I have been handed down from my grandfather a 73 ford maverick...Its in pretty bad shape it runs with some noises. Doesnt over heat can drive it a 4 hour trip with no problems...But it has come time to put the engine on a stand and start rebuilding it. I have no knowledge of cars or engines. I cant even open the hood without some thought on how to. I have a horrid job because im still in high school. I get about 400 a month extra after phone and gas and other things...What im needing is a complete list of what all goes into/on a engine. a ford 302 automatic would be best if thats possible because thats what is in it. It was said once something about it being a Boss. Not really sure what that means. Also if you have any help on what parts or what you think should be put on the rebuilt engine would be wonderful. All i have right now is a jegs and a jc whitney magazine and about 2000 to start it off for the cleaning of the engine and what ever have to have done in that. The block from what i have been told is a good block just needs cleaned. the rest needs to be replace. Thanks for any and all information. If there is a website with a list of all parts in a engine or on a engine that would be wonderful as well. I could print it out and compair to all other information.
Well, it's not a "Boss", as the Boss was made only in '69 and '70, and no production Maverick ever came with one. As for parts required for a rebuild; You'll need rings, bearings, timing chain/gears, oil pump, engine gasket set, lifters (might as well get a performance cam while you're at it), and oil pump drive rod (get an ARP high-strength). The rest of the parts can be cleaned up and re-used. A valve-job would be a good idea as well...
Brew, for the money you have I would think you could find a nice engine already rebuilt and ready to drop in. You could probably save yourself some headaches that way, since you have a relatively low skill level(no offense meant). You could sale your old engine off for extra money. If by some VERY slim chance it is a boss, it could bring you some very good money for what it is, even in bad condition.
rebuilding an engine is not really that hard, especially if you have a friend or two to help. but you will need an engine hoist and stand. also sockets and wrenches, a puller and balancer installer. once you have those you will have them forever.if you can buy another engine to rebuild you can do it while driving the original. one of the best tools you can have is a good shop manual. there are a couple of books on rebuilding your small block ford. you might pick one of these up at pep boys or autozone. look them over and see if this is a job you want to tackle. you can also buy a short block already built and just add the heads, intake, carb, etc. or a long block. these are available for a lot less than $2000. last thing is you really need a clean place to work on the engine. good luck.
If you're gonna build the engine right you can tie up a lot of money on the assorted micrometers, bore gauge, dial indicator, torque wrench and other measuring equipment. If you don't already own these you could just put that money towards something that's already assembled. But if your determined to learn how to rebuild, take it slow and read everything you can get your hands on (books, magazines, videos) you can do it. I've rebuilt engines and bought crate motors. Crate motors obviously take less time and usually have a warranty but building your own is more fun, to me at least.
dude your best bet first of all is to tell us where you are... maybe you live near somebody who has a really decent used engine. gees i picked my 302 for 200 bucks and a 2 hour (each way) drive.
I live in beaumont texas....Have only seen 2 other mavericks around here so didnt guess i would be able to find someone near me. Im wanting to rebuilt it not buy a new one it takes the fun out of it. This car is a project for me. My dad and family isnt helping im wanting to say hey i did this with my own hands. Everything i have done has always been easy im no longer taking the easy road out. i wouldnt mind buying another 302 and rebuilt it so i can still drive my car since i like to drive it. I have a lift and i just bought a stand waiting for grandpa to go get it and bring it home. He knows where the place is i dont. As far as a clean shop i have that in my back yard in my old barn that i have been fixing and cleaning. Got a new floor and placed on the concrete so its tile to make it easier to clean. Tools i got a bunch from when my dad's grandpa passed away he left me a bunch of stuff to use. should have almost all i need there is always specialty parts ill need to buy but thats ok.
I see you're still in high school, after that college? Is this car your only means of transportation? Reason I ask is I remember when I was in school....had to walk in 4 feet of snow up hill both ways......no wait...thats the walk to school story, not the Mustang story...... Now the Mustang story goes like this here....had a 65, did'nt know anything about cars but sure did want to learn, so I decided it would be cool to build my own motor. So with no tools, no knowedge, and no clue I set out to conquer the 289 in my mustang....it won. I spent more time and money buying and installing cool parts that I, my friends, the magazines, and most of all the speed shop guy thought I needed than I EVER spent driving the #$% thing! Not to mention the time and money spent doing things twice because of a severe case of dumb. Now for the "if I had it all to do over again" part.(you too can do this when you're over the hill) Buy a MILD crate motor or have a reliable builder build one for you. Even a stock 302 is fun in a maverick. Buy some basic tools, get a good shop manual, and install the engine yourself. You will learn a great deal just doing this without building the engine yourself. Make it RELIABLE. If this is your daily driver then dont go the 'big cam, big carb, low gears" route. Gas mileage is wonderful too. Spend money to make it safe first, fast second. Its only fun if you're alive to enjoy it. If you continue working on cars, you will get to where you DO have the knowedge and skills to build engines, just dont overwhelm yourself with the first one. Remember, it takes time to learn to swear well enough to be a good mechanic. So start small and work up.
Timsm said it best. Don't let your ego get in the way of being realistic, especially if this is your only transportation. I started out building lawnmower engines, I can now build $1000+ high horsepower kart racing engines like theres no tomarrow, and I am still not comfortable building my own car engine. Gonna give myself a few more years to wise up before I try it. Alls it takes is getting the torque off on one bolt in the bottom end, and all your work goes out the window (at least in my experience). If your dead set on doing this yourself, I'll warn you. There will be a time when you stop and look around you and think "my god, what have I done" been there done that. Best of luck to you.
Im going to take all your suggestions. The 73 is my car thats all i have to get around besides friends and family. Im going to look for a used 302 to start with and go from there. Im not gana jump right into this now that yall speak of it i understand that it would be stupid because i lack the knowledge. I wasnt planning on speed just get everything working like it should. and make it sound and look nice. thats all that mattered. safety is a main thing in front of my mind tho. It has to be safe thats why i wont go over a 302 engine. i was thinking of going down to a straight 6 because better gas mileage. I will not be stupid and jump in i will take it the safer and mature route and start small. Thanks for all your help. Also with the body mine is pretty bad condition. Would it be better to go to fiberglass repop parts or try to fix whats there?
Howdy Brew, I'm in Texas also, but you know how that goes .... I think Beaumont is about 4.5 hours from Longview ...... If Texas was a regular sized state there would be a lot of options, but geez, the drive...... Maybe check Houston wrecking yards for parts .... cheaper that way and don't drive the mav there, then they might jack up the price if they think you need it bad (that didn't sound right)..... as far as the six goes ..... I have a 250 I-6 and get about 12-15 mpg ...... the 302 is as good I think, properly running and tuned probably a lot better .... A junkyard 302 on an engine stand, a few weeks/months and you will have a nice engine to drop in ..... maybe find a good deal on a c-4 tranny and have it rebuilt and swap while there ... u-joints,springs ...... uh, stop whenever you need to ..... Robert
Hey Brew, Welcome aboard! I live in Bon Weir Texas, and go to school in Jasper. I have a Maverick that I put a 302 in, and love it. As fun as it is though, I wish I had done a few things differently. I started out thinking that I could build a tough engine for around 1000 bucks. Several Thousand dollars later, I have a car that gets 8 miles to the gallon and has serious traction problems. What I'm trying to say is that I think you are doing the right thing by looking for a complete engine to install. Get one from a reliable source, install it yourself, and enjoy it. Save the engine you have now, and later on- Build it. You can go the the local parts-house and purchase short or long block 302's put a good intake and Carb on it, ignition and a few other odds and ends and be down the road shortly. It doesn't take much power to make a Maverick fun. If I remember correctly, when I priced engines at O'Reillys it was only 800-900 dollars for the long block engine. I would suggest going this route. Their engines will have a warranty on them- if you build one- it won't. See what I mean. It would be quicker, cheaper, and easier to think about going this route. I should have done it at the time, but I just HAD to build mine. It worked out okay, but I had an excellent mechanic helping me along. Good luck man however you go at it, and don't give up!! Preston
