Wife and I picked up a 2 1970 mavericks shells yesterday and plan on making a street cruiser out of the one. I'm planning on using a 351W we already have that would make a good street car motor. I've read that a 351W is extremely tight with the factory shock towers, so who's aftermarket front suspension's do you guys like.
It all depends on what you want your car to do, handling wise, what's your budget, the skies the limit............ As for the 351W, again it will fit into our Mav/Comets, but going to be tight, use of stock exhaust manifolds or aftermarket Headers, I think there is only one manufacture who specifically makes headers for this swap. If your budget allows, cutting back the shock towers will help, now would be a great time, since you are just starting out with "shells". David
Wife has a 63 1/2 Falcon that we installed a TCI front suspension kit in and it seems to work well but is a drag only car. I didn't see one listed on TCI website so was curious of other manufactures who would be good for the street. Everything on the front end needs rebuilt/replaced. I'd like 5 lug disc brakes and something that handles decent. The car will mainly just be used to go get ice cream and than a trip or 2 to the drag strip a year.
If you are interested in installing something like TCI front suspension, then I would say your budget is probably more than what most members here have to spend. That said, have you thought about looking for a Mav/Comet already all done up with what you are looking for? By the time you install all the bells and whistles you like, then body/paint work, you will probably be in the 15-20k? range or more, not to mention your time. Don't get me wrong, but if you have the time and money, then go for it! There have been a few already done up Mav/Comets for sale recently, with custom aftermarket front suspension, Rod & Custom etc., the whole nine yards for a fraction of what their owners have put in, something to consider.........Enjoy your build! David
I know what your saying. Been looking for a maverick for the last several months and nothing really close was for sale. Seems like everything was a 1974-76 or in the lower to mid 20's in my general area. Seems like everything I found for sale decent shape was on or near the west coast . I ended up finding 2 cars with a lot of parts for a really good deal. They both are 70's and more or less just shells with boxes and boxes of parts. I plan on keeping the one car and parts needed for it and sell the remaining parts to help offset some of the cost. I already have a 351W that would make a street cruiser motor and I don't think I want to tackle working on a 351w without eliminating the shock towers. I did a rough cost figuring to rebuild the stock front end and buy and rebuild a 302 is pretty much equal to an aftermarket front end and using the 351W I have. I don't mind doing the work myself I know it just takes LOTS of time. I just got done redoing a car for myself that I thought would take a yr or 2 and 6 yrs later finally got it done, but was within the "budget" I had hoped for. I think I can get this car done for 12-15K not including the extra parts I have to sell and it will be built how my wife wants and as they say...Happy Wife Happy Life....
So you've been there, done that already! Sounds like you've done your homework too! There is now much more aftermarket, repro parts for our Mav/Comet, so hopefully you will not have too many issues.....plus this forum is a great source for any information! Good luck and have fun! David
Same front end here, can't really see but we have 2" Stainless Steel, get's a little tight going down around the starter.
