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Noob from the uk with a 73 Gran Torino

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Category: General Discussion
Forum Name: The Welcome Mat
Forum Description: New members, please post here and introduce yourselves
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=12984
Printed Date: 28-March-2024 at 7:13PM
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Topic: Noob from the uk with a 73 Gran Torino
Posted By: Nuggets
Subject: Noob from the uk with a 73 Gran Torino
Date Posted: 08-November-2014 at 5:51AM
Noob from the UK with a 73 Gran Torino, it's a smog era engine but it is the cleveland!

Plan is to rebuild the engine for more power, got some Aussie heads on the way and planning on making it a high revving little monster with 400-450 at the crank. It's a brougham spec car too and the tired old interior will be getting a makeover with leather bucket seats as the front bench is too far gone to justify repairing it ATM.



Replies:
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 09-November-2014 at 4:22AM
welcome! post some pics when you can

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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


Posted By: Big Bird
Date Posted: 09-November-2014 at 4:24AM
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?


Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 09-November-2014 at 4:26AM
Excellent, welcome, and I love Cleveland's. Get a stoker kit for it or use a Windsor block stroker near 408-427 sized, and then only the intake is the hard part.


-------------
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


Posted By: GTW
Date Posted: 09-November-2014 at 5:03AM
Welcome to the board

-------------
Griffin
1973 Gran Torino station wagon
1972 Gran Torino 4 Door
1971 Maverick 2 Door


Posted By: Ranchero Fan
Date Posted: 09-November-2014 at 5:35AM
Welcome. Another '73 Cool

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Brian   1973 Ford Ranchero Big Block. ''THE OTHER WOMAN''


Posted By: Regul8r
Date Posted: 09-November-2014 at 5:55AM
WELCOME to the Family!


-------------
Carl Corey (Moderator/Event Coordinator) Contact ANYTIME!
1976 Ford Elite "Lola Mae"
97 Suzuki Intruder 1400
US Army Retired


Posted By: legend onirot
Date Posted: 09-November-2014 at 7:19AM
welcome aboard

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---------------------
malcolm
1973 gran torino sport (formal)... "Stacy Lynn"
1972 gran torino (formal)... "Mackenzie"
1973 gran torino sport (sportroof)... "Leela"


Posted By: Regul8r
Date Posted: 09-November-2014 at 7:25AM
BTW... we as the GTS.ORG Family are more than willing to help send you parts you need if we can!
You now have friends "across the pond" as they say!
 


-------------
Carl Corey (Moderator/Event Coordinator) Contact ANYTIME!
1976 Ford Elite "Lola Mae"
97 Suzuki Intruder 1400
US Army Retired


Posted By: kychevyguy
Date Posted: 09-November-2014 at 1:47PM
Welcome to the forum.

-------------
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"


Posted By: unlovedford
Date Posted: 10-November-2014 at 2:52AM
Welcome!!


-------------
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)


Posted By: 75ranchero460
Date Posted: 10-November-2014 at 7:46AM
Welcome!

-------------
Gary

Ranchero=Fun

1975 Ranchero GT 460

1971 Torino GT

1962 (custom) Econoline

1967 Cougar

2002 Honda Shadow ACE 750 (sold)


Posted By: Nuggets
Date Posted: 10-November-2014 at 9:18AM
Thanks for the warm welcome guys :) parts would be very welcome! I've noticed there's a lot of parts in the US that I can't get over here

Anyway I'll try and get a couple of pics up later

Mods on the way are a 74 front end and some sports wing mirrors and so far I've upgraded the rear tyres to 255/60/16s :D


Posted By: Nuggets
Date Posted: 10-November-2014 at 10:27AM
So this is it when I picked up the white whale in September, first LHD car I've ever owned and drove it 330 miles home in the dark :) performed perfectly bar the sh*t headlights which I've now got H4 upgrade units for. Note the hubcaps


http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/949A4223-9BD0-41FA-AFA5-372AA08D82AF_zps2vpn3nwa.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">

http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/CFB9BAC8-6D10-4899-92BF-3EA3399E8E32_zpsyuqzj4o9.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">

http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/21168772-7C01-491A-8D1B-88B25CB8F9DE_zpstst7dxva.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">



After a week or so of normal driving the fuel pump died.....so I replaced it with a Holley blue top and pressure reg, lost the hubcaps too so it got a bit more of an industrial look


http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/373182AB-CF2B-4A3C-8A65-993AD917A829_zpsg44jfghx.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">



Following this a little brown trouser moment in the wet prompted me to upgrade the terrible budget tyres on the rear that it came with! 205/70/14s went up to 255/65/16s for some extra grip

New rims were needed too and of course they had to look aggressive!

http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/A7C137C5-E49F-477C-9D1B-7010F66825C6_zps9xkcjvmu.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">
http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/FC1673EA-814C-4682-97DD-5617AF1BA1B2_zpshntlqivg.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">
http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/7E74AACC-4D83-4AE2-94DD-1A97D72FCD6C_zpsvu2ahoga.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">
http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/4ABF1550-78B9-41CE-9EBA-12B7FFE38253_zpsucdkztgj.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">


Just chilling with a mates truck

http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/E97BD1DC-B3DB-4501-AB38-24A23ACC35F0_zpstwszlvkw.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">



And another view of the new rubber


http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/59552FE7-4132-4400-997D-445B303E7E8F_zpspdjdcmm5.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">




Oh at this point I'd worked out I've got a nice little leak from the windscreen seal.....so that needs sorting



But look at the goodies!

http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/837E92A9-ECF2-4EB0-890E-E9E07CC80ADC_zpsa3oize92.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">


Got this far


http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2B2F2588-47C5-47D5-B81F-5E626298E46C_zpsvhsqzpfk.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">
http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/28ED038D-77C8-4594-8430-D855003EE990_zpsw44l4n1v.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">



Snapped a bolt in the passenger side head so had to remove it.....bastard job



New vs old




http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BBC29C76-4DF3-4442-BEAE-3E8D98500B15_zpsqexn2t7d.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">
http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/E154BC78-65C6-4D8C-9A82-B2E10A97D6A2_zps5qiwekgd.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">



Bolt removed and new stuff added! Just waiting on a few little bits like kickdown adaptor and throttle ball


http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/F2661840-1A42-4108-BD7F-B595F21183FF_zps0elwx9jg.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">



Just a couple of random ones now



http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/63669726-E6FD-4FD2-8A5C-0F435D9904C9_zpsxnz4dj8g.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">

http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/F0381299-8851-4DEE-B1DE-F7024334E2C7_zpsppvd49g4.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">

http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Chaotic_Crayfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/7B37EC68-F8F4-400D-AEBE-A3C13BFE3F8B_zpsn8m87rwc.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: unlovedford
Date Posted: 10-November-2014 at 10:29AM
Very nice!

-------------
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)


Posted By: legend onirot
Date Posted: 10-November-2014 at 10:37AM
looks to be a nice solid car...  thanks for sharing!

-------------
---------------------
malcolm
1973 gran torino sport (formal)... "Stacy Lynn"
1972 gran torino (formal)... "Mackenzie"
1973 gran torino sport (sportroof)... "Leela"


Posted By: kychevyguy
Date Posted: 10-November-2014 at 10:42AM
Looking really good there. When you get a chance, you should upgrade your front wheels/tyres for the same that you have on the back. They look great.

-------------
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"


Posted By: Nuggets
Date Posted: 10-November-2014 at 10:48AM
Thanks, it's a Cali car so nice and solid. I'll be getting it steam cleaned and under sealed properly next spring as it'll be off the road over winter

The front wheels will be changed over soon enough, just upgrading it slowly! Fronts will probably be after ie rebuilt the Aussie heads I've just bought and re done the interior

It's a brougham spec but the front bench is long past it and uneconomical to repair so I'm dropping in some classic looking tombstone leather bucket seats from a Porsche


Posted By: GTW
Date Posted: 10-November-2014 at 11:04AM
It's refreshing to see another one in Europe.

-------------
Griffin
1973 Gran Torino station wagon
1972 Gran Torino 4 Door
1971 Maverick 2 Door


Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 10-November-2014 at 3:50PM
Great work, and pictures too.


-------------
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


Posted By: Grantorinosport351
Date Posted: 11-November-2014 at 2:23AM
very nice! and nice upgrades too!Thumbs Up

-------------
~Bryan
72 gts h-code (formal roof)
67falcon
04 f250 ''the great white''


Posted By: Nuggets
Date Posted: 11-November-2014 at 2:33AM
Cheers :) they're just the start! It'll be coming out of the bay next year for some more serious ones like flat tops and a nice roller cam plus 2000 stall
 
Wouldn't mind an OD either if I can afford one but they're over a grand!
 
I'm going to try and get it running again this weekend with the new headers on so there might be a video, we all know what a 351c sounds like but everyone loves V8 sound clips ;)


Posted By: benzesrule
Date Posted: 11-November-2014 at 3:13AM
Welcome to a fellow 73 brougham owner!!!


-------------
Phil


Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 11-November-2014 at 4:04AM
Originally posted by Nuggets Nuggets wrote:

Cheers :) they're just the start! It'll be coming out of the bay next year for some more serious ones like flat tops and a nice roller cam plus 2000 stall
 
Wouldn't mind an OD either if I can afford one but they're over a grand!
 
I'm going to try and get it running again this weekend with the new headers on so there might be a video, we all know what a 351c sounds like but everyone loves V8 sound clips ;)


Oh, start it with the open headers first, that's a sweet real V8 sound.


-------------
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


Posted By: Nuggets
Date Posted: 11-November-2014 at 4:08AM
That was my plan! Going to have to drive it to the exhaust shop on opens as I haven't got a ramp or any stainless wire to sort out the exhaust with :)
 
Sure the neighbours will love it.....I certainly will Wink


Posted By: Nuggets
Date Posted: 23-November-2014 at 7:52AM
New exhaust :)


https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=936474213031069


Posted By: Nuggets
Date Posted: 23-November-2014 at 7:52AM
May have to copy and paste the link, couldn't do a proper hyper as I'm on my phone


Posted By: moltimedia
Date Posted: 29-November-2014 at 8:32AM
Nice, one more white 73 in Europe Handshake,

mine still has the original 2v set up, how much more horses wil there be and what kind of carb are you using now?

Regards , Coen


-------------
1973 Ford Gran Torino Stationwagon - Daily
1960 VW Beach Buggy - Sunny Daily
1985 Lotus Excel - Fast daily


Posted By: millsy
Date Posted: 29-November-2014 at 10:07AM
Hi from another uk torino owner

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http://s344.photobucket.com/user/millsyz28/media/image.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: Nuggets
Date Posted: 29-November-2014 at 10:13AM
I'm aiming for a 500hp build, decided to put that on hold though! Or at least partly.....first I'll fit new pistons and get the block reworked up to 9.5:1 CR on the stock heads which should take it, means the block will be ready for new heads etc when cash is ready! 
Carb atm is a 550cfm Edelbrock which I pinched off my spare V8, it'll be getting swapped over to a 750cfm carb at a later date :)

But I've made an executive decision to upgrade the brakes before I upgrade the power! :) seems like a smarter move to me haha

The white may not stay white for much longer.........I'm still undecided on a new colour

Hi Millsy, where in the UK are you ? Looks like a 73 or 72 you've got too! If its a 72 I'm very jealous haha


Posted By: millsy
Date Posted: 29-November-2014 at 10:21AM
Hi nuggets, I'm in lincolnshire. Whereabouts are you,   Mines a 72.

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http://s344.photobucket.com/user/millsyz28/media/image.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: Nuggets
Date Posted: 29-November-2014 at 10:36AM
You got the good looking one in that case! 

I'm a bit further north, cumbria area


Posted By: millsy
Date Posted: 29-November-2014 at 8:14PM
Not too far away ,   Nice motor

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http://s344.photobucket.com/user/millsyz28/media/image.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: Nuggets
Date Posted: 29-November-2014 at 10:54PM
Is it worth keeping the car all standard or dropping in a manual box? I don't reckon it'd hurt the value and I don't reckon removing the knackered old bench in favour of bucket seats and a cage.....

I'm not planning on selling the car but if I do everything will be easy enough to put back to standard 


Posted By: pete rad
Date Posted: 06-December-2014 at 4:51PM
Welcome to the forum.



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