Yet another V8 swap post I am looking for advice from anyone on the forum that has completed a V8 swap in a 70 Maverick. I started the conversion this weekend and ran into a few issues that may or may not be unique to the 70 model year. 1. The V8 tranny brace won't fit between the frame rails, so the mounting holes don't line up. I know the trans tunnel on a 70 is smaller than the later years, so how do I make the brace fit? 2. Do I need to buy V8 power steering hoses now that the 302 is installed? How are the hoses routed between the pump and the cylinder? 3. Will the I6 column shift linkage work on the V8? The 302 I installed came out of a 71 Mav. Do I need different linkage from a later model? I would love to speak to someone that has done the V8 swap into a 70 Maverick or anyone else that might have some tips or tricks for me. Thank you
1. are you sure you have a maverick v8 one? should be just a wiggle in deal. never herd of the tunnels being smaller
When I originally installed the Cleveland in my 70, I also came across the V8 double hump crossmember that would not fit. I think that Ford changed the bolt hole locations in 1971 and that is what that crossmember fits as no 1970 Maverick ever came with a V8. I re-worked my original 6 cylinder crossmember and made it fit.
I did a 302 swap in a '69.5 a couple of years ago. I just bolted up the drivers side of the mount and pushed the other side up as far as it would go and drilled a new hole. You'll need a 250 or 302 linkage for the column shift. If you have headers, you'll need to convert to floor shift or else figure out some sort of custom linkage... Don't know about the hoses, car I did the swap on didn't have P/S.
If you'll slot the holes on the crossmember and grind it down on that side till it slides up in there it'll work.
OK, it looks like the tranny brace question has been cleared up for me. I pretty much thought that was going to be the answer, but I wanted to make sure I didnt overlook something. Any ideas on the power steering or throttle linkage questions?
The throttle cable from my I6 went around to the right side of the carb where it snapped into a mounting bracket and attached to the carb. Now that the 302 has the carb linkage on the left side, I would assume I need a different shorter throttle cable and mounting bracket. I don't know exactly what the 71 and later cars used for the throttle cable setup.
Find a throttle cable originally from a V8 Maverick/Comet. They are shorter. You could also go with something from Lokar
You can run the 6 cylinder cable if you tie it in a loop, looks funny but I did that for a few years. Then I bought a Lokar universal cable, works very well. Guys usually have stock ones for sale on here if you insist on fooling around with a 35 year old cable.
