***I'm just so excited I have to share!!!*** I just got my rebuilt (newly purchased ) carburetor on my '70 Mav today and it runs!!! This is the first time since I've had it (since January?) that I hit the gas twice and it starts right up!!! I'm going to purchase electronic ignition for it tomorrow to make it even better! I waited so long to get a classic car and now I can't picture not having one!!! This is so fun and I am so happy to be part of the club. Cars were always my worst enemy until I purchased my Maverick. Now I don't think I will ever own another car. I can't believe how easy it is to fix the straight six. Just thought I'd share. I also put in new carpet over the weekend and have my new headliner which I will put in this weekend. Put in black headlights a while ago and used bondo on a few rust holes already. This is great! Also, I'm going with 16x8 rims which I'm ordering next two weeks. Great stuff, great stuff. Sorry, I just had to share with other maverick lovers. Anybody doing anything new?
My 74 Mav was my first car and like you, it has a good ol straight six. Right now it's sleeping since the heavy spring rans and winds are still out and about here in NY. This summer will finally see me get a 2v conversion done on the head for that extra pep in the car. May even shell out the money for some headers and other goodies. Cheers!
Very nice!!! It's amazing how much we can do with these little beauties! I think I've learned more in the last 4 months than I have in years. I heard you all were gettin rain up there recently. Hate to say it, but it is perfect weather the last few days here. Warm in the sun with a cool breeze lol. But don't worry, you know us florida folk will be sending disgruntled thoughts your way in awful summer heat soon. Sounds like you have a v8 in it now? What is a 2v conversion? If it adds extra pep, I'm all for it!
Thanks Coop, I've been here for a few months and you've already said hi before, but that's very nice of you. If you ever want to donate one of those comet/mavericks that you list, I'm your gal that will gladly accept any car donations!
How much I wish I was in Florida right now. I'm not complaining though since it seems people up here forget that spring brings lots of rain and winds. And no, I don't have a v8 in the car right now. I was going to go ahead with it and was collecting the parts(in the wanted section) and I found a good motor in NJ but something came up and I just couldn't fork over the money. To be honest though, I always knew I would stick with the six so I'm not angry or saddened that the v8 route will not be happening. The 2v conversion is basically taking the head off and getting it machined to accept a 2 barrel carb. It's the best way to mount a bigger carb since the adapter method limits how much HP are gained. If you want to learn more, head on over to www.FordSix.com. It's the end all be all to these little sixes and a great bunch of people go there.
Wow! Thanks Ralf! I've never heard of that web site. What a wealth of information there. I just came across a 250-2v picture in there and that looks really tuff! I've never seen a straight six that looks like that. Thats going to look great if you go with that. I don't think I want to go with a v8 either. The straight six is just to reliable and smooth. I do like that way it looks over the v8's as well. Makes me wonder why a small mitsubishi 1.4L engine is so big when the straight six can be so small and roomy.
Good stuff, I remember when I got my first Mav, a '74 Grabber, on the road in May of 2005. It had been sitting many years when I got it, and I spent about a month and a half straight working on it nearly every day to get it back in running condition. Those first few days having it on the road were a blast, driving it around showing it to my friends and what not, or just thinking of any excuse I could to just go out and drive it somewhere. Put 10,000 miles on the car in 6 months. Unfortunately, it ended up getting wrecked though. Got a '72 rolling body shortly after and swapped everything over, and have put over 105,000 on it since January 2006.
Ahh I love it. The sweet sound of an everyday driver To bad about the first one though, I would cry like a little girl if that happened
mines in the shop right now. cold and alone.. *sniff * but she's getting some more horses crammed under the hood.
TigerMav, while I would encourage you to keep the six, be warned. Upgrading a six will kill your wallet. But it will only kill it if you plan on going all out with the FordSix/Classic Inlines Aluminum Head as well as all of their high output stuff. I'm not going for a racing engine but more of a mild build which is why I'm sticking with the log head. The truth of the matter is, you could have a really nice built 302 for the kind of money you would throw at the six. But it's your decision so good luck.
Very nice. Thanks for the imput. I'm just hitting the tip of the ice burg with these classics so any info is always appreciated. I did not know about the cost in upgrading a six, so I will have to think twice about that. I'm definantly going more for looks instead of HP, like John Wayne would say in an old western gunslinger, there will always be someone out there faster n' you.
Well, if you are going for the kind of "wow now that is something you don't see everyday!" go for a nice built six. But of course, the costs can be a lot depending on what you want to do with the engine. I think the well has run dry with looks when it comes to v8s since everyone has one. Maybe you can dress up the car a different way then? Cheers!
Sixes are awesome! I love the 170 in the 69 1/2 I got.. There's a guy around here with a 14 second 200 Ranchero that runs 14's... I think a six would look good with a finned valve cover, 3 1bbls and a split header!
Just build it the way you like, as long as it runs good, a little chrome here and there on the motor and cleaning up the engine bay will make a huge differance... nothin wrong with the six.. I'm glad your enjoying your Maverick,and what can I say about the members here (Awesome)
