Hey, I'm new here and looking at a 74 Maverick for my daughter and me to fix up. I need a few answers before we leave this morning to go dicker for it. It's a 74 2 door. It has 5 lug wheels if that matters. The guy put a 289 in it once but has since removed it but he does'nt know if it's a v-8 car. What can I look at under the hood to tell if it's a v-8 car or is there a number in the vin that tells it. I've got a 71 F100 that I've had since 15 years old so I'm not new to Fords or working on cars but I've never even sat in a Maverick. Is there anything I need to really pay attention to that can tell me things about this car? We are leaving in about an hour so if anyone can tell me anything before we leave I'd appreciate it clint
I would look for the typical things like rust and how sound the body and floor pans are.The good thing about these cars is that if you start off with a sound body everything else is easy.If it is a five lug already that makes life alot easier for having good brakes.I don't have a VIN reference for the V-8,but I know there are several people on this board that could tell you from memory what to look for.It sounds like a good project car for you and your daughter.I wish you luck.She might be more interested in the interior,so don't let that get in the way.Like any other project,it all depends on how much you want spend and what you want to do.I'm really not a good one for advice though.I want to buy every one I come across just save them from the scrap heap.If I had the room I would have a salvage yard.Remember rust is not your friend.
Hey Clint One of the first things you should check is the cowl vents. When you go to look at the car take a couple gallons of water with you and pour one in each side of the vents behind the hood slowly and look inside under the dash for leaks. This is a major problem for our cars and a very hard fix. As far as telling if its a v8 car look for a round crossmember bar that the V-8 cars have and sixes didnt. Its at the back of the engine bay across the bottom. Also you can tell by the vin as it will be a F for a v-8 car as in 4k91f----- 4 meaning 74 K meanining where it was made 91 for maverick or 93 for Grabber and F for V-8. Make sense ? Hope this helped. Later Tim
Welcome to the board, Clint. All of these cars were 5 lug from '73 up. Where are you in NC? Tim is just across the state line north of me in the Triangle area. Seth
Thanks ya'll. We made the deal. I traded the 625 Road Demon off of my F100 for the 74 Maverick! I put an old 600 back on it. I'm waiting for a buddy to come pick up a 3 speed tranny and bring me his trailer so I can go back and get it. I am in Huntersville which is just north of Charlotte, NC. In the Peidmont. About 3 hours from the triad I guess. The Maverick is down near the SC line near Waxhaw about an hour away. I got him to throw in a C-4 tranny and automatic floor shifter plus some other spare parts he has, Now I just need an engine and a whole bunch of time and money. lol I'm pretty sure I remember seeing a clutch peddle in the car so if it does I will have some straight drive stuff to get rid of as she wants an auto. Is there much trading among members here? I'm in a F100 truck club here in NC and man we do some wheeling and dealing. lol clint
if you post parts in the for sale section here. most likely it will be gone before you get off the computer. these guys are sharks. but they will probably have most of what you are looking for also.
You got the car, tranny, floor shifter, etc., for a Demon carb? Holy Schmoly, don't reply to anything I have for sale; I'm not sure I'm in your league.
You are only about 2 hrs. from the Triangle. I will probably be at a couple of the speedway shows this year. Seth
