New here, 78 XR7

Of course!

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

The box is an SPA-T box from a 71 Mustang. Saginaw style. 3 turns lock to lock, variable ratio, instead of a constant 4:1 (boat!). This makes the car much more responsive. It's a bolt in.. I used my old pitman arm, a new rubber rag joint. The collar on the steering column must be slide down approx 1/8", but that might have just been me having trouble with the rag joint. Also, you'll need a new hose/line for your car. I've seen a stock hose for a 72 with a Saginaw box, so again, it should be a bolt in. No rubbing issues or turning radius problems.

Quote from :http://www.429mustangcougarinfo.50megs.com/steering.htm

The 71 429 Mustang (and other V8 models with competition suspension) came with Variable Ratio Power Steering, which provided a rapidly reducing ratio as the wheel is turned beyond center. This gave the driver the benefits of quick ratio steering without the steering being super-sensitive. The 71 -72 variable ratio P/S gear boxes were tagged "SPA-T" (see below) and "SPA-V". The SPA-T was definitely used on the '71. It is not known at this time if the SPA-V was also used in '71 or was for '72 only.

71 -72 Mustangs without the Competition Suspension used a Constant Ratio P/S gearbox listed as SPA-S and SPA-U."

These pop up on eBay all the time. I got mine for $50. Autokrafters will rebuild it, if you send them yours, and some $$. This, is in my opinion, short of a rack/pinion setup, the only way to go.. And even with a rack and pinion, the Z24 unit that everyone uses is, 2.75:1. I happen to have one of those Z24's as my daily driver... and there isn't a noticable difference.

Paul
77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD*
78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1
79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1
'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500

I did the Saginaw steering box swap back in 1978 on my 73 Sport and It really made a difference. Mine came out of a Boss 351 Stang that I had. I passed this info to several people a few years ago in the Torino club. Gary M

Gary 73 Gran Torino Sport 351CJ,17 Mustang Ecoboost,15 Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD, Ford Ranger parts hauler

"Never complain Never explain" Henry Ford

Nice article but it seems to pertain to unibody Fairlanes not our cars although I guess anything is possible. Think I will stay with the saginaw unit as we just went through it and resealed it. The new Crown Vics have a complete x-member that mounts the rack & pinion but because of how it is designed the wheels have an offset like FWD car. Bummer! Happy New Year Everyone!! GARY

Gary 73 Gran Torino Sport 351CJ,17 Mustang Ecoboost,15 Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD, Ford Ranger parts hauler

"Never complain Never explain" Henry Ford

Interior will remain 90% stock except for stereo de-wood graining, and a B&M Hammer shifter. Adding Auto meter gauges as well.

Wheel are tire combo will be the Cragars as shown.

Suspension will be stock with Energy Suspension bushings, Bilstein shocks, and either HD 460 springs, or something else. I need to cut the front springs, because with the smaller front rims, and the rear wheel opening being a bit lower, it has a nose bleed stance.

I'm thinking competition orange (the old Cougar color) with an Eliminator theme.. stripes, etc. No side trim, but I will keep the black half vinyl top. I also want to pull in the front bumper

As for engine/trans/rear, I have a few routes I could go on this. Either build mine up, or buy one finished, but I want a stroker combo.

I've got a bulletproof C6 that was behind a mild 460 in my Elite, so I'm set there, and as for a rear end, I currently have a rebuilt 28 spline 3.5 posi.. but I think I might break stuff, so I might sell that and go with a 31 spline locker.

The thing that stinks is, I have 90% of the parts needed to finish this (except the stroker engine).. I just can't find the time to work on it.

Paul
77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD*
78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1
79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1
'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500

17x8 with 255 50 17s and 17x9 with 275 50 17s

Paul
77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD*
78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1
79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1
'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500

It was an "LTD II S" !!!!!! Not a GT

It had "LTD II S" intergal with the stripe graphics - anyone else seen one of these cars?

LP73

LP
'73 Torino 2 dr formal
All original 351, 2B red

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Psquare75 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Member of the Stroker Club Joined: 26-November-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4590	Post Options Post Reply Quote Psquare75 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: New here, 78 XR7 Posted: 26-November-2005 at 3:54AM
	Hi all. This is my project.. a 75K mile 78 XR7. Currently with 17" Cragars, and a Boss Mustang steering box. Big plans.. anyone interested?
	Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 SOLD 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500

JimW Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09-December-2003 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 602	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimW Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26-November-2005 at 5:18PM
	Of course! 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

GranTorinoSport Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Admin of "The Org" Joined: 20-May-2003 Location: Seattle Status: Offline Points: 2287	Post Options Post Reply Quote GranTorinoSport Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29-November-2005 at 5:22AM
	I'd like to hear more about the Boss Mustang steering box!
	Scott Eklund Webmaster

Psquare75 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Member of the Stroker Club Joined: 26-November-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4590	Post Options Post Reply Quote Psquare75 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30-November-2005 at 6:22PM
	The box is an SPA-T box from a 71 Mustang. Saginaw style. 3 turns lock to lock, variable ratio, instead of a constant 4:1 (boat!). This makes the car much more responsive. It's a bolt in.. I used my old pitman arm, a new rubber rag joint. The collar on the steering column must be slide down approx 1/8", but that might have just been me having trouble with the rag joint. Also, you'll need a new hose/line for your car. I've seen a stock hose for a 72 with a Saginaw box, so again, it should be a bolt in. No rubbing issues or turning radius problems. Quote from :http://www.429mustangcougarinfo.50megs.com/steering.htm The 71 429 Mustang (and other V8 models with competition suspension) came with Variable Ratio Power Steering, which provided a rapidly reducing ratio as the wheel is turned beyond center. This gave the driver the benefits of quick ratio steering without the steering being super-sensitive. The 71 -72 variable ratio P/S gear boxes were tagged "SPA-T" (see below) and "SPA-V". The SPA-T was definitely used on the '71. It is not known at this time if the SPA-V was also used in '71 or was for '72 only. 71 -72 Mustangs without the Competition Suspension used a Constant Ratio P/S gearbox listed as SPA-S and SPA-U." These pop up on eBay all the time. I got mine for $50. Autokrafters will rebuild it, if you send them yours, and some $$. This, is in my opinion, short of a rack/pinion setup, the only way to go.. And even with a rack and pinion, the Z24 unit that everyone uses is, 2.75:1. I happen to have one of those Z24's as my daily driver... and there isn't a noticable difference.
	Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 SOLD 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500

JimW Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09-December-2003 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 602	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimW Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30-December-2005 at 2:02AM
	I'd consider the rack & pinion if only for a little more header clearance on the drivers side.. Has anyone done this on a full frame midsize? What kind of money for a rebuild? (Only reason I ask is that I approached AGS about a box a little while ago and it was about $350 if they could match the bolt pattern) 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

Torinogts73c Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14-February-2004 Location: Tucson Arizona Status: Offline Points: 1033	Post Options Post Reply Quote Torinogts73c Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30-December-2005 at 4:12PM
	I did the Saginaw steering box swap back in 1978 on my 73 Sport and It really made a difference. Mine came out of a Boss 351 Stang that I had. I passed this info to several people a few years ago in the Torino club. Gary M
	Gary 73 Gran Torino Sport 351CJ,17 Mustang Ecoboost,15 Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD, Ford Ranger parts hauler "Never complain Never explain" Henry Ford

Psquare75 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Member of the Stroker Club Joined: 26-November-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4590	Post Options Post Reply Quote Psquare75 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30-December-2005 at 4:50PM
	I found this .. ignore the missing pics, this is linked to archive.org. http://web.archive.org/web/20040104071115/http://home.pacbel l.net/ssixto/automotive/R&P/HowTo.html I'm not sure if it'd fit between the headers.
	Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 SOLD 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500

Torinogts73c Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14-February-2004 Location: Tucson Arizona Status: Offline Points: 1033	Post Options Post Reply Quote Torinogts73c Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31-December-2005 at 11:25AM
	Nice article but it seems to pertain to unibody Fairlanes not our cars although I guess anything is possible. Think I will stay with the saginaw unit as we just went through it and resealed it. The new Crown Vics have a complete x-member that mounts the rack & pinion but because of how it is designed the wheels have an offset like FWD car. Bummer! Happy New Year Everyone!! GARY
	Gary 73 Gran Torino Sport 351CJ,17 Mustang Ecoboost,15 Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD, Ford Ranger parts hauler "Never complain Never explain" Henry Ford

Torinogts73c Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14-February-2004 Location: Tucson Arizona Status: Offline Points: 1033	Post Options Post Reply Quote Torinogts73c Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31-December-2005 at 11:27AM
	Oh BTW That is a nice looking Cougar always liked that Design so what's the plan for it?
	Gary 73 Gran Torino Sport 351CJ,17 Mustang Ecoboost,15 Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD, Ford Ranger parts hauler "Never complain Never explain" Henry Ford

Psquare75 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Member of the Stroker Club Joined: 26-November-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4590	Post Options Post Reply Quote Psquare75 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01-January-2006 at 5:44AM
	Interior will remain 90% stock except for stereo de-wood graining, and a B&M Hammer shifter. Adding Auto meter gauges as well. Wheel are tire combo will be the Cragars as shown. Suspension will be stock with Energy Suspension bushings, Bilstein shocks, and either HD 460 springs, or something else. I need to cut the front springs, because with the smaller front rims, and the rear wheel opening being a bit lower, it has a nose bleed stance. I'm thinking competition orange (the old Cougar color) with an Eliminator theme.. stripes, etc. No side trim, but I will keep the black half vinyl top. I also want to pull in the front bumper As for engine/trans/rear, I have a few routes I could go on this. Either build mine up, or buy one finished, but I want a stroker combo. I've got a bulletproof C6 that was behind a mild 460 in my Elite, so I'm set there, and as for a rear end, I currently have a rebuilt 28 spline 3.5 posi.. but I think I might break stuff, so I might sell that and go with a 31 spline locker. The thing that stinks is, I have 90% of the parts needed to finish this (except the stroker engine).. I just can't find the time to work on it.
	Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 SOLD 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500

Torinogts73c Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14-February-2004 Location: Tucson Arizona Status: Offline Points: 1033	Post Options Post Reply Quote Torinogts73c Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01-January-2006 at 8:03AM
	Sounds like a good plan only thing is you need more time!! What size are the wheels and tires?? Gary
	Gary 73 Gran Torino Sport 351CJ,17 Mustang Ecoboost,15 Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD, Ford Ranger parts hauler "Never complain Never explain" Henry Ford

Psquare75 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Member of the Stroker Club Joined: 26-November-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4590	Post Options Post Reply Quote Psquare75 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01-January-2006 at 10:12AM
	17x8 with 255 50 17s and 17x9 with 275 50 17s
	Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 SOLD 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500

LP73 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 17-January-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote LP73 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20-January-2006 at 9:52AM
	These later model cars on the familial Torino frame like your Cougar, and the more rare LTD II's are really beginning to show themselves for the awesome cars they are. In the '80s and most of the '90s they were flat-out ignored for the most part. But look at their potential: They have the FANTASTIC frame/chassis configuration of the '72 - '76 Torinos and Montegos with excellent ride and handling qualities, and the engine bay will swallow a BIG BLOCK, or any other stock or worked motor, and a C6/9" proven driveline. Those LOOOOONG hoods and front fender lines are sexy and are the last of a breed. With upsized wheels and tires, they look stunning. It's time for these to start coming out of grandma's garage and into the hands of Ford maniacs. There's a '78 (or thereabouts) LTD II Sport Coupe that I see in Renton WA occasionally that's factory and perfect - black with red accent striping (it has a "GT" or "Sport" lettering with the stripes - I can't remember which) and it has the factory Magnum 500 wheels, rear sway bar, rally sport dash cluster, and a dash plaque that says "radial tuned suspension" or something to that effect. It's got that looong fender line that comes to a point, with the signal lamp edge (like the Rancheros) and it's just awesome. If I ever saw it for sale I'd buy it immediately. LP
	LP '73 Torino 2 dr formal All original 351, 2B red

LP73 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 17-January-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote LP73 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20-January-2006 at 10:04AM
	It was an "LTD II S" !!!!!! Not a GT It had "LTD II S" intergal with the stripe graphics - anyone else seen one of these cars? LP73
	LP '73 Torino 2 dr formal All original 351, 2B red

GranTorinoSport Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Admin of "The Org" Joined: 20-May-2003 Location: Seattle Status: Offline Points: 2287	Post Options Post Reply Quote GranTorinoSport Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20-January-2006 at 12:48PM
	Yea, the semi-starsky and hutch over the rear-roof stripe with the "II" emblem in it at the opera window area. Totally cool, but very hard to find one not faded away and cracked off. I also have to mention here that as much as I love my 75 Sport, the 78/79 model years for Cougar and LTD II were certainly the amalgamation of all of the best features and options for the body line. The front corner lamps and the use of rear sway bars, etc are just a few of the little "extras" that you find on these models, that I am always trying to retrofit onto my older 75 Torino. The cornering lamps are certainly a cool thing - although putting those on a 75 would be the most difficult. My 79 Cadillac had those and it was really nice - only lit when turn signals were activated in the direction. While I don't believe that they will ever have a huge dollar value, I do think they will go up in price and popularity as time goes on and people realize that they are a great gem for the right person.
	Scott Eklund Webmaster