My "new"72 Mav bracket project

Well my 1972 maverick bracket Car project is fully underway.( Again 20 years later....lol )I have started by removing the rear end and cleaning, painting the trunk and underside of the car. I am working on repairing rusted inner panels in the rear of the car, and installing new bracketry for my fuel cell and related components.
I originally got this car back around 1989, and built it as a low buck bracket car. It was always a fun car, and would run 13.0 in the quarter mile. The car always ran pretty consistent, and I felt 13 sec. Times were pretty good running on 14 inch street radials and a 3.50 rear end gear.
I always wanted to finish the car, but never had the time and money to do so. A couple of months ago, I got the opportunity to get the car back from a friend of mine who had it in storage since the mid 90's. I picked up the car and brought it home to my garage, and let the project begin. I am excited to see what can be done to the car now that I can afford to do something with it. I am looking to build a car that will run in the mid 10's or low 11's, and be consistent and win some rounds. I have gotten many ideas from looking at what others are doing, and I am excited to see what is possible with these cars nowdays and how things will work out.
I will post pictures as things progress, and welcome any comments or suggestions on the build. I have been very impressed with many of the members rides on this forum, and if mine comes out anywhere near the quality of some of the cars I have seen posted, that will suit me just fine.

 

if consistency is the object of bracket racing, why change anything...

 

Here are some of my "as found pictures, doing some cleaning and removal of old parts.

 

71 Gold, I would like to be MORE consistent. there is only so much you can do on street tires and suspension. Plus I have been bitten with the speed bug. I want to go faster.. LOL

 

" I have been bitten with the speed bug. I want to go faster.. LOL"

that's the answer...

 

Well I have been working on the Maverick for the last 4 months, and have made some pretty good progress. I have repaired some sheet metal in the rear of the car, removed a lot of rust from the trunk floor, and installed a frame for my fuel cell. I have also removed the rear end completely and installed new spring bushings. Here are a few pictures of the removal of the rear end and some of the "as found conditions" as I was getting started.

 

Here are some pictures of the replacement of the trunk and fuel cell. I fabricated a sheet metal pan to enclose the cell and installed sheet aluminum for a new trunk floor.

 

it's too early...I was trying to see the differences in the pics and relized...two are the same...

 

Good catch Frank. I see that now. I don't quite have this posting pictures thing down pat yet. I will keep working on it. LOL!

 

Were you running a 351W? If so, was it modified? What is your plan now?

 

Bought a 347 stroker motor and a powerglide. Really nice pieces, built first class. IMHO. I am going to save the 351 engine for another possible stoker build in the future. I will post more pics soon.

 

Frank,
The other answer beside the obvious "wanna go faster" is that in bracket racing, it is a LOT more fun to be the chaser, rather than the chasee .... if you are one of the faster cars in your class, then the other guys leave first. I hate being the guy that is watching the rearview mirror as the other is catching up to you.

 

Well CaptonComet you would love my car with it's lousy 60' times!!!!

 

Here are some pictures of the engine and transmission. I purchased the 347 From a member of this forum. It has a full roller setup with aluminum heads and 750 Holley double pumper, with a victor jr. intake.
Powerglide has a bracket transbrake and 8" 5000 stall converter. JW ultrabell and the "wheel flexplate..
This motor has powered a maverick to mid 10's in the quarter mile. I am hoping for similar performance with the combo in my car.
Things are really coming together since I got the powertrain. I bought the engine last Thanksgiving, and the trans in January. I cant wait to get it cranked up.... Yea!

 

Hotrock,
I was content to be competitive in Sportsman. My 60' times were in the 1.7 range, and that was with the 4.62. We'll see what the milder gear does (slower ... ). At least it won't lay down 50 feet from the finish ... it was out of breath with the big gear... fairly mild motor.
I have always done this on "almost no budget" ... no trailer. There is so much more to sort out with my combo. A good set of heads would be a great starting point.
The fun for me is that I am very good on a Sportsman Tree. I am a musician and that gives me the timing to cut .51 and .52 lights regularly. I would probably be terrible on a Pro Tree. But, cutting good lights, and the car usual was within .05-.07 of what I dialed in at (unless the temp really dropped), I used to do fairly well.

Paul,
What track(s) will you be running at?