Here it is..my '73 GTS Fastback!
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
Forum Description: Technical discussion for 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=1851
Printed Date: 23-April-2024 at 9:59PM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Here it is..my '73 GTS Fastback!
Posted By: crispy23c
Subject: Here it is..my '73 GTS Fastback!
Date Posted: 29-December-2008 at 11:15PM
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Well, she's not (yet) the prettiest gal on the block, but it's a solid, originally southern car. All original sheetmetal except hood and 1 door. Shows just north of 70k on the odometer. I call it "the speckled beast".
This is an original bucket, floor shift auto, 351 CJ car. Has the original drivetrain (mild rebuild, stock). Factory air (missing), AM/FM, full guages. Originally black on black (no paint code, interesting), now painted some kind of tractor black (not kidding), which was done to keep the body from rusting. Tore the interior out the 2nd day I had it...floors are pretty solid with some surface rust. This will be cleaned and beautified in the next week or two.
I am the 4th owner...rust you see in the engine bay is very light surface rust, bay is extremely straight and should come out great...
Got this car and a donor GTS fastback that I stripped the hell out of (got factory rear glass defrost!).
Hoping to have it done by summer, if I can locate correct buckets!
 Anyway, enjoy! I am looking forward to making this one look great (mild custom) and go faster.
Chris
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Replies:
Posted By: GranTorinoMan
Date Posted: 30-December-2008 at 5:18AM
| Your 73 looks about the same shape as mine when I started. I made the mistake of taking my car apart and it stayed that way for 10 years. Keep driving your car while you gather parts, you'll enjoy your cars restoration a lot more. |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 30-December-2008 at 11:59AM
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Thanks for the advice. I have a few more things to do to make it more roadworthy, and with winter in NH, I got a little time. Come spring, I want to get it out on the road and start sorting it out mechanically for the driving characteristics I like. I really do intend to get this finished by the summer. If I don't, you can tell me you told me so!
Chris
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Posted By: starsky76
Date Posted: 30-December-2008 at 2:33PM
| Nice to see some pics,looks like a solid car to start with.I'd definitely keep it black when it comes time to repaint,just one of my top 3 colors!!!Keep us posted of your progress in the coming months. |
Posted By: k9one
Date Posted: 31-December-2008 at 3:09AM
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You have a really good solid starting point. The car looks nice. Good luck on getting it to were you want it.
Brad ------------- 1972 GTS Fastback Custom |
Posted By: mcford
Date Posted: 01-January-2009 at 2:59AM
| paint code is blank because black wasnt a standardcolor. it was a special ordercolor on 73 torino's as well as 72's. that is also the reason for the chrome mirror, as the sport mirrors were painted on a seperate line and not with the rest of the car. |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 01-January-2009 at 11:22AM
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Thanks for the info, mcford! I want to mildly customize it, but nothing that cannot be undone....blacked out bumpers (can't decide on the bumpreettes yet), maybe grill, partially blacked out headlight trim, and I am leaning towards Torque Thrust II, polished 15x8 all around
This is roughly what I want it to look like when I am done, but add a Mach 1 scoop to the hood:  ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 01-January-2009 at 12:05PM
Here is the front, can't decide on the bumperettes yet, and needs that scoop: ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 03-January-2009 at 10:44PM
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Started the heater core yesterday, still waiting for my shop manuals but I remembered (most) of the details from my Mustangs...
By later last night I figured out that the blower motor has to come out first. D'oh! That's okay, I need to put in a new radiator today anyway, so I have some stuff to do.
Problem is, I am very tall, so getting under that dash takes me some time! I feel like a contortionist under there! At least when I am done I will have heat!------------- |
Posted By: GranTorinoMan
Date Posted: 04-January-2009 at 4:11AM
If you paint to much of your chrome your Torino will look more like a 74 Mustang Ghia II
 Not that the Ghia isn't cool, its kinda ugly in my opinion.
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crispy23c wrote:Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 04-January-2009 at 8:33AM
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Funny you said that, when I first did this rendering up I squinted at this and said: "74 mach1"...hmmmmmmm ------------- |
Posted By: starsky76
Date Posted: 04-January-2009 at 9:28AM
| Heat is a plus,I'm tall also I would've took out the pass seat!Does your car have all the side mouldings?The latest pics show it with them and the earlier pics don't.I'd do it all black with no side chrome except for the wheel lip mouldings,all the other stock trim and chrome bumpers,that would be hot!! |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 04-January-2009 at 11:55AM
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Ahhh, another tall guy cramming himself into the footwells of a Torino! Nice Idea about pulling the seat, but I use the bench as a butt rest and jam my torso underneath the dash. Not the most comfy, but it works
The newer pics are just of a car for sale that I "enhanced" to look black. I do have the side moulding, and most of it is pretty good, but I was leaning towards leaving it off and just using the wheel mouldings. 2 of these are nice and 2 need help, I have got to figure out who can straighten them out (small dents), because I am smart enough to know it ain't me!
I was thinking of polished Torque Thrust IIs or magnums for the wheels, 15x8 with a 4" offset all around, drop it in the front & rear (maybe later). The chrome....I can't decide for sure. But I got time and I like to render! I did not end up getting it out today, I have 2 boys who really wanted to go sledding on the last day before they return to school after Xmas vacation. I did manage to remove the dash (for R&R), pull out the blower motor, and loosen all of the bolts holding the HVAC unit except (I think) a couple of them. Can't seem to find the damn things, no matter where I look! Luckily I have the luxury of time, so I can get to it when I can, I am just (by nature) an impatient person....
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Posted By: Eliteman76
Date Posted: 04-January-2009 at 2:59PM
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Ah, I recall my youth under the dash of the Family 1976 Ford Elite, I'm 6'2", and I used to in my teen years simply sit on the car seat feet in the air, back on the bottom cushion {sort of anyways} and more or less laying part way on the floor.
I find it's a hell of a lot easier to get under the dash when the seats are unbolted and not in the car.
 As far as the heater core thing, watch it, there are some 3/8" headed bolts on the inside of the engine compartment you are goinh yo have to remove.
One is under the housing in the engine compartment, but on the underside out if site.
Down by the passenger side valve cover.
Trust me, its a bit of a paint in the butt at times.
When you get the case out of the car, make sure you have capped the old lines. I spilled a bunch of antifreeze in one of my Elites one time, harder than heck to get that smell out for a while.
Andy -------------  Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed RestomodPondering: #99Problems |
Posted By: Eliteman76
Date Posted: 04-January-2009 at 3:16PM
Oh, here ya go for hvac instructions.
  ------------- Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed RestomodPondering: #99Problems |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 06-January-2009 at 3:10PM
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Whoa, is that LOVE or what?!?
You DA MAN!!!!!
I was thinking of looking in the engine compartment, but what with work and all I did not have the time. And then, there is a Cobrajetthingy in the engine bay blocking my access. It makes lots of noise when you turn this "key" inside the driver's compartment!
Hey, by the way, I got some great news, I located a set of buckets and console mounting hardware locally. Oh, YEAH!
Now all I got to do is get the damn heater housing out, R&R it, slap it back in and I am out of the stone age!
Thanks for the scan, Eliteman! MUCH appreciated! ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 06-January-2009 at 3:27PM
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Oh, wait! Looks like they are both under there? You said one was behind the valve cover, looks like- from the drawing- 2 are down there? ------------- |
Posted By: Eliteman76
Date Posted: 07-January-2009 at 5:49AM
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Chris-
There is one bolt, down low out of site from up top; it is more or less right in line with the valve cover from a 351c.
There are two more on the top half of the case in the engine compartment, but I don't think those have to be removed to take out the heater box assembly.
------------- Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed RestomodPondering: #99Problems |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 07-January-2009 at 12:02PM
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Okay, gotcha! Thanks again....by the way, my shop manuals just showed up this afternoon (drool) along with a few other goodies, so I won't have to pester anyone about the more common knowledge. I really appreciate all the help, though.
Heat, here we come! ------------- |
Posted By: JimW
Date Posted: 07-January-2009 at 4:15PM
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Cool car! IMHO, a little chrome on the black car is better than body color bumpers..
Can't wait to see the progress!
Jim ------------- 1976 S&H Gran Torino 460/C6/4.33 13.05@105.6 545/C6/3.56 11.52@117.8 More to come!!!! 463rwhp/495rwtq two tons of fun see it and hear it at: www.torinocobra.com www.st |
Posted By: SPLUHAR
Date Posted: 08-January-2009 at 1:27AM
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I like the way this bumper looks: http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2004/05/BumperMod/index.shtml - http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2004/05/BumperMod/index.shtml
and less weight where you least need it. ------------- 1976 ELITE, 71 429 w/cam, quadrajet, 4 wheel Mark V disc brakes, 3.25 trac lok, gutted & 12.9'd Mustang steering box |
Posted By: Torinogts73c
Date Posted: 08-January-2009 at 9:56AM
 ------------- Gary 73 Gran Torino Sport 351CJ,17 Mustang Ecoboost,15 Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD, Ford Ranger parts hauler "Never complain Never explain" Henry Ford |
Posted By: Torinogts73c
Date Posted: 08-January-2009 at 9:58AM
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This how I fixed my bumper, it was a little easier than the way the other one was done. ------------- Gary 73 Gran Torino Sport 351CJ,17 Mustang Ecoboost,15 Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD, Ford Ranger parts hauler "Never complain Never explain" Henry Ford |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 14-January-2009 at 9:40PM
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Well that looks sweet. After all the consideration, I think I am going to end up with the original chrome look- with the bumperettes and all.
I Just can't get away from that.....I think I found a NOS rear bumper (working on getting that today/tomorrow)...now I have to find a GOOD place in the northeast (MA/NH/VT/ME/CT/RI) that can chrome the front bumper and do a NICE job...not as easy as it sounds, but I got time. If anyone knows for sure of a good place that does not take 8-10 months let me know.
And now that I am back from my business trip, I got to get back to replacing my heater core, radiator, hoses and change my oil & time it.
I just need the time to do it!  ------------- |
Posted By: mitchdublin
Date Posted: 15-January-2009 at 12:29AM
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Body looks good, I would go with black also. How was the interior, door panels. Can you save them. Starsky76 is right, while i was working on my 76 and getting the odd spin out, it seemed easier than the last few months with everything stripped. Once i took out the seats and steering wheel, it would be too much trouble to go out for an hour. Good luck with it. Mitch |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 15-January-2009 at 12:45PM
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Thanks, Mitch! I left the bench seat in for driving, but I gutted the whole interior, pretty much. Door panels are actually good. There are speaker holes cut in them, but they are in the exact spot as factory, and I scarfed up some factory speaker grills, so I am good.
The parts GTS car had some REALLY NICE interior bits, so I gutted that one, too. I actually have another spare door panel (it's junk), so I now have (5) Door panels and (2) consoles sitting in my house.
Don't ask
My wife, god love her, understands.....am I lucky or what?!?!? Well, so far, unless her patience runs out, then I go for a permnanent nap in the pond! Just kidding, she actually likes to help out! No, she doesn't have any sisters
Parts are being cleaned/refinished/labelled when ever I get the chance, for later re-assembly, but the car will keep the bench seat so I can tool around if I feel the need...
It would be too easy to not drive it if the seat came out, and (drum roll....) I located a pair of original buckets.
Oh, these are not nice looking. Not nice at all. In fact, they have moss -yes, moss, that green plant stuff- growing on the white vinyl. About 1" thick. But they are solid, and the frames & rails look good. I just have to pick them up in the next week or 2 and scrape off the plant growth and begin the bucket seat resto. Then, the bench comes out and the correct, original buckets go in! Eventually...
Maybe I will call the car "swamp thing"! Adrienne Barbeau, where are you now???
 ------------- |
Posted By: dannys73
Date Posted: 15-January-2009 at 4:10PM
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I have been out of the market for a while but bumper rechromers should be pretty plentiful in the NE. If you have a friend with a bodyshop they can get you in touch with a bumper repair place. Or you can just look in yellow pages in Automotive section for bumper repair or body parts sales. Typically, when I was employed with Keystone Automotive, we could have bumpers rechromed in about 2-4 weeks for our customers...sometimes sooner. You will want to make sure that the shop can triple chrome for show quality. Costs a little more but is stronger and shinier. I hope this helps. ------------- 1973 GTS Q Code Cobrajet w/ 4 Speed |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 16-January-2009 at 12:22PM
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Thanks. I have heard some horror stories about some chroming places (lost items, overcharged credit cards, grinder marks, etc.). I know 2 people in the body repair biz, I have to ask them, figured I would throw it out there...triple plate is definitely the plan. ------------- |
Posted By: starsky76
Date Posted: 16-January-2009 at 3:45PM
| I had mine done on long island.I gave them to resto trim who did some of my trim and they sub them out to the chrome place nearby.I paid $325 per bumper,$65 per guard.Took about 6-8 weeks.My brother had his done by a place in hartford for his 68 firebird,but was more money,over$400 per bumper and it took longer,like 3 months. |
Posted By: stanman
Date Posted: 17-January-2009 at 5:46AM
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I bought a rechromed rear bumper for my '72 GTS from Bumper Boyz when they were at the Charlotte Auto Fair last spring. If I remember right it was $360 plus my old bumper for a core. They're in Los Angeles but they travel to shows all over the US and will bring a bumper for your application with them if they have one. Their schedule is posted on their website http://www.bumperboyz.com/ - http://www.bumperboyz.com/ and shows some stops on the east coast. You have to contact them for a price list. I never thought to ask if they did triple chrome, but mine looks really nice with no flaws.
Stan
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Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 17-January-2009 at 12:14PM
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Thanks for the tip I see they are in Massachusetts in May. Pretty good timing, too.
I am still tracking a NOS rear for about $300, if I can pull that one off all I need to worry about is the front. I will keep them in mind... ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 30-January-2009 at 12:00AM
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No luck on the bumper. I will contact these guys.
Good news, I FINALLY got to finishing up my heater. Well, actually, I did a new aluminum radiator, thermostat, heater core, heater and radiator hoses, fluid & oil change, wires, plugs, and pertronix ignition and re-timed.
Of course, when had the heater box out, I cleaned, detailed, and R&R'd it so it is good as new. Also cleaned up the dash area, pulled out the vents & ducts and cleaned them too while I had the dash pad out. 35 years of dust in there. Yikes!
It runs much better, and I GOT GREAT HEAT!!!! Woohoooooooo!!!!
Just bought a Holley 80555 (650 CFM) Spreadbore carb, doing that this weekend- I hope.
PS- Thanks for the practical advice on the heater core, the tip about the bolt hidden in the engine compartment saved me ALOT of anguish! ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 27-February-2009 at 11:50PM
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Got my bucket seats and Torino console, FINALLY!!! I had found them in a junk yard in Rhode Island (south of Cranston) and the frames are EXCELLENT, the rails are good to great. Scraped about 1" of moss from them (literally).
The guy had to wait until the snow was down enough to get to them, and I was nervous someone else would get them, but he was good for his word and kept them for me. *Phew*
These are correct '73s (not an easy feat) as is the console. I NEVER thought I would find them, let alone semi-locally!
I will post pics of them this weekend, BOY are they UGLY!!! ------------- |
Posted By: starsky76
Date Posted: 28-February-2009 at 3:54PM
| Nice job,do they look like the swamp thing was sitting in them?lol. |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 04-April-2009 at 1:03PM
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YUP! There was about an inch of moss growing on the buckets, but the frames are pretty good. I got that, an original '73 torino console, and a whole A/C setup (and a NICE grill, and, and, and....Lol).
I got laid off about a month ago, so I am taking it easy on expenses for now (until I am gainfully employed again), so I am doing all the do-it-cheap stuff now. Pity, I was hoping to have it restored by June/July, but the way the economy is, who knows when I will get a damn job. On the bright side, I got time to tinker in between job searches. I am restoring the Torino console right now, and alot of small accessory type stuff (horns, alternator, etc, etc, etc). Luckily I can do that stuff cheap!
Promise I will post pics of the buckets soon. The pics are moss free, but you can see the stains from it. UGLY! LOL ------------- |
Posted By: starsky76
Date Posted: 04-April-2009 at 5:27PM
| No more trips to vegas?That sucks,can you tell me now what you were doing that took you there so often? |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 06-April-2009 at 2:16AM
Yes, I can. I was the Director of Mod Shop Operations for Shelby Automobiles for about 2 years. It was to sprout new shops globally to build & upgrade Shelbys and Mustangs (Channel Sales Development).
But the economy REALLY hit Shelby hard, and there have been MASSIVE cuts there. It was a great thing while I had it. I hope things recover for them.
So now you know why I have the extremely low serial# Super Snake, Lol!
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Posted By: starsky76
Date Posted: 06-April-2009 at 1:45PM
| I had a feeling it was shelby related when I saw those pics of mustangs in your garage.Do you really have a supersnake and if you do,how about a ride??Why don't you bring it to carlisle this year so I can drive it?I'll let you take starsky for a ride!! |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 07-April-2009 at 2:07AM
Yes, Ralph, I do own that car. It's a prototype car. It's the only prototype Super Snake convertible in existence, so it does not get out as much as I would like to as I am trying to keep the mileage down.  I don't normally publicize this, but we are a small group of folks here. If you ever get up to NH, give me some notice and we can meet up.
Here's a pic for you of the prototype badge (note the "P" at the end of the serial#): ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 07-April-2009 at 8:33AM
 Here are some pice of my UGLY sesats! Still need to clean them (don't ask why, lol) before restoring them....Frames are pretty good on these. Enjoy!
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Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 07-April-2009 at 8:39AM
Still, I can't believe that these things are 36 years old and have been in this car in a junk yard for YEARS....came out of a '73 GTS FB...it was toast...it was the same car I got the console out of.
 ------------- |
Posted By: starsky76
Date Posted: 07-April-2009 at 2:11PM
| That's an awesome car,your lucky you got your hands on it!What else you doing on the torino for now? |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 07-April-2009 at 9:22PM
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I began prepping the interior, which is nearly completely stripped out (I took out everything but the front seat and dash so I can drive it here and there).
I have been R&R'ing all kinds of miscellaneous parts. My latest is the console, which needed minor repair, I am preparing for paint. After that I will be painting the interior roof and quarters and rear supports with an etching primer. Still need to get the floors done, and I am holding off until I get back to work (I have NO welding skills, LOL).
After that I will be begin detailing the engine bay and installing the new carb I bought before the lay-off. Luckily, all of that stuff is inexpensive to do, and I have nearly all of the materials on hand, so no expenses.
Then after that I will re-work all of the windows to tighten them up and reduce rattles...without any interior you can REALLY hear the road noise! Oh, yeah--headers and glass packs really help, too
Somewhere after that I will begin insulating what I can with the sound deadener you recommended. So I have a decent amount of work to get done and the weather is finally breaking here in NH!
I will be posting more pics as I get it going....I love this thing because it just has that 'vibe' that newer cars don't. Even my wife loves it and she's now helping me with the R&R! ------------- |
Posted By: dannys73
Date Posted: 08-April-2009 at 1:29AM
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Chris,
Sad to hear about the layoff, but usuall when one door closes, a much bigger and better door will open. Where are you going to get your floor pans from. I need a full set and for some reason I can not bring up Blue Ovals site that I had saved in my Favorites. I believe he wanted $500 plus shipping.
Danny ------------- 1973 GTS Q Code Cobrajet w/ 4 Speed |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 08-April-2009 at 4:02AM
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Thanks for the good words, Danny. Never been laid off before, and this economy isn't helping my cause these days. I know I will get back in the ring, I am just wondering how long it'll take...
Here's Blue Oval's web site:
http://www.blueoval6079.com/ - http://www.blueoval6079.com/
Hope that helps!
I actually bought my car and it had a donor car with decent floors so I am all set for the materials, for the most part. I had heard that someone MAY be making floors for our cars, and it was somewhere on this site (I think) that I read it. Don't know if it happened yet, but you got to watch the quality on repro's anyway. ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 27-April-2009 at 10:47AM
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By the way, I got (4) Bumper mounting bolts & clips from Blue Oval6079, they were mediocre at best. One was even broken, but I can rehab them and make due (luckily I had one decent one so I am set).
I will be posting pics of what I have been doing - soon. I never seem to take enough pics (before & after shots). I was stripping the rear axle yesterday & today and yanked out a pair of seized, rusted-out air shocks- and I found the original axle tag, the original grease pencil marks by the shock mounts, and original markings on the rear-end.
Pretty cool stuff!
OH! And I found out another thing that I think all you Torino & Montego owners will LOVE:
I found a way to contact FoMoCo's customer relations to get original build info on my car. If you contact them, they will provide you with all the build information on your car. They keep all the original build sheets all the way back to '67. 2 days after I e-mailed them, they called me at home and reviewed the information I gave them. They will be mailing me all the information on my Torino in 4-6 weeks!
The best part? It's FREE. I will post a thread on this- with Ford contact info- when I get back to my other computer. Is that COOL or what????? Ford ROCKS!  ------------- |
Posted By: starsky76
Date Posted: 27-April-2009 at 1:50PM
| Chris,get pics of all those grease pencil markings,good for future reference.I had heard about that same thing from ford.I'd like to get one for my car too.I needed a new door jamb sticker,so I went with marti anyway,but something right from ford would be awesome!Don't slack,get it posted!lol. |
Posted By: 1975MontegoMX
Date Posted: 27-April-2009 at 3:01PM
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DUDE that is sweet!!!!
Update us on this as soon as you can!
George ------------- 1975 Mercury Montego MX /351 M/ 1986 Ford Crown Victoria /302/"5.0" |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 03-May-2009 at 2:29PM
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Okay, here's a small slide show of some of the stuff we have been doing. Needless to say, since we are on a budget these days, most of it is clean & strip, repaint small parts, etc.
We ended up painting the bumpers black to see the effect (to decide if we liked it), and we have basically been pulling the car apart, R&R'ing the parts and putting them back on. Here's a brief slide show of what we have been up to....more important (expensive) stuff will come later...click on the pic
http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/jj270/terrigt500/?action=view¤t=89151a2c.pbw">  ------------- |
Posted By: starsky76
Date Posted: 03-May-2009 at 5:25PM
| Finally some pics!Looking good! |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 03-May-2009 at 11:55PM
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Thanks. I got some grease pencil marks that I will post later today (still need to take one more) for those interested. Nice thing is, I was stripping the rear axle and found the original tag for that, too.I love cool stuff like that...cleaning the undrcarriage took days, but most everything was well preserved from the mix of grease and undercoating. Nasty work, though- even for me! ------------- |
Posted By: WTB72GTS
Date Posted: 04-May-2009 at 5:15AM
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went with the blacked out bumper eh? I like it!
looking good! ------------- Zak 1972 Gran Torino Sport Formal Roof, 351C 2V bored .030 |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 04-May-2009 at 11:07AM
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Well, both bumpers looked like crud, so I got to thinking...what the hell...may as well just paint 'em quick, drop the bumper guards and see what it would look like. I think I like it, it looks a little more evil
It helped me decide if I like it before I send it for paint. I guess you would call it a 'styling exercise'? Or a bored guy schmaltzing on his torino...but I like it, so I think it will stay that way until I formally decide which direction I will go permanently. I am leaning towards a mild restomod, so I can convert it back to stock one day (if I want) without too much pain.
Stripped the CRUD out of the air cleaner. 3 layers of paint were on that thing, and a little rust under. Took me almost a whole day to strip, sand, prep & prime it. It will get painted tomorrow if I have time.
Then I will continue detailing my frame, suspension, engine, accessories & engine bay. More pics to come shortly...
Thanks guys! ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 04-May-2009 at 10:55PM
Here is a pic of the grease pencil marks from under the rubber bumper (front) extensions as some of you have asked for the fac tory grease pencil marks...more to come------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 04-May-2009 at 10:56PM
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That's an "X" by the way... ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 04-May-2009 at 11:02PM
Here is a pic of the bumper bolt clip after R&R. I used an epoxy to shore up the weak points of the clips so they would no longer corrode or weaken. It worked really well, and the paint should kep them from any additional rust. Each clip was stripped down to bare metal, primed, painted and epoxied on the weak points. Hopefully that'll be the end of it! ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 04-May-2009 at 11:29PM
Tail light bucket R&R: ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 04-May-2009 at 11:30PM
 ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 04-May-2009 at 11:31PM
After:
 ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 04-May-2009 at 11:32PM
More pics to come later...
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Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 05-May-2009 at 1:03AM
Bumper mount, one awaiting final coat and one waiting to be done. Had to use TONS of degreaser on this car...probably what saved it, all the grease!
 ------------- |
Posted By: starsky76
Date Posted: 05-May-2009 at 2:31PM
| Nice new reconned parts!Good work.Those bumper clips are way different than a 74-76,glad ford changed them.lol |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 06-May-2009 at 4:25AM
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Yeah, the clip that holds the square bolt is about 2 1/2" long and made of spring steel. A real cruddy setup, but these should last at least another 20 years...still have to re-do the wiring harnesses on the rear, and I have another nice original set to swap in. ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 15-May-2009 at 11:31AM
So...I had the Torino out for a little flogging today and....blew the front tranny seal on the C-6. 
I finally got the thing to stop leaking- for about 2 months and this happens. Just did the rear tranny seal. What was I thinking???
Not a happy camper, but it could always be worse I guess. Just a little irritated. ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 27-May-2009 at 10:48PM
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Hey, I got my report back from FoMoCo yesterday on the GTS. Very interesting set of options:
Color: unknown (it's black)
Black Vinyl Top
325 rear end
AM Radio
Comfort weave bucket seats
Console
Heavy Duty Suspension
Tinted Windows
A/C
Steel wheels & hub caps
NO body side moulding, NO Laser Stripes. Like a loaded sleeper, pretty cool IMO...
And it was pretty cool of Ford to send this to me!
Does anyone have the spec on the difference between HD and standard suspension? Got to look into that... ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 30-May-2009 at 7:42AM
Here's the letter from Ford: ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 30-May-2009 at 7:47AM
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More Pics of the factory grease markings that I found. For those of you restoring them, colors of the grease markings are as follows:
Rear diff cover is white grease pencil (Marked "B1")
Side of rear diff is yellow grease pencil (Marked "M")
Front bottom of rear diff is orange (Marked "4c")
Hope this helps...
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Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 30-May-2009 at 7:49AM
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The "M" is on the passenger side of the differential:
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Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 30-May-2009 at 7:53AM
The "4c" is on the bottom of the diff, and this shot is from the rear of the car, in case you are needing orientation No, that's not grease, I had just degreased the whole bottom of the car before the shots. It was really ugly down there!!! Yes, that's an aluminum drip pan for flooring.  New floors to come hopefully soon...
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Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 30-May-2009 at 7:54AM
Looking better now....need to add the grease markings...then I will replace the lines down there...
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Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 30-May-2009 at 7:56AM
Here's the front of the diff all cleaned up too.....original diff tag still in tact 
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Posted By: starsky76
Date Posted: 30-May-2009 at 7:07PM
| Looking good chris!I won't be able to come up to visit,I'm leaving tuesday and getting ready to head out.I like that ford report,going to get one once I'm settled in vegas. |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 31-May-2009 at 3:17PM
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Thanks, Ralph! Little by little...Too bad we can'r meet! Who knows, maybe I will get out there and we can meet anyway!
Take care on your trip and good luck!!! ------------- |
Posted By: GaryFi
Date Posted: 31-May-2009 at 6:46PM
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I like what you've done underneath. What exactly did you use to degrease and repaint under there? Did you pull that axle out or did you manage to do everything while bolted on?? ------------- Starsky and Hutch Limited Edition #559 in rehab |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 01-June-2009 at 5:02PM
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Thanks, Gary!
First, I got under there with a plastic putty knife (okay, 3 different sizes) to remove the heavy junk. Then, it seemed like 40 gal's of "gunk" engine degreaser and a pressure washer. But some stuff (it was undercoated) just would NOT come off.
So I used 'Aircraft degreaser and Stripper'. Got it at Autozone. Comes in a spraycan or jug. I prefer the spray, but you better mask off anything you don't want stripped!!! This stuff eats through just about any finish and is water soluable so you can rinse it off afterwards.
I sprayed that stuff on and used several wire brushes, a scraper, and a few other implements to get in the nooks & crannies of the rear end assembly. DO NOT get it in your eyes or skin as it will burn. And let it sit for about 5-10 mins before you start scraping. Just about everything comes off very easily with this stuff.
After that, I let it drip dry, then wipe with a microfiber cloth. Then each assembly was wire brushed, #80 sanded, then #180, and in some of the finer pieces a quick scuff with #220. Then rinse, drip, and microfiber to remove rust dust and residual moisture.
Then I masked off everything I did not want painted and shot it under the car while it was up on ramps. If you feel that you cannot get to the whole assembly then pull it off. I am lucky. I am flexible and have very long arms!
The air shocks DID help out, I got to admit it. Also, remember to be very particular with your painter's tape so you get a good line. I also use various pieces of cardboard for a quick mask that I can move as I shoot the car. No wind counts ALOT too.
Hope this helps...if you need any more info let me know! ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 27-August-2009 at 12:54PM
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Okayyyyy, so today I started my brake job. Everything in the perimeter that I touch gets restored as I go, so it slows down the process alot, but it looks great when I finish and I don't have to touch it again...
The entire interior is gutted, stripped, cleaned and repainted. The entire dash is almost out, the entire dash cluster was taken out, cleaned, bulbs all replaced, every contact cleaned, and I am waiting for my plastic restore kit so I can clean my dash plastic. Clock is out so I can get a quartz movement for it...
Nearly every wiring harness in the interior has been pulled apart, cleaned, inspected, and re-connected...located a NICE sway bar, and the bushings came in today so I will be restoring the bar next week.....
pulled out master cylinder, booster, pressure block, cleaned all parts, wiiress, brake lines and installed new Master & booster and restored area around under & over it. Cleaned & repainted gas, brake, & e-brake pedals & hardware. Tomorrow-ish it's new calipers, rotors, and bearings for both fronts and wheel cylinders for the rear. I swear I will post pics soon, but when I am getting greasy I have a hard time pulling my self away from the beast and snaping the pics I should be snapping!
~Chris ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 07-September-2009 at 3:57PM
Well, this week some mice moved in, they are now out...
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Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 07-September-2009 at 4:01PM
Air cleaner assembly came out and was R&R'd:
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Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 07-September-2009 at 4:02PM
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Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 07-September-2009 at 4:02PM
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Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 07-September-2009 at 4:03PM
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Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 07-September-2009 at 4:06PM
Console R&R- note the Torino crest...hard to find!!! (and whole interior was stripped out, cleaned, repaired/refurbished as necessary, and refinished):
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Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 07-September-2009 at 5:04PM
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Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 07-September-2009 at 5:15PM
Dining room/staging area shot...wife wants to KILL me!!!
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Posted By: ramair351
Date Posted: 08-September-2009 at 6:39AM
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awesome use of the living room floor! you dont have to worry about kids picking up parts and playing rocketship with it? ------------- -Pete 1972 montego GT 1970 Torino cobra SCJ 1970 mustang mach 1 1965 Falcon futura |
Posted By: Uante
Date Posted: 08-September-2009 at 8:44AM
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Interesting thread Chris. Nice work! What kind of paint are you using underneath? Looks Great. ------------- '73 Gran Torino Brougham '63 Econoline Standard Van - Brent *USAF RET* |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 09-September-2009 at 1:53AM
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You like the living room? Me too! Kids know it's the forbidden zone until the pieces are out of there (I hope next week, to my wife's relief)....
As far as the paint, I discovered a long time ago that Krylon Special Bar-B-Que matches the gloss (and is VERY durable in the engine bay area and backside of the rear-end) perfectly. Main thing is prep, prep, prep.
I sanded each piece with 100 and 220 grits, degrease them and wipe each with denatured alcohol 2 or 3 times, prime (with self-etching primer), sand, mask-off the area with painter's tape and newspaper, and paint. Rustoleum works nice for self-etching primer.
For the front side of the diff, No sanding as it's textured, but the same process but for the top coat, and I used VHT hi-temp aluminum. It's pretty chip resistant and heat & oil resistant. Been using that one for years, too and I like the atomizer on that one, it's pretty consistant.
Hope this helps...
~Chris ------------- |
Posted By: Uante
Date Posted: 09-September-2009 at 2:21AM
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Perfect...I used similar paints on my other cars. Just didn't do as extensive of a prep job, but I'll go further seeing your results. I like the hi-temp aluminum idea! Really looks good. ------------- '73 Gran Torino Brougham '63 Econoline Standard Van - Brent *USAF RET* |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 09-September-2009 at 12:04PM
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Thanks! Really, the spray atomizers on the cans today are much better than before, and with a little extra care & prep the parts come out nicely. I'll be posting more pics of suspension work either tonight or tomorrow, all done in this manner.
That Bar-B-Que paint has a nice satin finish and is very durable, by the way...lasts for years if applied right.
~Chris ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 10-September-2009 at 3:35AM
Some before and after shots of the brakes, lines, etc...------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 10-September-2009 at 3:36AM
Freshly painted claipers...------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 10-September-2009 at 3:39AM
Sand, clean, etch, and POR 15 The wheel well area...new inner & outer bearings, Rotors, calipers, & pads------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 10-September-2009 at 3:45AM
Repainted sway bar, new poly bushings (Energy Susp) and links...------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 10-September-2009 at 3:48AM
The main reason my Super Snake hasn't been on the road the last week ------------- |
Posted By: GranTorinoMan
Date Posted: 10-September-2009 at 3:53AM
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Nice work, I dig your pet spider hanging off the emblem. |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 12-September-2009 at 1:48AM
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Thanks. Yeah, the pet spider indicates the speed this car has been driving over the last week.... "0". If the weather breaks today, I will be putting in the fully R&R'd dash cluster, cluster cover, and dash pad. Everything inside the dash has been cleaned, lubed, and inspected.
I installed an A/C head unit I got from my donor car. What a pain in the butt, but it was in much nicer shape. All the dash lettering and lettering on the A/C head unit has been repainted, as well as the guage surrounds and vents, and the Quartz movement for the clock works nicely and the steering wheel pad and horn contacts are completely overhauled. I'll post pics of all this once installed.
One thing- below the A/C head unit on the dash itself is a sticker for the fan (low - high) and defrost. The writing is worn off and now it looks like ka-kaa compared to the rest of the dash. Has anyone found a solution for that or (I guess) a new sticker? I shot a digital photo of it that I can mess with, but I would rather have an original sticker to slap on there than making one myself.
Any suggestions?
~Chris ------------- |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 29-January-2012 at 10:04AM
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Hey, could someone please move this to 'project updates' and re-name it to "Crispy's '73 GTS"? Thanks! Due for a major update, need to post a TON of pics... ------------- |