears.  Otherwise I will study this forum and others that I can find.  After my self-inflicted wound, I decided to drown my sorrows by replacing a toilet flush valve. The 25 year old tank to bowl fastener threads were corroded so it required heat and a 2nd person to hold the LARGE screwdriver while I heated and turned the nuts from the underside.  Finally got it and completed the repairs.  Back to the car project, I think today I will try to remove the starter to get it out of the way and get a better idea of what removing the pan will involve.  I have other projects to do so I don't expect to get a lot done on my project today.  I need a break from it.  Hopefully I will have good news to report shortly. 

[rob289c]

I went home again this past weekend...too many things to do Nd not enough time to do it all!  I did do a little on the project though.  I pushed it out of its Winter spot so I could get the Harley out.  Then pushed it right back.  Late last Fall I made repairs to the bottom of the Mustang tail light housings, then smeared Tiger Hair over the seams to seal things up.  Sunday I sanded the fiberglass smooth.  It's not perfect but it is mostly on the inside and bottom where it won't be seen.  When it warms up I will prime and paint silver inside an out.  That's all I accomplished on the project.  I should be done with this Michigan mission on May 23, then I should be home for a while. Hopefully I can get a lot done and get this thing drivable. 

[1972 Wagon]

Wow! Your weekend chores make me feel like a sloth! I keep looking at my yard where the wild onions and spiderwort seem to have emerged overnight. I usually mow around the spiderwort as it is one of the few plants providing spring food for bees. We are surrounded by hay fields so there are very few food sources for the bees. Have a safe drive back to MI!

[rob289c]

I'm home for the weekend, but won't be touching the project.  Yesterday I worked on my Ranger.  Check Engine light was on...I had to bypass a section of rotted purge valve tubing with a foot of hose and hose clamps.  Hopefully that was the only issue.  Then re-installed the deck on the mower and changed the oil.  Got it ready for my son to start mowing while I'm away.  Went through 2 weeks worth of mail and did the administrative and bill paying tasks.  Then dropped the Ranger off at the repair shop and picked up my daily driver Mazda.  I had the rear springs replaced on the Mazda and the Ranger needs an antilock brake sensor replaced.  I'm going to drive the Mazda back to MI rather than flying this time.  The Lake Erie Lake Effect snow machine should be off for the season.  I had to jam on the brakes on the way home yesterday and the right front seems to have hung up as I could smell it and feel the heat so I'll have to investigate today before driving 8 hours tomorrow.  I have plans to replace the front pads, rotors, calipers, and rear pads and rotors this Summer but not prepared to do it now so hopefully I can free up whatever hung up yesterday.  Going out shortly to rake my back yard.  It's an annual Spring ritual to get the debris up so the grass grows and don't chew up sticks with the mower. 

[1972 Wagon]

I look forward to when you are able to start posting about your project again!

[Wittsend]

Just checking in after a long absence.... I'll look over the recent posts to see what I've been missing.

LOL, no new post (March 6th to April 6th) in 30 days. Hope you get back to your project as you were about the only regular poster here.

 I should talk..., had the Pinto AAA-ed home as it was running crappy about this time last Spring. Paid the $148 registration in August 2024..., and it is still on the refrigerator with a magnet. I bought a new battery about 4 months ago..., and it sits on a trickle charger. The wife keeps coming up with projects and I'm too skilled and too frugal to let her pay someone else to do them. I'm a victim of my own success. 

[rob289c]

Just checking in after a long absence.  I've been on a special assignment in Michigan and not a lot of time for anything other than "must do" tasks.  I stay out here for three weeks, then go home for a weekend,  Going home next weekend, then back out here.  Hopefully this will be done soon.  With the weather changing I want to get back out in the shop to "finish" my project. I'll look over the recent posts to see what I've been missing.

[rob289c]

For me, I'd like a compromise...maybe a Carolina?  Still has seasons, but not the extreme hot of Florida and not the Winter (and taxes) of NY.

[1972 Wagon]

It seems like recently that no area of the U.S.A. has been spared from severe weather of some type. Florida's seasons are more subtle than areas further north, but I love that cold weather never really lasts long. We've had a few nights below freezing, but by Monday, the temperature is predicted to be 70? again.

[rob289c]

That is all very sad.  Hard to fathom how it can happen.  I pray for your wife's cousin and others that have lost possessions and lives.  A lot of people complain about our NY weather, but really, we get 4 seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall are nice, and Winter is really a short annoyance.  We're half way through it at this point.  We don't get hurricanes, tornados (very rare), earthquakes (very rare), tsunamis, wild fires or mudslides.  All in all, our weather isn't horrible, but the hot rods, motorcycles and other toys have to be put away a few months of the year. The NY politics bother me more than the weather.

[Wittsend]

We could sure use some of that "solidified dampness" here is So. Cal.. My wife's cousin lost her home (among hundreds..., maybe thousands) in the Altadena "Eaton" fire. The first picture is her location (small circled area near center). Red is destroyed, green some damage, black no damage. Second picture is the house..., well what is left of it.

[rob289c]

We're at 12 deg today.  About 8" of snow yesterday.  Over the next few days in Upstate NY we could see snowfalls measured in feet south of Buffalo and up near Watertown.  I'm in the Rochester area and may get another 3-4" tonight and tomorrow.  Thursday we start a warm up with temps in the mid-20's.  Pretty standard stuff for us...stay warm and safe in FL! 

[1972 Wagon]

Tuesday night here in northeast Florida, sleet, ice, and possibly snow are predicted!

[rob289c]

I haven't done anything or posted anything in a while.  Just saying hello.  Stay warm to any that are in the Polar Vortex!

[rob289c]

It's been over a month since I made any progress and today may be the last until Spring.  Today I attached the grill into the header panel, then the header panel to the car.  Then I mounted the front bumper, then the headlight buckets.  I think that will be it for 2024.  I'll resume in the Spring.  I hope everyone has a good Winter and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

[rob289c]

A little progress today: I previously only installed two of the required four rear bumper mounting bolts.  Today I Installed the other two  including new washers and anti-seize in case they ever need to come back out.  When I installed the outboard left bolt, I attached the negative battery cable to be the main ground point.  I secured the rear wiring harness to the inner body shell and it is now hidden behind the interior panels. I crimped the lugs on the end of the speaker wires, then I installed the speakers to the rear package tray, then the package tray to the rear deck.  That required surgery that I didn't expect.  The package tray I bought is supposed to allow 6x9 speakers in 65-67 Mustangs as the rear decks didn't come with cutouts for that size speakers.  Unfortunately it wasn't a drop-in and I had to cut out additional metal to make them fit.  Pretty much like a lot of this project.  I re-installed the rear seat and interior panels as I shouldn't have to see anything behind or under until Spring.  Tomorrow will be a non-project day.  I'll get back on it next weekend.  I will be meeting my car club buddies at a fire department for breakfast, then head to Syracuse for the 174th FW Alumni Thanksgiving Dinner so those two events will kill the day. 

If I don't post between now and Thursday, I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  We have a lot to be thankful for...

[rob289c]

Dwayne, congrats on Sadie's arrival!  Her name is in the title of one of my favorite Beatles songs.  Our granddaughter wasn't in the correct position either...they were able to turn her and immediately induced labor.  It was almost 3 days before she was born.  They tried avoiding a C-Section and were successful.  I hope your DIL recovers quickly. 

We just went and saw our Shelby after picking up my wife's car at the body shop.  Deer hit damage has been repaired! 

[Wittsend]

" ... Rob, I'm amazed you made any progress at all! ..."
Dwayne

I'll second that, especially when he says, "I didn't get much done ..."


When my wife delivered our son (33+ years ago) I was shocked to see how spiraled the umbilical cord was. It seemed like a few more twists and nothing would have passed through! When he was about 1 years old we put him in one of those "suspended over the doorway Johnny Jump-ups." He was a total spaz and I very readily saw how the cord got so twisted. 

[1972 Wagon]

Congratulations on Sadie's addition to your family! Glad all are doing well.

[dga57]

Good morning, friends!  Sadie was born 2 days ahead of her due date, arriving Friday afternoon.  She was ultimately delivered by C-Section because her head position had changed which somehow or another caused her umbilical cord to get tangled.  At any rate, she, mama, and daddy are all doing fine.  I got my first look at her Saturday morning and held her for a few minutes, then last evening my wife and I visited and spent nearly two hours with them.  My wife held her for a few minutes but then handed her off to me because she started getting fussy.  She calmed down and stayed in my arms for the duration of the visit.  I bottle-fed her while her parents ate and ended the evening with a diaper change.  It's been a LONG time since I last did those things, but we got along pretty well.  Thank you, guys, for your good wishes.  Rob, I'm amazed you made any progress at all!  I've accomplished nothing the last several days!  lol
Dwayne

[rob289c]

Yesterday (Saturday) I spent the first bit of time with our baby Shelby (fitting name for a Mustang family).  No crying...just laid there while I held her. 

Pinto content:  I didn't spend much time with the car.  I swapped the rear window channels side to side. Now both sides go all the way down.  Much better now that I have the parts in the right places!  I ran the speaker wires on both sides.  I need to get different wire clamps for the left side rear harness.  The cushion clamps I have are too big.  I will buy some smaller diameter plastic clamps and get that side secured.  Then I can reinstall the seat and inner panels. 

Other than that, I spent most of my time transforming my shop into a Winter storage facility.  The bikes and Mustang are put away, as are other items.  I hung the Christmas lights that require the 28' extension ladder and 15' step ladder.  It was 50 deg and dry today so it was the right day to do it.  I'm going to run out of project time so I need to make more project next weekewnd!

[Wittsend]

Well, this seems like the place for baby grand daughters. Our first (and only..., so far) will be 11 months tomorrow. All the best to the new moms/dads (and grand parents).

[rob289c]

Dwayne, I will be praying for a healthy baby granddaughter for you and an easy delivery for your DIL!  I haven't had a chance to spen time with our new addition as I have been out of town this week.  I'll see her over the weekend. 

[dga57]

Yes!!!  Progress AND a new granddaughter!! !  I know the feeling (well, excluding the progress ) because the due date for our first grandchild, also a girl, is Sunday, November 17th.  We're all giddy with excitement! Our son and daughter-in-law will be celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary next month and we had pretty much given up on them ever making us grandparents.  Enjoy!

I think you're making great progress on that roadster and the taillights look amazing.  Keep up the good work and you'll have it on the road before you know it!  Thanks for sharing!

Dwayne

[rob289c]

Thank you...she is a beautiful baby girl!

[1972 Wagon]

Congratulations on the new addition to your family!

[rob289c]

I only made a small amount of progress this weekend.  I sprayed the remaining corroded areas of the taillight housings with rust converter, then primer.  Then I spread tiger hair over the repaired area.  I haven't sanded it smooth yet.  Once I do, they will get another treatment of primer, then silver paint.  I ordered and received the taillight assembly gaskets so once the housings are in paint, I can reassemble them.  I bought more cushion clamps and speaker wire so I can get all the rear wiring properly run and secured.  While the interior panels are off I need to swap rear window channels from side to side.  I found a resource that identifies why my rear windows don't go all the way down: the channels are currently on the wrong side.  Hopefully swapping them will correct the full travel issue.  In the near future I need to replace the valve stem seals and install the valve cover, then install the front grill assembly, front bumper, and headlights.  Then I can reinstall the engine compartment wiring harness, and install the dash and dash pad.  That will allow me to connect all the wiring harnesses.  If I can get that done I will feel like I made good progress, although I didn't get to hear it run or drive it. 

My excuse for not doing more is that our first grandchild was born yesterday.  Our daughter was induced and has been at the hospital since Thursday AM.  I had to take my wife there and back several times and I wasn't able to get too deep into any of my projects. 

I will be travelling for work again this week but should be back at it next weekend. 

Happy Veterans Day to all those that served.  Thank you for serving...

[rob289c]

Battery is mounted in the trunk.  I made the following cables: battery ground to rear bumper mount, frame to engine ground, positive battery to trunk-mounted circuit breaker, Circuit breaker to starter relay location.  I haven't crimped the lug at the relay end yet as I want to secure the cable and mount the relay first so I make it the correct length.  Another day's project.  I also need to make the relay to starter cable. 

I wanted to do more but taking down Halloween decorations, leaf duty, mowing , and other household chores took precedence.   More to come next week...

[rob289c]

Progress today:  Mounted the rear bumper.  One of the mounting bolts is going to be the battery to frame ground point.  I also washed the taillight lenses while doing the breakfast dishes.  Dawn detergent did a nice job of removing 57 years of grime. 

[rob289c]

Some progress made today.  I spent roughly 3 hours repairing the bottoms of my taillight housings.  Both were badly corroded, one much worse than the other.  I cut out the cancer then fabricated patches and welded in place.  The really bad one had very little good metal to weld to but in the end both are pretty sturdy.  I will prime, use some tiger hair to seal and smooth things up, then more primer and paint.  I need to order taillight lens gaskets, and clean  up the rubber that is encrusted with corrosion from the original corroded taillight panel.  Once everything is in place, none of it will be visible and will be functional.  I am saving about $200 by repairing and re-using the old parts.  I have a set of new taillight bezels that I will put in my Fastback and use the ones currently in the Fastback in this project.  They are pitted, but in much better shape than the ones that came with the project Mustang.

Tomorrow I will do more and report.

Other projects today:  attempted repair, then replaced an entry door knob set.  They don't last long.  I also disassembled and PM'd my dehumidifier.  The drain had plugged and wasn't draining.   I cleaned the evap coil and drain pan.  All good now,