71-Torino-GT - Call it Patches

[JRANGER]

Well I've had it since about April and i don't have a build thread anywhere....So i figured this would be a good place to go...
If you want to skip all the BS and pictures, you can watch me in my weekly YouTube Drop every Friday @
www.youtube.com/c/id10tgarage (https://www.pro-touring.com/www.youtube.com/c/id10tgarage)

Its a 71 Torino GT with 351 Cleveland and a small CAM in it. Runs OK, Sounds good, but is an absolute RUST BUCKET...and the more i dig the worse it gets but....The idea is to have it ready for the 2023 Power Tour

Currently working on getting it Structurally Sound, Fabricating up new Torque Boxes before i can install the AMD 1 piece floor, kick panel, and all seat supports.

Its going to need some Cowl Patching, A Pillar Patches on the passenger side, Kick Panel Patches, Firewall patches, Front Frame Rail Patches, Trans is leaking as well

201548
201550
201551
201552
201549
201546
201547
201543
201544
201542
201541
201540
201539
201538
201537

[JRANGER]

I am designing a Custom 3D Print Grille Emblem
Designing a 3D Printer Gauge Cluster
Also working on a Sequential Tail Light Setup
201553

201554



https://youtu.be/2hKsDNHsoiw

[69stang]

Following
Have a lot of good memories with my friend's 71 Torino GT in HS!

[JRANGER]

Following
Have a lot of good memories with my friend's 71 Torino GT in HS!

Glad to have you aboard.

This weeks episode is up, mostly on tearing apart the drivers side torque box and welding in the bottom plate. This thing is a mess

https://youtu.be/YmN9PlVZzG0

[JRANGER]

Fabbed up the top to the Torque box.
Slow and Steady

201593
201592

[badbu68]

Gotta love old cars, outside looks great but underneath is a mess. Looks like 2 different cars. Looks like you're tackling it head on, keep it up! I'm following too.

[jaybee]

These are great looking cars, with a look that connected in one way or another to nearly every Ford car of the era.

[JRANGER]

Thanks for following along. There definitely some hidden repairs on the outside but yeah a mess on the inside

- - - Updated - - -


These are great looking cars, with a look that connected in one way or another to nearly every Ford car of the era.

Yeah, im a mustang guy at heart but it just got such a great aggressive look to it. The face is just mean

[JRANGER]

Cut out the factory gusset, cut out the rust from the bottom, created my template, cut my patch, patched it in, grinded it down, modified the 69 mustang gusset and welded it all in.

201868
201867
201866
201865
201864
201863

[JRANGER]

https://youtu.be/FN73GRZVOxw

[JRANGER]

Have i ever been busy.

The torque box on the drivers side is complete, just needs one more coat of paint over the seam sealer.

201984


I worked and got the toe board fitting, and will need to patch between it and the firewall as i cut away too much rot but that's a minor thing

201983
201982


Cleaned all the frame rails and rockers to prep for the one piece floor pan

201985
201986

Then I rotated the car in the car with cheap dolly's so i can pull the passenger side door off for the one piece floor pan. Ive been told this is the only way to get it in the car without removing the windshield

201987
201988

[JRANGER]

https://youtu.be/UazCl162pOQ

[Martin71RS]

Cool model, you've got some work ahead of you... good luck!

[JRANGER]

Getting closer and closer to getting this floor in
https://youtu.be/iE_8WnpydcI

[JRANGER]

Progress has slowed lately, Im working on Buying and Selling a house so my efforts have been there but Today i got Garage Therapy in and got the floor in place. Almost ready to weld in
202669
202668
202667

[JRANGER]

https://youtu.be/XtUlpUu0GgI

[JRANGER]

https://youtu.be/3OaPoAQyqyE

[JRANGER]

Finally got the floor spot welded in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrTwvYp2ZPo

[chunger]

You’re doing great work - keep it up!

[JRANGER]

no real update, ive got moved but having to work on the house. So i havent even got my stuff unloaded or organized in the garage

https://youtu.be/XS75ZkLNjiI

[Mikey97D]

Thanks for posting the story and the YT channel. Just subscribed.

[JRANGER]

Thanks for posting the story and the YT channel. Just subscribed.

Appreciate the follow, im looking forward to getting back to work on it

[JRANGER]

back at it....Actually slacking at updating this thread....New episode tomorrow. Last weeks here


https://youtube.com/watch?v=LF_n95XbvYk&feature=shares

[JRANGER]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdLATuW9aPg

[JRANGER]

https://youtu.be/8C4ZJxPqgFA


https://youtu.be/l1yuch7jwzs

[JRANGER]

This rust is getting ridiculous

205117205118205119205120205121205116



https://youtu.be/uuU828_Wo7E

[JRANGER]

Back at it

https://youtu.be/pSxXFPZBs7Q

[JRANGER]

Starting to get the cowl welded in
205485205486205484

[chunger]

It's alot of work, but you're getting there! Good Job!

[JRANGER]

Its all welded in but, i broke my brand new windshield Damn suction cups gave as i was setting it in place.

205696

205695

[JRANGER]

https://youtu.be/yw9XqwTrW7I

[JRANGER]

Getting the supports patched up and welded back in. Lots of cleanup to go

205806205807205808205809

[chunger]

Man, that sucks! Keep up the good work!

[JRANGER]

Cleaned up the welds, sanded stuff down, cleaned, and coated the metal with rustoleum

205815
205816

[JRANGER]

Doesnt look like much but got all the screws out, welded them up, coated with rust encapsulator, and welded in the mounting brackets for the passenger side 09 gt500 seats
205921

[JRANGER]

In this video I show you how i installed 09 Gt500 seats (05-09 type i believe) in my 71 Torino.

The video should be useful for the following Vehicles based on the AMD floor fitment:
1966 - 1971 Ford Fairlane (Except Convertible, Wagon or Ranchero)
1968 - 1971 Ford Torino (Except Convertible, Wagon or Ranchero)
1966 - 1970 Mercury Comet (Except Convertible, Wagon or Ranchero)
1966 - 1971 Mercury Cyclone (Except Convertible, Wagon or Ranchero)
1968 - 1971 Mercury Montego (Except Convertible, Wagon or Ranchero)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HtgWh06Hf8

[JRANGER]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq0ANXZ3uBA

[JRANGER]

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vgqVym1ipMI

[JRANGER]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E8Moif-70E

[JRANGER]

https://youtu.be/Xtuh_uM2Q_A

https://youtu.be/MavnlfsddaM

https://youtu.be/gRw3WmkuKO4

- - - Updated - - -

206664206662206663

[Mikey97D]

That 3D printed dgauge mount came out nice!

[JRANGER]

Well ive been BUSY!!!! My Chinese gauges were a very custom fit and since the TACH wouldnt work, i ordered a VEETHREE Tach, that I know would but it wouldnt fit in my cluster..... So I just printed my different design cluster made for a more standard size Gauge setup

206958

I put some sound deadener in, installed carpet from a 68 mustang i had laying around, and mounted the GT 500 seats and center console
206956206957
206961206962



I also Managed to get the whole front end put on and my Custom Center Emblem with Cobra. The Mounting box is 3d Printed to hold the emblem
206959206960

[JRANGER]

https://youtu.be/S52y5PXNvpY

[JRANGER]

Done alot of work and started driving it around to shake it down for the power tour. Biggest issue is around 70 mph is gets the shakes....Get back up to 80 and it eases....Its not horrible but i dont like it


Latest Stuff Done:

Air Shocks with 100 PSI loaded
Replaced Valance
Lip Spoiler
Angel Eye LEDS wired
Installed a Glove Box
Installed Door Sills
Replaced Passenger Blinker Lens
Replaced Driver Fender Side Marker
New Door Locks
New Strikers
LED Tail Bulbs
Door Panels
Blacked out and Installed Trunk Inserts
Painted and Install Kick Panels
Windshield Installed
A Pillars Painted and Installed
3D printed Sill/Wire Covers
Console Shifter Plate Screwed On
Shifter Lever fixed and Attached
Installed The heater Box
Installed the passenger side air box/heater connection's
Installed New Tail Light Bulb Sockets
Installed Dash Bezel End Caps
Zip Ties Wires Tidy Under the Dash
Zip Tied broken E Brake Lines
New Thermostat and Housing


207200207201207202207203

[Mikey97D]

Can you verify that your speedometer is reading the correct speed? Usually if a tire is out of balance it is around 60 mph.

Try decreasing the air pressure in the shock to lower the rear some and retest. Wondering if the pinion angle of the drive shaft is problematic with the rear end up high?

Edit: BTW, car is looking good and nice to see it back on the road.

[JRANGER]

Can you verify that your speedometer is reading the correct speed? Usually if a tire is out of balance it is around 60 mph.

Try decreasing the air pressure in the shock to lower the rear some and retest. Wondering if the pinion angle of the drive shaft is problematic with the rear end up high?

Edit: BTW, car is looking good and nice to see it back on the road.


Thats a very good point. I just put the PSI up to 40 and swapped tires/wheels. I have a GPS speedo so it should be accurate but ill double check with a GPS speedo on my cell.

Thanks for the info


Edit: Dropped rear to 50PSI and Tires to 37PSI.....Ill take it for a drive this weekend and fingers crossed it will be better

[JRANGER]

Put 172 miles on it today, it still shakes bit but not nearly like it was. I Dropped the PSI on the rear down to 50 PSI and the Tires to 37. I also removed a screw that may occasionally have been scraping the U joint. Super fun to drive and at 60mph it is as smooth as butter. I also confired the Speedo is accurate....I ordered new front suspension so thats on the list of to do's

[JRANGER]

Todays Find:

Shocks - SHOT

Coil Spring Saddles - SHOT

UCA - Have Granda Bushing and Actual Decent, Look a bit dry

Driver Side Mising Bump Stop

620 Drop Springs - Look SHORT AF



Im Considering putting just the New Saddles, 620 Springs, and Shocks in and seeing how it sits...Especially with how bad the shocks were
207300
207299
207298
207297

[chunger]

Shocks shouldn't hold the front of the car up - thats determined by spring height. The only way to know for sure, is to install the springs and see where it sits.

[Tim C]

On my 67 Fairlane, which is basically the same chassis, I used open tracker roller saddles, and the 620 springs but it was very very low. I put a small 3/8 spacer on top of the spring which is 3/4 lift, then I still put 1/2 inch spacers and longer bolts between the lower spring saddle and global west upper control arms to get another inch. My headers were only 2" off the ground! I welded the spacers to the UCA so it'll be better supported and I don't have to worry about side loading of any kind. Hope to see you on the Power Tour. Look for a sky blue 67 Fairlane with primer grey top and a 67 C10 that's green with Capps garage on the doors. That's me and Dad, say hi!

[JRANGER]

Full font suspension in minus the new sway bar bushings and end links i should get in tonight.

Got dialed in my Caster and Camber To -.25 ish degrees camber and 2 - 2.5 ish caster.

So basically New:
Moog UCAs
Moog LCAs
Grab a Track 1" 620 Lowering Springs
Moog LCA Caster/Camber Bolts
KYB KG4505 Gas-a-Just Gas Shock

207423207424207425

[chunger]

Nice. How do you like the Longacre alignment tool? Was looking at picking the same one up.

[JRANGER]

Nice. How do you like the Longacre alignment tool? Was looking at picking the same one up.

Has always worked well.

I wanted more caster And really didn't have enough room to dial it in further at home so

Took it to the shop and got it all aligned. Took 2+ Hours but they did it

Toe: .30 and .32
Camber -.19 and -.24
Caster 3.45 and 3.49

Holds the road nice and straight

[JRANGER]

So 29 days til the power tour......

Car is driving good but leaking everywhere. I was going to change out the c4 pan, but then found out the pan i bought wont work as its a Pan Fill c4. Whoops...Then i figured out all the pan botls were loose, so i torque spec'ed them all to 12 ft lbs in hopes that will stop some leaking.



Even though im not having any over heating problems, im a bit skeptical of the stock radiator and figured a fresh Aluminum would help regardless. So i ordered a cheap replacement rad, that should help atleast a little.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086BXTGHJ



I also noticed my Sway bar end links were properly alligned so loosened them back up, adjsuted and re-tightened them down. Damn poly bushings... lol



I ordered everything to do another oil change, its not even remotely due, but with a car sitting as long as this car i like to try to break things loose and freshen up the oil to check for contaminents etc..



I also ordered a new set of autolite 24s to throw in, as its been a good year since i replaced them. So ill do that as well.


Tons of stuff to do, before the power tour.... Leaks everywhere but she runs and drives good.

[chunger]

Huh. Never even thought to look on Amazon for a radiator - nice find! If your tranny pan still leaks after tightening - I've used the Right Stuff on a C4 and that sealed it up.

[JRANGER]

https://youtu.be/-MrDOF3syNQ

[ryeguy2006a]

Has always worked well.

I wanted more caster And really didn't have enough room to dial it in further at home so

Took it to the shop and got it all aligned. Took 2+ Hours but they did it

Toe: .30 and .32
Camber -.19 and -.24
Caster 3.45 and 3.49

Holds the road nice and straight

Great work on the project, so glad that you are out driving it! I like that alignment tool, I've been looking at picking one up too go get me in the ballpark. I'm curious how close your alignment was to what the machine read off the street?

[JRANGER]

Great work on the project, so glad that you are out driving it! I like that alignment tool, I've been looking at picking one up too go get me in the ballpark. I'm curious how close your alignment was to what the machine read off the street?

It wasnt because i tried to adjust it again and could never get it back close. I also was being lazy and never set the TOE so i was fighting myself and getting frustrated with the lack of room i had while working.

However, ive used it to dial in suspensions in the past and it worked great. Just wasnt this time

[JRANGER]

This weekends parts showed up :)

207541
207542

Already this week ive also:
Changed the oil
Tightened the Transmission Pan (Added a quart)
Changed the Plugs to Autolite 24s
Replaced the Mufflers
Put Rear turn downs before the axle

The Aggressive Sound of the exhaust:

https://youtube.com/shorts/ALSV0RMBbbE

[JRANGER]

Installed the Radiator and new houses. Also got my newest design dash cluster in with the Dash Pad. Sadly looks like my sender is biting the bullet
207549
207550

[JRANGER]

Started the day pulling the mufflers back off and welding the turn downs on solid. Then took her out to get groceries in a few different places on this beautiful day.

another 70 miles on her and tons of smiling



207558
207559
207560

[JRANGER]

https://youtu.be/3bioZZi7xx0

[JRANGER]

I couple more things knocked off the list

*Installed a new Fuel Sender and it appears my gauge is working properly now
*Siphoned out 2 qts of gear oil and put some fresh gear oil in to be safe

[JRANGER]

https://youtu.be/SYOA69RV3Wk

[chunger]

Love to see all the little things you're taking care of for the trip. Keep at it, the cruise will be worth it!

[JRANGER]

Hot Rod Power Tour 2023

Day 1: Lost Oil Pressure in Chattanooga TN after about 210 miles driven from my house. Found the car to be 3 quarts low on oil

Day 2: Event Start: ATL Motor Speedway, Added another 2 quarts before rolling in. Discover the Oil Sender is leaking all over and Fix

Day 3: Smooth Drive to SC, belt came a little loose on the Power Steering and smooth getting into the Venue. Approx. 2 quarts of oil used

Day 4: Smooth Drive up to Rockingham but arriving at the Venue got stuck in a long line. Car started over heating, by the time i got in i had to get the officer to let me in before the car crashed and burned. I was literally about to roll in and he stopped me. Thinking it was going to be a short wait, i was wrong. I rolled in the entrance and parked it in the grass immediately at 250 Degrees.... 2 Quarts of oil used, had to add Coolant, and my Trunk Lock decided to break the spring on the cover. So i had to remove it. We then drove to Concord where the next event was. So a nice 2 day stay

Day 5: We are 2 miles from the ZMaxx and we drive over and get stuck in line. Turned the car off as they weren't letting people in and eventually when the line started going it was getting warm again, slow and steady she got up to 230 Degrees and I just parked her outside. Realized the 4 blade fan just wasn't enough, after leaving ran to O Reilley's and got a 5 Blade flex fan. unfortunately no one had any spacers at all. So i couldn't install it as the stock Spacer was Mushroomed on the Stock fan. Look further at the engine and find a plug wire was against the Headers and replaced all my spark plug wires, refilled the coolant again, and added 2 more quarts of oil. She is leaking out of everywhere at this point.

Day 6: Headed to Bristol no real issues, nice beautiful hill drive but adding oil at every gas stop. She got warm going into the Event and i turned the heater on and tried to pop the hood, but the Hood was jammed shut. So i drove in, with my car door open and the heater blasting and managed to keep her below 220. After inspection, i had to take part of the grille apart and unbolt the latch to the hood. The Safety latch caught and bent over. Unbent the safety hook and put it all back together. We drove to Knoxville for the night and she was not liking it. The Transmission seemed to be getting warm after all the hill driving and was feeling very sluggish in general.

Day 7: Heading home, car still seems very tired and need 2 more quarts of oil plus some Coolant. Seems she pukes a little coolant every stop but nothing major. As long as I'm at speed she never gets too warm. We stop at a rest stop and i check her over, plug wires are loose on the Distributer, weird......NGK wires.....Get everything snugged up and fill up with Gas. 100 Miles to home and she is roaring again like she should.....However she started to struggle, over 3k RPM the tach start getting weird, pretty sure i fouled out some spark plugs as it was very tired feeling again. Limped her home, and unpacked her.

I've ordered New Plugs and a Fan spacer for the time being. She is going to leak and i want to see how much but for the time being she will be a weekend car for fun until i get funds to Rebuild the Engine. I have big plans for this car eventually but I have to get back to work on my 69 Mustang which I've neglected for over a year.

1440 Miles Traveled from my house and back
Greenbrier TN
Columbia, TN
Atlanta Motor Speedway, Atlanta, GA
South Carolina State Fairgrounds, Columbia SC
Rockingham Speedway, Rockingham NC
ZMax Dragway, Concord NC
Bristol Motor Speedy Way Bristol, TN
Knoxville, TN
Greenbrier, TN

At one point i was averaging about 13.5mpg which i was shocked about
Total Spent Gas $412.68
3 Gallons of Oil Used
2 Gallons of Coolant


207966
207967
207965
207968
207969

[chunger]

Quite the adventure! I'm glad you stuck with it - and made some memories. Lots of others woulda just gave up and headed for home. Glad you went all the way!

[ryeguy2006a]

Soo cool man! Thanks for sharing. I'm planning to go next year with my father-in-law and take my wagon. Can't wait!

[JRANGER]

Did a tune up and got her back and running strong again. However I still haven't been happy with the cooling and I dumped some stop leak in the coolant just to be safe til the rebuild. In the meant time I decided to go electric and installed a 95 ford contour fan. Still have a lot if clean up and securing to do but it's installed with a high speed bypass toggle switch in case it gets too hot. It's all wired to relays and the high relay turns off the low.

208697
208698

[chunger]

I like where you're headed with this setup. What size circuit breaker did you use?

[JRANGER]

its a 30amp breaker (Came wit the Thermostatic switch setup) but im probably going to grab an 80amp. Im thinking a 80amp relay for the high as configuration as well. I may remove the thermostatic switch from the Bypass relay as well, now that i think of it....It that switch ever goes out, id like to be able to turn on the high fans if im out and about

[JRANGER]

Had to re-wire and make a few changes but this should do the trick

208719

[chunger]

Thank you for updating the schematic.

[JRANGER]

New Wiring on the fan works like a CHAMP. I could easily wire in an other Thermostatic Switch for the High but i like to Bypass Function in case of Emergency.

I have been fighting other electrical Gremlins for Awhile Such as the wipers shorting things out and sometimes the Power Being a little flake with the ignition.





The 2 pieces that really fixed this:
1) NOS ESSEX 26-15 Ignition Switch (Standard Parts Ignition Switch doesn't have enough Spring Tenison in it in comparison to OEM)
2) OEM Wiper Switch (Had Wiper Switch with Intermittent Wipers - 1973-91 Ford Truck, 1978-91 Ford Bronco 1971-72 Ford Torino Part #: D10Z-17A553-A which is wrong)


The only thing really not working at this point in the Windshield Washer.....I don't know if its the Used Switch or Maybe the after market squirter that had previously worked but i havent touched it in awhile..... maybe a fuse...Of all the things im least worried about its that! lol

[JRANGER]

Deccided im going to design and print my own grille. Took me awhile to get the angles right but the center section is looking good. Im printing out the prototype now and its meant to somewhat mimic the COBRA style grille that people sell for thousands...
209058
209059

[chunger]

Wow, nice! Other Torino owners will want this. What did you use to draw it up?

[JRANGER]

Wow, nice! Other Torino owners will want this. What did you use to draw it up?

Im just using TinkerCad...Ive already had to resdesigned it 3 times. Initial v2 Center printed out (28 hours) and its a bit too sturdy

209068
209067

[71 ProTorino]

Wow you do have your hands full. I have a 71 that has a 2013 Mustang Body swap. You'll get there with your project, but I would consider finding a lot better doner car and go with that. They are out there. Good Luck you'll have a nice car once finished.

[JRANGER]

Wow you do have your hands full. I have a 71 that has a 2013 Mustang Body swap. You'll get there with your project, but I would consider finding a lot better doner car and go with that. They are out there. Good Luck you'll have a nice car once finished.

You must not of read through the whole thread! New Floor, New Torque Boxes, New Kick Panels, new floor supports, new Upper Cowl, New Lower Cowl, New Wiper Motor, New Windshield....At this point its pretty structurally sound and i drove it 1440 miles on the power tour. It is definitely a lot of work