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s3hoch
New Member Joined: 10-January-2021 Location: Kansas Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: 10-January-2021 at 2:10AM |
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Hello all,
I'm in the process of evaluating a restoration of my '73 Gran Torino, white, 2 dr with a 351C 2v. I've owned the car since about 1988. It has been parked since '95 on my in-law's farm. The rust and rats took their toll over the years and I'm finally at a place where I can maybe tackle fixing it up. Hoping I can get my 15 year old son interested in helping me but the smart devices have control over his interests right now. Thanks for having me! -Scott
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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 Scott! I have upgraded you to a full member so you have full forum privilege's and can post pics.
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Vince
1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
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1973gts
Senior Member Joined: 05-March-2018 Location: Grand Rapids Mi Status: Offline Points: 608 |
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Welcome to the forum, Scott, we do love pics so be sure to post some as soon as you can. Ref your son, put some tools in his hands and get them dirty, he may just discover something better than electronic distractions that actually accomplishes something. Good luck with the car, lots of help and advice here.
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Dave - 1973 GTS N code
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72 RS 351
Senior Member Joined: 04-September-2014 Location: Knoxville TN Status: Offline Points: 2765 |
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Welcome Scott, and best of luck getting your son involved with you. Find something that he likes about cars, and see if you can find an angle that will peak his interest, like a stereo system. I had four door speakers in my 72 Gran Torino, those with flat door panels have a perfect spot at the rear for big round speakers. If your son loves music, maybe he'd like to tackle the stereo, which in those all of the components need to be replaced(wiring etc). That would have him working all over the interior, which the restoration process is in the way of(hint).
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Don
73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W |
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s3hoch
New Member Joined: 10-January-2021 Location: Kansas Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Here she is, as she sits. It's going to be a project. It was parked due to backfiring when I was quite young, newly married,and penniless to fix it. I finally have reached a spot in life where I have the space, money, and time that I can at least give it a shot.
I think I can handle the engine rebuild attempt and interior. Body isn't my thing but I'm willing to learn. Recently I had him put together some furniture and he took to the tools immediately and even figured out some of the harder challenges he was faced with on his own, so I'm hoping this may peak his interest even further. He's a great helper when tasked. Hoping this will expand his skills and build up our relationship as well. Stereo is a great idea! I've noticed there are shaft style Bluetooth radios available, which he would love. Maybe he talks me into some other tech too? At a minimum, he can find youtube videos for me to watch |
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72 RS 351
Senior Member Joined: 04-September-2014 Location: Knoxville TN Status: Offline Points: 2765 |
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Very good, it looks like a shop vac is one of the first steps. For the stereo deck, most shaft types won't be that great or the choices will be very few. I'd consider accepting a DIN sized hole there and expand the choices greatly. I bought a second Kenwood HU like one I got for my 92 Lincoln. It may work in my Ranchero if I'm lucky. It has a 7" screen that folds out, but it might not clear the dash. My HU is an older 10+ year old model, newer models come out so often it's best to look at newer choices. But I wanted the big screen and the DIN opening size, these days those are more rare now. If your rear quarter panels, the wheel openings, are shot, you might hunt another 72-74 Gran Torino that has good front fenders. Those can be used to fix the rear openings, there's a thread here from 2013 that covered that.
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Don
73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W |
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californiajohnny
Moderator Group Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14606 |
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welcome!
saw the first pic... hmmm pretty decent, then the second pic... but roof is good and fenders but those quarters are gone but tabco does make 73 style full lower patch panels which would fix all that lower rust mess. SAVE THOSE WHEEL TRIM... they can be restored, and hard to find replacements!!! sop vac hell i'd start with the stihl leaf blower then finish up with the shop vac those rats and mice really pack er in there i have a couple local car buddy's that their sons are into it with them as well as their own car projects too and they are working on stuff together just like best friends! that's really cool to see in this day and age and one of them is your son's age too. Edited by californiajohnny - 10-January-2021 at 12:08PM |
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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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s3hoch
New Member Joined: 10-January-2021 Location: Kansas Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Shop vac for sure! My first step is actually inside. I'll vacuum out a significant rabbit/mouse dung pile, remove the seat, (deal with whatever I find under it), rip out the carpet and get a good look at the floorpans. Stereo: I prefer that old school look. Adding a screen in there, as cool as it could be, kind of makes me cringe, no offense. I'll definitely be looking to add some sound though. My old 6x9's in the shelf are g.o.n.e. and I managed to work in a stereo store at one point so I can certainly get the windows rattling again. Great tip on the wheel openings. They are pretty much shot and I've been wondering about alternatives. Any link you could provide would be great...I'm still browsing/bookmarking a few hundred articles. I can tell already this will be a great resource. Thank you all for the warm welcome. My third garage that will be the workspace, is packed with stuff until my oldest son moves said stuff out in July, but in the meantime I'll be prepping and scouring.
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s3hoch
New Member Joined: 10-January-2021 Location: Kansas Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Thanks John - I've started to call it Darth Vader: There's a lot of bad but if you look close there's a whole lot of good in there too. Will save that wheel trim!
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californiajohnny
Moderator Group Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14606 |
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yes nobody repops them!!! i've sold any dinged up ones i get for $50EA. fast as i can find them! mine were missing and i paid $625 for a used set for my car (later sold them) as i came across a find of a lifetime... set of 4 NOS wheel trim |
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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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dan0R30
Senior Member Joined: 30-June-2020 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 634 |
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Welcome Scott! Reminds me of my 79 Ranchero I used to have. Had been sitting on a family farm in Kansas and had my share of nests and rust to clean up! Can't wait to see your progress.
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Dan
1970 Ford Torino hardtop - 351C 4V - FMX - 9" 3.89 TrueTrac |
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Steve M.
Senior Member Joined: 08-June-2019 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1740 |
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Welcome to the group. Your going to have a great time with that one.
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Steve M.
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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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welcome. get that 73 back on the road.
the other guys are correct... you will have fun getting rid of the rust and rebuilding this car
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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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