351 into a 72 maverick grabbler

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by Slayer, Apr 25, 2017.

  1. Slayer

    Slayer Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2017
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    72 maverick
    Hello everyone. Thanks for your time!
    Let me start by saying that I am aware of Google being my friend. I have spent several hours search through Google on the Mav.
    However I like to always start a fresh post when taking on such a project. Mostly to see if everything I have read lines up properly.
    In my experience when building a project car I always stumble across a new issue that isn't listed in previous forums I have read.

    So here is the lowdown on my car.
    It's a 1972 grabbler.
    I ran across the car by total mistake on cl. Two things cought my eye. The price 500$ and it had a clean title and was recently tagged.
    It will eventually need interior work. ( Perfect cause I wanna do it custom )
    It was in the process of having a 351 dropped in. The front towers have been cut out. ( Neatly and very professional looking )
    It comes with a long block that is needing all the bolt ons. ( Perfect because I can pick my - intake - dizzy - and such. )
    The storey behind the engine is it came out of an older truck that was built for the strip. It was getting into deep 10 and 11 territory.
    The heads are off now - and the cylinders all look amazingly clean with very little ring ridge.
    The kid I'm buying it from said he has had it about a year and just lost interest in building it and is ready for a new bike.... He has all kinds of sports bikes. Like he has more sports bikes then I have underwear.

    My plain at this point is to check all the Tolerance's
     
  2. Slayer

    Slayer Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2017
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    72 maverick
    Half my post got cut off?
    My plain at this point is to check all the Tolerance's and specs on the engine. If ever appears golden I'm gonna drop in a cam and do some head work. Once the engine is to my liking I'll drop it in. My main concern is getting this engine in the car.
    Does anyone has a list of parts and places to get the parts for this swap.

    Also what's a good manual trans mission to have?
    I got a transmission guy - he could build me a strong c4 for around 350$ - if I got out I'm going full manual valve body.
    I love playing with manual transmissions but miss having a auto sometimes.
    I'm aware that headers same to be the biggest issue with these cars. Hooker swap or Crites looking like my only option for headers.

    So while the car is in pieces does anyone got any suggestions.
     
  3. Slayer

    Slayer Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2017
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    72 maverick
    Nothing?
     
  4. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2002
    Messages:
    26,460
    Likes Received:
    2,837
    Trophy Points:
    978
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    MACON,GA.
    Vehicle:
    '73 Grabber
    maybe the mods to put the 351 in is some of the reason he lost interest...:huh:
    other than having the short block for the 351, now would be a good time for a...roller, 5.0 (331-347)...being an option...JMO
     
    mojo likes this.
  5. Slayer

    Slayer Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2017
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    72 maverick
    I have been considering going 302. Everything I hear seems to indicate that 302 might be easier and cheaper. For the build. I only consider the 351 because it comes with the car and the shock towers wear redone. What all needs to be done for the 302
     
  6. cool70mav

    cool70mav Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2004
    Messages:
    103
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    61
    Location:
    New Orleans
    Vehicle:
    had 1969.5, 1974 Maverick 2008 Shelby Gt Mustang 71 Lime Green Grabber
    How about some pictures? Is it a 351 Cleveland or Windsor? Is the car set up for auto or stick? What front suspension does it have? What are your plans for the car?
     
  7. Slayer

    Slayer Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2017
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    72 maverick
    I'll

    I'll get you some pics asap. My buddy said it was a Manual car originally but they ran a c4 auto in it. The motor is windsor.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Slayer

    Slayer Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2017
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    72 maverick
  9. Slayer

    Slayer Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2017
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    72 maverick
  10. Slayer

    Slayer Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2017
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    72 maverick
    My goal is to have a street strip toy. 350 at the rear wheels would be nice. Burn out ability is a have to. I'd like to see 12s on the strip but not a have to.
     
  11. Slayer

    Slayer Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2017
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    72 maverick
    Came across this list. Anyone know how accurate this is.
    Wear gonna need the most help is getting the engine in the car. Proper motor mounts and such.
    This list say I need the engine cross member ? Is that true. Wear in the world will I find one of those?
     
  12. Slayer

    Slayer Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2017
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    72 maverick
    List.


    302 V-8
    302 MAVERICK motor mounts
    302 frame mounts
    V-8 Engine cross-member
    Double hump transmission cross-member
    V-8 Power steering bracket
    Longer Power Steering Hoses
    V-8 Alternator bracket
    V-8 Starter
    250 I-6 or small block ford V-8 bell-housing
    250 I-6 or 302 Maverick radiator (Although I got away with using the 200's radiator)
    Fan Shroud (not necessary, but unless you are using an electric fan it will be missed)
    V-8 Pulleys -Power steering/crankshaft/fan/water pump
    Front sump oil pan (Double or rear - sump pans won’t work without frame modifications)
    V-8 throttle cable (optional)
    V-8 wiring harness ( or just build one)
    V-8 kickdown linkage
     
  13. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2002
    Messages:
    26,460
    Likes Received:
    2,837
    Trophy Points:
    978
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    MACON,GA.
    Vehicle:
    '73 Grabber
    your best bet is to find a V8 Mav/Comet donor car...:yup:
     
  14. Hotrock

    Hotrock Rick, an MCCI Member Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2012
    Messages:
    1,467
    Likes Received:
    713
    Trophy Points:
    313
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Munroe Falls, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    1972 Mercury Comet, 1997 Mustang Cobra, 2019 Ford Edge ST
    I don't believe you have informed us as to whether your Grabber is a 6 cylinder or a V8 car? It makes a difference as to what parts will be required for modification. (My Comet used to be 351W powered.)

    Post some pictures of your 351W. Does it have aftermarket heads, cam and/or induction. Any additional information on the engine? IF I had a 351W capable of 10s or deep 11s in an older truck plus the dollars saved on building a 302 based engine, I wouldn't want to abandon that installation either
     
  15. Slayer

    Slayer Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2017
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    72 maverick
    The car is still setting at the shop I purchased it from - it's due for delivery this weekend.

    I'm a single father - I have one kid and pre k - one kids to young for school and when I don't have them I'm at work from 2pm to 3am. So the day time is crazy for me. My only free time is the occasional Saturday and Sunday when work might set me lose to wreak havoc upon the world. The guy said he believes it's a 6 cylinder car originally but had a c4 in it. I can get some pictures this weekend for you. Maybe we can figure out what's going on better once it's here. I appreciate you guys
     

Share This Page