Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

I've been dinking around with this car since 1983. It was my Mom's until she passed away in 2005. I still have it and I'm still dinking around with it so I thought I'd goof around and show some of my tinkerings with it in this Alternate Tinkerings thread just for fun.

I'll post more stuff whenever I get the urge.

Thanks for looking.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

Sometime around 1989 I bought this full set of service manuals at the Pomona swap meet. I think I paid something like 70 bucks for them which was pricey but they have turned out to be a good investment.

Attachment 1006060



Here are a couple of other manuals I use for reference now and again.

Attachment 1006066

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

I still have some of the original documentation that was included with the vehicle when new. First sold to Joseph A. Gunderman by Grant Motor Co., 2525 34th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33713.

Attachment 1006078



And here is the build sheet, somewhat worse for the wear.

Attachment 1006077

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

A couple more pics just after a good cleaning and waxing.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

That brings back some memories. I had one (forgot the year 81 ?) it was a 302 with a 4 speed. 4th was O/D., decent car but got no respect. LOL
Traded my dad for a motorcycle. He gave it to one of my sisters who I'm pretty sure ran it out of oil.
When I got it it had a hand held (rope) cruise control. :lol: Old guy engineering. I took it off day 2.

Keeping it stock? Looks good!

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

Lot's of people say to me "Oh, my grandmother had one of those" or similar. I get a lot of amusement from these comments. I'm glad to hear it brings back some memories for you, too!

There were tons of these things around when they were new, they were very popular. I think most of them by now have been scrapped, I never see any on the road, and last time I rummaged through a scrapyard, I didn't see a one. They really aren't worth much now, even if they are in cherry condition (which mine isn't).

There were plenty to choose from in the junkyard in the late eighties, though. Good thing I picked up some trim pieces back then.

It's kind of a pain here in California because it still has to be smogged. But, it keeps passing so I keep driving it.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

Throw a built 460 in that thing and make an ultimate sleeper. :metal:

I've always been interested in the mid 70's-late 80's V8 RWD cars for making a cool, stock looking, street car.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

If it were a '75 and smog-exempt, I'd put a big V8 in it for sure. But, since it's a '76, it still has to be inspected and tested for smog here in California so changing it over would be a royal (bureaucratic) pain. So, a 250 CID six banger it will remain for the forseeable future.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

STEERING GEAR (work done in October 2012)

The steering and front suspension have always been problematic. I have most of the invoices for work done on it in the last 30 years and many are for tires, alignment, and repair of suspension and steering components.

The steering has been an issue on this car for a long time. Upon inspection , I saw that the flexible joint at the steering gear was torn so I began by replacing it. I had to disconnect the steering column to do it. While doing this I discovered that the steering gear had a lot of slop in it and the grease was all gone, too.

Ripped
Attachment 1006630

ReallyOldSh!t
Attachment 1006631


 

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

STEERING GEAR (work done in October 2012)

I was uneasy about disconnecting the ball stud and pitman arm. They can sometimes be difficult. I also read a lot of horror stories and BFH tales that didn’t help.

I bought two tools. With a little patience and a lot of care, everything came apart just like the shop manual said it would.

Harbor Freight 1752 - Tie Rod and Pitman Arm Puller (left)
OTC 7315A - Universal Tie Rod End Remover (right)
Attachment 1006633



I ordered a rebuilt steering gear from Rock Auto (a Lares rebuild) but it had damaged mounting threads on the body, so I sent it back.

What I got from Rock Auto/Lares
Attachment 1006634



Online investigation revealed a company called Red Head Steering Gears in Seattle that said they could rebuild mine. I found several threads on this site where people had good things to say about Red Head. Also, Wes at Classicheartbeat (a 67-72chevytrucks vendor) sells Red Head products, and he is a quality conscious guy. So I sent the gear off for a rebuild. The turnaround time including shipping was only a week.

http://redheadsteeringgears.com/
Attachment 1006635



When it came back from Red Head, I installed the freshly rebuilt and repainted unit with the red top. I adjusted the steering column length so the flexible coupling was flat like it is supposed to be (not warped like I found it, I think I may have fkd it up long ago !). The steering is a lot firmer now and the unpredictable drifting is absent.

The rebuilt Red Head gear with a new flexible coupling before installation.
Attachment 1006636

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

I finally identified the source of the thunk in the front end on turns that is coming from the vicinity the wheels. The bushings in the spring perches are worn and they are shifting on their shafts. So, new ones should fix it (pricey little devils from NAPA) but same as 64-73 Mustang and many others so easy to find.

I was unable to see the problem until I removed a coil spring and found I could easily slide the perch bracket back and forth an eighth of an inch or so by hand.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

So, while I'm waiting for the perches, I moved on to another problem, the leaking front seal. What a mess. That's what I get for ignoring it this long. Oh well.

Anyway, here are a few pics of what I've been up to.



Radiator after removal. Looks like the cats have been here.
Attachment 1008815



Lots of black gooey stuff down here.
Attachment 1008816



I wonder if this is what was making all the mess ?
Attachment 1008817



Looks like repair sleeve time on this balancer.
Attachment 1008818



I cleaned up the crossmember and some other stuff forward of the engine. Next I'll clean around the timing cover and oil pan before I remove them.
Attachment 1008819

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

Here's a question for anyone that might be looking.

I'm considering using this Felpro gasket set that includes a repair sleeve.

http://www.fme-cat.com/PartDetailWin... VIN L&t=&vin=

The repair sleeve requires this tool:

http://www.fme-cat.com/PartDetailWin... VIN L&t=&vin=

I have been unable to find any information on how this tool is supposed to be used. I've noticed that Felpro is rather stingy on detailed how-to info. This thing looks like an expensive washer in all the pics I could find. Couldn't I just press the sleeve home with some flat stock ? Is the tool worth 30 bucks ???

I'll hold my breath until someone responds...............................

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

yes just some flat stock and go slow. they are very thin and can damage easy. They should only be like 3 or 4 bucks.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

Oh good, i can breathe again haha.

Seriously, i wonder why the Felpro tool is so pricey ???

I used a Timken sleeve on my truck and it came with an installation tool. The sleeve had a flange on it that the tool pressed against to slide it on to the damper.

It doesn't look like the Felpro sleeves have a flange. Their pictures suck. They are only in one dimension, from above. No side views so wtf you are getting is anyones guess.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

Now this is what we call a 1976 Ford Granada over this side of the atlantic.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y29...76granada2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y29...ranada0010.jpg

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

Yes, I've seen those Granadas before. I don't recall ever having seen one in person here in the US though. It can cause some frustration when searching for information online, the search engines can't tell one Granada from another. Maybe that's why the Granada specific site here in US is called http://americangranada.com/ !

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

So I decided to go for the complete Fel-pro deal, including the installation tool. I found the best price for the timing cover and oil pan gasket sets at RockAuto, and the best price for the repair sleeve installation tool at Summit. While I'm waiting for the parts, I'll clean up the mess around the timing cover and all the crap that was blown back along the bottom of the engine and elsewhere. Then I'll jack up the motor a bit and remove the oil pan, then the timing cover, then clean the gasket surfaces. I'll see what the timing chain looks like, too. That should keep me busy for a while.

Timing cover set w/ sleeve - TCS45660
Oil pan gasket set - OS30217C
Tool for sleeve - 16310

Looks like NAPA is cancelling my spring perch order, they don't carry it or ran out or something. I tried ordering them both at the counter and online. Looks like I'll have to move on to Plan B.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

oh wow i just noticed . . . it has been two years today that I joined this great Board !

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

The last couple of days I've been getting godawful greasy dirty cleaning all the oily mess blown back from the front of the engine. But now everything looks Ford blue again, not totally black. I got the timing cover and balancer off and checked the timing chain play. It was within a tenth of an inch of being over spec so I decided to replace it, too.

Attachment 1009614

I found a Cloyes timing set on sale as a clearance item at Rock Auto for only $11.42 + $9.20 S&H. Not bad.

I still have to get the oil pan off and then I'll spend some time cleaning gasket surfaces. By the time they are clean I should have all my parts on hand.

Attachment 1009615

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

I just came back from a one week trip to Monterey. The weather was perfect, warm and sunny. It was nice to get away from working on car stuff.

Attachment 1013380



Today I got back into it. I cleaned and painted the timing cover and water pump. I also cleaned a few more gasket surfaces on the engine. All my parts are here now, too.

Attachment 1013383

Attachment 1013381

Attachment 1013382

Attachment 1013384

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

I had one of these. I want to say it was a 76. 302 auto. Blew the damn thing up one night while racing a Maverick. Lost oil pressure and that was it. Being the Chevy minded person I am....I slapped a 454 with a stick in it. Spent 3 months in junk yards looking for a pedal set up for it. Drove it twice and sold it. The guy with the Maverick couldnt catch it. So he offered to buy it.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

The Post Office took a beating on that deal. Flat Rate for a steering gear box.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...5&d=1351827584

Well played.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

I'm afraid I can't take credit for this idea. KrazyRay in the Parts Board shipped me an A6 compressor this way so I did the same for the gear. As long as it will fit into the box and it isn't over 70 lbs., it's good to go!

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

Cool. I would have liked to have seen that ! Got any pics of it ?

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

Nice little project. I had the Mercury version, the Monarch...an 80 4 door. Ugly as sin (to me) but it hauled the family for a few years. Mine was just a six though.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

Car work is like painting, most of the work is prep work. At last I've begun reassembly and am having fun again !


This is the tool to install the Sleeve 'n' Seal. You could probably install the sleeve without the tool, but after using it, I was glad I bought it. This way I knew that the sleeve was being pressed on without any distortion.
Attachment 1015138



Here is what I used to install the sleeve. The sleeve is secured with Fel Pro's Pro Lock II that is included in the timing cover gasket kit. I used the bolt, nut and washers to pull the tool on to the damper snout (similar to the operation of a damper installation tool).
Attachment 1015137



The groove on the damper snout is quite apparent in this pic. I cleaned the circumference with 1500 grit wet/dry paper and wiped it clean with acetone before I installed the sleeve.
Attachment 1015136



Here I am pressing the sleeve on to the snout. I first coated the damper snout and the inside of the sleeve with the Pro Lock II.
Attachment 1015135



And there you have it. The sleeve only covers the inner groove where the wear is worst.
Attachment 1015134



Next, installing the new timing gear set.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

I agree, the four-doors didn't have nice lines like the two-doors.

BTW, mine is a six, 250 cubic inches @ 88 hp net !

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

I had more ambition today than I thought. I got the gear set in. It's a pretty easy job. I had to rotate the cam slightly to mate with the aligned gears and new chain.



I put Loctite on the cam bolt and torqued to 45 ftlb.
Attachment 1015187



Alignment marks are good. A pic like this can be useful later to verify that the alignment was done properly. Compare this with the old chain in Post #20, it's amazing how much they stretch over time. The old one had about 50,000 miles or so on it.
Attachment 1015186



All done with the slinger on, too.
Attachment 1015185



Next up, the timing cover.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

I've had a lifelong interest in "the-fundamentals-of" and "how-to" types of books. While reading up on gasket installation for my Granada project, I stumbled across this one on amazon.com for less than five bucks (including shipping). It is very comprehensive and is much handier than searching all over the internet for this info.


Attachment 1015492


Attachment 1015493


Attachment 1015494


Attachment 1015495


OK, that was a fun early morning post. I think I'm gonna go check the surf now.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

So when are you going to start the LSx swap?

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

Attachment 1015753

That is a very good question - one to which I have considered numerous answers, all of which contain the word “Never !”. It would be an awesome feat to put an engine like that in Grandma’s Granada, no doubt.

My Granada is still considered a pollution controlled vehicle in California and it is regulated accordingly. I suppose an engine swap could be done given adequate time, money, and motivation. Legal and political savvy would help, too.

Take a gander at this, it is only the tip of the iceberg.

http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource...uidelines.html

Swapping the engine of my choice into this potential sleeper would be free of government interference if the Granada were only one model year older, 1975.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

Cover with new seal is back on now. I used the damper to align the cover before torquing it down.
Attachment 1015901



I cleaned up the timing tab so I can see wtf I'm doing now timing wise.
Attachment 1015900



Next up, the oil pan.

Oh wait, today is Thanksgiving so next up is turkey and dressing !
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone !
Attachment 1015907

(the oil pan is on deck)

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

I've been watching this thread out of respect for your work ethic and craftsmanship. Then I noticed your build thread link on your signature and realized that your truck build thread is another of my favorites on here. You do damn good work whether Chevy orange or Ford blue.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

Thanks. My incentive is that these two cars are my basic transportation so I need to keep them in good running order. The 76 Granada is the newest car I own !

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

Here is a pic taken back in '06. I used this car for almost daily dawn patrols at El Porto for several years. There are quite a few classic car buffs that surf there. Everyone seemed to get a lot of enjoyment out of seeing it transport my 10'0" Tyler. The wood racks were given to me by a friend, I refurbished and modified them a bit to carry my board.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

I would have liked to have pics of that one. That was back in the 80's when I did that. I was motor swapping fool back then.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

I don't think our interests change a whole lot over the years but the time and effort we spend on certain activities surely does.

I've been rummaging around my digital archives and found this one taken on Thanksgiving day a few years back at my sister's house.

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

The transmission extension housing seal was leaking so I decided to try and replace it myself. Getting the old seal out wasn't much of a problem. Unfortunately, I was unable to lift the vehicle high enough to get an adequate swing so I could drive the new seal home.

After some thought, I made an installer tool using three bolts, a hose clamp, a fabricated piece of plywood, and the seal installer. It worked quite well.

The installer on the left is store-bought and designed to hold the seal while tapping it in with a hammer. I fabricated the collar on the right with a piece of 3/4" plywood.
Attachment 1036977



The bolt heads are held securely against the transmission housing with the hose clamp. The orange color is the seal. By sequentially tightening the nuts, the seal is slowly and evenly pushed into the extension housing.
Attachment 1036978

Re: Jim's 1976 Ford Granada
 

I haven't posted here in a long, long time. However, this afternoon I was doing absolutely nothing and I thought I'd post these pics (the date was set incorrectly on my camera for the first two pics).

A while back I was perusing 1976 Ford Granada sales literature and saw that styled steel wheels were an option that year. I thought they looked pretty cool so I started looking for parts.

I found two wheels on eBay that came from a salvage yard in Minnesota. Two other wheels I found locally. The trim rings came from a Cougar restoration business (they were used on early 70s Cougars apparently). Two center caps are used from eBay and the other two are NOS from Green Sales. Nothing is perfect so they all fit in nicely with the car as-is.

I derusted the wheels in Evaporust and did all the masking and painting myself. The only aftermarket parts are the lugnuts, everything else is OG Ford.

Attachment 1684355

Attachment 1684356

It doesn't look so much like mom's car now :lol:

Here is a wheel getting derusted:

Attachment 1684357

I also found a set of NOS rocker panel moldings that I haven't put on yet. I'll get around to it sooner or later I suppose.