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454s4ever
New Member Joined: 10-April-2015 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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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.
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
New Member Joined: 10-April-2015 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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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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Nomadlife
Member Joined: 22-February-2015 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 85 |
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Russ,
Welcome, and no worries, many of us here are equal opportunity gear heads. 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 |
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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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unlovedford
Senior Member Joined: 17-December-2010 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 10142 |
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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. |
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Joe
1972 Mom's Squire Wagon 1972 Torino Wagon 1976 Torino 1968 Cougar XR7-First batch 1972 Torino 460 1989 BroncoII/Jeeps/Titanimous Popeye and Brutus (Rams) |
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GTW
Senior Member Joined: 21-January-2012 Location: SC Status: Offline Points: 5784 |
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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.
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Griffin
1973 Gran Torino station wagon 1972 Gran Torino 4 Door 1971 Maverick 2 Door |
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aquartlow
Senior Member Joined: 19-December-2011 Location: Summerfield, Fl Status: Offline Points: 2270 |
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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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www.supermotors.net/22468
Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone. |
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SEKCOBRA
Senior Member Joined: 27-November-2012 Location: NY Status: Offline Points: 624 |
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Good man doing this for your friend. Hope everything works out for both of you.
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69 MACH R CODE
70 TORINO COBRA J CODE 71 TORINO COBRA J CODE 72 Z28 CAMARO 94 MUSTANG 5.0 LX NOTCH 72 GTS Q CODE 61 Galaxie 427 62 Galaxie 406 tri power 64 Galaxie country sedan 390 1972 GTS Q CODE |
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legend onirot
Senior Member METAL GOD Joined: 18-January-2009 Location: hattiesburg ms Status: Offline Points: 3038 |
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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 1973 gran torino sport (formal)... "Stacy Lynn" 1972 gran torino (formal)... "Mackenzie" 1973 gran torino sport (sportroof)... "Leela" |
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72FordGTS
Admin Group GTS.org Admin Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 5802 |
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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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Vince
1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
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kychevyguy
Senior Member Joined: 16-December-2013 Location: Lexington KY Status: Offline Points: 1996 |
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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. 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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JT, USAF Ret./Architect
1971 Ford F100 "Lizzy" 1971 Cougar XR7 "Kitty" 1984 Chevy Silverado "Sylvia" 2009 Smart Fortwo Cabrio "Lil Dude" 2015 Volvo XC60 R-Design "Sven" |
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454s4ever
New Member Joined: 10-April-2015 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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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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75GranMan
Senior Member Joined: 05-April-2011 Location: Colchester, CT Status: Offline Points: 1225 |
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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!
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John 75Gran Torino 4spd
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californiajohnny
Moderator Group Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14606 |
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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 |
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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 |
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GTW
Senior Member Joined: 21-January-2012 Location: SC Status: Offline Points: 5784 |
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There's some pretty cars in his website link.
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Griffin
1973 Gran Torino station wagon 1972 Gran Torino 4 Door 1971 Maverick 2 Door |
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Regul8r
Admin Group Moderator Joined: 26-December-2007 Location: Sarasota FL Status: Offline Points: 6624 |
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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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Carl Corey (Moderator/Event Coordinator) Contact ANYTIME!
1976 Ford Elite "Lola Mae" 97 Suzuki Intruder 1400 US Army Retired |
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Big Bird
Senior Member Joined: 25-August-2013 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 4194 |
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Welcome!
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"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind."
Randy 1979 T-Bird 2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds? |
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mcford
Senior Member Joined: 31-May-2003 Location: Utica, Michigan Status: Offline Points: 2160 |
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NICE!!! So, you're on the west side of the state?
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Mike
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454s4ever
New Member Joined: 10-April-2015 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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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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mcford
Senior Member Joined: 31-May-2003 Location: Utica, Michigan Status: Offline Points: 2160 |
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where at? I'm over in Utica/Shelby Township.
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Mike
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