New to the forum:Loaded with questions!

Hey everyone! I'm new to these forums and have a few questions already.
So i'm looking into buying a 71 Maverick with a 460 V8. I do not know what the trans is, only know its an auto and is hooked up. The engine turns over, no idea if it runs. But i have a question. The car does not have a rear end or driveshaft. Only a temporary axle for pushing it around. My question is, what would i get to fit to this car with this nasty setup of a 460 V8? The front end is pretty weighed down from probably worn out shocks and the gigantic engine it has. It has leafs in the rear but nothing else. It also has nice Radial GT tready drag tires on the back. But anyway, my question would be about the rear end and what to put back there. This car has been sitting in a barn for 7 years and moved outside 3 years ago. 10 years of sitting, it turns over. Thats about all i know.
Thanks in advance

 

I would go right for a 9" behind the 460. One from a Versailles or a late 50's full size car would be the closest width. Transmission would probably be a C6.

 

to the site!!!!!

 

would love to see a pic!!!!!!!!

 

from Atlantic Canada! The 460 sounds like a biggie! Does the car have shock towers?? Or a Mustang II type front suspension?? Would love to see some good pictures of your set-up!! Whereabouts are you located?

 

Welcome from Northern California!

 

Yup, what Rick said: 9 inch rear.

Welcome to the board! We love pictures!

 

Thank you for all the welcomes! I am located in North West Indiana, an hour or so from downtown Chicago.
So 9 inch rear, i kind of thought that would be what i need to look for. Though could i pull that from a truck? Just wondering if that would be a common find at a junk yard.
And i do have some pictures, I'll post the important

 

from Northeast Pennsylvania

 

Looks like a good project. Does it have any exhaust manifolds or headers on it now? Just curious what they did to make it fit, as it doesn't look like there's much room for the exhaust. It may be too soon to tell, but will the hood close with a carb & air cleaner on there?

 

Well, all those parts are in the backseat... So unfortunately i don't know, i've seen people cut some areas out for better fitment of the exhaust and what not, and i did not notice any headers or anything. I'm hoping i wouldn't have to cut anything out if i end up buying this, it's owned by a buddy of mine. The cars from Missouri and actually not my buddies project. This is the previous owners doing. Apparently he rebuilt it then sold it. But my buddy has never gotten around to doing anything to it since, so it just has sat around for a decade.

 

...:Handshake

has that 460 ever ran in that car, if not you are in for some engineering...

good luck...

 

Great question... All i know is it turns over, heh. Its a project alright...
He's asking $1000. Not sure if its worth it, but i am becoming attached to the idea of this car.

 

Well i have another question, for those of you who may have ventured into the Maverick 460 conversion. Is there a way to keep the original front end without the shock towers? I know it requires cutting out the shock towers in the front but I'm wondering if theres a way to keep that front end. I see a lot of Mustang II front suspension kits with this setup.
Thanks in advance.

 

if I were you I would PASS although the idea of a big motor in a little car is the ultimate hot rod but it can also be the ultimate HEADACHE if all of the parts arent there. and all you have is a body and a motor and trans

a lot of times guys will get these smaller cars and buy a big block then get started putting them in and figure out holey smokes this isnt going to be easy or cheap so they sell them to someone else to finds out the hard way the same thing the previous owner figured out and either ends up abandoning the project or sells it to someone else who think they can fix it

I would say PASS on it.
if you like the idea of the car get one thats stock and make it your own. you can do a TON with a small block and on a smaller budget

if you insist on getting this car get it for CHEAP!
has your buddy heard the motor run? assume it doesnt run and needs a rebuild regardless of what the seller says unless he has receipts. buried in the snow like it is I would say under all that snow is alot of rust that means more money and lots of time no rear end and no drive line means you cant even roll the car around easily and even more money you have to spend before you can even begin to move it under its own power assuming it runs

it sounds more like a parts car to me
this is my opinion others may have theirs