This will be a little different than most introductions as the Maverick that has brought me here isn't mine, but my wife's. She has had her 71' 4-door for 6 years or so. Still drives it whenever she gets a chance. It's auto with a I6 200 in it. It gets cranky and takes some pushin' to get it to start if you let it sit for too long, but other than that, still runs fine. Now, the reason I'm here. I've enlisted in the army and ship for basic in feb.. I've been laid off since January though and my wife has been kind enough to help me during my downtime. So, to pay her back I'm going to attempt to rework her car. I've slowly been picking at her brain to see what kind of setup she wants for the last year. She's looking for a "bigger" motor which is understandable, but not something that's going to kill on fuel mileage. We were both thinking I6 300 truck motor, but I've read on here that those don't fit too well in her car. So I've been researching 302 setups. I'd be looking for 300-375 hp. The tranny I think she would want would be a rebuilt auto with a manual valve body for a slap shifter. She had one in her old malibu drag car and still raves about it to this day. I figure an AOD would probably work just fine for the power she's looking for, but i could be wrong. I'm sure a 9" rear end is going to be the next piece, but what gears is anyone's guess. She's had new "tighter" suspension pieces sitting in boxes in the garage for a few years, but hasn't had the heart to change anything original out yet. After that, it's just a butt-load of body work (lots of little rust holes, everywhere) and an expensive sounding paint job, upholstery, new glass, and wheels and tires. The sooner I get this done, the sooner she'll allow me to find and build my dream 70' chevelle. So while the parts and work won't be starting for about 7 months still, I'm starting my research now. Any advice or help will be greatly appreciated.
These things are a long process. I have had my car for ovefr 10yrs, and I still find things I want or need to change. Nature of old cars. Good luck, and thanks in advance for your service to our nation. I admire and respect you youngsters for your patriotism and courage. Hoohra!
Welcome to the board. A 302 will give you good power and gas mileage if she doesn't jump on it too much. A 300 won't fit w/o a lot of mods. A 9" is probably overkill unless it's a drag car. The 8" will be just fine behind the 302. Unless you are going to do a lot of cruising at highway speeds, I'd stick with a c4. They cost less to get a good rebuilt one.
Is the C4 what is currently in the car? it's an auto. I'm not up on my ford trannies anymore since i stopped working on my cobra a few years ago. She'll probably want to take it on cruises, that's mainly what the 9" is for, that and peace of mind. I don't know anything about the current rearend. If she figures out a way to break a 9" with less than 400 hp, then she gets to fix it. Best places to find rebuild kits for the C4?
Yep. As long as its an automatic it's a c4. The 9" will probably be expensive. And if you find one it'll probably have to be cut to size.
Yup.. Hadn't even figured in cutting the rearend.. My wife seems pretty adamant about keeping the rear leafs in place. They both need replacing. Is there a good place to get them or is there a better alternative I can sell her?
Welcome, and Thanks for your service. you can search on here and there is an article on the leaf spring replacements from a E150 van. I would look at a Sway bar kit also. You may want to find some V8 front springs for the swap if you dont want it to lower the front any.
Luckily enough, she had already purchased sway bars and other suspension components and heavier springs for the front years ago in anticipation.. she just never got around to getting anything else for it. Thanks to everyone for the input and welcome.
