Do you also have 1:1 project cars?

[Force]

15 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

I think I'll have a banner printed of that to hang in the shop for whoever asks "why's it taking so long?", and I'll just point.

Yeah tell me about it.
An easy job like putting in the starter wich should be a quick job took about 3 hours to do, bolts that were wrong size, helicoil threads in the bell housing that didn't reach all the way and 1 of 3 was put in crooked, the hole for the starter in the brand new block plate was about a millimeter too small so the starter wouldn't sit properly against it, and grind out the hole with the engine in the engine bay and the transmission mounted wasn't easy...so everything fights you sometimes.
I don't know how many times I tried to put in the starter and took it back out again....and that was only one thing.

[bobthehobbyguy]

The unwritten rule  of estimating time for project.  Make your.best estimate and then double and then go up to the next time unit.

For example if you think it's going to take 5 minutes then double 8it to 10 minutes and then change the minutes to hours. So that 5minute project will take 10 hours to complete.

[OneTrickPony]

I've had many over the years, the newest being an 84 Mustang GT. Currently working on my 70 F100.

 

[Tabbysdaddy]

3 hours ago, bobthehobbyguy said:

The unwritten rule  of estimating time for project.  Make your.best estimate and then double and then go up to the next time unit.

For example if you think it's going to take 5 minutes then double 8it to 10 minutes and then change the minutes to hours. So that 5minute project will take 10 hours to complete.

That's why I estimate in days.

[426 pack]

I’ve got a few 1:1 projects, one of my biggest ones is a original hemi orange with white hi back buckets 1971 Plymouth valiant. I’ve built new frame rails, and replaced the tortoise bar crossmember. I still need to do the rockers, quarters and roof which I will get form my parts car. Before I do any of that though I am going to get it running as driving and “Roadkill” it for a while in its current condition. The motor is a .030 Over 1970 340 with j heads, a wiand tunnel ram with two quick fuel 450s, I’m still waiting on a few different cam shaft options. It’s backed by a T5 transmission with a quick time bellhousing and a mopar pistol grip shifter. The rear end will be a shortened Ford 8.8 out of an explorer with 4:10s limited slip and disk brakes on the mopar leafs for now and eventually go to a 4 link. 

[TarheelRick]

This will become my low-key project as I go along with it.  First need to get it running right and some bodywork fixed. I have a Pioneer DEH2000MP AM/FM CD player with four Pioneer TS-G4642R speakers to install this summer.  Will probably keep the stock wheels and poverty caps unless something really interesting comes along.  Have thought about trying to find a V-6 automatic to drop into it, but that is down the road a ways.  Anyone know of a company that sells replacement body parts for Pintos? My gravel pan is missing.

[Ace-Garageguy]

29 minutes ago, TarheelRick said:

This will become my low-key project as I go along with it...

Cool project. Contrary to popular opinion, Pintos are really pretty decent cars with lots of potential. Good luck with it. I'd love to have another one.  

[iamsuperdan]

1 hour ago, TarheelRick said:

This will become my low-key project as I go along with it.  First need to get it running right and some bodywork fixed. I have a Pioneer DEH2000MP AM/FM CD player with four Pioneer TS-G4642R speakers to install this summer.  Will probably keep the stock wheels and poverty caps unless something really interesting comes along.  Have thought about trying to find a V-6 automatic to drop into it, but that is down the road a ways.  Anyone know of a company that sells replacement body parts for Pintos? My gravel pan is missing.

 

Visually, I would leave that as is. I think it looks awesome. Steel wheels, hubcaps, bright red. Don't touch a thing!

If you absolutely needed to swap an engine, there should be plenty of 2.3L EcoBoosts around. Small 4-cylinder turbo? Could be fun in that car!

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

1 hour ago, iamsuperdan said:

...If you absolutely needed to swap an engine, there should be plenty of 2.3L EcoBoosts around. Small 4-cylinder turbo? Could be fun in that car!

The required electronic engine management to run the EFI, ignition, variable valve timing, etc. could get into some serious complication and bucks...unless someone is already doing a stand-alone computer and harness like you can buy for LS and other swaps.

AHA...I see Ford offers a stand-alone harness as part of the $7000 crate motor swap package, but you still need the M-6017-23T Control Pack, which is another $2300, and then you STILL need a revised return-loop fuel system, in-tank pump, etc.

Entirely doable, even with junkyard parts if you're one helluva competent mechanic, but why burden a simple little car that can be as reliable as a stone ax with a collection of nightmare electronics and gizmos?

And I don't know about you, but I'd run screaming if someone insisted I put all that together with junkyard bits. I mean...come on, man.

And isn't that engine direct-injection too, with its well known carbon buildup problems?

In the mid-80s I ran a street 2-liter EAO-powered Pinto, normally aspirated, with 2X40mm sidedraft 2-throat Webers, cam, headers and 10:1 compression that made close to 200 flywheel horsepower and would happily rev to 7000rpm all day long. Terrific fun in a first-gen lightweight Pinto. Simple, fast, reliable.   

Edited May 23, 2023 by Ace-Garageguy

[ctruss53]

2 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

The required electronic engine management to run the EFI, ignition, variable valve timing, etc. could get into some serious complication and bucks...unless someone is already doing a stand-alone computer and harness like you can buy for LS and other swaps.

AHA...I see Ford offers a stand-alone harness as part of the $7000 crate motor swap package, but you still need the M-6017-23T Control Pack, another $2300, and then you STILL need a revised return-loop fuel system.

Entirely doable, even with junkyard parts if you're one helluva competent mechanic, but why burden a simple little car that can be as reliable as a stone ax with a collection of nightmare electronics and gizmos?

In the mid-80s I ran a street 2-liter EAO-powered Pinto, normally aspirated, with 2X40mm sidedraft 2-throat Webers, cam, headers and 10:1 compression that made close to 200 flywheel horsepower and would happily rev to 7000rpm all day long. Terrific fun in a first-gen lightweight Pinto. Simple, fast, reliable.   

This is why I picked the older 1995 Saab 2.3L turbo engine. The factory ECU only needs power, ground, a signal from a crank position sensor, and an O2 sensor, and thats about it. One box runs the whole thing.

[Tabbysdaddy]

For something like that I would get a donor vehicle. I used a donor 92 Firebird to swap the fuel injected 3.1 in place of the boat anchor carbureted 2.8 in my old 86 S10 Blazer. The hardest part of the swap was defeating the VATS, and that was easy once I found a not advertised anywhere ground pulse generator module. 

[TarheelRick]

I will probably stick with the current 4-cylinder until I can decide which way I want to go with it.  This past weekend I spent two days at the dragstrip watching the SEGA gassers run, and thought, except for the age limit that Pinto would make a wicked SEGA gasser.  But then that would defeat my purpose for buying it - gas mileage.

[Ace-Garageguy]

15 minutes ago, TarheelRick said:

I will probably stick with the current 4-cylinder until I can decide which way I want to go with it.  This past weekend I spent two days at the dragstrip watching the SEGA gassers run, and thought, except for the age limit that Pinto would make a wicked SEGA gasser.  But then that would defeat my purpose for buying it - gas mileage.

The 2.3 can be modified fairly easily to give better mileage...and performance. In most jurisdictions it's old enough to "violate" emissions-mandated restrictions with no limitations.

[JollySipper]

8 hours ago, Tabbysdaddy said:

For something like that I would get a donor vehicle. I used a donor 92 Firebird to swap the fuel injected 3.1 in place of the boat anchor carbureted 2.8 in my old 86 S10 Blazer. The hardest part of the swap was defeating the VATS, and that was easy once I found a not advertised anywhere ground pulse generator module. 

I was just thinking that the ideal swap would be a 2.3 from an 80s Turbo Coupe Thunderbird........ It's even the same basic engine as the Pinto!

[TarheelRick]

1 minute ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

In most jurisdictions it's old enough to "violate" emissions-mandated restrictions with no limitations.

Here in NC I am way beyond emissions testing and vehicle inspection requirements.

 

1 minute ago, JollySipper said:

2.3 from an 80s Turbo Coupe Thunderbird

Finding one of those could be quite an extensive and expensive search.

[JollySipper]

1 hour ago, TarheelRick said:

Finding one of those could be quite an extensive and expensive search.

You'd be surprised, Rick, man...... I see them a lot on craigslist in the auto parts section. Folks parting them out, or whatever........

[Tabbysdaddy]

I've come to the realization that my beloved 31 year old van might be my project. Then again my wife's truck is the same age. Good thing my work truck is only 30 years old.

[Carmak]

My wife and I are both very much into 1:1 cars. I drove a 63 Thunderbird when I started dating my wife in the late 80’s. Over the years we have restored a few, found a few nice survivors and bought a few done cars.

We are currently having rust repair and accident damage done on a 68 Coronet Convertible. A lifelong friend has a shop that specializes in Mopar restoration, and he is fixing and painting it, I will handle the rest.

I took the car to prom in the mid 80’s (first picture) and it was rear ended and totaled in the late 80’s when my brother was driving it.

[Carmak]

These are my other 1:1 cars. 

All are drivers except the 69 Bonneville (engine rebuild in process) and the 37 Plymouth (un-started project).

[DRIPTROIT 71]

3 hours ago, Carmak said:

I like the 67 Belvedere!!!

[Tabbysdaddy]

I just had to open my big mouth. The transmission went out in my wife's S10 today, both of her trucks are down. I need to get the transmission in the van so she has something to drive. 

[webestang]

On 5/23/2023 at 9:14 AM, JollySipper said:

I was just thinking that the ideal swap would be a 2.3 from an 80s Turbo Coupe Thunderbird........ It's even the same basic engine as the Pinto!

That's what I thought about doing for my 85 Mustang 2.3. All I have done so far is add a Ranger tube header and bump the timing slightly. More than likely I'm still under 90hp....LOL

[JollySipper]

17 minutes ago, webestang said:

More than likely I'm still under 90hp....LOL

It's a FUN 90hp, though............

[Rob Hall]

7 hours ago, JollySipper said:

It's a FUN 90hp, though............

I enjoyed mine back in the day...88hp IIRC.   My '86 LX 2.3 had a 1bbl carb and a 4spd manual...got me through 6 years in NE Ohio in college and grad school.  About the only mod I did was to add a console.   Was a dark gray sedan w/ a red interior.  Sadly, it was totaled the week after I moved to Ann Arbor, Mi for my 2nd round of grad school in '94 (replaced with an '88 Bronco II..    I still have my '87 Mustang GT that was my weekend summer car back then, need to have to some work done to get it back on the road.  64k miles, been stored for most of the last 20 years.

Edited May 26, 2023 by Rob Hall

[Jordan White]

My wife and I’s 1:1 project! 1975 Ford F250 Highboy with a 390!

Plans for now are to fix the flatbed, update the interior, tune up and change fluids, replace body mounts, and give it a quick spray paint!