Which is better...?

Since purchasing my Mav 3 weeks ago everyone says I need to put a 302 in. My plans were to keep it the i6. So heres the question...Keep it the way it rolled off the showroom floor, or upgrade?

 

What do you want to use it for? Everyday driver,show car,muscle car? Gas mileage or power? How good of a 6cyl do you have? Do you have the money to switch it over? ???'s you need to answer. Good Luck!

 

Do what you will it's your car. Not like we own Hemi Cuda's. JK
Personal I like slight mods but still keeping the overall theme of what Ford intended, cheap transportation.

 

Look at the pros and cons:

Pro:
Changing the car won't hurt it's value. They are not rare, and often upgrading can improve the value of these particular cars... as long as it's done right.

V8s are fun.

The cars are super easy to work on and relatively cheap.

Small V8s, and aftermarket parts, are plentiful both new and used.

Con:
The I6 is cheap and economical to run.

The I6 is already there, saving you money and effort doing the change.

The I6 is just as reliable as any other engine.

Fuel prices!


Edit:
I thought of an idea...
Drive the I6 into the ground, and when it gives, if you still want an 8, throw it in there at that time.

In the mean time, upgrade the brakes, suspension, steering, unibody, etc... for safety, strength, and reliability. That is probably money and effort better spent if you are on the fence. These systems in our cars are terribly primative and desperately need upgrading in most cases.

 

Nope, wait...
I just realized you are new, and a lady. So I have 2 comments:
Welcome.
and
Put a V8!
A lady with a wrench and a fast car is so hot!

 

I have seen a lot of V8's get better MPG than 6 cylinders. You got to consider the power to weight ratio. I'm getting over 19.5 mpg in my Falcon if I act my age with a very warm over V8 and that’s at 2800-3000 rpm. I know of some guys are lucky to get 16-18 with a 6 cylinder. Your mileage may vary…battery not included…all sales final

 

I think the rest of the car will give, before that I6 ever does.

My 200 in my '72 gets high 20's for gas mileage on the highway. I drove the car 819 miles last weekend, and averaged 24 mpg. This was doing everything from sitting in Atlanta traffic, to cruising 75 mph down the interstate, to driving up some 6, 7 and 8% grades for several miles in the mountains of NC and going through the Nantahala Gorge. I do not feel I could have done the same economy with a 302.

Which is better... well, what do you want to do with the car?

 

unless you have a grabber/sprint/stallion/GT in really nice original condition i dont see any reson not to upgrade these cars. its not like there some highly collectable valuable cars in original condition, so why not makie it what you want?

 

I love the enthusiasm!!!

 

Question I have is, are you capable of changing the motor out yourself or are you going to have to pay someone to do it? Labor is not cheap. Now if it's only going to cost a couple of cases of refreshments, Then I say go for it. Just remember you need all the parts and th tools for it.

 

Im not your typical female. Anything I do, I do myself...now that thats out of the way...if I decide to change out the engine, it will be done by me and my brother. Why pay out the ass for something if you can do it yourself...right???

 

Welcome to the board!

With yours being a 76, I am assuming it has front disc brakes (I think they all were by then ...). If somehow yours has drums up there, that would be the first thing to change. Drum brake cars almost don't stand a chance on the road with modern cars ... scary!

Beyond that ... if the car drives the way you want it too ... keep it as is.

"Everyone is telling you that you need a 302" ... why? If it runs good, I'd leave it be. If it is worn out ... putting a 302 in it's place would cost just a little more than fixing the 6.

They are a lot of fun with a V8, though, and if you want that, keep it to a 302-based engine. I put a 351W in mine and it is very tight, and requires some fabbing... a 302 pretty much falls into place.

If my 351 is too worn out when I pull it out again, I will go back to the smaller 302.

 

sorry gotta add my

"Now if it's only going to cost a couple of cases of refreshments, Then I say go for it."

Ok you have 2 things going for you

First your female with a maverick which is cool
Second you are in the area with several very thirsty gentlemen that know probably more than they should about mavericks...

Do you get my point? there are probably many people here that would help at the drop of a hat...hell half of the guys would drop the hat themselves..good luck and happy mavericking

 

"First your female with a maverick which is cool"
I wish someone would explain that to my husband

And I hope I dont need anyones help (cept my brothers) but ya'll are more than welcome to come watch me work...lmao!!!

 

Your acting like it's a surprise women like Mavericks. Quite a few girls commented about me getting one and said they all said they really love Mavericks.