I recently traded my 1991 Subaru Loyale for a 1974 Maverick 4 door. I must have been crazy to go from almost 30MPG to like 2 but hey what are brothers for right Anyway my brother doesn't know anything more than how to check fluids and put air in the tires. This car needs some love to get back to top notch. As for now I want to just make the parts that I have work right, but in the mean time I would like to know exactly what I have under the hood. I know it is a 302 V8 but that is all I know. Can anyone offer any good advice on how to identify all the major parts that I have without completly tearing down the engine? My ultimate goal is to turn this car into what my buddie calls a "sleeper" I don't know how wide spread that term is. He says that it's a car that people look at and don't really expect it to win street races. But for now it is the car that I drive 15 miles to work and back every day, so I need to comprmise between high performance and econmy. (I know that is funny saying that I want an economic 302) So any advice/hints/suggestions are most welcome JR
Welcome aboard. I just traded a '90 Loyale on a '91 F-150 4x4. Third Subaru we had but the worst of the lot. Anyway, the easiest way to identify everything is with a set of factory shop manuals. If you're going to do work on the car, these are invaluable. I can get you a set for around $60 + shipping if you don't have a set already. The Chilton's or Clymer's do not have anywhere the detail and completeness that the factory manual set has.
Shop Manuals?????? What the hell are shop manuals????? I wouldn't know what a shop manual was if someone hit me in the head with one. But really that would be great if I could afford it. When tax returns come in I get $900.00 to spend on tools and my Mav. Maybe then you could get me a set. See the deal is I work in a wrecking yard but we only do Imports so having this really great old car to work on is amazing. Everything is so easy to get at and straight foward. I haven't run across anything repair job on this car that has 100% stumped me. I am sure I will get there though.
i use a number of sources. some i've gotten off of ebay. chiltons puts out a maverick/comet manual that is not in print anymore, but many of these show up on ebay. also for 302 id purposes you can buy a book on "how to rebuild your small block ford" at checkers, auto zone or pep boys. they go for less than $20 bucks. i've also found some manuals in used book stores in my area. you never know what your going to find there. if you want a real sleeper, the 302 can be stroked to 347 ci and there's lots of performance parts available. it just costs money. a friend races a 64 ranchero that says on the back "this car will never go as fast as the money i spend on it" good luck.
Affirmative on the money thing Don! He's right about being able to get some references cheaper. I just found that the factory manuals are significantly more complete and contain much, much more valuable info than the other books for general repairs. Any reference is better than none, though.
the 302 properly tuned with headers 4 v carb and mild cam will get 17 to 19 mpg...i used to think my gas guage was broke...couldnt make it use fuel...so the windsor went in...I STILL get 15 mpg..I wont have " enough" power till I nail the throttle and the seat bolts rip through the floorboard...thats " just right"
Seat bolts So does anyone on here live near 357 Grabber??? Someone could tie his seat to a tree and I am sure that would rip the bolts out of the floor. I belive there is enough power when you can pull a 30sec burn off in 4th gear while moving at 35-40mph A buddy of mine had this bad ass Cuda that would do that. That was before I started getting into building cars so I don't know any of the information about it cept when you poke the giddyup button you don't want to put your arm out the window or it will tear your sholder out of place.
Refrence Book Well my stepdad just turned up an old book. Motor Auto Repair Manual 39th edition first printing Lots of great information. That will get me started at least
To get any really good refrence books for cars I have to drive almost 30 miles to the llibrary at the main campus of the community college, and those jerks won't let me bring them home so I can put greasy finger prints all over the most important informaition.
