Well guys just sitting here at work and thinking why in the hell am I tearing up a vehicle the runs. I mean my 70 grabber runs all it needs is body work. I have read somewhere that 1970 mavericks are not the best candidate for the v8 due the lack of shock tower support and their small transmission tunnels. My grabber has a good engine in it why not just fix it and drive it. Maybe upgrade the engine a little maybe a turbo and some engine work. Then take the 77 car and use it for the v8 build that car has a better trans tunnel and beefier shock towers and has 5 lug disc brakes on the front and a 8" rear end all suitable for a great v8 car build that way I'm not destroying the value of my grabber and keep it a numbers original car. I also love to think outside the box and in an unordinary way v8 in small cars is a everyday thing but a monster I6 is not. I would love to take that 250 out of the 77 car and bore it out and use sleeves in it and modify the head cut the intake off at the runners and make an intake manifold that uses direct injection maybe something off like a 3.8 buick sfi engine. v8 are great but i love to think outside the box and I believe i just answered my own question. My goals have just changed and there will be no v8 grabber but a monster 6 turbo grabber.
Couple things: *I had only made those comments about a 70 model because the guy was wanting to convert it to a heavier/larger 351c AND then bracket race it. He hadn't bought the car yet, so it was common sense to let him make an informed decision. *If it ain't broke, don't fix it. *I would love to see someone here build a snort'n little turbo 6! *It's your car, make it 'your own'. Good luck Dave
What is diffrent about the shock towers? People do V8 swaps all the time without ill affects. If gas was cheaper, damn straight I would be putting a 302 in my '69 1/2. Unless your car is 100% original and in exceptionally nice condition, it will almost always bring more money tastefully modifed. Take Dan Hines' '71 Grabber or Mavaholic's Sprint for example. Both were originally 6 cylinder cars. These aren't Boss Mustangs... do what makes you happy.
informed decision hey ratio when my family and I go to car shows i tell myself and my family why someone would destroy a beautiful car like that referring to some really nice cars. I have seen many cars destroyed or uglyfied by sticking big engines and slamming them to the ground. I just cant bring my self to destroy my maverick grabber specailly when it runs. I love orginal looking cars, I know that if i put that v8 in my car most people wouldn't know that wasn't the original engine but i would. I read you comments and they made alot of sense. I have a 77 car that would be great for v8 I mean i wouldn't be destroying a grabber and that car has 5 lugs and ac and powersteering and its not grabber. All I'm saying is you gave some insight to the thing that I had already been thinking about way before i read your post and your post just gave me the last need mental push to keep my car as close to original as possible thank you.:bananaman
I think if you look at long term value, your 70 will be more valuable than the 77. But it's your car do what you want, and trends change over time, look at pro-street, alot of nice cars got cut up, and now they look funny and out of style.
V8 the 77 but put small bumpers on while you're at it. A nicely done I6 in the 70 would be cool, it's just that for most people a V8 transplant is easier, cheaper and more powerful. The only difference in a 70's shock towers is the belly bar that gets bolted on underneath. The trans tunnel is a little more narrow but that didn't stop me or others from adding 4-speeds, 5-speeds, etc. Make both of your cars YOUR cars, they way you want 'em.
If your like me you will happier in the end with a v8....I said I was going to keep my yellow maverick with the I6 .....but when I am at cruisin's or around my maverick/comet family and I hear them folks fire up their v8's...then I have to wait until they move away to hear if mine is running I always said I have PINKY and thats enough v8 for me....but I was wrong. I will be doing the v8 swap in the yellow car sooner....than later
