Hi All, I am in the process of building a full frame street / strip 74 Maverick based on the BB 460 engine with much HP and TQ. Because of budget I will be building the chassis "poor boy style". By that I mean ordering the 4 link back half kit, a new mustang II front kit or made to order frame rails is a "no can do" at this time Due to funding. I will be building my own full frame, my own cage and using a junk yard factory mustang II front, if I can locate one that is. The engine isn't a problem, I have that covered already. Track or street legality isn't a major concern to me at this point. My experience with other Ford forums has been many guys can do some amazing things to an auto by spend big bucks and buying everything new, And that's great if one can afford it. However, that isn't me. I am just a working guy with way to many auto projects and waaay to little funds. But I am determined to make this one happen. A question I have is, can someone point me to a thread or any info of a similar "poor boy style" Maverick/Comet street or strip chassis build that someone has documented? If so that would be great. Also, where if anywhere can one buy fr & rear valances, rear spoiler and small f&r bumpers for these cars? I have been and will continue to use the search function for answers to my questions but any quick help would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully I can figure out how to post pics of my progress soon. THANKS AGAIN
from Northeast Pennsylvania My 70 has the MII front suspension, 4 link rear and coil overs all a round - mine was a real budget as I built most of the stuff myself - maybe some of the photos in my gallery will give you a few ideas
theres a maverick with a big block that hits the track here every now and then and all he did was cut eh shock towers back top make room for the big block and welded in sub frame connectors with a nine inch rearend and hes running 10.5 in a 1/4 mile he said his engine is fairly stock with a cam and a big 4 barrel carb I dont remember seeing any msd under the hood either heck its so low budget he welded up some headers in his backyard and has a thin piece of sheet metal to surround the top of the carb to pull air in
... there was someone on here years ago that had a full frame built under his car, maybe someone can find his pics. Frank
Thanks for the replies guys. And Bob, thank you for your welcome and the invite to view the photos. I really enjoyed viewing them as well as reading in your project thread. I am still reading ,viewing and digesting on it. You must know your stuff because your work looks great. And junrai, thanks for the encouragement. 10.5 is hauling a$$ in a 1/4, especially on a low buck budget. Frank, thanks for the welcome/reply. I'd enjoy the pics and reading about it. A little more info about my Maverick project. Maverick already had the floor removed. The f&r rails and trunk area look good but not sure a complete mustang pan would fill the floor hole up front. Adding up the expense and work involved in The front and rear mods along with the connecting of the f&r frame and whatever with the floor, then the cage. Also factor in the need for added structural rigidity. Probably be better to make or buy 2 complete frame rails and build from that. Basically remove the outer body from the underside/frame and go from there. Making the frame rails to fit the front & rear, with the MII front, tubing the rear then add the cage for more rigidity.?. Any suggestions other than forget it or buy one already completed? Either way, thank you guys for the replies and encouragement.
If you are still building your own entirely new full frame, you will already have that covered front to rear - if you are still going to retain your original separate front and rear "frame" sections, most definitely connect them with frame connectors - remember that the stock rails are only thin layers of sheet metal and spot welds
Agree %100 Bob. Those stock rails are very thin in places. And With these floors already removed and the need for front & rear mods along with the need for a stiff chassis setup, It might be more efficient and productive to completely remove the entire underside (rails and all) then set it atop a full frame chassis. I have been eyeing the pre bent complete rails from Autoweldchassis, they seem a bit pricey but would sure as he!! simplify things a lot. The chassis work may prove to be somewhat of a challenge to me, but I think that's what makes these old Fords so interesting and rewarding. To be challenged by a project and see what one can accomplish. Seeing what you can do and have accomplished with Your Maverick Bob, you are probably familiar with plasma cutters. I am in need of a quick answer to a question about a plasma cutter because my current method of slicing and dicing, well it just isn't cutting it (no pun intended). I will have to get one soon and am looking at the Hobarts which are more local and readily available to me. For a convenient quick lite duty fix I was considering the 250ci. But a new unused discontinued store display Hobart model 400 with no box or literature was offered to me for practically the same $$$, about $800. Good or bad deal? I must make a decision by tomorrow at the latest. I do realize the 250ci is very lite duty with its own onboard compressor and the discontinued 400 needs compressed air I think, Which isn't a problem around the garage. Also, I am not positive some of the cutting tip pieces aren't missing, IDK. Can one still get parts for these if needed? Not much on the inter-web about the Hobart 400 pro or con nowadays. Which one for even money? Is the 400 more HD or powerful as compared to the 250ci? I've searched most the welding/cutting sites with no luck, Just thought someone on here might have an answer before I get the wrong cutter. I do realize this is A Maverick/Comet forum not a weld/cutting forum and I hope it is ok to post this question here, but I must get another cutter by Monday in order to continue progress on the Maverick. I would greatly appreciate any quick help or advice on this.
Sorry I can't be much help with the plasma cutters - I've used them quite a bit at different places that I have worked through out my life but never looked into owning one so I never did any research on them - maybe someone cane chime in for you
