Can't take much more........

Fellas be thinking bout whether or not you would like to buy my Maverick. I just can't take it any more. Today the Fuel Pump and the Thermostat went out. As I am typing this, I have a bolt in the T-Housing that has twisted and is about to break off. I am at my wits end and cannot take much more of this. I know it sounds silly to be this upset over a bolt, but my life is pure hell right now, and the Maverick has been nothing but trouble for a good while lately. It is too much........Financially or otherwise. So depending on how this comes out, I may list the Mav for sale this week. Night

 

Calm down, boy. Is this car your only means of transportation?

If not, just take your time, save your money, look for parts deals, and complete your project. If it's not your only means of transportation, don't get in a hurry to have it perfect.

If it is your only means of transportation, then weigh the costs of getting the Maverick up to snuff versus buying something else.

In either case, take a deep breath and think. Don't react. Just a word or two from one approaching geezerdom.

 

man country... don't dump it!!!!! just let it be for a while. it just needs an attitude adjustment. it will see its wicked ways and change!

 

Calm down Country!
IF you have a bolt that is about to break, or twisting on a T-stat
housing, leave it be for now. I would approach it in two different
ways.
1-Get some real good penetrating fluid. WD40 is not what I consider
GOOD penetrating fluid. It evaporates. I mean some good oily penetrating
fluid. Spray it in and around the bolt. If you have one side off and can pull
if off the intake some-depends on how far the problem bolt is in-spray it
around the gasket face. Let it sit overnight. Tackle it the next day.

2-If it still wants to twist, and is seemingly breaking, cut the bolt.
Depending on how far you have gotten it out so far, you may be able
to get a hacksaw blade on it. If not, a good chisel will work, but you have
to be careful with the housing. Cut the head of the bolt off and the t-stat
housing should come off allowing you to us vice grips to remove the problem
bolt.
The idea here is to get the housing out of the way to allow for a better
grip on the bolt with another tool. If you wring it off inside of the threaded
intake, you will be in for more pain.

When you reinstall it, use stainless bolts. You can get them cheap at hardware
stores and building supply stores.

Best of luck.

Seth

 

try heating the bolt cherry red then soak it with some good penetrating fluid ..then heat it up again and try and remove it

 

Take a breath and calm down. Everything you mentioned is all fixable stuff. The fuel pump and thermostat are EASY fixes and low-cost as well. The bolt may require some creative manipulation but it too will come out. I can think of far more difficult and stressful challenges that I've had to face with my Maverick. Next month makes 23 years that it's been with me...

 

Preston don't do something in the heat of passion you'll regret later, Seth offers up some good advice, Pashents gwashoppa.... you love that car and you know it, she just has to show you whose boss every now and again.
Terry? Geezerdom...I feel like royalty

 

Well thanks guys for the advice. I got the bolt taken care of, but I have a new problem. My fuel line is clogged somewhere between the tank and the pump!!!! The car is broken down right now........so anyone got any ideas???? Thanks! Preston

 

How do you know it's clogged?....

 

check the rubber lines make sure there not collapsed think theres one from the tank to the frame line and one up by the front of the door

 

I like approaching Geezerdom better than getting 'Ol Fartitis.

 

What you may think is a clogged fuel line could be a cracked rubber line, suckin air from the pump,, wont leak cause the pressure from the tank is not enuff. When the pump syphons it, it just sucks air. I would look at the rubber line after the tank, or the line that is around the wheel area, after that, the line that goes to the steel line to the pump. Going from memory here, hope it helps.
Dan

 

Preston,
Did your temp problems and fuel pressure problems occur at the same
time?
Did you get it home yet?

 

Hey ya'll. Thanks very much for the advice (Once Again!!) I will try to answer some of the questions. First, I thought that the line was clogged because the pump was hammering, but no fuel was in the filter. (Didn't think about the line being cracked and it pulling air) I blew out the line and replaced the hose out of the tank. I will replace the other hose( up front with the pump tomorrow) However, as I now know that the pumps are meant to be mounted in the back of the vehicle ( close to the tank) I purchased a better pump, and will mount it near the tank hopefully Sun or Mon. It has a better volume rating, and is supposedly quieter than the one I have now. Irritates the @#$%@^@ out of me with all of it's chattering. I did however get the car to run again. It runs good for awhile, and then it dies because there is no fuel. I am thinking that it is indeed pulling air from the hose in the front. As for the temp/fuel problems occuring at the same time, yes they did, but I just swapped intake/carb/radiator and haven't gotten the carb set right. (HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU TUNE AN EDELBROCK 650????) I think I once read that running lean/rich can affect temp........(although personally I have no clue if it does/doesn't) I hope this will help answer some of questions.

Oh, and the Maverick wasn't through with me yet. Moments after arriving back at the dorm, I was troubleshooting, and when I cranked it, the starter hung up!!! I finally had to yank the coil wire off of the distributor and while the starter didn't quit, I was able to keep messing with the key till it stopped. It stayed engaged for over 2 minutes. What causes this?? And how do you (once it gets hung up) get it to stop?? Is the coil wire a good idea/only way to do it? I could see blue sparks traveling between my spark plug wires. A friend had pulled them tightly together with zip ties, so I cut the ties. Should I replace the plugs and wires?? I just don't know what has gotten into the Maverick here lately. Four years of smooth sailing with 30 year old parts, and when I replace that stuff with new items, the new stuff messes up!! I should have used Genuine Ford Parts huh? Sorry it's so long, but thanks for helping me!!!! I REALLY appreciate it!!! Thanks and Take care guys, it's 4:30 in the morning, I just got home and I have just enough time for a nap so I'm gone..................Preston

 

possibly your solenoid for the starter is hanging up, causing it to engage. pulling the coil wire should not effect the starter cranking but will prevent the engine from firing. Next time pull the negative battery cable, that will stop it. I have had solenoids stick, especially during extreme cold. Might be time for a new solenoid.
Lean carbs can and will cause and engine to run hot. I have never touched an Edelbrock carb so I cant guide you there.
Dan