New Member! Greetings from Michigan |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Author | |
Conner
New Member Joined: 06-July-2019 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 39 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 06-July-2019 at 6:36AM |
Hello!
I am 18 and have recently purchased my first classic, a 1976 Ford Elite with the standard 351W in it. I joined hoping to gain some knowledge from "real people" and to overall learn more about the world of classic cars. I am also starting to work on my Elite, as it of course has some issues that need to be addressed. |
|
Conner Van Hine
|
|
72FordGTS
Admin Group GTS.org Admin Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 5846 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hello Conner, and welcome to the forum!! We have a lot of information on this forum and lots of helpful people so, I am sure we can be a help to you with your Elite. Feel free to start a project thread if you would like us to follow along.
I have upgraded you to a new member, so you have full access to the site. Post some pics of your car when you get a chance.
|
|
Vince
1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
|
californiajohnny
Moderator Group Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14609 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
welcome conner!
|
|
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
|
1973gts
Senior Member Joined: 05-March-2018 Location: Grand Rapids Mi Status: Offline Points: 614 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Welcome, Conner, nice to have younger people getting involved in this hobby. You will find this site has alot to offer whether its advice, parts or just encouragement on your project. There are alot of very helpful and informative people here that you can draw from, I know I have. Like Vince said, we love pictures so when you get a chance please post some.
|
|
Dave - 1973 GTS N code
|
|
legend onirot
Senior Member METAL GOD Joined: 18-January-2009 Location: hattiesburg ms Status: Offline Points: 3038 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
welcome conner! what they said... and post a pic of your car when you can. we would love to see it
|
|
---------------------
malcolm 1973 gran torino sport (formal)... "Stacy Lynn" 1972 gran torino (formal)... "Mackenzie" 1973 gran torino sport (sportroof)... "Leela" |
|
Steve M.
Senior Member Joined: 08-June-2019 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1755 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Welcome. Enjoy your Elite. They are a nice ride and fun to drive.
|
|
Steve M.
|
|
Travis91
Member Joined: 16-July-2017 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 185 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Welcome. Thats awesome. It is nice to see some younger people getting involved in this hobby. Im 28 myself and love classic cars. Im also in Miichigan. Definatly put some pictures up when you get a chance
|
|
Conner
New Member Joined: 06-July-2019 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 39 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Alright, here are a few pictures of the '76 Elite. Currently don't have any pictures of the engine compartment, but I will make sure to take some.
|
|
Conner Van Hine
|
|
1973gts
Senior Member Joined: 05-March-2018 Location: Grand Rapids Mi Status: Offline Points: 614 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Conner, that looks like it's in extremely good condition from the pictures and should be a very enjoyable car to work on. From the looks of it it doesn't appear to have suffered much from our Michigan winters.
|
|
Dave - 1973 GTS N code
|
|
gpd294
Senior Member Joined: 18-September-2008 Location: Dallas, Texas Status: Offline Points: 2180 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
WOW that is a clean looking car...thanks for sharing and welcome!
|
|
Carlos....1975 Gran Torino Squire Station Wagon restored to look like a 1973 Torino Station
Wagon my Dad bought new from McAnary Ford on June 6, 1973 in Gary,Indiana |
|
72FordGTS
Admin Group GTS.org Admin Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 5846 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Looks to be in great shape, nice car!
|
|
Vince
1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
|
Steve M.
Senior Member Joined: 08-June-2019 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1755 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Nice ride.
|
|
Steve M.
|
|
handsofstone
Senior Member Joined: 13-April-2018 Location: Northeast Status: Offline Points: 3946 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Great car to start the Ford lovefest. Looking forward to your project thread.
|
|
Conner
New Member Joined: 06-July-2019 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 39 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Looks like I'm experiencing a leak in the radiator, any tips for finding the leak? Also, any tips for fixing the leak? I would rather not have to replace the radiator, but will if I must!
Thanks,
|
|
Conner Van Hine
|
|
handsofstone
Senior Member Joined: 13-April-2018 Location: Northeast Status: Offline Points: 3946 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
You are better off getting a new radiator. Under $200 for a heavy duty unit and you would regret using stop leak down the road.
I have the new radiator that came with my car when I bought it. I beat on the dented core support and it leaks in one spot. I will eventually repair it but am unable to play with my car at the moment. If you were near me you could have it. Fixing is cheap, finding an old school radiator shop is priceless.
|
|
californiajohnny
Moderator Group Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14609 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
i have a couple good factory radiators but you could get yours repaired at a shop for probably less than shipping would be...
look over the radiator real good, you should see some discoloration where it's been leaking also check the bottom of the water pump behind the pulley it could be leaking from the weep hole? look for any drops of coolant hanging on a bolt a hose or metal you should see a discoloration trail from the leak, follow it up to the leak |
|
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
|
72FordGTS
Admin Group GTS.org Admin Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 5846 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I am agree with the others, take it to a good old fashioned rad shop to have it repaired. They will be able to fix it (if possible) or at the very least recore the rad. If you recore it, you can upgrade to a modern high efficiency core and more rows if you desire.
|
|
Vince
1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
|
Conner
New Member Joined: 06-July-2019 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 39 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I think I might just get a new radiator. The one it has is the original so replacing it is probably a good idea anyway. Thanks for the feedback guys!
|
|
Conner Van Hine
|
|
handsofstone
Senior Member Joined: 13-April-2018 Location: Northeast Status: Offline Points: 3946 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Rock Auto has heavy duty radiators for under $200 shipped. You could always go with aluminum too.
|
|
Conner
New Member Joined: 06-July-2019 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 39 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hmm someone suggested that I try the radiator leak fluid that you can get. Anyone know if this works?
Thanks
|
|
Conner Van Hine
|
|
handsofstone
Senior Member Joined: 13-April-2018 Location: Northeast Status: Offline Points: 3946 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The radiator may stop leaking. You are putting off the inevitable and may clog passages in the heads. If it were my car, no way I am putting stop leak in the cooling system.
|
|
mean steve
New Member Joined: 23-April-2019 Location: Austin Status: Offline Points: 39 |
Post Options
Thanks(1)
|
Do not put mechanic in a can into your car unless you don't care about it. That stuff is ment for beaters and disposable cars. If you go cheaper, you go deeper. Pinching penny's cost u dollars. Do it right.
|
|
Bensport
Member Joined: 10-May-2018 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 58 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
If it's just a pin hole type leak and money is tight you could pour a small can of black pepper in radiator and it will temporarily fix it until you can afford a new one.
Just an option to hold you over....had a 68 mustang back in the mid 80's I had to do that to until I could afford a new radiator....It's safer than stop a leak.
|
|
Ben
73 GTS Sport Roof 96 F350 7.3 Powerstroke/Chip 96 Bronco 5.8 Eddie B on 35's 95 Bronco 5.8 Eddie Bauer 06 Peterbilt 335 |
|
torinomike650
Senior Member Joined: 03-March-2019 Location: Palo Alto, CA Status: Offline Points: 997 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hi Conner,
Welcome to the group! Regarding the radiator, other folks can chime in on this, I took mine to a trusted radiator shop to have it re-cored. The shop strongly recommended this over purchasing a new radiator, and the re-core was a bit more expensive. The recommendation is due to the fact that new radiators have cores that are made overseas and are not good quality. The shop I went to was able to source new cores made locally and good quality; to ensure that, with regularly driving the car and proper cooling system maintenance, I'd never have to re-core or replace the radiator ever again. So I would go with this route if you have the option to, as well as the funds. Regards, Mike |
|
Mike
1974 Ford Gran Torino |
|
Conner
New Member Joined: 06-July-2019 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 39 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I appreciate the feedback guys . I'll definitely be staying away from stop leak stuff.
|
|
Conner Van Hine
|
|
Conner
New Member Joined: 06-July-2019 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 39 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hey guys
I joined the National Guard earlier this year and am leaving to Georgia for training tomorrow, not to be back until close to Christmas. Just wanted to say thanks for all of the advice that you've given, I really appreciate it! Already can't wait to break the Elite out and get some work done once I'm back! Many more things to be done so I'm hoping with your help I can do it. Can't thank you guys enough.
|
|
Conner Van Hine
|
|
Steve M.
Senior Member Joined: 08-June-2019 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1755 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Best of luck in the National Guard. I did it after I got off of activity duty. Ended up retiring after 24 years. It went by too fast. No regrets, though.
|
|
Steve M.
|
|
californiajohnny
Moderator Group Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14609 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
good luck and stay safe!
|
|
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
|
1973gts
Senior Member Joined: 05-March-2018 Location: Grand Rapids Mi Status: Offline Points: 614 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Good luck with your training and will be looking forward to your project posts when you get back.
|
|
Dave - 1973 GTS N code
|
|
handsofstone
Senior Member Joined: 13-April-2018 Location: Northeast Status: Offline Points: 3946 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Be the best at whatever your mos might be. Check in and give updates if you want. Good stories are always a pleasure to read.
|
|
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Tweet |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |