Bringing a Mav back from the dead - newbie needs help

I just "inherited" a 1972 Maverick Grabber from my father in law this week. I like to think I'm fairly mechanical, I generally fix all my own cars, but I've never restored a car before and I'm in over my head right now, hoping you guys can start me in the right direction.

This car was a daily driver until 1986 when it was driven into a garage and there it sat ever since. It was just moved last week for the first time in 24 years. From what I can tell, other than the front passanger door and front quarter panel it's all numbers matching. The first few months of sitting, it was started once a month, but after that it wasn't even looked at for over 20 years (the battery is even still connected, yikes!). I'd like to restore it but don't know if it's really even worth it. I went out and tried to turn the engine by hand, but it didn't budge. Should I disconnect the accessories, remove spark plugs to eliminate sources of restriction and try again? What are the absolutely necessary things to do before attempting to turn the key? My father-in-law kind-of wants to get rid of it, and is even more apt to get rid of it if I can't get it rumbling without too much work.

IF the engine is seized, is it worth it (since it's numbers matching) to rebuild the engine, or am I better off with a new crate motor?

Sorry for the newb questions, but I've never attempted to bring a car back from the dead, and don't want to make any costly (either time or money) mistakes if I can learn first from you guys.

 

I got mine in much the same condition. The first thing to do is to do an oil change, drain the gas tank and clean it, put some good gas in. Next is to check the gas lines and ensure the rubber lines aren't dry rotted or broken. Next check the brake fluid, brakes. Next, check the points, plugs and wires. Now, put a good battery in and see if it will start. If not, will it turn over? If so, check the carb and ignition system. That should do it. Mine started after a carb rebuild, but I replaced the 6 for a 302 a few days later. If it starts, check the trans and see if it leaks anywhere. The trans is the biggest problem you may have. They tend to dry out if sitting a long time, but if it was in a garage, it may be ok. Good luck, hope it works out.

 

Pull all the spark plugs, couple squirts of tranny fluid in each cylinder, soak couple days while you do the above. Before installing plugs to start, turn over couple times to pump fluid out.

 

Numbers matching, isn't really the biggest thing with Fords.
So, you have to think about what you want to do with the car, 100% stock/restored Mavericks, are few and far between, they were pretty lame from the factory.
Either way, if the car is somewhat solid, and you can do the work yourself, enjoy!!

 

yes i agree with the above post soak the cylinders you dont want a ring to stick and break. if you can pull the distributer and put some trans fluid in the crank case and hook up a primer rod with a drill and get those journals and bearing soaked the trans fluid will help if there is any rust in there. then try to turn it over with out the spark plugs in it. Doing this may increase the life of the engine thats in it and keep from any internal breakage.

 

Froze Engine

I wud agree w\ removing plugs and belts. I wud then spray some kind of oil "Marvel Mystery" my choice a few days consectively, and C if the engine is froze using long bar on crank. If the engine is froze there's no need to go any further. At that point, I wud consider my other options. There's really no way to determine if the core is suitable for rebuild until it is disassembled. Best of luck.

 

Thanks for the tips guys. That was along the lines of things I was looking to do, but didn't know exactly what to do in what order (hand cranking vs. turning the key etc). I have to admit that I'm typically a Chevy guy, so I don't know the attitude towards numbers matching with the Mav's. This fell into my lap, and seeing as you never really see a good Maverick these days I thought I'd give it a go (free project cars are hard to pass up). Am I missing anything then? I'm sure I'll be posting up with more problems as they arrise.

 

If you want the car, rent a trailer and take it back to your place.

I wouldn't screw around with trying to get it to start. Just assume that everything needs to be either replaced or rebuilt.

 

is the car a v8 or i6. once you get ten posts on this site you can post pics. we like pics around here. we will be able to guide you through restoreing or modfying this car with as little pain as possible. once you start driving this car you will find that you get a whole different kind of attention from people. people will love it and not know what it is. when you take it to car shows a maverick will usually get more attention than a mustang or camaro will because its unique. welcome to the site and good luck with your maverick

 

I also have a '72 that sat for 20+ years. Unfortunately mine sat outside on dirt but that's another story.

Agree, don't try to start it before you clean the fuel tank and lines. If there are mice in the garage, your air cleaner might look like the attached photo. Also, if its an auto trans, your pan might look like the second attachment. This was a well-maintained car till it was parked in 1989.

Since yours was stored inside, you might not have a lot of rust problems but its easy to check on some of the most common problems. Pour some water in the cowl vent and see where it comes out, hopefully not inside the cabin. Pull up the front carpet on both sides and look at the floors. Check the under side of the front of the hood. And under the battery tray. Hope you don't find any nasty surprises.

 

What a find...I'd go for it. Even if the engine is bad you can buy 302s cheap anywhere and get her running nice!
Good score!

 

Let's see if I can remember all of your questions/cmments....The engine is a 302 V8. I'm pretty lucky that it was stored inside, so the rust isn't nearly as bad as it could have been. The car was a daily driver in Chicago and Milwaukee during my father-in-law's med school/residency - so it kind-of has a bit of history to it. Actually, at one time, the window had been broken into so many times in Chicago to steal the radio that he left it unlocked....only to find a homeless guy had taken up the backseat as his house - complete with bunsen burner! Because of the midwest winters there is unfortunately a little rust on the rocker panels. It was recently relocated to the in-laws unheated barn, but that's a good thing because come spring we're actually moving into their basement for about a year (long story there). I'll try to keep posting so I can get to those ten posts!

 

Forgot to mention, it's a manual and it was well maintained until it started sitting. I'm anxious to really dig in and get going, but unfortunately I am on the home stretch finishing up my Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. I've put a self-imposed limit on my "shop time" (I also have a hobby of wood working) until I am putting the final touches on the conclusion.

 

Saw your pictures on your other thread. Your rust is a lot worse than mine was. You'd better put it up on some jack stands and also have good look at the under side. Frame rails, torque boxes, radiator support, ... Check it well before you start buying things.

 

Yeah, the rust is going to kill me on this one. I really need my tools up in my inlaws garage to start diging around and looking. Before I start on anything, though, I need to talk to them to find out what they think is an acceptable time-frame on this car. If they want it done and out in 9 months, I'm not even going to touch it. If they don't mind me poking around and having a half-built car in their barn for a few years, then maybe I'll do a more in-depth inventory.