Another 1977 Pinto

[Josh B]

They no longer use anything like that?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

No. I think some of the trucks used the same alternator into the early 90's, but different wire ends.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Duraspark ignition harnesses used similar connectors, might check into that. Some of those are available new.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yeah, that's what I found, I looked at my normal go to's (Pico electronics) and did a general search for alternator pigtails. The only thing I found similar was the ignition pigtail but the latches are clocked different but yeah...

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Yeah, that's what I found, I looked at my normal go to's (Pico electronics) and did a general search for alternator pigtails. The only thing I found similar was the ignition pigtail but the latches are clocked different but yeah...

Yes, same as the first parts store. The second parts store didn't do nearly as thorough a job. I'll be dealing with the first from now on.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Found my other wiring harness. After I made a custom extension harness from the alternator to the regulator... Oh well, maybe I'll see about fixing the burnt harness, I'll need something for when I start on my first pinto. Not that that's happening anytime soon.
Otherwise I did some more electrical work. Found another regulator and mounted it on the inner fender after somehow fitting in a windshield washer tank where it doesn't really belong. Looks like I'll have to r and r the regulator to screw down the tank... oops. Got most of the ignition wiring hooked up and mounted the coil and the duraspark module. Hooked up the wiring on the distributor too.
Noticed there is a bunch of vacuum lines unhooked. Went thru all my Ford, Chilton, and other online and can't find vacuum diagrams for the 2.8l. Apparently they were put on California cars of that year but not the 49 states or Canada... FML. Oh well, I do have the books and will be reading up on the different emission systems and see if I can figure it out. Looks like there is a thermactor system, and a cat...

 

[Josh P]

Mid 70's stuff is long gone.

I've seen a few yards with old stuff. There's one in Farmington, NM. When they pull parts, they take the time to actually pull the parts so they can sell as much of the vehicle as possible. I needed a gas tank for my Merkur XT4TI and they had a rust free one sitting in the yard. Up on a hill, they had a collection of 70s cars and trucks.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I've seen a few yards with old stuff. There's one in Farmington, NM. When they pull parts, they take the time to actually pull the parts so they can sell as much of the vehicle as possible. I needed a gas tank for my Merkur XT4TI and they had a rust free one sitting in the yard. Up on a hill, they had a collection of 70s cars and trucks.

Shipping would probably kill me, but do you have a name and number?

 

[Josh P]

Shipping would probably kill me, but do you have a name and number?

I'll dig out the receipt and post the information when I find it

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Decided to do a compression test. Sparkplugs are indicating rich on every cylinder. Compression is not encouraging.
Dry/Wet
1) 75/
2) 100/
3) 120/
4) 100/
5) 75/
6) 70/75
Only did #6 for wet psi and got discouraged. I'll have to dig out my leak down tester and get my compressor operational. Which means running about 200 feet of "temporary" wire from the breaker to where I am. I only have 20 amp at my place right now, and need more to run the 5hp electric compressor motor. Probably won't get done tomorrow and were getting a big dump of snow starting tomorrow night for the next few days.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Hasn't this been sitting for a long time? If so, the cylinder walls, rings and valves are likely rusty and sticking, I'm not sure I'd worry too much about it until it's ran at least a few minutes to get the cobwebs out of it...

 

[Uncle Gump]

I would agree...

Run it to operating temp a few times... repeat test.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I was hoping that would be the consensus. Will do. But it will be awhile before I get back to it...

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I talked to an old car buddy of mine and he suggested using half and half tranny fluid and diesel. Makes sense, the trans fluid has detergents and the diesel has lubricity. If lubricity is a word... Lol.
Pull plugs and load up cylinders. Let sit for a while and spin it over to get rid of it. Then fire it up. I'll wait until I'm ready to fire it up, but that might be awhile yet. We're due for another dump of snow...

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Picked up a pair of 2012 Ford Focus seats today... for free! They look to be in decent shape. Need a cleaning maybe. And one plastic handle needs replacing. Hopefully its new enough that ford has parts. No pics as its dark out and I didn't think of getting any when I was looking at them closer. They are grey. I'll need to die them to match interior color.