1968 Torino GT
 

My name is Joe, I am a 57 year old ex-Jarhead wrenching in my garage.I have been around lurking for a few years, just hanging back.

My daughter and I bought this 68 GT for her to drive while we customized a 63 Fairlane for her. My thought was it would take us a week to get it running, and driving, and it did.

One thing led to another, FMX died, swap meet replacement C4 made it 5 miles, 351 spun a bearing. She drove it to school once.

So, here we are two years later, decided to go somewhat pro-touring. Hopefully it sort of qualifies, I have seen the builds here, mine is low level.

I am installing a TKO600, Global West front suspension, fixing anything mechanical that moves, and then I will drive it for a while. When I have enjoyed it for a while I will blow it apart again, and make the outside look better than a pumpkin.

Here a pictures of what I have done...

November 2011, brought home from Cheyenne, WY

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ing/68side.jpg

rebuilt 351, nothing special at this point, has a mild comp cam, stealth intake

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...no/pulleys.jpg

my daughter Kasey did most of the prep to get the engine bay ready for paint.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...4-19100247.jpg

how it looked for about 5 miles, then the so called "rebuilt C4" grenaded.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ino/side-3.jpg

back to the drawing board, building hydraulic bracket, installing scatter shields, suspensions, etc.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps2c23dde1.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...psc3734826.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...4-18163208.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps9a5c169c.jpg

JOe

Uh Ohh, Rob has a cohort now....another Torino. LOL!! Wanman, keep up updated on the engine. What are the plans now since the replacement spun a bearing?

Way to step up Joe! More pics please :thumbsup:

Travis I thought you were my cohort?:headscratch: We're all just big cars.

I think there are 5 Torino's on here now. 2 Formal roofs. Joe check out Jason, Torino420s, Formal roof she is a sweet looking ride.


I agree with Ron, Joe, More:flashie: Glad to see you post some pictures. Looks like the previous owners for yours and mine got a deal on the same repaint.:unibrow:

Kasey looks to have done some really nice work on the prep. Those shock towers and aprons look nice. You would have cringed if you were there when I cut mine out they were flawless.:underchair:

:cheers:

Good post Joe!

Sounds like Kasey knows what elbow grease is all about, nice to see her vested in the process. :thumbsup:

I also noticed you and Rob have similar work platform/pedestals......must be a Torino thing. :D

Keep up the good work as it looks it won't be long before the Torino is a reliable driver. :thumbsup:

Thanks for the warm welcome guys :hail:

Kasey is a great helper, and a good wrench. She will be 18 on Veterans day (Semper Fi). She did get an alternate car to drive.

BTW, I do know Jason (Torino420) from the Torino forum. The picture of the clutch pedal linkage, and master cylinder setup is copied from his design.

I do have a few more pictures I can post.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps2085fcb4.jpg

My tunnel mod, I will replace all my front floor pans someday, and this too.
Still learning to weld.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...psce1e66ff.jpg

Apparently this makes me a new recruit in the "Jackstand Army"?

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps3ce1bc49.jpg

Jackstand Army and mans best friend "standing" watch.......Perfect! :thumbsup:

Great to see another Torino joining in.......welcome

Those Torinos are good looking cars. :thumbsup:

Joe, if you post enough pics, you can pretty much do anything you want on here.





:D

Welcome Joe, look forward to your updates.

If we keep this up, we'll start seeing "just another Torino threads" around here. :poke:

Very cool. I love Torinos!

proprietary drop for Global West upper arms is done. everything is cleaned up and painted, and a light coat of undercoating applied.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps6617f393.jpg

spindles cleaned up, read for paint,

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps3bc6e410.jpg

the "great pumpkins" door jambs look like heck. You would have thought they could have wiped them down with lacquer thinner before applying the Elway Orange. I need a spring on my lower hing due to my doors not staying open.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...psed7fa979.jpg

Joe that's the way to build some Torino momentum. :thumbsup:
Hand crafted jackstands, you are a cut above:D

What do you have planned for brakes? What color do you plan on painting it if you get rid of the "pumpkin"?:popcorn2:

:cheers:

Rob,

I had to get the "great pumpkin" elevated so I came up with that saw horse idea. I had those "back" pallets under the front tires at one time. I put the craftsman stands under/near the torque area. I am 6'7", and somewhat round too, at 275. I can now move around underneath and work on the TKO, the quicktime, etc.

For the front brakes I have already purchased the CSRP Kelsey Hayes style replacements. They are nothing fancy, but will bolt to my spindles, and the car will be a little safer. The old distribution block on the driver side fender was froze when I bought the car. I didn't know about that system when I bought the car, and how the slider in the block functioned. I bought two used ones, both were froze. I am replacing all of it now. The back will remain the large drums for now.

My Cragars are 16 x 7, and those are new Falkens, 235-60, I don't think that is a Pro Touring size or style, but they will get me by until they wear out, or I accidentally melt them with the TKO, and the 3:50 gearing. I would like to have 17" steel wheels, with a dog dish. When I bought the Cragars, I got them off C-list cheap, and they were in great shape. I didn't know the 16" size would be a pain to get tires for. They have a 5" back space.

The paint, hmmm not sure, I am all over the place on that. I sort of want it to look sinister if that makes sense. The formal roof 428 Cobra cars were always my favorite without the chrome, and outside marking. I am not shooting for a clone, but I am thinking of taking off all but the front and back GT marking, and having it be a darker tone. Maybe a grey, silver, or something similar. When I was working on the rear driver quarter window I had all the interior out. I was disappointed to find out someone had done a hack job on replacing that quarter panel. I will be in for a cash lay out on that side when the body work stage comes along. The "great pumpkin" may just get sanded down and get a hot rod satin black for a few years, lol.

BTW, that trim down the side's is off a Fairlane and makes no sense how it got there. Someone would have had to put all those little studs in the GT body, or special order it.

I am attacking all the mechanical's, make it safe and enjoy it for a while. I think Kasey would like to drive it a few times too, lol. I also am changing that horrible front suspension, and hope to go to a Borgeson steering box, I already have their PS pump.

Someone asked what the plans were for the 351, nothing else as of yet. It is a rebuilt unit, It seemed really strong for the five miles I put on it after the cam break in, lol. It has a Comp cam with 268 duration, .456 lift, 110 lobe separation. I have a Weiand Stealth intake, and a Edelbrock 600 CFM carb.

:gitrdun: Joe

Clutch is in, working on slave cylinder, and clutch fork fitment. The fork I ordered was the wrong one, I had to use my daughter's T5 fork which appears to be just right.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps4a5f5d80.jpg

I bought a Horror Freight jack to help install the TKO since Kasey is working now. In January I tore my rotator cuff installing the TKO when it fell off the motorcycle jack, but I saved the transmission, but not my shoulder.

Mocking up the install here...

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...psc4937ce3.jpg

Rosehill performance slave cylinder bracket. I had to use a bolt for a pushrod to get a picture. I need to trim the stainless pushrod prior to install.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...psbbb95939.jpg

WTH,:hello: now I'm the little Torino guy.:lmao:

Glad to see you making some more forward progress on getting three pedals in that car.

:cheers:

TKO is in :headspin:

I am a sore old bastard...

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...psb5608b72.jpg

Wish I was that far along.

:cheers:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps8d966b6c.jpg

that black Cobra is "Sinister" looking :thankyou: for posting it!

May have to see if the plotter at work will print it in a large "SHOP" size, lol

hey Wanman nice work so far,any color looks good on these cars with the right stance and right :thumbsup: wheels

Thanks tubbed69, this is my pop-off valve to a high stress job, lol.
Right now I am looking forward to just getting more than five miles on it (most it's been since I've had it). I enjoy working on it :weld:
Joe

hey I agree I enjoy working in the garage thats how I relax,dont fish or hunt or have alot of other hobbies than cars

Okay Joe -- Time for some updates!!!



My older brother was/is a Marine! Did three tours in Viet Nam… been crazy ever since. LOL

Cool build! I'm really digging these formal roof Torinos. :thumbsup:

Yep good stuff

:cheers:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...psc0c1b4e2.jpg

Greg, same with my next older brother...

Well no work this weekend, but I can always post :flashie:

And I have a question with this one ??? When I finally get my Global West uppers back from them being altered, my front end will drop. I know I can drop the rear.

My tire size is 235/60-16 ~ 27.1 inches tall. How does that compare to a Pro Tour tire? I know the sidewall isnt a 35.

My assumption is the car can sit lower around the wheel/tire combo. Is it going to look goofy lowered down around this wheel? Wish I could envision it.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...psab358f3b.jpg

OH, and this is what I get to do sometimes when I am not working on my Torino... we live out in the sticks as they say...

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...diskMedium.jpg

And have critters... Ricky & Fred...

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...psd9df2fc7.jpg

Cool critters.

Man you are in the sticks, a tractor without a cab and AC.:lmao:

It's going to look better low. In the rear your tire is the same height as my 345 30 19 so it will tuck in and fill your wheel well really nice. FYI without tubs and with about 5.75" to 6" of BS you can fit a 285 tire on the rear of your car with the leaf springs.

Up front the shape of the fender lip makes it difficult to slam the car and get a good turning radius with a wide tire. Typically most tires on the front of the cars you see on here are 25.5" to 26" tall.
With your GW stuff I bet you can drop the front about 2" and still get decent turn radius with a 27" tall tire at 235mm wide, if the BS on the wheels is right. The taller tire will actually tuck up farther in the fender and give a more lowered look.

What size are your wheels? 16x7 or 16x8? A 16x8 with 4.5" BS is a pretty good fit on a shock tower car.

Now get out there and slam that thing and let's see it. Once you get the front lowered you can dial in the rear height to give you some rake. Keep in mind if you do swap to a shorter tire up front then that will create some rake.

If you get your butt to CA I'll give you my rearced Dever leafs that will lower your rear 1.5"

:cheers:

16x7 with a 5" BS

Dang we were just out there in the Wife's F1~Odyssey, lol in July, I could have bought those Denver leafs from you then.

BUT every time I stare at Jason's 420 rear, ahem, let me rephrase, his formal's rear, I keep thinking qudralink :superhack:

<--LIKE :D

Careful:twak: :lol:

It is that type of thinking that led me to a full frame chassis and a 3 year project.

:cheers:

Joe

Where's the progress pictures?:poke:

:cheers:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps0913b0ee.jpg

Thanks, I went through your build thread today, lots of cool mods!

I am off next week Rob, if my modified Global West upper arms arrive, I will finish that project.

Otherwise I will put the steering column back in, the hydraulic clutch, the man pedal, etc.

I also ordered trim for my pole barn, and I need to finish that up. I ordered a new patio door for my wife and that comes in three weeks from today. When that gets here my first floor remodel begins for her birthday. Then my progress will look like Torino 420's, lol...

Here is the man cave / critter corral...

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps4b0b2887.jpg

this is my daughter Kasey's project, behind the door of the man cave

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps64540bf8.jpg

Not quite that far along yet, lol

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...9-07105803.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_9839.jpg

I got some tin on the barn before the weather dropped to 17*

Then I put in in the steering column. I wish I had taken pictures before, because I put it together, and took it apart three times before I remembered how it went together. It was an automatic column Kasey and I modified, and then painted.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps7e06afb4.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...pse9678e4d.jpg

Then I worked on the hydraulic clutch install, with the modified Torino420 system :thumbsup:

That Rosehill Performance SS Hyd line is going to present a problem when I choose my master cylinder.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps8f6f7b75.jpg

Got the Man Pedal installed :mock:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps31b98714.jpg

And I talked to Doug at Global West today, my modified goodies should ship next week. Maybe in a couple of weeks I can roll it around on the floor :lmao:

Joe

Getting it on the ground will be a great feeling.:thumbsup:

Your steering column rebuild looks nice. I tore one of those apart before :willy:

:cheers:

Looking good! I remember tearing my column apart when I modified it for the RRS rack and pinion, I went through the same confusion getting it back together. Nice work!

I needed to move my Griffin radiator up about 1.250" so I built a prototype bracket. My bend calculation was off as usual, and the bead didn't turn out too straight. I learn from doing this so I will make another.

I need to make the bottom piece, but it will not be seen.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps98681211.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps03434cd0.jpg

In order to do anything "straight" you need a fence or some kind of guide. No way can you do something like this by hand and expect it to be perfectly straight.

Nice piece… and if you're like me - I'll do it until I get it right and learn a bunch of stuff along the way. Then the first buddy that stops by will say -- Hey dip squat! Why didn't you do it "X" way? And I'll scratch my head and wonder just why I didn't… :>)

BTW --- My daughter would be right out in the shop with me getting dirty and asking "what does that do"? Oh! "How does it work"? "Can we do something like this to my car"?

My son would go to his mother and ask her to pay for someone to modify his car.

Thanks, and I was looking at it thinking, yep I better build a damn fence while I was running it through, lol...

I almost didn't post it, but I knew you guys like pictures

I have all girls, but only one of them like to come out to the garage. Unfortunately she got a job in town, and is working too many hours now. I don't see much of her except when I cant sleep and she is doing homework at zero dark thirty.