This is a silly question, but everybody's been real friendly so far, so I'll go ahead and throw it out there. Can anybody recommend some good basic books about engines and working on them? I haven't had a lot of experience, but I really want to learn. I'm getting a 70 Maverick (for free!) and it'll be my first resto...probably way over my head, but I'm willing to put some time into it. Someone told me the best thing would be to get a Chilton book for it and just start tearing it apart. That's a little hard when you don't know how things are supposed to look in the first place. I do know a little bit (changing my oil, filters,etc) and I just tackled putting a new heater core in, but if I could find a book to help fill in some gaps I think that would help. I'll probably get booted for asking such a question, but thanks for any help you can give.
Find a Shop Manual, it has more detail. Chilton gives just enough info to get you in trouble if you're not experienced. But it does have some good information about basic car repair. This forum has all the info you need if you look deep enough
What engine do you have in this car? if it is a v8 there's a few books on how to build a small block ford. Not sure of the books on the 6, but the chilton manual has a section on rebuilding motors. Good luck. Remember, Everyone got started somewhere.
Well, this is an irreplaceable source for beginners like us. I'm positive Craig Selvey has at least one Chilton manual.
personally i'd get it running/driving smoothly, and redo the brakes. then from there on out do it one piece at a time! and ask questions whenever in doubt because somebody else has always fixed it, changed it ect. i'm no expert mechanic and my maverick has come a pretty long way cause of this forum. and to the forum!
for $70 this might be something you could use. (i got to get one of these myself!) http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-MUSTANG-MAVERICK-PINTO-Shop-Manual-72-FORD_
