Hey everyone! I know I haven't been at the boards lately to spread my WONDERFUL sense of humor... . I just wanted to update everyone on the progress of my Maverick. So far, I have had major major problems with my water pump. Whoever had the engine before me had broke a bolt off and tried to drill it out...unsuccessfully. They wallowed it out so bad that the pump would leak horribly if I bolted it on where I repaired the damage. I know some of yall are going to say I shouldn't have done this but I'm not worried, being a mechanic student and having an instructer approve what I did. On the water pump for a 200 I6, there is a water jacket next to one of the bolt holes, well I drilled that out and tapped it. I cast welded the wallowed out bolt hole and made it flush...looks and functions perfectly! Turned the water gallery on the block into a bolt hole, Installed the water pump with a bolt, and it works perfectly!!! Lots of hours went into my brilliant idea...hehe. Block is almost complete except for the electronics and missing 2bbl carb. Going with an upgraded electronic ignition for better timing. I started suspension work and am replacing all the bushings, control arms, ball joints, and so on. Cleaned up the tranny mount and painted it. Tomorrow I will be installing the new suspension parts I bought today and then will clean the rust up in the engine bay. Other than that, everything is going okay. I have to manage test taking with this project so I have to take a few days off pretty soon for a day full of tests. My fenders, trunk lid, and valence are at the body shop getting repaired and primered. I will send pictures soon! Thanks, Jeff
whatever works! sounds like you've been getting a lot done. unlike some of us who seem to be sitting on the computer all day.
hey when i got my comet some one had done almost the exact same thing. but they screwed up the bolt hole on the block some how. i don't know what they did it was all jacked up. so they filled in the hole on the water pump with copper and then drilled a hole threw the water pump to be able to bolt it to the water jack hole just like you did. i found this out the hard way. the water pump was bad on my car when i got it so i had to replace it. the only thing i did differently was i filled in the one bolt hole on the water pump with 5 minute epoxy. and then i smeared silicone all over everything that could leak. worked good until i pulled the engine. you do almost any thing to keep you car on the road when it's your daily driver, i guess.
i would gladly give up my computer for money and time to work on the maverick...unfortunatly, that wouldnt get anyhting done since i have no money...and i need the computer..... i just wish i had a rotesserie and a garage for 30 days....i would be a busy man
Jeff, glad you are making such good progress. Let me know a day that's good for you and we'll pull that 9 inch out of my truck. I know you won't need it anytime soon, so there's no hurry. You still looking for a 2 bbl?? I have the one off of my 302 and we both know it works if you are interested. Let me know. Again, good to hear of your progress!! Preston
