First maverick build!

Hey guys, I've been a lurker on this site for about 3 years now, but I finally got a maverick worth pouring time and money into, I got a few questions concerning it

The car is a '76, came stock with a 250 and a C4 (I'm rebuilding the C4, with a 2600-2800 stall and stage 2 shift kit), plopping in a 306 (F303 cam, Flotek 180CC heads, procomp pushrods, roller tip rockers, and HEI distributor , Edelbrock F4B intake, Holley 570 carb). The car as of now (and want it to stay this way) has an 8 inch rear end, but I'm afraid the stock 2.79 gears won't be happy with the F303 cam, but I don't want too steep of a gear to where my gas mileage is that of a 460. I would like this car to be a good daily driver with a bit of zip, so I guess the question would be, what would be a decent gear ratio without breaking the bank (this build is very budget minded, I know, sucks)

Another question is, is there any good upgrade parts for the stock strut suspension? I'm sticking with the struts, because I really can't afford a M2 IFS kit, and the stock suspension felt light and scary. Any insight is greatly appreciated, and I can't wait to have this thing going for the summer!

 

Rebuild an AOD instead of the C4 and go with 3.54 gears.

Micah

 

I was thinking about getting an AOD but after the money that I got in the C4 ($250+ wow) I'd like to stick with the C4

 

I ran a 3.55 ratio in my Maverick for 20 years (original ratio was 3.00). I finally got tired of the high revs on highway trips (since there's no overdrive) and installed a 3.25 ratio. It turned out to be a really good compromise for me. A swap from 2.79 to 3.25 will be noticeable.

Might want to consider a Pertronix rather than a HEI...

 

I seriously thought about the 3.25 gears, considering people told me 3.55s were too high, and I know someone with a truck with a 390/C6 and 3.25s, and it cruises nice. I priced 3.25 3rd members for an 8 inch, and on ebay, it's around $850

For now, I'm going to run the HEI, and probably upgrade to a Pertronix or MSD ignition.

 

what size tires are you running?

 

I'm running slots mounted with 185/70R14s in the front, and something like a 255-275/70R14 in the back, I can't remember off the top of my head, I'll have to check later tonight

 

Consider the tire diameter difference in your car and that truck. A lot of guys don't think about that to much but it plays in just as much as gearing. The question is what speed are wanting it to cruise? If your going hwy with short tires you might stay with what you have. But, at the cost of acceleration at lower speeds. If you want in town cruising. A 3.50 would give it way more kick, just won't work to well at 70 mph.

 

I have Open Tracker Racing's front suspension which replaces the factory control arms, struts and shocks. I had to clearance the top shock bracket a little but otherwise it bolted right in. The shocks are multi-adjustable for compression and rebound and the bottom mount is a rocker mount. The struts have spherical rod ends for adjustment. It was easy to install with the proper tools (spring compressor) and improved the handling of my car quite a bit.

Bruce

 

I'm not sure what tire he's running, but it's pretty close to the size I'll be running. I'll be driving a lot in town, but this car will be seeing a lot of 2 lane highways and 65 mph 4 lanes

 

Did all of that come in a kit or was it separate purchase? That looks pretty neat

 

The difference between the 25" tires I ran years ago, and the 26" I run now is only around 100 RPM...

 

My car has 2.79 gears @ 70mph about 3k IIRC. I’ve made several road trips in the 13 years I’ve owned it. Shortly after I got it, had rear end overhauled wheel to wheel, thought about going 3.25; rebuilder suggest I stay with 2.79 considering what I plan on doing with the car — mostly local and road trips. Four + hours on highway with tal gears equals more noise, heat & driver fatigue. I wouldn’t go over 3.25 with C4 on what you stated doing with it .

 

I just checked my tires, and boy was I wrong, it's a 22.5/70/R14, so around 26.4 diameter. Would that be too doggy with a 2.79 and the F303?

 

I don''t recall if it was a "kit" or not as I just called them and we discussed what I wanted to do and they sent all of those parts. I think the roller rockers are worth the price as they make the front suspension so much better.They also have coil over shocks that would replace the factory coils but I had already cut my coils so I just stayed with them.

Bruce