1973 Ford Maverick

This is my girl, I named her Hope. I guess because I knew it was going to take some for me to get her the way I think she wants to be. As if right now she is on stands waiting for me. I am rebuilding a 94 5.0 HO to put in. I am currently buying/selling/trading parts for her. I have a dash cap, a floor shifter, a new 2 piece carpet kit, a new hughes performace stall converter, new flexplate. I am looking for a front windshield. I have called around and they are pretty expensive. So I am trying to find a used one. I will also need exhaust. I have a set of Hedman 88408 shortie style so I need some down pipes, x pipe and mufflers. I am open to suggestions.

She has a spoiler on her that I think is a MACH 1 Mustang style. I am hoping to buy a 3 piece spoiler soon as I think those look so much better.

If anyone wants it let me know. I am sure we can work something out.

I put front disc brakes on her, pulled out all of the power steering and went back to a manual steering but kept the power steering box. I put some heavier front springs and cut them some so she sits pretty nice. Put new upper and lower control arms, tie rod ends, new master cylinder, Granada spindles, new rotors and calipers, new front brake lines. I put a willwood adjustable proportioning valve in there also. That is a nice unit and I highly recommend it. New back brake cylinders. New crossflow 3 row alum radiator. A very nice Denali electric fan. New BF/Radial TA. I also would like to have (1) 14" MAGNUM wheel to use as a spare. I have the dash sanded down. the cap off of it and I am pondering doing a black and gold dash. It has what looks like ebay aftermarket racing style bucket seats. I actually kind of like them ok. I am also pondering installing or building a console.

I slung a rod thru the block and ruined the original 302. It looked like one of the rod bearing cap nuts came off. So she has been down about a year. She is no where near perfect but I sure do love her.

I found what was supposed to be a 5.0 with 13,000 miles only. But when I opened it up it had been sitting so long to was rusted up pretty good. I was hoping a good honing might work but it didn't. I sold the AODE and most other EFI parts as I am going with a carb.

The 94 5.0 is bored.030 with hyperuretic pistons, Stock crank just polished. New cam bearings, main bearings freeze plugs, decked the block and the heads. GT40 heads (1/2 bolt hole so I had to get the FRP inserts) heads rebuilt with new springs etc. I used the 73 timing cover and fuel eccentric. New alum. water pump, Trick flow stage 1 cam, new trick flow lifters, Weiand alum intake, Holley 600, ARP Hardware, Hedman 88408 shortie style headers. Alum. valve covers. Carter mech. fuel pump. Stock dizzy with Pertronix kit, Flame Thrower coil.

But I sure do love this site. I have asked and asked a ton of questions and I ave always received a ton of support from the members here. One of these days I would like to make it to one of the get together's that you guys have...it looks like a lot of fun.

I was a little scared to get back into tinkering on older cars as I have not done so for many years. My Dad (R.I.P) was a Ford man and knew so much it was incredible. We built several 1956 F-100 trucks, he had several Rancheros, my brother is a Ford guy and knows a lot too and he has owned every body style of Mustang up to the Mustang II's.... as well as the old Econoline vans, suicide door Lincolns, cool old Falcons and Galaxies and much more! I actually learned to drive in 56 ford truck 3 speed on the tree and a 68 Mustang fastback 3 speed in the floor....that thing would do 90 in second gear!!! Man those were good days. I get out here and tinker on the Maverick knowing my old man is up there in Heaven watching me mess up something!! It just reminds me of him I guess so Iam going to try and make her a nice as I can. I cant put the money into her like I wished I could....but then she would be probably something totally different. Wow I cant believe I wrote so much...sorry!

But Jerry Dutton is my name and I live in Decatur, AL. I will chime in from time to time so see ya!