number matching drive train

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by mavgrab302, Jul 19, 2008.

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  1. mavgrab302

    mavgrab302 MCCI Florida State Rep

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    Is it important to keep the original number matched motor (302) in my grabber?. I was thinking of building a all new motor, or buying a high performance create motor. Reason: can be cheaper than rebuilding my old motor, not just a freshen up. If I was to build mine I would want to replace everything. Your opinion on this subject is welcome. I want to keep as much value as possible in my restoration, but at the same time build some power and handling in to the car. A 74 grabber with its big horsepower rating of 160hp is after all a 70's tragedy. Or maybe I should do what I did with my 66 mustang, find a 6cyl. plain Jane and build from there. although I think mavericks are a lot more rare.
     
    mavgrab302, Jul 19, 2008
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  2. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    As far as I know - Ford never did a real numbers matching car like Chevy did. Like in a Camaro, the VIN sequence relating to individual car ID was stamped into the engine and transmission. This proved it was the original engine and tranny that it was built with. With a Ford - there are build date codes that would come very close to build date for the car. But no specific, individual ID number was stamped into all the main parts like Chevy did. Just date codes and casting codes. So in the Ford world, it is not quite as cut and dried about originality as it is with GM. Not sure what Mopar did.

    Anyway. Unless the car is an all original creampuff - I would say build it anyway you want.

    :)
     
    Acornridgeman, Jul 19, 2008
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  3. mavgrab302

    mavgrab302 MCCI Florida State Rep

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    It is a long way from a cream puff. I just dont want to kill its value if I ever want to sell. I built a bad a... vega GT went all out spent a ton of money and lost my a... when I sold.
     
    mavgrab302, Jul 19, 2008
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  4. Dave B

    Dave B I like Mavericks!

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    The vin is stamped on the block, my 74 Grabbers is. As for value, it'll be more valuable with a new engine, stock Mavericks haven't caught on yet, and maybe never will...
     
    Dave B, Jul 19, 2008
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  5. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    Where is it on the block?

    All I have found are casting codes, date codes, and the metal tag.
     
    Acornridgeman, Jul 19, 2008
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  6. Jamie Miles

    Jamie Miles the road warrior

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    The partial VIN is stamped on the block and transmission. By partial, I mean for example, if your VIN is 1K93F123456, the VIN stamped on the block and transmission will be 1K123456.

    As for the original question, if it were a '71 or '72 Grabber, then I would say at least hold onto the original drive train, even if you replace it. But for a big bumpered '74, don't worry about it, get you a crate motor and cruise...
     
    Jamie Miles, Jul 19, 2008
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  7. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    I have not found these numbers stamped into a Ford. Metal tags maybe? But not stamped into the castings. I have a 1968, 1969, and a 1971 sitting in my shop.

    Where do I look ??? :16suspect
     
    Acornridgeman, Jul 19, 2008
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  8. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    I just found something on a Mustang web site that said to look at the flat spot behind the intake .... it also said that not all blocks are marked ..... :hmmm:

    I'm gonna look tomorrow in the daylight.

    :)
     
    Acornridgeman, Jul 19, 2008
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  9. Jamie Miles

    Jamie Miles the road warrior

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    Here is a pic of where they are on a I6:

    V.I.N.stamps.jpg

    The engine and trans in my '72 is out of a '71 Grabber, and is a little strange in that it actually does have the full VIN of that car stamped in it. The engine has the full VIN stamped twice for some reason.. 99% of the time it's only a partial VIN you will find:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Jamie Miles, Jul 19, 2008
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  10. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    THANKS! - Nice pics Jamie (y)

    I am finding all this information very useful. Can't wait to look tomorrow in the daylight.

    :)
     
    Acornridgeman, Jul 19, 2008
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  11. Dave B

    Dave B I like Mavericks!

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    I was just going to post that, my 74 has it, as does my 73. Maybe replacement blocks wouldn't???
     
    Dave B, Jul 19, 2008
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  12. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    I have learned something from this thread ........ :tiphat:

    On the flat spot behind the intake:
    My Grabber motor, it has the full VIN, not a partial, the full thing, stamped into it in 1/4" higher letters and numbers. Had to scrape away the old blue paint to see it. My 68 J code Mexican block has 5 numbers only - nothing else and they are in 1/2" high numbers. I suppose these 5 numbers may have matched the VIN - but it might be a replacement block. This came out of a 68 Cougar and I do not think it was the original engine to that car.


    :thumbs2:
     
    Acornridgeman, Jul 20, 2008
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  13. 69.5mav

    69.5mav Member

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    Out of about 20 or so small blocks I've built over the years, I think only 2 of them had a VIN stamped on them.1 from my first car(68 Mustang) and 1 from a 66 GT350H.
     
    69.5mav, Jul 20, 2008
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  14. blugene

    blugene Senior member Supporting Member

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    Intresting! How about the V8s? Or did I overlook the info?...
     
    blugene, Jul 20, 2008
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  15. Stingrayiii

    Stingrayiii Member

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    I think its more in a person's taste really. I like the look of original looking cars.
    But I also like Hi-pr cars also. I myself would pay more for a number matching car.
    But if you look around lately, it seems that people are making say boss clones, SS clones, and so forth, and they are pulling in extra money by doing so. Which makes me scratch my head.
    So that being said, If you want more power, replace it with a another block, but just keep the other engine to go with it if you ever do sell it. That way the new owner can choose which one he would rather have.
    And I really do see a market opening up for the maverick, people seem to see them more as muscle cars "sleepers". And they are gaining interest, I get offered money all the time for my car. I really do think our cars are undervalued sometimes.
     
    Stingrayiii, Jul 20, 2008
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