I bought my 1971 Maverick today, and I'm really excited to get it fixed up. I knew it needed a paint job and the speakers needed to be wired. I expected other problems, seeing as how this is an old car, and got about what I expected. The right hand turn signals don't work on the front or back. The speedometer doesn't work. The carb doesn't have a gasket, but rather a large amount of liquid sealant, which appears to leak gas (scary). The transmission needs major work, probably replacement whenever I get the money. The car idles at a very low RPM (Not sure how low, but it dies if I don't give it some gas at stop signs). The Brakes don't work super well unless I pump them, but they get the job done for now. I'm happy to do the work, but I'm not sure where to begin. Please give me some tips.
Get a shop manual: http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=4639674&cc=1132119&jnid=466&jpid=0 Micah
first...get a plan as to what you want your car to be. that way you won't be doing the same thing twice...most important...don't get in a hurry and have fun doing it... is it 5 lug?
Can't say it enough times. Safety first. Fix the brakes, then the turn signals. Have fun and don't be afraid to ask questions. More information here than you can imagine.
Agreed you may not have enough time to pump them if little Johnny or Suzie runs out in front of you... Actually the Brakes and any fuel leak should be fixed before it's driven again... Signal light not working on one side only, may be bulb or signal switch in column...
First of all, from Atlantic Canada! Look up under the dash on the firewall where your brake pedal connects to the back of the master cylinder. There is a boot there. Is there brake fluid leaking from the boot? Pull it away from the firewall and have a look. If it's been leaking, you'll see the evidence running down the firewall. If it's a 4-lug, 4-wheel-drum car, pull all the drums off and look at your wheel cylinders for leaks. If the car hasn't been driven in a while, it's a good idea to maybe replace the wheel cylinders, master cylinder and all three flex hoses. I had to do this when I first got my car home. It cost me about $100 US for all the parts. Tackle the gas leak next. Is this a V8 or straight-6? The turn signals could be a bulb or two, or even a bad ground connection where the socket fits into the taillight. Make sure they are all clean and making good contact. The speedo cable may have a ruined gear on the transmission end, or someone wrecked the head on the back of the instrument cluster trying to take it out of the dash. Pull the cable out of the transmission to give yourself some slack with it, and then undo the two phillips screws above the instrument gauges and pull the cluster out so you can squeeze the plastic connector where it clips into the back of the speedo head. Unless you can find a good used transmission, I would be saving-up for a rebuild. If you can remove and install the transmission yourself, it will save you a bunch of money. Is it an automatic or manual? I wouldn't even be worried about speakers...
I went out this morning and fixed the turn signal in about 12 seconds. it was just a wire that the previous owner had been too lazy to connect. My maverick is a 1971 170 inline six with automatic transmission. Thank you all so much for your help. I'm definitely gonna get the shop manual, and I'm gonna replace the carb mounting gasket, bleed all my fluids/change my oil and then spray some seafoam through it. hopefully that'll help things a little.
Dont worry about bleeding the brakes till you inspect all the components...You can run a gallon of fluid through the system and not get a good pedal if you have a leaking wheel cyl...
