V8 conversion on I-6 Maverick (need help)

[tdesroch]

I tracked down and regained title to my first car, a '76 Maverick. Since
Maverick has so much in common with early Mustang, I hope somebody here can
help me.

The car has not been started in about 6 years. I already know that the
engine needs to be replaced. I would prefer to put the money into a 302
instead of another inline six.

Has anybody here ever converted a six cylinder Maverick to v8?

I expect to replace the following items no matter what happens:
motor mounts
various suspension bushings
vacuum lines and belts
miscellaneous emission devices
exhaust

As far as I can figure, a V8 conversion would add a manifold, carb, and air
cleaner to the above list.

Is there anything I left out?

Thanks

[Rob Armstrong]

>Has anybody here ever converted a six cylinder Maverick to v8?

Seen a couple in my area. 302 fits fine. I saw a Grabber 302 the other day,
kind of neat (1971 nostril hood too...).

>I expect to replace the following items no matter what happens:
>motor mounts
>various suspension bushings
>vacuum lines and belts
>miscellaneous emission devices
>exhaust
>
>As far as I can figure, a V8 conversion would add a manifold, carb, and air
>cleaner to the above list.
>
>Is there anything I left out?

302 motor
C-4 transmission (with upgrades depending on usage)
Beefier rear axle.

-rob

p.s. Just perused the classifieds in my area and some one can't finish
their project it includes(probably gone now): 1974 Maverick, 302, auto
trans,
Shortened Ford 9" Rear-end, needs paint, $575.....

[MYYSTANG]

I would say from personal experience on my 66 Mustang that unless you are in
some way attached to that car, you would be much better off getting anther car
that already has a V8.

In addition to the parts you already mentioned needing replaced, add radiator,
bigger rear-end, 5 lug hubs and therefore new wheels, beefier tranny and I
think new
A -arms... in the front end. Still want to make that swap?

Curt

>I tracked down and regained title to my first car, a '76 Maverick. Since
>Maverick has so much in common with early Mustang, I hope somebody here can
>help me.
>
>The car has not been started in about 6 years. I already know that the
>engine needs to be replaced. I would prefer to put the money into a 302
>instead of another inline six.
>

>Has anybody here ever converted a six cylinder Maverick to v8?
>

>I expect to replace the following items no matter what happens:
>motor mounts
>various suspension bushings
>vacuum lines and belts
>miscellaneous emission devices
>exhaust
>
>As far as I can figure, a V8 conversion would add a manifold, carb, and air
>cleaner to the above list.
>
>Is there anything I left out?
>

>Thanks
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

[Stuart & Janet]

I don't think they had 4 lug by '76 but correct me if I'm wrong( they would
be disk braked by then) . However I'm sure the 6's rear axle won't be up to
snuff for too long. Also if your Maverick has power brakes you may need to
change the booster mounting hardware. They really had to squeeze them in
the V8 cars . The drivers side shock tower brace was different on a PB
equipped car ( It had a weird split in the middle to clear the diaphram .
My suggestion to you if you really want to do this is, track down a junker
V8 car and use it for its unique parts. Good Luck and keep us informed!
StuK

MYYSTANG <myys...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:19990501202520...@ng-cj1.aol.com...

[tdesroch]

I am definetely attached to this car. The back seat holds some particularly
special memories. :)

[Brent A. Peterson]

In article <eqC0q0Cl#GA.222@cpmsnbbsa02>,

"tdesroch" <tdes...@email.msn.com> wrote:
> I tracked down and regained title to my first car, a '76 Maverick. Since
> Maverick has so much in common with early Mustang, I hope somebody here can
> help me.
>
> The car has not been started in about 6 years. I already know that the
> engine needs to be replaced. I would prefer to put the money into a 302
> instead of another inline six.
>
> Has anybody here ever converted a six cylinder Maverick to v8?
>
> I expect to replace the following items no matter what happens:
> motor mounts
> various suspension bushings
> vacuum lines and belts
> miscellaneous emission devices
> exhaust
>
> As far as I can figure, a V8 conversion would add a manifold, carb, and air
> cleaner to the above list.
> > Is there anything I left out?

Much of what I have seen in this thread is just plain wrong.

All mavericks 6 cylinder and other wise had 5 lug wheels from
the time the brakes and wheel sizes were increased for 1971 or maybe
1972... By 1976 it was standard front disks.

Both of the six cylinder mavericks I have had were 5 lug set ups.
My current one is a '73 250 and my previous one was a '75 200.

The rear end is a standard ford 8 inch. good and strong for
street use. Only 1970 170-200cid 6's had the 7inch. Your 76
likely has 2.79:1 gears. I believe that is what my '75 had.
My '73 has 3:00:1.

If your '76 has a 250cid engine its an easy swap to a small block
eight as such things go. Maverick 250s got the same parts in the
suspension etc as the 302 mavericks for the most part. Although
you may need to replace yours anyway just because of the wear
and adavanced age.

Basically, a big bumpered maverick 6 is not hard to make into
a V8 compared to say a six cylinder '65 mustang.

For more info see my web pages:
http://www.iit.edu/~petebre/maverick/

For a page detailing a 250 to 302 swap see
http://users.neca.com/charneyt/maverick.htm

If you want a nine inch rear, the versailles bolts up directly.
The versailles was a dressed up granada, the granada was a
streched maverick under the skin.

Tom's page on the conversion shows things pretty well as I
remember. hope this all helps.

-Bp

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