New member story..Stock or Modify?

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by MrP, Sep 11, 2011.

  1. MrP

    MrP Member

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    Hello everyone i purchased a 1970 Maverick from an owner in stockton, ca, the paint looked good enough I felt comfortable driving it :rolleyes:. It was overheating and had hacked up stereo wiring and lots of little things. Basically I was comfortable buying a solid chassis and body. It was 302 swapped and has front power disc brakes...

    Well it was obvious the problem, between, no thermostat, stock radiator plugged up, and a backwards headgasket. I sorted it all out in a day or two and have been driving it since!

    [​IMG]

    Things i need to sort out;

    Lots of rattles.

    Figure out the rear end because it is running pretty high on the freeway, and it will roast ONE tire through first and into second :drive: so it needs a locker of sorts and probably 3.23's or so.

    Crappy sloppy loose BM shifter....

    Glass is scratched up and paint need to be finished cut buffed and waxed.

    Tearing out most of the wiring and replacing it with something cleaner.

    Alternator puts out 23A max, so i will be swapping a modern one in with a rear battery.

    Taillight on one side works sometimes...:huh:




    A side question I have is should i keep it original ( get a ton of compliments on it) OR should i rod it out with some nice wheels, grabber hood, spoiler, and black out the trim/bumpers? Its a hard choice...Saving every penny for a 347 longblock right now.
     
  2. krelboyne

    krelboyne Remember

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    I think that ship has sailed, the car is already slightly modified.
    Do it! add the things you said, after all, it is your car.
     
  3. darren

    darren Member

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    Go for it. Thats the beauty of these cars. Very few people care if its original or not. Your car is already modified anyhow so keep going. HAve fun with it.
    Sounds like you have a good game plan to me.
     
  4. Craig Selvey

    Craig Selvey Indiana State Rep - MCCI

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    Car has been modified already...and you want a 347.....so I say "Go For It!!" The Grabber hood and rear spolier would go well to make it a Grabber clone of sorts.

    I would not black out the chrome bumpers or the trim. The trim might look O.K....but I think black bumpers just don't look as good as chrome.
     
  5. ESampson

    ESampson Member

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    Sounds like an awesome plan..the grabber hood and spoiler are a must, but just remember while putting the battery in the back if you plan on taking it to the strip you will need an emergency cut off switch.
    and rattles, well..i just started that by cutting out whatever was not needed. that pretty much fixed the problem just make sure of what it is before you start cutting if you decide that.
     
  6. Ryan

    Ryan Ford Addict

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    Id leave the body alone. Grabber stuff is hard to find and then youd have to repaint. It looks good the way it is, simple anc clean. Id change out the wheels and lower it a bit though. A 347 with either an AOD or 5 speed transmission will a fun street car.
     
  7. Resto

    Resto Benders Evil Twin

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    Looks nice, 347? I think youve already answered your own question. Have fun.(y)
     
  8. MrP

    MrP Member

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    Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! I hopefully will be able to contribute to this site a decent amount!

    I think if I modify the body/trim I will do it in such a way that it will be easy to return the trim and body back to stock, by keeping all the original parts and trim without messing them up. Oh, and without drilling or cutting anything major hopefully!
     
  9. cyclonewill

    cyclonewill Member

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    Welcome! Nice looking Mav.
    That's my thinking. Better to have it and not need it, than tear it up & want it later.
     
  10. bmcdaniel

    bmcdaniel Senile Member Supporting Member

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    A stock '70? What's a stock '70 look like? :hmmm:
     
  11. don graham

    don graham MCG State Rep

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    Welcome to the board. A Maverick seems to be worth more if it's modified, unless it is a pristine original. Make it your car.:)
     
  12. Streamliner

    Streamliner Member

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    Imo, stock is boring
     

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