New Member! Greetings from Michigan
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
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=18155
Printed Date: 22-April-2024 at 10:13PM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New Member! Greetings from Michigan
Posted By: Conner
Subject: New Member! Greetings from Michigan
Date 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 |
Replies:
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 06-July-2019 at 11:56AM
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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 |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 06-July-2019 at 1:42PM
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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 |
Posted By: 1973gts
Date Posted: 07-July-2019 at 12:56AM
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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 |
Posted By: legend onirot
Date Posted: 07-July-2019 at 2:12AM
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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" |
Posted By: Steve M.
Date Posted: 07-July-2019 at 3:04AM
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Welcome. Enjoy your Elite. They are a nice ride and fun to drive. ------------- Steve M. |
Posted By: Travis91
Date Posted: 07-July-2019 at 12:14PM
| 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 |
Posted By: Conner
Date Posted: 08-July-2019 at 4:02PM
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 |
Posted By: 1973gts
Date Posted: 08-July-2019 at 5:06PM
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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 |
Posted By: gpd294
Date Posted: 09-July-2019 at 12:43AM
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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 |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 09-July-2019 at 11:30AM
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Looks to be in great shape, nice car! ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: Steve M.
Date Posted: 09-July-2019 at 11:45AM
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Nice ride. ------------- Steve M. |
Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 09-July-2019 at 3:56PM
| Great car to start the Ford lovefest. Looking forward to your project thread. |
Posted By: Conner
Date Posted: 18-July-2019 at 8:14AM
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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 |
Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 18-July-2019 at 9:23AM
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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.
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Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 18-July-2019 at 4:05PM
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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 |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 21-July-2019 at 6:38AM
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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 |
Posted By: Conner
Date Posted: 22-July-2019 at 2:31PM
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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 |
Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 22-July-2019 at 3:14PM
| Rock Auto has heavy duty radiators for under $200 shipped. You could always go with aluminum too. |
Posted By: Conner
Date Posted: 31-July-2019 at 3:57AM
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Hmm someone suggested that I try the radiator leak fluid that you can get. Anyone know if this works? Thanks ------------- Conner Van Hine |
Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 31-July-2019 at 4:09AM
| 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. |
Posted By: mean steve
Date Posted: 01-August-2019 at 3:11AM
| 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. |
Posted By: Bensport
Date Posted: 01-August-2019 at 5:21AM
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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 |
Posted By: torinomike650
Date Posted: 01-August-2019 at 12:08PM
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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 |
Posted By: Conner
Date Posted: 02-August-2019 at 3:46AM
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I appreciate the feedback guys . I'll definitely be staying away from stop leak stuff. ------------- Conner Van Hine |
Posted By: Conner
Date Posted: 12-August-2019 at 8:17AM
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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 |
Posted By: Steve M.
Date Posted: 12-August-2019 at 9:25AM
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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. |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 12-August-2019 at 11:59AM
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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 |
Posted By: 1973gts
Date Posted: 12-August-2019 at 2:17PM
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Good luck with your training and will be looking forward to your project posts when you get back. ------------- Dave - 1973 GTS N code |
Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 12-August-2019 at 2:20PM
| 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. |
Posted By: Conner
Date Posted: 01-December-2019 at 4:37PM
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Well, after 107 days of training I have returned to Michigan. Just in time for the snow it seems! Now a proud member of the Infantry :). Parents surprised me and had carburetor rebuilt + transmission looked at on the Elite- woohoo! It's in storage for the winter now, anyone have any tips for storing a car for a longish period of time? Hope everyones lives have been going well, absolutely can not wait to be able to work on/drive my Elite again once the Michigan winter has had it's day .------------- Conner Van Hine |
Posted By: 1973gts
Date Posted: 02-December-2019 at 1:45AM
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Congratulations on your completing your training, I'm sure it feels good to be home. The only thing I would do on the storage aspect is to possibly put dryer sheets in the car, trunk, and engine compartment area to discourage pests from taking up residence, not sure how secure your storage area is. Also possibly pull the battery and keep it on a battery maintainer - Dave ------------- Dave - 1973 GTS N code |
Posted By: Steve M.
Date Posted: 02-December-2019 at 2:11AM
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Congratulations and welcome home. If it hasn't been done, add some stabilizer to the fuel. Coming from the north, I know what the winter can do to the roads and what the salt will do to your car. Wait until all the snow and salt has been washed away. Then enjoy your car. ------------- Steve M. |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 07-December-2019 at 3:16PM
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Congratulations on completing your training. What a great surprise about your Elite. I have used the drier sheets too for rodents. I usually change the oil, check to make sure the tires have lots of air, ad gas stabilizer and fill the tank, run the car to make sure the gas stabilizer gets in the carb, pull the battery and put it on a battery tender. ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: torinomike650
Date Posted: 09-December-2019 at 3:04PM
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Congrats Conner! Check out this video recently done by Hagerty on preparing your car for winter storage - https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2019/10/29/5-tips-to-prepare-your-vintage-ride-for-storage?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=19_November_2_Weekend_News" rel="nofollow - https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2019/10/29/5-tips-to-prepare-your-vintage-ride-for-storage?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=19_November_2_Weekend_News I'm out in California, so (thankfully) I've never REALLY had to worry about this sort of stuff 😂😂 but my Torino did sit in the driveway for most of 9 years before I got started on the restoration this year, so it would have been super helpful to even this CA resident to know a lot of this stuff years ago! It's over 30 min long, so definitely watch it thoroughly when you have a good amount of time and refer back to it as needed. Good luck preparing for the winter and enjoy eagerly counting down the days til you get to enjoy the car again 😊👍 ------------- Mike 1974 Ford Gran Torino |
Posted By: Conner
Date Posted: 10-December-2019 at 4:54AM
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Thanks for the feedback! ------------- Conner Van Hine |
Posted By: Conner
Date Posted: 30-December-2019 at 11:54AM
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Hello! Hope everyone had a good Christmas . My parents found an Elite emblem at some antique store and gave it to me for Christmas, which made me realize that my ‘76 has no “Elite” markings on either side. I feel dumb for not noticing that earlier but what can I say I’m 18 haha. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows whether or not it’s even supposed to have the emblem on it. I know that the ‘74 had “Gran Torino Elite”, but did the 75/76 have markings? I’ve found pictures of them with as well as without.  ------------- Conner Van Hine |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 30-December-2019 at 2:11PM
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They should have Fender Emblems as far as I know. That doesn't mean every car left the factory with them. There seems to be never any absolute rules with Ford cars made during in this era. Here is the brochure cover, you can see the emblems on this car:  Here is the full brochure link and every pic shows the emblem. http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/ford/76el/76el.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/ford/76el/76el.html ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |