The gray paint on the transmission looks good...I didn't like the red either :).
The gray paint on the transmission looks good...I didn't like the red either :).
Mini/partial update today...
I'm getting sick of staring at it recently, so I set out to change that. First up was to finish off the transmission with installation of a cup plug in the speedo hole as I am not using a mechanical speedo...
And done. I still have to set the bands, but I can't find the band nuts I bought earlier.
Anywho, I went and started the modification of the dipstick tube. I cut the wrong bracket off and started on more cardboard aided design... I think it's going to work out great.
I transferred my pattern over to some 16ga I picked up as scrap from the local steel supply and ended up like this right now...
I then turned my adhd brain into fixing the firewall holes again. I wasn't happy with my first pattern or iteration, so I went about making another... This one is going to butt up against the firewall seam and cover alllllll the holes. More cardboard aided design...
It's good enough for a pattern. Now to drill some holes and get some clecos, once it's on metal...
Until next time, minitrucks rule!!!
Well let's finish this up for today...
I decided to use what I have available to me, even if it looks like azz. First, I had to fix the bent radiator mounting tabs on that rockauto monstrosity. Secondly, had to bolt it in, but not before having to buy new radiator hoses, clamps, and having to remove and reinstall the accessory belt, alternator, and bracket to access the one clamp on the water pump. Shew.
Completed! Until I have to remove it all again for something stupid. 
Until next time, minitrucks rule!!
Great Ranger project! I can't wait to see it run.
What's the story on the Pinto?
78CobraII said:What's the story on the Pinto?
Original family owned 1980 Pinto bought new in the fall of 1979. Currently has a rollbar in it for the 400hp cross ram equipped 331 stroker in between the fenders backed by a T5. Taillights are cut ins from a 67 Cougar ala Shelby mustang. Spoiler is from a second gen Camaro/Firebird. Repainted in the same original white exterior with the original black interior.
Thanks for asking.
Nothing but a parts update.
Used my summit racing app and ordered some clecos and pliers.
But they were only $39 but will help greatly on the firewall block off plate/panel. So, I ran the numbers and either order more for the free shipping@$100 or suck it up for $12 in shipping.... I ordered more lots more.
I'm not going to trust 32yr old wiring at this point. In comes a new universal wiring harness! Fairly inexpensive at $550 with plenty of wire and a main switch panel for the important things.to turn off and on.
And a package of worthless garbage...
How it's displayed for what's included...
No real wrenching, but soon...
Until next time, minitrucks rule!!
Sneak peek of today's shenanigans...
It's Montana!!! 
In reply to Ranger50 :
don't you mean:
"It's Montana!!!
and until next time, minitrucks rule!"
im afraid your account may have been hacked.
In reply to AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) :
I only had a few minutes of garage time between kids and floor mopping, so that's why it's a sneak peek. Nowhere enough done for a full post of details, yet.
So to finish...
I cut out the pattern and started to make it fit because the garage was 54 degrees!!!
Which then finally turned into have to grind down the rest of the heater box hole flange...
Where I ended up for this evening after 2 hrs of smelling aluminum and cutting fingers with the sharp edges.
All for now... slowly but surely.
Until next time, minitrucks rule!!
So today, Michigan weather allows work without a coat, neither rain or winter, on...
I took some time to flesh out some more refinement of the heater block off plate. Spent another hour or so until I was happy enough, because I have like 5hrs into this one panel.
Final-ish shape...
Took the time to mark out a "straight " line for all the holes spaced mostly 2" apart.
Even broke out some center punches that were my grandfathers when he was a machinist...
I taped the panel into place so I could start drilling lots of holes...
Then more drilling with an 1/8" bit... Then the clecos went in. I can't believe I have lived this long without them!!! God send.
Now I need a right hand drill for the rest of the holes needed. Slowy but surely...
I have made a giant mess tho...
Until next time, minitrucks rule!!
Update time...
I did get a right angle drill with some screw machine length drill bits in 1/8"...
Home Depot had them priced at $99 vs the $129 listed last week. Score!
Either way, I got 15 minutes to myself and got the current need to drill holes down to 2.
Problem now is the inner fender obstructs drilling the last two holes. Now, I have a dilemma, do I trim just enough away or just trim out the whole lip? I thought about making an educated guess and drilling from the interior side, but then it became, even if I do make it, how do I get the rivets set? So, that's out. If I trim out the whole lip on the passenger side, I'll need to replicate it on the drivers side plus prep and paint.
Weeeee, I love working on modified cars.
Until next time, minitrucks rule!!
Just to get it "finished"....
More cutting later....
Until next time, minitrucks rule!!
Oops, someone left a beer in my hand to drink and a readily available 4.5" cutoff wheel attached to the angle grinder again...
Battery tray that was rusted to hell was first..
Then I maybe passed out and just don't remeber the rest...
Then bam it was gone..
Until next time, minitrucks rule!
They say you can always put it back, but it's really hard to cut more.
Scotty Con Queso said:They say you can always put it back, but it's really hard to cut more.
Don't plan on putting it back in....
In reply to Ranger50 :
There's a joke in here somewhere.
Again, a mini update as life allows...
Took the firewall block off plate off...
btw, brake cleaner takes dykem away like it wasn't there...
Now riddle me this, why are these damn things about impossible to find?
Anyways, I scuffed the panel with a red and did a quick prime on the one side before heading to bed.
Thats all for now... NMRA at Norwalk this weekend after working the next 3 days...
Until next time, minitrucks rule!!
Mini update again because I worked on it minimally.
I did put some paint on the firewall block off plate.
Then I put some effort into my transmission dipstick tube bracket... Nothing but a drill, bits, vise, hammer, and a block of wood to make it fit.
Maybe more tonight maybe not.
Until next time, minitrucks rule!!
In reply to Ranger50 :
Nice. Keep eating those bites and the elephant will be gone before you know it.
Firewall block off plate is finished!!! What a pain in my ass.
I had to make a backer plate because the engine side didn't exactly cover all the holes. Easy peasy when you still have a large sheet of scrap aluminum.
Then onward to installing.... kind of a different pita because I had to use 2 different rivet guns. Either way, ran some fire barrier caulk lines after a quick clean with foaming glass cleaner.
Had to re-cleco the panel back into place.
Then started to remove the clecos and install the rivets....
How the backer plate looks before being shoved in under the dash behind the glovebox.
Put some more caulk onto and riveted into place. I then cleaned up the work area.
Now, it's time to finish the trim on the passenger side inner fender and cut/trim the drivers side to match. Then it's a host of other maladies that need attention...
Until next time, minitrucks rule!!
So since I finished the firewall on the passenger side, I turned my attention to the drivers side. There is a large 60 pin connector that needs to go bubye. The problem is how much real estate do I need to cover.
Problem solved. Lol.
Put that under, "I fixed it!" category. Lol.
Seriously tho, it told me what to buy.
Until next time, minitrucks rule!!
Today, I made a very global list....
Its hades out there.... small things done equal big parts. Off to search the googles in the ac for parts I don't have yet.
Until next time, minitrucks rule!!
In reply to Ranger50 :
Dry erase board FTW
Slowly but surely....
Maybe get a new starter from rockauto tomorrow and install these pieces tonight or tomorrow. I still have to drill out a piece of aluminum with the new 3 5/8" hole saw I just bought.... little things equal big things.
Until next time, minitrucks rule!!
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