I just brought my new Maverick home but I need some help

I finally got my 1974 Maverick home(pics later) and I need some help. I'm a complete noob to car mechanics and have a few questions.

1. Does this car use brake fluid? Because when I was driving it I had to put a hell of a force on the brake to get it to stop. And even when I was at a stop light I had to keep my foot dead on it. It honestly felt like I was going to put my foot through the whole floor.

2. I notice that there is no side view mirror for the passenger door. Can I get away with this because of the age of the car or will I need to install a new one?

3. The dash's lights are all dead and I can't see any of the meters at night. Are the lights easy to replace? Will I need specific ones?

4. Just curious, but does it use power steering or will I need to install this later?

I would appreciate any help.

 

1. Yes the car uses brake fluid. Open the hood and in front of the drivers side on the firewall you will find the brake fluid master cylinder. There is a spring on top that holds the lid on. Push this off with a screwdriver.
2. You don't need a side view mirror on the passenger side.
3. You will need specific lights. I haven't replaced mine yet. Use the search function.
4. Some have power steering, some don't.
5. I'd reccommend getting a Chiltons Manual.
Good luck.

 

the Chiltons Manual is a very good idea

 

If the fluid checks out low be sure to use DOT3 fluid. If the fluid is full...you might need brake shoes or more work on the brakes (adjustment)

 

Just remember, it is a 34 year old car....

 

Which one should I get? BTW, can I get this at a bookstore or do I have to order it online?

 

You can probably find it on-line but you can probably pick it up at your local auto parts house too. It is Maverick Comet specific.
"Chilton's Maverick/Comet 1970 -77" #6634

 

Have you driven a car this old before? If all you've ever driven is a newer car with power disc brakes, then old 4 wheel manual drums will take a lot of getting used to. Still a good idea to check the system over and be sure everything is in good shape like everyone said. But unless you install discs, it's not going to stop like a new car.

 

Pretty much is the first car I've driven this old. But I seriously thought that they came with the power disc brakes. Or maybe I'm going crazy cause I could've sworn I read that somewhere concerning the 74 Mav brakes.

 

It came as an option I think!!!

Robert.

 

It could have power disk brakes, but prob not. You can tell a difference by visual inspection.

Also, if its power or not will be determined by if theres a big booster behind the master cylinder (where you put in fluid) If it just has a master cylinder, then its manual, if theres a booster with a rubber hose going from it to the engine, its power brakes.

As for power steering, you can tell if it has a resorvoir and a pump mounted to the motor and a belt going to it from your other accessories.

As for the dash lights, check your fuses as this may be the culprit.

A picture of underneath your hood will help us a lot in helping you

 

Here you guys go. Sorry I can't have the slides up. I'm having trouble with the picture system here.

Back View
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v187/Shinzo/DSCN0513.jpg

Front View
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v187/Shinzo/DSCN0512.jpg

Engine Shots
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v187/Shinzo/DSCN0510.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v187/Shinzo/DSCN0508.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v187/Shinzo/DSCN0507.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v187/Shinzo/DSCN0506.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v187/Shinzo/DSCN0505.jpg

 

yep it has manual brakes and steering.

 

Yup, what he said

5 lug car 2, so thats a positive (in my opinion)

Im not sure what that last picture is showing, other than the canister that its hooked 2, but I've never seen one hooked up that way.

From what I've always seen the PCV valve is hooked up to that part of the air filter housing.

 

All 73+ cars are 5 lug.

Last pic shows the charcoal cannister. That air filter housing is not the correct one, it's off some newer car, like an I6 powered fox Mustang or something. The PCV valve, which pulls the combustion gases out of the engine, connects to intake manifold vacuum, usually at the carb spacer on I6's. The breather in the oil cap, which lets fresh air into the crank case, connects to the air filter housing with the little mini air filter inside.