Paul,
It is interesting that I just received an email from a fellow that had the same jingle problem that I have described. He finally narrowed his down to a loose shock absorber. His noise was the washer on the top. When he would let off the gas the shock would move just enough to allow the washer to dance around on the shaft. When he gave it the…[Read more]

Yes, the jingling is only heard when I let off the gas pedal. As soon as give it gas, the jingle stops. My neighbor and I did push and pull on the axles while on the stands, and they never moved in and out. When hand turning the wheel (tire) there is play before the other wheel goes the opposite direction. I would estimate about 5 degree turn…[Read more]

I’m with Mark. I don’t know why everyone seemed to slam the Pinto, maybe because of the rear end fuel explosion problem that Ralph Nader jumped on. I did have a Vega back in the old days. That car would go from 0-60 in 5.3 days. Most underpowered thing I have ever driven, it was scarey to drive. You couldn’t pass anything, including little old…[Read more]

Thanks Ringo. I did check the site and my sound didn’t fit in. The sound my car makes is exactly like you take a few pennies in your hand and shake them. I do like the site that you sent the link to, it is a keeper. I had checked the lube for texture, such as metal bits and particles (including sawdust), but it appeared to be just fine. I held off…[Read more]

I had just replaced my rag joint on my steering. I found one on ebay that fits both the Pinto and Mustang II. I then found the same part at Advanced Auto. It is about a quarter inch thick. Mine is like a casting of some heavy rubbery plastic. I didn’t see any fibers in it like busted up one I took off. I could not flex it by hand, but the steering…[Read more]

Thanks for all the tips.
I had started with the process of elimination at the beginning of the investigation…..I have ruled out the tail light lens .
I’ll try the reverse and see how that goes. Thanks again,
I had a U-Joint fail on my Scout on the interstate at 75 MPH. Fortunately it was the one at the rear end and not at the transmission. The…[Read more]

Rich,
Good point. I did grab the driveshaft and twist back and forth, but never put my eye on the U-joints. In the twisting back and forth everything felt firm and tight. Tomorrow it will be sunny and warm, springtime day, so I’ll put her on the stands and check them out. Thanks for the tip. I do believe you’re correct about the drivetrain, if it…[Read more]

My car was missing both lens on the front turn signals. When a truck passed me on the highway I noticed some amber lens on some running lights that appeared to be the right size. I stopped at a truck stop and bought a couple of the amber lens for less than a dollar each. The lens fit perfectly by slipping over the end of the chrome housing. I…[Read more]

Neil,
They are basket type. They were on the car when I got it. They are not stainless and are very tough to maintain. The manufacturer is Western. The center hubs have since broken (pot metal) and I located some spinners on ebay. I now have four two-wing spinners in place of the center hubs. In the photo the wires look good, but get closer and…[Read more]

Mine is the Ford 2.3L, probably from a 1974 Pinto.  You’ve got a V6 – sweet! I see more red replicas than the white. I think sportscars just look better in red. I have a 67 Datsun fairlady convertible in red with white top.
I am gathering up photos that I took during the rebuild / restoration. I’ll post some that do show how far back the shifter…[Read more]

Mine is a four speed manual. The only complaint I have is the stick shift is too far back and I have to hold my elbow upward to shift without hitting the seat back going to second and fourth. Other than that she flies like the wind and sounds great.