I have a 1973 Ford Maverick 4-door that I inherited from a friends father. The car has been sitting for about 6 years now, but when it was parked the man drove it multiple times. He had rebuilt the engine and was going into the interior when he died. After it sitting for 6 years, there has to be some things that I should check/replace/repair before I take it out on the road again. The thing is, i've never owned a Maverick before, and i'm just wondering what you guys would think for me to check for. So, is there anything that I need to check/replace/repair after it sitting six years? I'm pretty sure if I replace all the fluids and spark plugs, put in a new battery, I can turn the key and it'll start up. But what i'm worried about is if I should check/replace the brake pads or the... etc... This is going to be my first car. I've worked on my parents cars (1990 Ford Bronco) and I know that, but Mavericks are different. I'm pretty engine savvy, but, I want to just double check through you guys, seeing as you all know a lot more about Mavericks than I do. So, things I should check/replace/repair on a 1973 Ford Maverick 4-door after it sitting six years. Thanks!
I'd replace the wheel cylinders and master cylinder. Check for rusted out brake and fuel lines just to be sure it will stop before it goes.
Make sure the passenger floorboard isn't rusted out. That is common in our cars. Brakes are a MUST first thing. Mine were all pretty much rusted solid when I got mine out of the barn.
6 years? master cylinder,wheel cylinders,brake shoes on all four corners,ALL brake lines,water pump,plugs,wires,cap,rotor,points,ect.water/antfreeze,thermostat,drag link,inner/outer tie rod ends.wouldn't be a bad idea,to hook up an oil pressure gauge to make sure the pump is up to par.more than likely the carb has dried up and will need rebuilt.check everything,and replace as needed.if in doubt...replace it.
Along with all of the above Drain the gas tank and replace the 6 year old tires that have been sitting and rotting.
Not sure if six years is long enough, but check the gas tank for rust in the areas where there was no gas. The top half of mine was a rusty mess, and I had to drain it, fill it with rocks, and shake it to knock all the rust loose, then etch it, and pour an epoxy in there to line the tank preventing further rust.
Where it's been sitting makes difference more than anything. Was it sitting in a dry garage under a tarp, or in the woods under six years of kudzu?
put your attention into the brakes. chances are that a master cylinder and wheel cylinders will be necessary. have the drums turned to get rid of the rust. after that fix things as they apear. defintly should drain the old gas out and start with new gas. odds are the carb will need a rebuild but dont just do it. wait and see if it starts, runs and drives. do an oil change and coolant flush. you dont need to rebuild the whole car right off the bat just the essentials wich is brakes.
Depending on your funds and what you want to do with your car, well this is one of my stories,,, I bought a Ranchero that sat 2-3 years in S.C. The guy said he checked the brakes out and gave the car a visual (ebay so you get the idea, said he drove the car last couple days,,,, didn't find out it sat 2-3 years till I saw him) I flew from Pittsburgh Pa to S.C. BS to seller found out then how long car sat, drove it 700 plus mile back to Pgh. with only a fan belt letting go. (stubborn me, was squealing and thought I could make it to a Sears store to buy tool kit( golly I love that kit) 1/2 mile before I got to Sears the belt broke. They got me a belt, I stuck it on and made it the rest of way home. Note, tires were OK, not really dry rotted, showed some weathering. After I got home, I did pull wheels and brakes were good and no leaking cylinders. If this is going to be a scooter er around car, I would check brakes and lines, cracked rubber lines need replaced sooner or later just don't wait to long. Tires need checking good, high speed will be hard on the weathered tires, some time here also but don't push it. Fan belts, hoses and anti-freeze (coolant flush and replaced asap) Keep some extra'SSSS gas filters till you see condition of tank (gonna have to empty tank and flush some fresh gas threw lines) Change your fluids. I wouldn't get scared right off the bat and do a complete rebuild, enjoy your car and as funds allow work on it. Us old goats ran some hairy junk in our younger days and seemed like we always got home,,,, oh yea, strap your toll box, jack and stands in the trunk! Old blanket to lay on helps too! I've had some great times replacing rear-ends, trannys, wheel bearings, etc along the road over time and still grin about it! Met some great folks that way too! You said you were pretty engine savvy,,,if you are the type of guy who goes to Advance Auto and have them install your wiper blades, Run Forrest Run! Tow the car to a garage and have them rebuild it! But I think you oughta be allllright!!!! Keep it safe and Good Luck
dkstuck speaks the truth. That's not very different from the story of how I got acquainted with my Maverick. My engine was already rebuilt when I got it, but it had clearly sat a while, and many mechanical/electrical things had to be addressed. I did a few essentials, tires, checked and bled brakes, checked hoses, fluids, fixed the brake light switch, then drove it 200 miles home. That was a six hour trip. Next few weeks I drove it around close to home as much as possible, kept my cell phone on me, things broke and I fixed them. Within a couple months, things weren't breaking so much. Within six months, I could confidently take it on road trips. After a year, I could confidently take it on long road trips without opening the hood. Today it's a daily driver, and I don't even keep tools in the trunk anymore. I still wrench on it, but I'm more often improving it than fixing it. If you're handy with a wrench and you're a patient guy, I say make sure the brakes work and do the basics mentioned by others here, keep a trunk full of tools and just shake it down.
Thanks everyone. (Oh, and about the comment about wiper blades, I just put some on my Bronco today!) I believe that it'll be alright. I already know that i'm going to... Change the fluids Change the tires Check the brakes Change belts That's what I was originally going to do. But thanks to you guys, i've got a few more things i've got to check now.
