I am new to this. So first off, hi everybody I'm Eric and have many questions. I not very mechanical or know much about cars but I really wanted a Maverick and have a real desire to learn. I apologize in advance if any of my questions seem kind of lame. Now with that said, my first question. I bought what appears to be a very original 71 Maverick that has a good single exhaust but needs to have the muffler and what appears to be a catalytic converter replaced. Did they have catalytic converters originally on the 71? (Oh btw, it has an Los Angeles DSO) and can I get replacements these two pieces new? The exhaust is very solid except these two components have holes and would really like to buy something to easily replace these failed parts. Minne”snow”ta has no emission testing so I am not worried out about any inspections. Thanks for listening, Eric
Check youi local parts store or a muffler shop if you don't want to replace the, yourself. I'm sure both places will have what you need
Welcome to the board and to Maverick ownership. That looks like second muffler added in to me. The stock configuration on a 71 should just have the muffler all the way to the rear next to the gas tank. 71s didn't have cats yet. I have a dual exhaust system with small turbo-style mufflers that was custom-bent in the mid 90s. there are better mufflers out there now. The mufflers are in front of the rear axle. The pipes go over the axle and outboard of the frame rails in the back. If you try to keep them inboard, the space next to the gas tank gets close on the driver's side. If you swap in a Mustang tank (tech article here on the board), the tank gets centered and it is easier to run tailpipes.
Welcome to the Board! The second muffler in the center of the vehicle is actually a resonator, not really sure what it's purpose was but it only came on V8 cars, you have a 302 right? It looks to be factory original as I don't see a clamp at the outlet connecting it to the pipe going over the rear axle. The original exhaust systems were one piece welded, except for the connection to the Y-pipe. I have a 71 Grabber I bought new and remember mine looking like yours originally. Sent you a PM.
Both of my Comets (71 and 72) were factory 302 cars and they both had just the muffler all the way out back, no resonator. I never saw this kind of arrangement personally on one and that prompted my response. Makes me wonder if it was Grabbers and GTs that got this. My Comets were both non-GT. I swear I learn something new everyday here ...
The Ford Parts Book does not indicate anything different for GT/Grabber vs non GT/Grabber, just V8 vs 6cyl, but you never know.......hhhhhhhhhmmmmmm
My 73 which came from Long Beach, CA. had the same exhaust. I also have a 74 that came from British Columbia, it had the same exhaust. I guess it all depends on who replaced the exhaust, and the cost, I'm sure it would have been cheaper without the resonator.
Thank you for the welcome and the great information. Awesome! So you can still get both of these parts from Midas or somewhere? I would like to keep what I can stock. Being a novice that wants to learn, I did the Google on a exhaust resonator. Here is a cut from one definition, “Some cars, especially luxury cars where quiet operation is a key feature, have another component in the exhaust that looks like a muffler, but is called a resonator.” I thought the car was a lot of things when I bought it but a luxury car was not one of them. lol Eric
