Junkyarding

Well, today I went to get a windshield wiper for my '88 Poncho wagon at a Mom & Pop salvage yard that turns out still has some cars going back to the 70's & 60's.

While I was out scouting the property for B-body GMs, I inquired about Mavs & Comets. The guy said he had 2, but I only found one. I'm sorry to say that I didn't have writing instruments or much time, so sorry not to get the VIN, etc. I did at least remember the engine code.
What I found was a 4-door Maverick with the 'T' code 6 still in the engine bay. With my limited newbie knowledge, looked like a '71 based on the front bumper--which I did check--it is rusted through on the ends.. The interior looked pretty rough, and there was no axle or front suspension that I can recall. It was a bench seat with a column shift. After I found a decoder, I see that the 't' code varies in HP year to year. What are the going prices for a junkyard 6-banger? Again, sorry for not providing better documentation/description.

Also, for you big Merc fans, I found a '65 4-door HT Monterrey or Montclair with Breezeway & the Z-code 390-4V still under the hood. I tend to think of the late-60's 390's as boat anchors of sorts- A lot of cubes without the benefit of the big cubes (i.e. vs a 428CJ). Does anyone know if these earlier 390's are sought after?

 

not that my opinion matters but I think a 390 is a great motor. If they werent I wouldnt have built my 3rd one for the 68

 

T is a 200. A junkyard 200 is worth about $0. Or what ever they will give you for scrap metal. If you find the right person, and the engine is in good running condition, you may be able to get $100 for it, but that is about the absolute max.

About any 390 stuff is sought after, but by no means will you get rich off of it. 390's are great engines for bigger vehicles.

Nice truck! I have a '68 F100, '69 F100 Ranger XLT, and a '71 F250 Custom. Love the bump sides.

 

couldnt have said it better myself...... and who says the kids these days dont know what they're talkin about :16suspect

 

Thanks. That used to be a f-100. Til i changed the 6 cylinder to a 390, changed the toploader to a c-6, changed the axles to dana 44 fron 60 rear, put a t case in it, and then gave it to my dad. (slaps forehead)

 

Thanks for the responses. I guess nobody is putting a 6-banger back in their Mavericks?

I guess I should clarify, I do think the 390's are very good engines. But pound for pound I like my 351W and other SBF's better. A lot more parts & build up options are available. I just think the 390 is sort of a 'forgotten' in-between motor, and IMO pound for pound not as desirable as SBF or 428CJ. It did not fair well against its competition back in the day (i.e. 396's & 383's,400's), ultimately leading FoMoCo to put out the 428CJ.

But to be honest, none of the big blocks of any type actually suit my tastes. I'm a cruiser, not a bruiser...

 

I considered putting the 6 back in my mav. Once it was pulled though I couldnt bring myself to go and do it.

 

I have put the 6 banger back in my Mavericks 4 times now. They are great for daily drivers.

There are some people who hop up the old I6's. www.fordsix.com/forum has a lot of great info on that.

 

if i had built it twice there would not have been a 3rd one...

...JMO...

 

I went to the junkyard yesterday.......Seen a couple old falcon wagons......pretty cool. Did not take the camera

 

Memories from the high school parking lot. FE Power here as well....

 

Is that why they make all sorts of aftermarket pieces for them now?

I built one back around 2002/2003 and there weren't a ton of aftermarket pieces out.

Intakes and cams and headers about it.

Now they make better/stroker cranks, aluminum heads, etc.

They aren't forgotten in the least bit... lots of guys have been building them lately.

Also, you might be surprised what just that 4v intake would bring.
Maybe not anymore, but when I built mine, I got one for like $6 scrap price and sold it for around $75 to a guy looking for a 4v intake

 

The 390 is also very popular with the 67-68 mustang crowd as this was the factory option big block for these cars and sits down in them nicely. they may not be as popular as the SBF's but i dont think they're forgotten in the least...

 

Exactly.

The one I built was a 390 GT clone for my 66 F-100

 

BTW mercfan. if you don't know you can look at the vin on the dash and the first number is the year of the car.