1973 Torino Tribute Restoration

The life and times and trials of keeping a descendant of the Model-T Orino running...

 

Update

Just a quick update. I picked up the carb on Monday and it looks brand spankin' new. The radiator arrived today. Spectra Premium, I thought, is a Canadian OE manufacturer, but my radiator has a "Made in China" sticker on it. What gives?

The fuel sender has been restored and is on it's way as well. I got a call from the guy yesterday to make payment, which I promptly did.

Will be dropping off these items this week.

 

Spectra is probably subbing out some models. Funny stuff going on.:banghead3:

Feels like Xmas, eh?

 

The Spectra Premium radiator in my wife's Durango is a piece of garbage. Probably flows a third of the stock radiator if that. What a mess. I bet that's the primary cause of our overheating problems with that truck. But I don't want to sink any more money into it. My wife won't let me get a wagon for the primary hauler. It'll have to be a Suburban. She wants a 2013 Malibu now, or maybe a 2012 Passat. Then once those two vehicles are bought and we deal with the Durango (have a 16 year old needing a vehicle) then I can go get a wagon for myself and occasionally force the children to ride with me.

I'm so glad you're getting your wagon up and running. It's been a long time gathering bits and making things right and now you're a few pieces away from driving it!

 

Well after a lil more research I was told the Spectra radiator was manufactured in either CA or IN, which is where Spectra Premium has two plants, but I think they were "giving me the business" - A lil "Leave it to Beaver" reference.

Either way I am not complaining as long as it works for a while I'll be happy. I am not having the A/C installed right away in order to save some funds. Crazy I know Especially since we have been battling some insane heat down here.

So later down the road when I can't take the heat any longer I'll look into a better quality radiator, if this one is like you say "garbage".

Anyway the fuel sending unit came in today so it will be off to the shop on Monday. I also requested a "guess-timate" of remaining items needed to complete the wagon. (ex plugs, wires, oil, filters, hoses, etc, etc) So I can purchase them and see where my budget is.

Thanks for lookin guys!

 

Don't forget RockAuto.com they seem to have lots and lots of stuff even for older cars. For the Torino I think their catalog goes back to 1971 maybe even earlier.

Here's the latest discount code: 63942235311928

This code expires on 25 September. Their Spectra Radiator is $168 - the discount code it will be 151 and some change. The discount code goes in the "How did you hear about us?" block when checking out. They ship fast.

 

Spectra Premium for the Durango is available in one row or two.

The Spectra Premiums for the Torino are available in two rows or three. I'd be ok with a 3-row for a 350-400cid V8. CU390 is the part number, it's $240 instead of $168, and here's links to the RockAuto listing and the detail page:

RockAuto '75 Squire Radiator Listings
CU390 Detail

That $72 difference might be the difference between enough and not enough. And you don't want the one-row my wife has. It's "not enough". Also note the Vista-Pro brand is about $35 more than the Spectra and it claims COPPER and BRASS construction. That speaks VOLUMES to me, I wonder what the Spectra is, if it is copper/brass, or if it isn't.

 

Engine is IN!!!!!

Well I stopped by the shop today to drop off the battery tray I ordered from Dearborn Classics. I also ordered the air cleaner 400 2V decal and engine compartment splash sheilds. The splash sheilds are made of a thin rubber material and they won't get installed until the wagon is home. She is coming along nicely, I must say The engine is in and they were gonna work on re-installing the transmission and gas tank next. So far so good. No unexpected surprises. But now that I said that I may have jinxed myself. Here are a couple photos of the engine back in her home.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=zovqivs.9wmrdwzs&x=0&h=1&y=-6u1voc&localeid=en_US

 

That thin rubber material came in two types with the late 1970s models. One was a rubberized or plasticized canvas or fiberglass material, like on truck mudflaps. The other is a flexible PVC material about 3/32nds thick.

Try to use new clips, if you can find them. The old ones won't last. They have 1-1/4" to 1-3/8" heads. They're big plastic push-pin clips. I think the holes are 1/4" diameter in the frame.

 

Gettin' Closer

I stopped by the shop today and the front end stuff is on, (radiator, fan shroud, alternator, etc.) Carb, distributor, and a few other pieces are still left to be installed to get her started up. The fuel lines have been blown out and cleaned. I'm just glad they were still usuable. Hopefully next time I stop by she'll be running. We shall see.

 

Set Back

Just a quick update:

Stopped by the shop today because the mechanic had bad news. It turns out the Spectra radiator I purchased had a few seams down the sides that weren't welded together correctly. Good news is I called the vendor and I was refunded 100% of what I paid.

Also they were working on repairing some wiring issues the RAT I brought home from the paint shop had eaten through. I think after I get a new radiator it shouldn't be too much longer before they spin her over.

Occupant I guess an "I told ya so" is in order....

I'll keep you guys posted.

 

I know this is going back a little ways but where did you get your seat belts sewn? I have some that I'm installing in the 3rd seat but they are too long so I need to shorten them. I'm close to the DFW area. Is that where you are?

BTW, I read the entire thread and I'm impressed with the transformation of your car. What a neat project and you have done a very nice job. Interestingly, you are building a tribute to your dad by duplicating a car you grew up in while I just bought THE car I grew up in from my dad and I'm fixing it up as my family car. It seems we are similar age as well.

 

I wish the one out of the parts wagon I had was better for a core for you. I feel bad and want to refund whatever you paid for it, I can't remember what. I don't need to say I told you so, it's just one of those things, if I can find copper/brass I'll get that over anything, even a performance aluminum radiator like a Modine or something. They just last longer when cared for and with an iron block and heads, aluminum in anything just screams incompatible to me. Even the aluminum impellers in some aftermarket water pumps can fail just from electrolysis damage and floating garbage in the system.

 

Update

Burners, I sent ya a PM with details of what I did on my seatbelts. I hope it helps.

Alan, thanks for the refund offer, but it won't be necessary. One, I don't remember if you gave it to me or if I paid something for it. Second, I got full refund from the vender I bought it from. I still had to pay a lil bit to get it fixed at a local radiator shop, but at least I didn't get double whammied.

I got a call from the mechanic yesterday and he said the wagon is running, but still isn't right. I figure they are still tweaking everything to get the bugs out. He claims it'll be ready this coming week.

They were gonna replace anything needed with the single exhaust and go through the brake system and rear end as well. It's gettin' close guys! I'm gettin' pretty excited.

 

GPD, I'm almost as excited as you! It's been such a long process for you and I've enjoyed watching it all along the way. Can't wait to see her on the road. Be sure to keep us in the loop.