I thought I posted this!
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: 1977-1979 Ford and Mercury
Forum Description: Technical discussion for 1977-1979 Ford and Mercury
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=2843
Printed Date: 26-March-2026 at 3:20PM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: I thought I posted this!
Posted By: Psquare75
Subject: I thought I posted this!
Date Posted: 07-December-2009 at 5:20AM
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Not that I needed it, but too good to pass up. Mild mid 9:1 compression 460, C6 with E4OD gears, 2.47:1 gears.
Oh. this too.
 ------------- 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 |
Replies:
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 07-December-2009 at 5:52AM
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Nice lookin' car! I love the colour combo, and it appears to have a lot of nice options. I'm not a big fan of the truck-like wheels, but that's a matter of personal taste.
How much was it, if I may ask?
BTW it look slike it has rocker trim AND the wide side trim; was that actually available? I always thought it was one or the other.
------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 07-December-2009 at 6:01AM
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The wheels and tires are going. Not sure what I'm replacing them with, but. *something* more fitting. I do need to fix the A/C, and the engine bay/interior need to be cleaned up to my standards. I question the black column and wheel.
Both the side trim and rocker trim were available I believe.. I've seen other cars with it. Or it was a dealer conversion? Hopefully the build sheet is under a seat and I can see. ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 07-December-2009 at 6:05AM
I noticed the engine bay was a bit of a dog's breakfast of wiring, but I knew you'd be lookin' after that  .
I noticed the wheel and steering column being black; it didn't strike me as odd because '77 and lower Firebirds had the same thing, but yeah, I guess it should be body colour, eh? It'd certainly look better, but with the engine-turned finish it is kind of sporty at the same time.
Interesting about the trim, too. Canada might have gotten a different set of options, too; we just like to be different LOL! ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 07-December-2009 at 6:08AM
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I figure its because the car has the GT interior with the turned metal overlay. MY friends 79 Nova Ralley has a black column and wheel in a red car, and I constantly make fun of him for it.. Looks like I have to put my $ where my mouth is. I have a red column and wheel, so I can fix 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 07-December-2009 at 6:17AM
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So that "GT interior" is a legit option, with the engine turned finish instead of woodgrain? I'm learning a lot lately :D! If that's the case and the black wheel and column are legit, then I have a lot more respect for it. ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 07-December-2009 at 6:20AM
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It was VERY rare on the Cougars, but it was an option. It was normally on the Ranchero GTs and LTD II Sports. ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 07-December-2009 at 6:24AM
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That's a really cool find, then! Kinda too bad it wasn't left stock... Did one get any particular wheel when one ordered the GT option with the Cougar? I don't think that Magnum 500s could be had on XR7s, could they (although they were available on regular Cougars, as I recall)? ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 07-December-2009 at 6:59AM
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I assume this car either had Turbines or the usual "polycast" wheels. I have a set of polycats here, but I HATE them.
The GT parts aren't ruined except for the radio install, and I'm confident I can clean that up. The autometers are most likely going to be replaced with an OEM cluster that I have, both because I think they look better, and I could use the $ from the sale of the gauges... I bet I could sell it complete, as a drop in cluster for a 72-79 :-). ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 07-December-2009 at 7:03AM
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I agree, stock gauges would look better; however, I'm actually impressed that the previous owner found so many small gauges to fit! I know what you mean about the Polycast wheels; I think my basic pie-dish wheel covers look fancier than those awful things. They really show their age, style-wise, and even back in the day as a kid I didn't like them!
I do like the turbine wheels a lot, though; my uncle's Cougar had those, and when not corroded to the point of no longer being able to hold air, they looked fabulous on these cars.
------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: occupant
Date Posted: 07-December-2009 at 5:41PM
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Like.
Like very much. No one seems like those truck wheels on Torinos, which is probably why I do. Ranger and Explorer wheels fit the Ford small bolt pattern cars. Hrmmm...the ones I like most are the 7-spoke chrome ones used from about 2001 and up on XLT Rangers.  ------------- 15 Cruze LT, 145K, for the wife 08 Uplander LS, 280K, broken again 08 Explorer EB, 248K, backup work car still looking for another something |
Posted By: mcford
Date Posted: 08-December-2009 at 12:07AM
| i like! and to be honest, i actually think the wheels look good on there. |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 08-December-2009 at 1:42AM
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I think the wheels on it right now are American Racings. I want something with more of a stock appearance.
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 08-December-2009 at 1:52AM
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American Racing does do some pretty butch wheels; my T/A has American Racing mags that look a lot like early '90s Jeep wheels (a few people have asked if that's from where I got them!). However, with Firebirds emblems in the spinners, it makes them look more car-like, and the style suits the car.
In general, though, I think that truck wheels look too massive somehow, too heavy for a car. Dare I go as far as to say that they don't look "refined" enough? The aftermarket solves this with some pretty ornate, "delicate" wheels for trucks, but that's definitely not a truck's principle market! ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 08-December-2009 at 3:10AM
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To be honest, I'd love the repro Dukes of Hazzard wheels, but the budget isn't there.
------------- 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 |
Posted By: MXBrougham
Date Posted: 12-December-2009 at 11:50AM
| I've never been big on Red Interiors, but Dove Gray is one of my favorite exterior colors. I like the Polycast wheels. Of course I also like the Turbine wheels and the Deep Dish wheels mostly used on Lincolns. I have sets of all of 'em, as well as the Factory Wire wheel covers. |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 13-December-2009 at 12:22AM
I love any interior colour that isn't beige, black or grey, which is all one can get nowadays! Black with red interior is perhaps my favorite combo of all time ('course I'm biased a bit  ).
The factory wires for these cars are actually really nice, a lot better than, say, 5th Avenue wires from the '80s where the hub in behind the spokes is so big it ruins any illusion of being a true wire! I'm normally not a big fan of deep dish, non-open wheels, but you're right, the ones like you could get on Lincolns and Marquis in the '70s are very cool. ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 13-December-2009 at 4:27AM
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I too, loathe anything thats beige black gray or tan, lately, but that's because that's ALL you can get on new cars! ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 13-December-2009 at 5:06AM
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Yeah, it's kind of anti-climactic when you see an old car with a black interior... it's like, "You could have gotten anything else!" Ah, if only people knew back then what was in store LOL! Still, I suppose one could argue that people liked black/grey a lot back then, and that's why the automakers have pared down our choices so much... that and they're cheap!
I've seen a couple of people post on this forum about changing their interior colours from green, for example, to black. I cry everytime I read such a thing! ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 13-December-2009 at 2:29PM
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I did change my Elite from blue to black, but blue wouldn't really have worked with a red exterior with a white stripe, lol. ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 14-December-2009 at 12:38AM
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Fair enough... you did a Starsky and Hutch Elite LOL? ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 14-December-2009 at 3:49AM
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Hah yes. I worked with what I had at the time :-) ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 22-December-2009 at 2:57AM
 ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 05-January-2010 at 4:03PM
First thinng to go will be the ghetto Edelbrock air cleaner. Stock air cleaner will be plenty for this, and it will run better.. Open elements have a nasty habit of causing cold drivability issues, and detonation under load. This cleaner was from a 74 Tbird with a 460. ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 05-January-2010 at 4:07PM
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What's that can on the side of the air cleaner? Is it just a quieting resonator like on some new car intakes, or is it a filter of some sort?
And yes, those open element air filters look all tough and such, but I've often suspected they have drivability issues: no heat riser, no PCV, they're kind of a no-regard-for-automotive-engineering way out :D. ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 05-January-2010 at 4:10PM
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Yeah, that's exactly what it is, a resonator. The big block cars usually had this in the mid 70s. It's really just the casing of an oil filter. No joke.
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 05-January-2010 at 11:22PM
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LOL! I guess if it works, use it, eh? It reminds me of Ford's love of tomato juice cans painted flat black :). ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 08-January-2010 at 7:31AM
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Now with license plates! ------------- 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 |
Posted By: 302ford
Date Posted: 10-January-2010 at 3:41PM
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Can you elaborate on the guage setup( sizes, type used etc.)
Thanks. ------------- 79 LTD II 408/TKO/3.7's 11.78 117.3mph. drag radials |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 10-January-2010 at 3:52PM
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Auto Meter Phantoms. Electric sending units. 2 1/16" gauges and 3 3/8s"
------------- 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 |
Posted By: 302ford
Date Posted: 10-January-2010 at 3:56PM
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I may be very interested in this set up if you want to sell. Let me know ------------- 79 LTD II 408/TKO/3.7's 11.78 117.3mph. drag radials |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 10-January-2010 at 5:07PM
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I plan on selling but I dont think it will be for several months.
------------- 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 |
Posted By: 302ford
Date Posted: 10-January-2010 at 5:09PM
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No problem, let me know. I'm planning on setting up a simular setup to this for March ------------- 79 LTD II 408/TKO/3.7's 11.78 117.3mph. drag radials |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 10-January-2010 at 5:13PM
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you saw the panel I have for sale in the for sale section, right? that I had on my cougar?
------------- 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 |
Posted By: 302ford
Date Posted: 10-January-2010 at 5:33PM
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Yea, i did. I am considering that as well. I'm just looking for the cleanest way to fit oil/water/wideband/tach etc. gauges in these cars. I do like this setup as it puts them into the dash......have you had a chance to look to see how they are mounted? ------------- 79 LTD II 408/TKO/3.7's 11.78 117.3mph. drag radials |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 10-January-2010 at 6:01PM
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No, I haven't had this dash apart yet.
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 12-January-2010 at 3:12PM
So I'm ditching the American Racing wheels and going back with an OEM look. The AR wheels needed two tires anyway, so I may as well cash out now and put something I want. So I got tires. OEM size, nothing crazy. 235 70 15 What wheels? I may as well use my OEM wheels from my black, err white Cougar.  ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 12-January-2010 at 11:14PM
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You SO need a set of steelies and the base wheel covers :D
Too bad your factory wheels are the polycasts and not the turbine, they look great... BTW were those factory whitewalls on your car originally? It's hard to find whites that wide these days. Mercury seemed to offer a couple of different sizes judging by literature of the time.
Have you considered Magnum 500s? Factory look, even though not available on XR-7s, and still great looking today. ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 13-January-2010 at 1:33AM
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I think dogdishes will look out of place on this car. It's not a base model, it's an XR7. The tires on my car weren't the original tires. They were replaced in the late 80s, I have the paperwork on them. I wish they were turbines, but hey, what can ya do? If you want to buy me a set of Magnum 500s, and donate to the cause, freel free. This car is getting done on the cheap.  ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 13-January-2010 at 1:40AM
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No, I didn' t mean dog dishes, I mean the base wheelcovers like my car has :). I wish someone would donate some Magnums to me, too LOL! I actually like the base wheelcovers, but the option of being able to throw on some Magnums if I felt like it would be nice. What tires will you put with the Polycasts? Maybe they'll look more aggressive with white letters? ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 13-January-2010 at 1:45AM
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Oh. Those are only 14", I wanted 15s. And I'm putting those white letter tires pictured, the Avenger GTs ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 13-January-2010 at 1:48AM
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The base wheels/covers are 15" on XR7s, but still wouldn't really suite the custom look... it was more a joke than anything LOL! ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 13-January-2010 at 3:22AM
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Damn. To be honest, I thought those were 14". If I knew they were 15", I would have looked for set and bought some steel wheels from a mid 80s Crown Vic, they are 15x7 in some cases.. then I could have run 255 60 15s. Dammit :( ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 13-January-2010 at 3:29AM
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I gotta say, it's cool that you'd consider using the base covers! I like the look of them, actually... not bad for "pie plates"-style covers. These were the same covers used in the mid-'80s as the optional 15" covers on Grand Marquis... just changed out the Cougar emblem, of course :). ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 13-January-2010 at 4:48AM
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The big issue now is refinishing my wheels. I need to research a paint that's close enough (OEM paints sells polycast paint for the 2g T/As, but I'm NOT paying $69 a SPRAY CAN). ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 13-January-2010 at 5:04AM
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Can't blame you there, I wouldn't pay that, either! It might look cool to have the insert parts painted white, with silver lip faces (like a colour-matched T/A snowflake)... ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 16-January-2010 at 12:02PM
Experimented with some wheel paint today. (Rubber wheels ftl)   I got the center caps cleaned up and ready to go as well  
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 17-January-2010 at 12:20AM
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Very nice looking paint! What brand is it?
Are you thinking of doing the insides of the cut-outs in another colour? They might look cool in maroon, to go with the vinyl top and interior trim. ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 18-January-2010 at 2:26AM
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The paint is actually Duplicolor Bumper Paint, in Steel. I figured if it was good enough for rubber and plastic bumpers, it'd work on this (seems ok so far). The color isn't exact at all, but I think it looks better than the OEM dullness.
As for the insets, I'm probably going to leave them like this. If the car were white, I'd love to do white with red insets, but I think with the gray, it won't be dramatic enough to notice (and I don't want to spend the $ on the paint, or spend a day taping each wheel :) ) ------------- 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 |
Posted By: occupant
Date Posted: 18-January-2010 at 5:00AM
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That color looks similar to the Argent colored paint used on Astro/S-10/Silverado rallys in the 80s-90s. I like it. I will have uses for that in the future, not on the Torino, but on Strong Bad IV, for which I intend to use a 70-72 F-350 dually with an 11' flatbed. ------------- 15 Cruze LT, 145K, for the wife 08 Uplander LS, 280K, broken again 08 Explorer EB, 248K, backup work car still looking for another something |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 20-January-2010 at 3:22AM
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Wheel seemed to have held up. I'm in the process of getting tires mounted (Bringing one per day to the tire place.. wish my truck was registered. Doh!).
I also got an NOS trim ring to replace the one damaged ring that I have. The price was too good to pass up :-)
In other news.. Chad from Class-Tech-Cars on ebay (he does the trunk cardboards, window seals, and hood pads for many off beat cars) is working on trunk cardboards for the 77-79 XR7.. i sent him my set. ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 20-January-2010 at 3:27AM
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Is he doing window seals/felts for these cars, too???? Still no luck getting a source for these Nice score on the NOS trim ring, BTW! ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
. Dearborn, Restoration Specialties, etc. all say they don't do them.Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 20-January-2010 at 4:02AM
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Not yet. I need to compare with what he makes (I told you he does 3 types for the 77-79 ranchero... I suspect one is ours.)
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 20-January-2010 at 4:06AM
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Yeah, but he told me he didn't think they were the same, even though the doors are the same. Weird. I'd be tempted to try it and see, but the costs involved for a "maybe" are not worth it :). ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 20-January-2010 at 4:31AM
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I'll probably bite the bullet on this and try it at some point. ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 20-January-2010 at 4:38AM
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That'd be great, I'd love to hear that they end up being the same! Shipping costs to and from Canada for a part that big would be nuts, so that's why I'm gunshy ^_^. ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 20-January-2010 at 5:14PM
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 20-January-2010 at 11:21PM
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Okay, I gotta say that those wheels look way better with white letters! And beautiful job re-doing them, they look brand new!
------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 23-January-2010 at 10:50AM
Before and after (yeah I know, there's tools in the pics. oh well)  I also had all the trunk emblems and trim that the guy never put back.  
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 23-January-2010 at 12:04PM
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Very nice! I can't believe what an improvement the wheels are! It's absolutely night and day: the way-too-big tires and industrial-looking wheels replaced with the nice white letters and factory wheels... totally awesome.
Nice to have the rear trim back on there, too... now, have you found a replacement bumper guard strip? :) ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 01-February-2010 at 12:50PM
Fixed a broken trunk light (body shop cut the wire on the guy when they painted the car), added a license plate frame for some bling, and added a hood insulation pad I bought for 'my' Cougar, but I can't use it with the scoop.. Amazing how much they quiet the car down. ------------- 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 |
Posted By: 72sport
Date Posted: 02-February-2010 at 12:24PM
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I REALLY like the look of this car. I bet with the 460, wide ratio C6, and the 2.47s It probably scoots pretty well yet cruises like a dream!
------------- Tom 1972 Gran Torino Sport 4Spd 1974 Montego wagon "GT" with GT hood, correct buckets seats, console, and floor shift 2013 Focus 5 speed- Daily driver |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 03-February-2010 at 3:04PM
 painted!
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 04-February-2010 at 5:18AM
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Nice lookin' air cleaner! That'll look much better under the hood than what's there :). ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 04-February-2010 at 8:59AM
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Thanks! It should warm up much quicker with the hot air tube hooked up.
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 04-February-2010 at 9:07AM
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I wish my car had its hot air tube. I don't know where it and the bracket on the exhaust manifold went! How do you lose that part LOL? ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 04-February-2010 at 9:10AM
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They rot off and disintegrate.
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 04-February-2010 at 9:14AM
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The riser tubes, yeah, but not the shield on the exhaust manifold! I'm missing that, too... maybe it's to look more hot-roddy? I dunno, the previous owners of my car were weird. ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 04-February-2010 at 9:15AM
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I was referring to teh shield on the manifold. Whenever I hit junkyards around there, they are in various stages of decay.
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 04-February-2010 at 9:19AM
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Oh wow, really? Still, with the engine bay of my car being in fairly good shape - even the original spark plug mounts are there - I would have thought it'd be in okay shape. I think someone removed it and just couldn't be bothered to put it back because it's a "fair weather" car. ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 04-February-2010 at 9:25AM
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That could be. look around the exhaust manifold bolts for evidence of the riser being there.
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 07-February-2010 at 12:32PM
 Now I know why ever 70s car had one of these wraps. I got one. NIGHT AND DAY! ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 07-February-2010 at 11:31PM
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Hmmm, I have to say I've never liked the look of those.... but then again, I actually really like the super-shiny, hard and smooth feel of the thin wheel - it's not a feeling you get on a new car!
------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 08-February-2010 at 1:11AM
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It's not the look, it's the feeling of grasping a steering wheel with a girth smaller than my thumb. My wheel had a few cracks in the rim as well. Budget fix! :)
------------- 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 |
Posted By: occupant
Date Posted: 08-February-2010 at 5:01AM
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I think the $4 steering wheel cover cheapens the car.
I'm not saying this because I don't like them, because I DO! But because once that steering wheel cover goes on, there is another layer of separation between the driver and the car. I feel disconnected from a vehicle with one of these covers. I feel like I don't care for the car any more, I just care about myself and not wanting steering wheel sticky on me, and the car becomes a dirty object I must not touch. It's totally psychosomatic. I'll keep my stock skinny plastic wheel until it crumbles to a bare metal wire. Now if I pick up say, a '98 Corolla to bang around in as a commuter, well, that car already has no character, no personality, and no soul. I'll buy the cheap Walmart steering wheel cover on the way home from the seller's place, if not on the way THERE. ------------- 15 Cruze LT, 145K, for the wife 08 Uplander LS, 280K, broken again 08 Explorer EB, 248K, backup work car still looking for another something |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 08-February-2010 at 5:26AM
Meh. It's one of those things that looks awful, but I can't stand the thin wheel.  Main reason I put the 'sport' wheel in my 78. This car doesn't exactly lend itself to 'driving feel' with a 4 turn steering box. 
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 09-February-2010 at 3:03AM
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Unofficial gas mileage check. 12-13 MPG combined, in 30 degree weather. I really can't complain with that. ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 24-March-2010 at 12:39PM
http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/othercougar/?action=view¤t=IMG_2643.jpg">
Fixed the door speaker grills. http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/othercougar/?action=view¤t=IMG_2644.jpg">  OEM air cleaner I rebuilt. ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 24-March-2010 at 10:20PM
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I'm liking that air cleaner!
BTW what do you plan to use, if anything, to re-do the chrome trim on the inside of the door panels (around the fake wood)? I am in the process of redoing mine (at the strip-off-what's-left stage), and plan on using "Bare Metal Foil"; It should look good, but I also anticipate it taking forever to apply, so I just wondered if you had a better alternative. ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 25-March-2010 at 12:38AM
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I'm not even bothering. This car is a driver :) ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 09-April-2010 at 1:22AM
Now with stripes! Nothing crazy, just like OEM. I added mirror stripes. 
  ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 09-April-2010 at 2:15AM
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Beautiful! Did you have a kit to do this with, or just bulk roll? Or is it painted on with a stencil?
Also, is the striping around the rear view mirror stock? It looks cool.
This car is looking awesome now, with the pinstripes and the stock wheels.
------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 09-April-2010 at 2:53AM
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Bulk roll from Pep Boy's. The mirror striping isn't stock but I've seen it on several cars of the era. The stripes definitely change the car for the better :). ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 09-April-2010 at 9:09AM
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Another gas mileage check, driving "normally". 10.84 MPG. mostly city/backroads.
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 09-April-2010 at 9:11AM
I especially like them on the hood and trunk. I can still see the "bumps" where my striping is under my car's newer paint, and I've been tempted to re-stripe it... how hard was it, and how long did it take you (and did you have help, too)? ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Psquare75 wrote:Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 09-April-2010 at 9:21AM
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Easy, about an hour for the entire car, and no, just another set of eyes to say "that doesnt look straight" here or there.
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 11-April-2010 at 12:17AM
Did you follow any existing paint stripe "bumps" through your paint, or did you not have to worry about that? I would foresee that as a big pain in the butt! ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 11-April-2010 at 3:12AM
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Nope, I just went and did it. My car was repainted. ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Regul8r
Date Posted: 11-April-2010 at 7:52AM
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Striping is not that hard.
make sure the surface is clean
Keep a length an inch or more beyond the start point
Stick it good at the start point
Run a LONG length of striping and then push it on to the car at the end of the run.
That gets it straight.
turns... a little more involved!
LOOKS GREAT!!!!
Love the touch of the stripes around the mirrors! ------------- Carl Corey (Moderator/Event Coordinator) Contact ANYTIME! 1976 Ford Elite "Lola Mae" 97 Suzuki Intruder 1400 US Army Retired |
Posted By: mcford
Date Posted: 11-April-2010 at 10:34AM
| looks great! |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 12-April-2010 at 2:52AM
Yesterday I put on a set of OEM door edge guards I had from a car I parted. I also hit the local yard and grabbed a charcoal box setup from a 77 Cougar. I installed it and hooked it up as best I could (The Holley 4150 doesn't have a bowl vent you can attach a fuel bowl vent tube to). Amazingly, even with just the fuel tank vent plumbed into it, along with the air cleaner unit (like OEM), no more gas stink!. I'd stop at stop lights, go to accelerate on a green light, and get an eye watering rush of gas fumes in my face. No more! Cost? $16. 
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 20-April-2010 at 2:29AM
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One big issue with this car is the steering is loose.. 160K miles and no real maintenance will do that I guess. The car came with a new steering center link, idler arm and pitman arm in boxes, as well as two ball lower ball joints. I ordered inner and outer tie rod ends and upper ball joints to finish it off. I talked with the previous owner who said he replaced the shocks about 13 years ago, and used cheap Gabriels. He was on a budget and in a pinch. I looked around at what people were doing for larger cars, so I hit the Crown Vic forum. As much as I love the Bilsteins in my white Cougar, there's no way I'm spending $80 a shock on this car too. CV guys seemed to go between Bilsteins, Edelbrock IAS, and the Motorcraft replacement shock for 79-02 Crown Vic Police Interceptors. a 79-02 uses the same shocks as my Cougar :) (and all the 72-79 intermediates!) Motorcrafts = $32 a piece. Guess which way I went?  Should firm the car up a bit. ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 20-April-2010 at 3:17AM
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Nice, good to see Ford getting good mileage out of a part! My steering's a bit loose, too; I thought it was just a function of it being a '70s car :). Can you post pictures of your suspension rebuild as you go? I'd like to see what's all involved in replacing bushings and the like.
------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 20-April-2010 at 3:49AM
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I'm not doing bushings, this car already has polyurethane bushings all around. Just the steering components.
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 09-May-2010 at 2:49PM
 Yay, suspension goodies. Yes I painted it all, totally overkill, but whatever. ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 20-May-2010 at 3:22AM
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Now with full length tailpipes
I need my daily driver back, I've been driving this thing daily for months, as much as I love it, I need to do some stuff to this car and it needs some down time :( ------------- 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 |
Posted By: lynchster
Date Posted: 20-May-2010 at 11:07AM
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I thought it was the daily driver.
Chuck ------------- Chuck 72 Gran Torino Sport 13 Taurus SHO "Mr Pig" |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 20-May-2010 at 2:30PM
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Nah, my daily driver is a Chevy Cavalier. This 11 MPG with 93 octane is getting expensive, every day. ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 30-May-2010 at 4:51PM
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Wheel Swap... I got tired of seeing my Cragars and Nittos sitting... So...    I'm thinking I LIKE this look, and I'm swapping the springs and wheels back to my white Cougar when the time comes, and calling it a day. BTW TrucK/SUV Mudflaps will cover a 275mm wide tire. :) So what did I put on my White Cougar?   ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 30-May-2010 at 11:29PM
I dunno, I still really like th work you did on the stock wheels. EVERYBODY seems to do the Cragar 5-spoke look for their hot rods, it's nice to change that up! I still say do body-coloured inserts in the polycast rims, and that'd look slick :).
------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |