FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => Member Projects => Topic started by: mn67 on March 10, 2017, 08:22:32 AM
-
Since my O.C.D and A.D.D were fighting each other it has been a hard decision on what car to put the 445 in. I have a couple, so like any good Ford obsessed guy that can't decide on a direction. I took a ride into the country and found a new one. The others are now on mothballs waiting for the next go round and this comes home tonight. In the end power to weight ratio won out. There was a pinto there also but he didn't want to part with it. Should be fun!
-
That should be fun to drive. ;D
-
You might want to check out Blizz's 351C Maverick here:
http://351c.net/board/index.php?/topic/4207-blizzz-70-maverick-spro-chassis/#comment-12782
An all out race car for sure but he did trash the old 1/2 chassis and bought an entirely new 100% tube chassis and stuffed same under the body you'll see in the background.
-
Great car. I will not be going that radical, just a pooch of a street car is what I am after. Or at least it will look that way.
-
Cool. Is that an original Grabber? I have a soft spot for Mavericks, particularly the older narrow bumper ones. I've had several over the many years, including 2 original V8 models and a Grabber. It doesn't take much to make them quick. You must be planning on a Mustang II front end, cause there's no way that FE is fitting between those shock towers.
-
Doug, It is an original Grabber. I will be notching the towers kind of like the Crites kit, or get a custom tower out of Brasil.
-
Thatll be a cool project, and plenty fast when you're done. Hope you keep us updated.
-
Thanks Doug I will be sure and update regularly. I do need to get around to putting the 445 on a dyno.
-
It's home. Time to start the project.
-
Changing the spark plugs in my sisters 302 powered Maverick was worse than changing them in my big block 67 Cougar. :o
Have fun. Cool project.
-
Finally had a day to work on the Maverick. It is a surprisingly solid car I will be taking it completely bare so there will be a surprise or two I am sure. I have all the measuring done and will get it stripped down and the towers notched this week. The 302 was a tight fit. The FE is going to be pretty tight even after the notching. I see custom headers in my future.
-
Long ago, and I do mean the 70's, IIRC someone did make swap headers. But, since the car is so old and the swap was kinda' rare maybe none exist today. Maybe it was Headers by Ed.
-
My old Hooker headers catalog "claims" that the multi piece FE Mustang/Fairlane "race" headers also fit a Maverick with a FE swap, but I really can not believe that they would, at least without major surgery. Before I bought my current 78 Fairmont in 1986, I had bought a 71 Maverick that a buddy had built that I planned on swapping my FE into. He had ran in with a 351C ad 4 speed,,a local chassis shop had eliminated the Mavericks shock towers. What they did was to remove all the inner fenders and shock towers, leaving the stock frame rails, firewall, & radiator support. He then shortened the lower control arms 3" per side, and moved the inner pivot box outboard by the same amount. He made 1 3/4" tubing braces that ran from the front of the frame rails to the firewall, and to those, he made tabs for fabricated tubular upper control arms, and the upper mounts for the Koni coil overs. He also narrowed a Pinto steering rack, and swapped the spindles side for side, so the steering arms pointed straight ahead. He mounted the 351C with a motor plate, used a rear sump oil pan from a 351 1978 Bronco, and mde up a custom set of headers. I bought the Maverick less engine and trans, but once I had my Fairmont, I sold the Maverick to a couple of local racers who ran it with a 351 C and C4. They sold the car about 10 or 15 years ago, have not seen it since. But I have always thought that Mavericks make great looking drag cars.
-
I was planning on taking a more simple approach. This is one a friend did quite a few years ago. Not the cleanest job but same idea. He did have custom headers. Long way to go yet before I need to cross the header bridge. There a few guys around that make a nice header when the time comes.
-
That actually looks pretty good, more room there than I thought, and not an extremely complex job...
-
There IS surprisingly more room there than I thought there would be. Still, those exhaust ports look like they're aimed directly at the upper arm mount and frame rail area. I'm pretty sure the Maverick is not as tall in the engine compartment, compared to something like a Mustang. Mavericks were never designed to have an engine as tall as the FE, where the Mustang was. Although the engine compartments are very much the same, dimensionally they are different in overall size, so no way could I see a set of Mustang Hookers bolting up and working in there. Wait, I'm getting a premonition...I see custom headers in your future 8)
I've always thought that Mavericks, with the right stance, were some of the best looking drag cars there were. I used to see BUNCHES of them back in the '80s, always with Clevelands, and always fast.
-
Doug you are correct, the engine bay is a about two inches shallower than the mustang bay. I have seen a few ways to get the FE under (or through) a hood using Cowl induction or boss 429 style scoops on the grabber hood. I really like the grabber hood so we may try and swell it up a bit and try to keep the look. If it does not turn out like I envision a hood scoop of some sort. The car I pictured ran a snorkel and was a pro street deal with a 410, 4 speed and 4:56 gears it was quick and has recently been updated by its current owner. If mine turns out like it looks in my head I will be happy. If not I'll try again, like grandpa always said its just time and money usually short on one. ;)
-
You mean Mavericks like these?
https://www.google.com/search?q=dyno+don+maverick,+engine+bay&rlz=1C1SAVS_enUS541US568&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjS1NTS7YrTAhWmxYMKHS_1BKkQ_AUIBigB&biw=1024&bih=490
Yes, I saw Dyno's SOHC Mav and Schartman's Boss '9 Mav many times at Great Lakes Dragway @ Union Grove, WI and the long closed U.S. 30 strip in Indiana. Hey, if they could stuff those engines, a regular FE is easy!
Just kidding as some major sheetmetal work is required. I've oft wondered, for easy of header construction among other good things, if adding a front 1/2 strut tube chassis would be easier and more conducive even to a hot street car. MacPerson's, late model lightweight discs, Mustang II rack & pinion, lots of plug changing room....something to consider.
-
I have considered the RRS kit.
http://www.rrs-online.com.au/cammer-notching-kits.html
But in the end I am probably not smart enough to know my own limitations and decided to try the old fashion notch the towers path. ;) I will also do all the body, paint and interior work myself.
That said I may change my mind and do a kit.
-
You mean Mavericks like these?
Actually, the ones I liked were a bit more modern in design with the wheels tucked inside the wheelwells. The rear sat lower than Dyno's car and had a very mean aggressive look to them. Of course that required notching the rear frames and a narrowed rear, a lot of work, but the look was unmatched and you couldn't beat the weight advantage of the small car.
-
Here's the one I showed the engine compartment of. He went a little further than I am, but it's a scary ride with the 410.
-
I like the Mavericks. I would have bought one if i found one
But they where never sold in Sweden as far as i know
And very few if any imported later.
I have only seen two Mercury Comets with that bodystyle one
Racecar and one stock fourdoor
-
Here's the one I showed the engine compartment of. He went a little further than I am, but it's a scary ride with the 410.
That's exactly the stance I was talking about, although with a bit bigger tire than I normally saw. That car looks pretty cool!
-
About 15 years ago there was a Maverick around here with an FE in it. He had the Hooker race headers on it, I saw the headers afterward (for sale) and they weren't all dented up either. I didn't buy them as he thought they were gold, but anytime he wanted to buy something from me he would low-ball me like crazy. So after a while I never had anything for sale (to him). He did say he had to move the upper control arms out (and/or shorten) and notched the towers. I never saw it run with the FE.
He sold it as a roller and the guy that bought it still races it every now and then. That guy put a 427 "Windsor stroker" in it. They are lightweight though, and don't push a ton of air. Can look pretty bad-ass all done up right. I have seen a few Top Sportsman type builds with Maverick's, look mean and fast just sitting still.
-
I am getting ready to cut the towers down as soon as some parts show up. A couple questions though. I ordered roller perches, is anyone using these and do they really help much? I am hesitant to use the roller LCA's and UCA's so same question there. It seems to me that pulling all the rubber out of a street car would not be the best route. Also I am planning on the "Shelby Drop" it would give me at least another inch that I could cut lower into the tower. Has anyone made that modification. I am pulling the power steering out so I have center link coming and if needed a pitman arm. The arms aren't reproduced and differ from the mustang but I was able to find one.
-
I think the Shelby drop is a good idea. It's typically a win/win situation, but I've never looked at the Maverick towers close enough too see if the area exists below the factory mounting points to do it.
The roller spring perches also work good, and the drawback is minimal. Not so much with the UCA and LCA though. You'll definitely "feel" it on a street car, so it comes down to what you can deal with. Same goes with solid mounts on the strut rods. Personally, on a street car, I don't think I'd care for it. When you take all cushion out of the front end, the ride starts to wear on you and makes the car far less enjoyable. If it was mostly a drag car with the occasional street time, I'd be ok with it; the other way around, not so much.
-
That answers my questions, Thanks. There appears to be plenty of room for the Shelby drop. It will primarily be a street car but I would like to do one of the big events when it is done. I will finalize my parts order today and try and avoid a bone jarring ride on the street.
-
N/M
-
For some reason when I clicked on the picture it filled my screen. But it shows what looks like a weld along the wall horizontally and it looks like a porous cast iron weld in it. If it is sleeved that's piss poor way to keep the sleeve in place.
-
Here is a better size
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww45/mason427/IMG_0563.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/mason427/media/IMG_0563.jpg.html)
-
Thank you for resizing it. I will post some more when I am not using my phone. Needless to say it is coming back apart which is a bummer. I am not sure if I want to put anymore money in this block or move to a 428/462 and use what I can from this motor. Disappointing to say the least. Are part of the process I guess.
-
Well a new 105 block has been acquired and is off to the machine shop this week. This one has been torn down and I will get this block freshened up for another project. Should have it done and dyno ready In a few weeks.
Maverick is pretty well stripped down and the shock tower surgery starts this week. Will get some pics posted soon. At least I have a block for mock up now. ;)
-
Let's try this again. Off to the machine shop. This one does not need a sleeve and is standard bore. 105 d3te, whether it was machining or the knuckle head who assembled it (me) who caused the first failure does not matter at this point. Hoping to have the 445 done soon. I am lucky there is or was a stash of these blocks local.
-
Not sure how to do it but the 105 blocks seem to have more probs with cracks in the oil riser to the heads off the cam. While its at the machine shop maybe have them leak test it somehow there. Although I've tried it with air and couldn't find a crack even though I have one. My block is even sleeved and a little oil still gets into the water. Not a big problem but something to watch and/or know about. I just read a thread on the other site where one of the guys has the same problem, and have heard it before over the years.
Just something to check.
-
Life got in the way for a bit, but I was able to get a few hours with the Maverick and am getting it stripped down. The new engine is nearing completion as soon as I get the heads back from being checked over and flowed I will finish that up. Basically the same 445 build with a different block a distributor by Faron and port matching of the intake. The C4 is done (my first auto build) and I just need to finish assembly of the 9 inch. Been plenty busy with a lot of little stuff like restored guages, upholstery and the like.
-
Finally had my Survival heads put on a flow bench after the first go-round with a hand port. The exhaust was a bit disappointing. After looking at the valve job he redid the first shop's valve job and picked up 33.7 cfm at 0.55. Max flow was 232 cfm up from 210 cfm but most importantly it was up significantly across the mid-lift areas. We made a slight gain in mid lift on the intake but not nearly as drastic. Intake flows 317 at 0.65. I will post the sheets when I get to a PC rather than my phone. I get that all benches are different but the before and after on the same bench showed interesting results.
-
Flow sheets
-
You may want to look at AJE suspension (Anthony Jones Engineering). My maverick has an AJE front end kit with an FE and all works very well. See attached pics.
-
Thanks, I may look into that. Your car looks great! Care to share some specs?
-
The car was originally built at a Southern California race car shop for a drag radial or 10.5 class. It was designed to be able to run 8.50's or faster using a turbo 427W for power. It was traded to a guy in Ohio who put in the FE and drove it on the street. The current FE is a 482 HR pump gas street engine, C-6 combo that has run 10.90's through the mufflers. The car is certified to 8.50 and I am in the process of building a proper race engine for it. The AJE front end is really nice. Lot's of room and simple to adjust with coil overs etc.... best part is it is all "bolt on". I wouldn't do another Maverick without that front end.
-
Now That's one mean lookin' Maverick! Would like to see a few more pics with it in action. :)
-
mn67 and Tony, Awesome cars, brings back great memories. PLEASE keep posting pics of these cars!
My first car was my grandfather's 1970 maverick who gave it to me in 1975 when I was 15 and my mom would not let him drive anymore. It was in showroom new condition, 6 banger/auto column shift, teal with a black vinyl top and bench seat interior. It about gave him a heart attack as I immediately swapped a 289 and 4 speed out of a wrecked Comet a friend and I found at a local junk yard, ripped off the vinyl roof, put a set of pinto buckets from same yard and had it painted red with black lowers like a Mach 1 which is what I really wanted but couldn't afford.
I think you guys have given me my next project!
Keep it up and thanks for the memory!
Jose
(https://s20.postimg.org/ijju4q5e5/IMG_0154.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/cvdjdu11l/)
-
Since I am finishing up my engine compartment and am beginning body work on the Maverick. I have always had a drawing done for the cars I have built. To make sure what is in my head actually looks OK in real life. I had a rendering done of my vision for the car. He did a pretty good job except for the pro touring stance. A little more sidewall, skinnier front tires and 15 inch Torq-Thrust d's (more of a drag car look) would fit my idea better. But he nailed the graphic and color. Not build pictures but I figured I would post it anyways. Once it warms up a bit maybe I can lay some color. By the way the name comes from my non car nut friends thinking it is a Mustang.
-
That's a very cool rendition!
Couple of suggestions: I'd leave the 45 degree upturn off the side decal/paint as it looks unfinished. Maybe a spear/pointed end. That or make it like a OEM Boss 302 decal, but with "427 FE", the actual engine CID or maybe "FE Powered". Unsolicited advice for sure!
-
Looking good! Lots of Maverick history in our family starting with my Sister's '69. Excellent idea to do a drawing too.
-
Machoneman good suggestions, input is always welcome. Especially before it is painted.
-
You are quite welcome! Love the color, rake, wheel/tire combo....a lot.
Maybe one more thought. The OEM lower front spoiler is way too small for really high speed runs as one does want to do all one can to keep air from under the front end. Maybe a replacement off another vehicle (maybe non-Ford as well) as I don't think a 69-70 Stang lower will fit on a Mav.
Machoneman good suggestions, input is always welcome. Especially before it is painted.
-
Took a little longer than I was counting on, but the 445 is ready to be put back together this week. Short block turned out really nice. While we were at it I had the heads gone through and BT intake port matched by a local machine shop in the twin cities. Turned out to be great people to work with and I am very pleased with the end result. I will be spending the next couple of weeks on the Maverick getting everything that bolts to the body cleaned painted etc. and hopefully be into mocking everything up so I can start on the metal work. With luck the engine will actually make it to a dyno and into the car this time. In the lesson learned arena it is amazing how far a cam can be off from the card. (Pictures taken by Jason Anderson at his shop)
-
Updated pic of Maverick "in action" with new motor. Caltracs and leaf springs work pretty well !!
-
Nice Tony looks great
-
Updated pic of Maverick "in action" with new motor. Caltracs and leaf springs work pretty well !!
Indeed they are! Glad to see he's making real progress on the car. I love the early Mavericks, and I always thought they made an excellent choice for a strip car. Can't wait to see it when it's all painted up.
-
Nice pics of a nice ride! 8)
-
Indeed they are! Glad to see he's making real progress on the car. I love the early Mavericks, and I always thought they made an excellent choice for a strip car. Can't wait to see it when it's all painted up.
[/quote]
Doug, progress is slow but has not stopped. At this point with exception of the seats and rear end (waiting on a center section)everything that bolts on to the body/frame has been rebuilt/restored and powder coated or purchased new. So all that is left is reassembly of the 445, building headers, stripping the body and reworking the metal that needs it. Then paint and reassembly including new wiring (you know the easy stuff ;). By the time I am done with what started as a quick FE build for another car a couple of years ago. I will have touched and cleaned every bolt. Should have the 445 finished up by the weekend. It has been a fun project so far and this forum has proved a valuable resource. I tend not to post much as the day to day progress can be slow and not all that interesting. I have however changed my mind on the color and will be painting the car 1971 Medium yellow gold, not a fan favorite but I really like it.
-
Should look fine in that color, and different which is good. Besides nobody has to like it but you!!.
When I told my buddy I want the original color on my mustang (Lime gold) he said Joey please dont make
me paint it that color, but I like it.
-
I happen to be a fan of Lime Gold also.
-
Since we are all relating our Maverick memories...I'll share mine.
A 1971 Maverick Grabber complete with the mighty 200 six and three-on-the-tree was my first car that ran. My dad gave it to me because I worked for him and he wanted me to get to work from school faster than walking. And that is how fast the Mav was... JUST faster than walking!
My main memory of that car was that the column shifter was chrome steel. The car was black with a red interior. After sitting in a warm/hot normal SoCal day with it locked up, like in the school parking lot, that shifter got HOT...REALLY HOT! You could not even touch it without leaving bar-b-q'd skin behind HOT. I electrical taped a shop rag around the shifter handle just so I could drive it. RACEY!
I taught all my friends to drive a stick in that car, and cut school in it to go to the beach a lot too.
If you tried to power shift it, the long shift rods would pop out of the plastic grommets that held them on the steering column.
FUN!
-
Had to laugh with the work being done by JAnderson.I met him at a car show a couple of weeks back.Asked if he would like a Breeze Way power assembly and glass for his Merc.He stopped by with a 12 pack as payment and we had a great time talking.
-
Jason is a great guy and the Breezeway is a really fun car. Was it at ACME car show you met him?
-
Jason is a great guy and the Breezeway is a really fun car. Was it at ACME car show you met him?
Yes it was.
-
Mocking up the front suspension today. The tomorrow I can finish cutting and shaping the shock towers and test fit the motor mounts.
-
Never had a Maverick. Had its "sister" - a 73 Comet with the tire shredding 250 big block sixer.
-
My first Maverick had a 250 six and a 3 speed. Would do a first gear chirp of you side stepped the clutch.
-
....was that the one Barry that was twin-turbo'ed with a 250 hp shot of nitrous too?
Never had a Maverick. Had its "sister" - a 73 Comet with the tire shredding 250 big block sixer.
-
....was that the one Barry that was twin-turbo'ed with a 250 hp shot of nitrous too?
Afraid not. But it did get faster when the muffler fell off...
-
Uneventful assembly, need to wire, prime it and hopefully it stays together this time. Made a few improvements on this one, but for the most part it is the same survival headed 445 roller motor.
-
Very much like!
-
Had time for a first start today. Got the engine wired up and being a little nervous after the last one it took me a minute to push the starter button. It fired right up idled well (rumpity but well). I got it timed and it runs fantastic on the stand. No drama no leaks and with the cvr water pump, stahl fan and champion radiator it stayed at 190 for the half hour i ran it. Oil looks like i just put it in. I am very happy with how this turned out. Now to get a dyno appointment and put it to bed for the winter. I am itching to get the body done now. Thanks to those who have helped with parts and advice.
-
First start video.
https://youtu.be/5IwosVgkCoA
-
Sounds good!
-
Thanks Barry.
-
Been a while since I got any real work done on the Maverick, with the exception of working on the next motor (BBM 427 stroker) before I even get the 445 installed. I Also made some improvements to the 445 over the spring. I changed the BT single carb intake out with a BT medium riser 8v and a set of Drews 600's. Also removed the Harland sharp rockers and shafts and replaced them with a set of Brents light weight non adjustable rockers with Precision oil pumps shafts and stands the harland's will go on the 427. Need to find some time and put it back on Jay's dyno to see if any real improvement was made. With that stuff out of the way and nicer weather I am working on the body and finishing up the drive train. I got the rear end completed and am sure the tires I have on hand will be sacrificial at best. Also completed and detailed the C4.
For the body I have stripped it and metal worked the warped quarters as best as I could get them. Shock tower mods turned out nice and I will get this thing in primer and blocked out soon I hope. Would really like to get it off the stand and start assembly by the end of summer. As soon as I can I will get pictures uploaded
-
Quarter was not great under the previous owners skim coat. Probably more effort than result but I am happy with it for now.
-
Nine inch shortened for the Maverick and some sacrificial tires.
-
Looks good Mike. Let me know when you want to dyno, I will make sure Kevin is available to save the day ;D ;D
-
Will do Jay. And we would have been pretty stuck without Kevin's willingness to help.
-
Brief update on the Maverick progress, I am still working the body and addressing the final rust issues . I thought I was about done and found some rust in the cowl area that needs to be addressed. Not wanting to cut a hole in the Grabber hood I picked up some Carbon fiber pieces. I understand not everyone is a fan of the Cowl scoop being put on a Ford, but I do like these pieces. At least until I find a better alternative, I always liked the snorkel scoops as well. The trunk lid/spoiler combo and hood shave 31 pounds off the car. I know that is not a lot being a street car since I will probably add that to my waist over the Holidays.
On a modern car I would leave them as is. But for a 48-year-old car (cowl hood aside) I am thinking paint is more suitable. The finish on these pieces is fantastic and so was the fit on the one car I have seen with the hood. I will be starting assembly in the next couple weeks so we will see how well they fit.
The big question is whether to paint them or leave them as is. Eager to get this project near completion since I am about a year behind what I had planned.
-
I vote for painting them.
paulie
-
Who the heck makes carbon fiber pieces for an old Maverick? Really!
I have trouble finding a CF hood for my much more popular '70 Mustang, save the Ring Bros., who want a ridiculous price.
-
Bob,
They are a bit and by a bit I mean almost double the cost of glass pieces. But they are quality parts with great customer service and from what I have seen require zero work to make right. Unlike a lot of fiberglass stuff I have used. The exception to that being the spoiler ends. He leaves a little extra material so a guy can trim to fit. Who else would make carbon parts for an old Maverick except an outfit called www.maverickmancarbon.com?
Paulie, Thanks
Mike
-
Those things look nice! Only 31 pounds savings? I would think the hood alone would be more than that, over steel. And the cowl hood is just a nice design, no matter if it's a "GM" thing. I think they look good on cars, and would especially on your Maverick.
I'd also be on the fence about painting them. Kind of like aluminum heads; you want to show them off, but hiding them in factory color is pretty cool also.
-
Doug,
I was kind of surprised how light the factory hood was. It weighed in at 39#'s. This hood and trunk lid also have some bracing for the factory hinges and springs.
-
Bob,
They are a bit and by a bit I mean almost double the cost of glass pieces. But they are quality parts with great customer service and from what I have seen require zero work to make right. Unlike a lot of fiberglass stuff I have used. The exception to that being the spoiler ends. He leaves a little extra material so a guy can trim to fit. Who else would make carbon parts for an old Maverick except an outfit called www.maverickmancarbon.com?
Paulie, Thanks
Mike
Cool! And thanks! Yeah, I'm surprised since the only Mavericks I've seen of late, even here in the muscle car city area of Chicago, are out and out race cars and damned few compared to early Mustangs.
-
I wouldn't paint them they look too nice!
Put them on, paint the rest of the car flat black then take a step back and decide if the car should be painted.
-
I would at least paint the end caps; maybe leave the hood as is, like a flat black hood back in the day But I really like the grabber hood better...
-
Thanks Jay,
No denying the Grabber hood is better looking for this car. But I do need more clearance. Right now it is wall art.
Mike
-
Mocking up so I can make header and motor mount adjustments. More room than I thought there would be.
-
Got some painting done just finished with the final sanding and buffing. Also with things slowing down, my seats got finished. May have this thing done this summer after all.
-
Nice progress.I'd like to see it sometime.
-
Wow, plaid seat inserts! Sleeper city...
-
Funny Jay, my neighbor actually asked if I decided on a small block since I kept the bench seat.
-
It’s all looking really sweet.