71 Fe Maverick

Everett, I am using Alston sub frame connectors and a version of his x brace frame stiffener, drive shaft loop, a 1 piece strut brace and monte carlo bar. I have a complete new front suspension from Opentracker racing (roller perches, disk brakes, drake blueprinted UCA, 620 1 inch lowering shocks, every thing else is moog). I did not do a full roller front end because I did not want a harsher ride than necessary on the street. The rear is cal-trac mono leaf and cal-trac bars with a 9 inch.

 

Well, seems like you have "Your Duck Lined Up In A Row". Very interesting project/build you have going. Interested in seeing some pic's in the future. I am a fan of FE engines; had one in the late 60's in a 61 Galaxie, toploader w/ 457 gears, weighed 3975 lbs run 13.70 in ET 7 breakout class. Wish I still had it.

 

Can't hardly wait to see finished car.

 

I am wondering if you will have to modify the radiator position; the engine looks quite long to fit between firewall and rad, esp., w/ elec coolant pump...

 

No, the radiator fits in there just fine with an electric puller fan. The electric water pump is the same size as a factory unit.
The tower work is just about done I need to get some pics posted.

 

Happy New Year mn67! Wondering what progress you might want to share w/ us on the build?
Also, forgot to mention earlier in this thread; met a guy at Dayton, Ohio Roundup this year w/ 427 FE in his Maverick w/o altering the towers. I don't believe his car had those tall valve covers.
I been to several of these gatherings and that is the only one I can recall ever seeing in person.
Since then, I have seen the car in one of the major car mag's " don't recall which", he was the original owner. I am going to check my pic albums, since this has got interesting topic.

 

Happy New year to you also. He had to do something with the towers, some move the shocks out shorten the control arms and shave the other side for a factory look. The Maverick towers are 25 inches apart and even with the factory valve covers an FE is 27 inches. I have 1979 hot rod magazine with a 427 FE in it that looks stock and that is how he did it. I will post up some more progress soon.

 

Do you think this may be the car your referring too.

 

Could be I know the owner still has it. I was not aware he had it out. Thought it was mothballed while he ran a street rod type car. That is clean install looks very much the same. I will scan some images when I get home.

 

After looking at that car on a computer rather than a phone it appears to be a Comet not a Maverick. So not the same car. I also can not see the intake well. Not to ask a stupid question since those towers do look unaltered, are you sure that is not a stroked 427 Windsor instead of an FE. The pent roof VC's are now being made for the W motors. Do you have another shot of the motor? If that is an FE it is a really clean installation.

 

Not much doubt, that's the real thing, exhaust ports on head angle downward at approx 45* angle... Dist also has the "forked" hold down plate... I've seen Windsors with adapters to use the FE valve covers, that ain't one of them...

I'm guessing shock towers are modified similar to the Boss 429 Mustang...

 

The 427 Comet has been to several of the MCCI Roundup Nationals. He is the original owner of the car. I do recall the towers are altered.

 

Whoever altered those towers , did a Hell of a Job. They look stock, as I recall . Wish I had took some more & better shots.
I guess the MATH can't be disputed, some kind of change has/had to be made.

 

Math does remain a constant. Mine is the second FE Maverick I have done the first was someone else' project. Yes his install seems to be fantastic. First time we did a simple notch, this time I am doing a formed patch and filling all seams for a more factory appearance. Picked up an english wheel a while back and have been trying some different things. as well as replacing rusted areas. At this point I am doing a complete nut and bolt rebuild. The finished combo is a 445 FE stroker (alluminum heads and a roller cam)/fully built c4/ and a 9" rear. I just tore the motor back down to get some additional port work done on the heads and manifold (we picked up another 20 CFM of flow with a better valve job) I may need a scoop but other than that and some TQ Thrust wheels the outward appearance will look stock right down to the bench seat and column shifter. The goal is to make it look like someone added a few speed parts in the 70's. But that impression all changes once the key is turned.

 

Glad I asked for update on the project! Those heads look to good to hide under a hood!
Lot's of torque for a 3000 lb car, will be handful when you get in the throttle. Will this be a street/strip car or slanted more to one use? There have been a lot of interesting projects on this forum; I consider this one of them. It surely has my interest. Thanks for sharing.
Now I guess it's time to go and shovel some snow..