1980 ford pinto towable?

pamandjerry · 04-20-2011, 11:08 PM

I am looking at a reproduction car on a ford pinto chassis
and don't know if it can be towed. It has a manuel transmission.
Roadmaster can make the brackets.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Midniteoyl · 04-20-2011, 11:34 PM

I dont see why not... just move the gas tank inboard!

**Gary RVRoamer** · 04-21-2011, 06:59 AM

While most manuals can be towed, as I recall the Pinto was a front drive and some of them need to have hydraulic fluid circulating even when in neutral.

If you can find an owner manual, it should say something about emergency towing. Sometimes they limit it to 25 miles or so, which is a clue that the transmission can overheat. Or they say always raise the front wheels off the ground. I've seen Pinto owner manuals on ebay or craigslist for under $10.

RustyJC · 04-21-2011, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

While most manuals can be towed, as I recall the Pinto was a front drive and some of them need to have hydraulic fluid circulating even when in neutral.

Oops - I'm afraid your CRS is acting up again!

The Fiesta was front wheel drive. The Pinto (unfortunately, I owned one - briefly!! Don't ask - it was a weak moment, and it seemed like a good idea at the time) was rear wheel drive.

Rusty

frankdamp · 04-21-2011, 02:48 PM

I had a UK Ford Cortina when we lived in Va. It had a 4-speed stick. I believed the adage that stick-shifts could be towed 4 down.

We moved back to Seattle and towed the Cortina behind our Colony Park wagon. Somewhere between Butte and Bozeman, MT, we hear a loud screeching noise and see tire smoke from behind us. I took the drive shaft off for the rest of the trip.

When we got back to Seattle, I took out the transmission and took it to a local foreign car place. They tore it down and found all the bearings seized. We got a replacement from a wrecking yard.

The Pinto (particularly the 1600 cc version) had all-Cortina running gear. Maybe the 2300 version had a different gearbox, but I wouldn't bet on it. The Cortina box had an oil pump that ran off the input shaft, so, engine not turning - no lube.

Mekanic · 04-21-2011, 03:17 PM

I remember the the Pintos well. a high school friends dad had one of those shay Modal A repos(1980 model) built with a pinto drive line. pintos went to the 2300 in 73 or 74 and I know an 1980 would have had the SRT 4speed or a borg warner T4. I have never heard of one these trans mission having problem behind a 2300.

GaryKD · 04-21-2011, 03:53 PM

Hi pamandjerry,
I had a 72 and a 76 Pinto. Both with manual tranny. Towed both without any problems.

wa8yxm · 04-21-2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankdamp

I had a UK Ford Cortina when we lived in Va. It had a 4-speed stick. I believed the adage that stick-shifts could be towed 4 down.

We moved back to Seattle and towed the Cortina behind our Colony Park wagon. Somewhere between Butte and Bozeman, MT, we hear a loud screeching noise and see tire smoke from behind us. I took the drive shaft off for the rest of the trip.

When we got back to Seattle, I took out the transmission and took it to a local foreign car place. They tore it down and found all the bearings seized. We got a replacement from a wrecking yard.

The Pinto (particularly the 1600 cc version) had all-Cortina running gear. Maybe the 2300 version had a different gearbox, but I wouldn't bet on it. The Cortina box had an oil pump that ran off the input shaft, so, engine not turning - no lube.

Interesting.. I too had a Cortine Estate wagon, an older one, and this I can tell you, parts are very hard to find here in the US for that car.. Just ask for the same part... For a PINTO, fits perfectly.

(Well the parts I needed fit perfectly anyway)

I tore that car apart in severa ways, I did not see anything that would prevent 4-down towing,, but then it was a 195x model and things change.

I got it cheap... The clutch was giving the seller issues.. Needd re-fluiding and bleading.