Well... last year in hopes of stopping an oil leak I replaced the valve cover
gasket and cleaned up the top half of the motor. Didn't work. This car has always
smoked a bit out the tailpipe on startup and it just kept getting worse. I was
beginning to believe I had a head gasket issue. I started looking for the leak
and found a bad one, bottom of the head in back on the driver side. New! Head Gasket Needed!
so... here's what I started with
looked ok for a driver but my plans included a major cleanup.
here we go... down to the block
cover up the pistons
and disassemble
now ready to get started on the next step... cleanup
push it outside...
get out the power washer...
soak it down with engine cleaner
2 sessions with the power washer and much better
this pinto was originally blue
Previous owner had the car painted white and did the engine bay too.
however no primer was used and I doubt the engine was torn down this far so some
areas didn't get covered and some of it just flaked off. I did do some sanding
to prepair for the next step.
Now for some of the parts going back on. This head was from a "rebuilt" motor I
had purchased for parts. I sent it out to be checked and cleaned. The machine
shop said surface was flat, no cracks and over all very good condition. They did
replace 1 valve seal, the others were ground and they also replaced the rear cam seal. Rebuilt Head!
Some of the other parts. I wire wheeled everything down to metal, primered and painted.
again... no primer used previously so paint was flaking. I stripped, primered and repainted.
wire wheeled and shiny!
time to primer the block, several coats were done to prime it good.
time for the paint
several coats and kept checking for thin spots.
brake booster and master cylinder now match
used a fan to help it dry for the next step
next day... cover the engine and wires, time to start painting the engine bay.
primer the engine bay so the paint will stick! and hopefully last awhile.
fan used again to help dry the paint
looking good and ready to start reassembly
reassembly started
a mock up to give me an idea of the finished look
timing set and button up
this is looking really good... hope it runs as good as it looks when done.
After getting it started, set the timing... it's running great and ready for a test drive.
the details... lots of work...
wire wheel everything! even the bolts, painted items all primered before paint.
wires cleaned up and some new looms
radiator looks new and shiny!
It's really amazing how nice this looks in person, the best part... runs as good as it looks.
and of course.... a Video!
and a reminder... same Pinto I did the interior in 2008
