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454s4ever View Drop Down
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    Posted: 10-April-2015 at 1:35AM
Hi all.  I joined this page with the hopes sharing and gaining knowledge on 72 Gran Torinos.
 
A little background on myself.  I love all 60's and 70's era muscle cars.  In high school ('72-'76), I first drove a 68 Galaxie 500 fastback, and then a 72 Chevelle which I had through college.  I've been a Chevy guy and Chevelle fan since, but I really love all brands of old muscle, so you dyed-in-the-wool Ford guys, please don't crucify me.
 
I currently own three Chevelles, a Camaro and a 69 Mustang Mach 1 (yup, I do have a Ford).  I've restored two of the Chevelles and the Mustang (from a bare shell), and I just started on a 70 Chevelle SS396.
 
What brings me to your forum is my brother-in-laws 72 Gran Torino Sport.  The car has been sitting in a pole barn for the last 20+ years with the front suspension off of it.  The car is an original 351 4V Cobra Jet car and still has it's original drive train.  He is the second owner (bought it in the mid-70's), and he has all of the original paperwork from the original purchaser, including sales receipts and the window sticker showing it's 351C 4V Cobra Jet options.
 
In February, my sister called me and informed me that Marc (my brother-in-law) had been diagnosed with cancer in his lungs.  This is his second bout with cancer.  He had it in his throat two years ago.  This time the doctors told him it is much worse.  Marc asked if I could help him get his Torino back on the road this spring so he could drive it again.  So the Chevelle project will take a hiatus and tomorrow I go to pick up his Torino.
 
I've already restored all of the suspension components that he had removed so that I can re-install them tomorrow so I can trailer the car.  Marc doesn't want a full restoration of the Torino.  He just want's to get it on the road to drive it.  So I'll be changing out all the fluids, checking all of the mechanical components, getting the engine running and the brakes working.
 
I'll be looking to you guys for any additional advice in getting this car back on the road.  I look forward to your support and advice.
 
Thanks, Russ
 
Here are some pics of the car...
 
 
 


Edited by 454s4ever - 10-April-2015 at 1:39AM
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454s4ever View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 454s4ever Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12-April-2015 at 12:58AM
Picked it up yesterday.  Home in my garage, ready to start on.
 
First time out of the barn since it was put there in 1987.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nomadlife Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-April-2015 at 3:29AM
Russ,

Welcome, and no worries, many of us here are equal opportunity gear heads.  Smile

Sorry to hear about your brother-in-law's health issues, but at least he will get some time back in the saddle, thanks for being that guy!

I guess I need some direction in what you are looking for, since you state that it went in the barn when it was 15 yrs old, and you just want to get it running again as a driver.
Is he wanting to just cruise, race, etc? There are so many different directions. There are threads about suspension mods, engine mods, even a great one about better replacements for the body bushings which I will be using.
If you are looking to do some stuff with the motor, I have used multiple sites, but one thing I read everywhere, is that if he intends to lean on it much, make sure you replace the valves! Even though it may be low miles.
If high HP is your desire, I would spend some time over on the Pantera website

Hope this helps
Marilyn - '72 Ranchero 500 - known her since I was born, and traveled across the states in her; first in the back, then as the driver. Under restoration (and a little modification)

James
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote unlovedford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-April-2015 at 4:02AM
I applaud you for helping family. Good man!

This is a fairly rare car, as it looks factory Black (optional color), and has no lower moldings. Formal as well.

Besides fluids, rubber components, cleaning the tank and lines, normal maintenance should bring it back to where it was when he stopped driving it. Watch for leaky seals.
Joe
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GTW Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-April-2015 at 4:20AM
Welcome to the site! If it's an original black car, that's special order. 

We've had our own '72 Malibu 2 door since new, and we also have a 1970 Malibu 2 door that needs a resto. 
Griffin
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote aquartlow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-April-2015 at 8:01AM
Russ,
 Welcome to the forum! Sorry to hear of your family member's health issues. You are doing a GREAT THING in helping get his ride back in drivable condition, hopefully it will lift his spirits and give him another reason to win the fight(at least mentally) against his latest bout with the big "C". Where in Michigan are you located, if I may ask. I travel to Michigan in the summer to visit family near Walled Lake/White Lake area. Keep us posted. Todd
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SEKCOBRA Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-April-2015 at 8:24AM
Good man doing this for your friend. Hope everything works out for both of you.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote legend onirot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-April-2015 at 8:32AM
sorry to hear about your brother-in-law... 

this is a great story and you sir, are a great man for doing this.  keep us updated and let us know how the "restoration" is going!!!  and if you need any help, youve come to the right place
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malcolm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 72FordGTS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-April-2015 at 9:47AM
Welcome!  That's terrible news about your brother-in-law, and it's really a great thing you are doing for him.  
My first car was a 1972 Chevelle, and the 1970-72 Chevelles still hold a soft spot for me.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kychevyguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-April-2015 at 11:30AM
Welcome to the forum. I think it is awesome what you are doing for him, bless you. 
I also love many different makes and models, don't let any random grumbling bother you. Smile

He has a nice car there, I hope he enjoys it! The comments above cover most everything, just go through it all.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 454s4ever Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-April-2015 at 12:56PM
Thanks Guys.  I appreciate all of your support.  Marc is pretty excited to get the car on the road again.
 
No, I don't think it's a rare car.  It was originally green.  Still has the green interior.  It did have the side moldings (he still has them).  He removed them when he painted it black.  It has a few spots on the body that could use some attention, but the plan is just to get it running and road worthy.  He used to run it at Martin Speedway (now US131 Dragway) near Grand Rapids.  He doesn't plan on racing it anymore.  He just wants it for cruising.
 
I washed it up a little yesterday.  Made a big difference.
 
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 75GranMan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-April-2015 at 2:12PM
Russ, I'm sorry to hear of your brother in-law's health problem, I wish I was closer to your location to help make the needed repairs and get this car back on the road. I know from personal experience that you need to make this happen sooner then later. If time allowed I'd pull the engine and replace the rear seal, along with the Torque converter seal. A must would be dropping the gas tank and thoroughly clean it before adding any  new gas to the varnish messy that's probably in there. Let us know of anything we could possible help with. My hats off to you!
John 75Gran Torino 4spd
Tighten it down until it snaps and then back it off a half turn!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote californiajohnny Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-April-2015 at 3:04PM
welcome russ! sorry to hear that about your brother-in-law! awesome that you are doing that for him, nice looking car! don't worry i also, have many cars!...2 fords, mostly chevys, and 1 toyota.
keep us updated! and i wouldn't mind seeing those other cars too Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GTW Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-April-2015 at 4:05PM
There's some pretty cars in his website link.
Griffin
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Regul8r Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-April-2015 at 5:27PM
Welcome to the Family.
Just do the basics and get her running and on the road.The rest will work itself out.
Pull, clean and repack the front bearings
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Bird Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-April-2015 at 12:03AM
Welcome!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mcford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-April-2015 at 9:51AM
NICE!!!  So, you're on the west side of the state?
Mike
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 454s4ever Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-April-2015 at 1:25PM
No, my brother-in-law is on the west side (South Haven).  I'm on the east side now, but I come from South Haven.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mcford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-April-2015 at 1:41PM
Originally posted by 454s4ever 454s4ever wrote:

No, my brother-in-law is on the west side (South Haven).  I'm on the east side now, but I come from South Haven.
where at?  I'm over in Utica/Shelby Township.
Mike
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