I recently ran across an ad in a Mastang/Ford magazine for a new Watts Link set-up for early Mustangs. I e-mailed the guy and asked if the Watts Link would work on a Maverick, he responded that he's tried one on a Mav but the space between the axel and the gas tank didn't have enough clearance for the Watts to fit. I e-mailed him back and told him that 69.5 and some 70's had drop-in tanks, but I didn't know if that made more room or not..... Anyone know if there's a difference in the amount of available rearend-to-tank space between the two different gas tank styles? He was very interested in finding out, he even asked if there was anyone in the WI area with a drop-in tank Mav to maybe help him check it out. But if the clearances are the same between the drop-ins and regular tanks, I guess there wouldn't be any point in trying. I just thought A Watts Link would be a cool addition to a Maverick suspension
Would definitely be a cool addition! Wish i lived in WI, i wouldn't mind letting him put one on my car as a "test dummy"
Bum Steer, Drop the guy my name; I have my 74 2 door sitting on my trailer(in storage), waiting for spring to arrive. My car doesn't have a gas tank, and won't hit the road for a few more years, but the original 8 in. is still hanging there. I'm very interested in working with him; I'm building my car as a Trans Am style car. Kipp Walvoord Sheboygan, WI
Well, first off, just need to find out if there's a difference in space between the two tank styles in the first place. I don't know if the guy has the exact measurements needed, he had just tried the set-up on a 72, and it didn't fit. I've got a 69.5 and a 70, both with drop-ins, and a 71 parts car, but with no tank. So I'm going to try and get one of the drop-in cars side by side with the 71 to check for differences, but without the 71 tank, it might not help much unless the differences are obvious even without it. I've "misplaced" the magazine with the ad (two car-loving sons lose my mags all the time), but I have the guy's e-mail, and will try to find the ad with the business name and post it all here. I imagine if someone was going with a custom tank or fuel cell, this watts Link might be made to fit. It'd be perfect for a custom Trans-Am style Mav (Kipp ) And, hopefully, if the drop-in tank Mavs have the extra space needed, at least some Mavs out there might benefit from the Watts
The latest hot rod had a car in there with a watts linkage. Only this one mounted the watts on the bottom of the differential housing. I thought that was rather novel. That would solve any space issues.
If you find the company post it for me. I have never seen a pic you a 4 link on a mustang. But sooner or later I will be trying to come up with a rear setup that will get the car lower & handle better.
Ok, first off, My bad.....it was in Popular Hot Rodding December '05 issue, page 23 in the "New Products" section for those that want to see a pic and read the stats Here's the info: Fay's 2 Suspension, 404 N. Main St., Ste.401. Dept. PHR, Oshkosh, WI 54901; (920) 279-0875 www.fays2.net -------------------------------------- Here's our e-mail discussion: >>Hi. I was checking out your Watts link for Mustangs, and I was wondering, would they work on early (70-73) Mavericks/Comets? Thanks for any info<< ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Carl, Thanks for your interest, where did you hear about us? The Maverick application seemed like a natural to us also. Unfortunately when we've inspected those cars it was apparent to us that there is much less room between the gas tank area and the diff housing than on Mustangs. We are continuing to pursue this application but as of this time our Watts Link will not fit your car. Sorry. But visit out web site every two weeks or so because we are constantly working on new applications. Thanks Jim Fay fays2.net 920.279.0875 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ >>Hi Jim. I saw the write up on your Watts link in the Dec. issue of Popular Hot Rodding in the "New products" section. As for the gas tank issue, do you think it would work on a Maverick if a fuel cell was installed in the trunk? Also, very early Mavericks (69 1/2 - 70) had "drop-in" tanks (tank installs through the trunk) I don't know if there is any difference in space between the drop-ins and the later, standard under-trunk tanks, but something you might check. I've got two Maverick projects, and I'm going with a "Pro Touring" style build up on one. Mavericks aren't exactly known for their handling. I thought one of your Watts links would be a real help. Anyways, thanks for all the info. I'll keep checking in on your site. I know Mavericks aren't as popular or plentiful as Mustangs and Camaros, but I belong to a Maverick/Comet website/message board with a fairly large membership, and I know alot of it's members would be interested in this set-up for their cars. Thanks again, Carl<< ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Carl, Thanks for the update. I will search out those early cars. Do you know of a car in the Wisconsin area I could look at? Jim Fay fays2.net 920.279.0875 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I just remember that my tank is in the trunk. I wonder will it fit. I may have to give them a call. I had a mini tube done on it.
i would think there would be more of an issue with the shock mounting getting in the way with the watts link. then again your shocks are not staggered on that year maverick... so maybe they won't get in the way a couple way i see thinks is 1. as for the tank your never gonna find a replacement for a drop in... so might as well just go with a fuel cell. 2. if your gonna go with a late model tank your gonna have to cut it up anyways to get it to fit... you might as well relocate it anyways. that just me though. if you get this done i would love to see it... i always thought i'd be the first to put one on a maverick but it just never seem to be a priority to me so i never did it.. not to meantion too many projects going on at one time good luck in whatever you do.
I emailed them today, no response yet but all of my rear suspension is moved around so much, i'm thinking it might clear. If not, maybe minor mod & it will clear. I guess we will see.
Quick question, are all the maverick & comet framerails the same for each year? The guy with the watts wanted to know.
According to the write up in the magazine, "fits on cars with standard or staggered shocks, and fits both 8-inch and 9-inch housings. Of course, they're talking about Mustangs. Good question. From his first e-mail reply to me, he indicated it was a tank/diffrential clearance problem.....but I wondered later if frame rails and/or trunk floor shape might also interfere with fit. Poor guy.....he and I traded e-mail way back in December.......he's probably wondering about all these Maverick/Comet owners suddenly coming out of the woods asking about about his Watts Link! It's a good thing though......maybe showing so much intrerest in Maverick and Comet applications will inspire our own Watts Link, and maybe eventually other parts, now that he knows we're out there. . Maybe we Maverick/Comet lovers should do this more often...... barrages of e-mails and phone calls to parts and performance companies that make repo body panels, interior parts, suspension, etc. for everything but Maverick/Comets......let 'em know we're out there and we want in on the game for our cars too!
I had talked to Jim Fay in person at the Shelby Club's Milwaukee Mile event last June. He had one of his Watts set ups with him, it is a pretty cool set up, but I know it wouldn't work in my car, I have a 22 gal. fuel cell that sits in an aluminum box that is where the drop in tank used to be. It goes straight down at the front of the opening, I have maybe 5-6 inches between the box and the rear end. He looked at my car and saw that with what I have in there, it wouldn't work. I'm thinking a guy could make it work if he did some fab work on the trunk floor and ran with a more shallow fuel cell, or something.
So, you don't think it'd fit, even with a stock drop-in tank? Ok, if someone had a cell in the trunk, not under it,....then do you think the Watts might fit, or will the trunk floor be in the way too?
