Modern Maverick

clyde.ledbetter

Member

Oct 5, 2014

21

1

13

Oct 5, 2014

#1

• Oct 5, 2014

• #1

hello, ive decided to take this winter as the time to begin on my 1972 ford maverick... It was my first car almost 12 years ago. I recently got it back but has been run into the ground and is in need of complete restoration... So lets Start with What i have, 1972 ford maverick rollor, 97 ford explorer totaled with 160k runs good gt40 5.0 engine... 8.8 ford ranger posi 410 rear end 5 lug drum brakes... I know this is not a mustang but i will be using alot of mustang/ford parts and would appreciate everyone's input and advice as i begin my restoration..

 

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horse sence

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

12,183

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233

Wile Coyote's stunt double

Oct 5, 2014

#2

• Oct 5, 2014

• #2

Can't wait , we really love pics here so keep them coming .

 

horse sence

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

12,183

8,005

233

Wile Coyote's stunt double

Oct 5, 2014

#3

• Oct 5, 2014

• #3

Looks like the Explorer took a nasty roll

 

clyde.ledbetter

Member

Oct 5, 2014

21

1

13

Oct 5, 2014

#4

• Oct 5, 2014

• #4

oh yea.... the story was they lost it on a dirt road... but hey i picked it up for 650 and the motor runs great... cut the frame and all the supports and pulled complete drive train out for swap... even kept harness... i will be building my own harness and will be gald to put up wiring diagrams as i go.. This is what remains of the Explorer... I will be cutting down factory harness to create a standalone for maverick

 

Reactions: horse sence

clyde.ledbetter

Member

Oct 5, 2014

21

1

13

Oct 5, 2014

#5

• Oct 5, 2014

• #5

Plans are: Cam, springs, and lifter swap got a used X303... Also not sure if i should use the Edelbrock performer intake or stay with the GT40 i was told the edelbrock was worth about 35 hp over a stock intake but not sure if that applies to the gt40 explorer intake... Have a proformance power Throttle body and a big shot wet kit for fi cars to install later... will be pushed by a built c5 trans and 410 posi 8.8 rear... OHHH picked up all parts in pick for 150.00

 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp

10 Year Member

Sep 1, 2010

7,387

2,745

194

Kearney, NE

Oct 6, 2014

#6

• Oct 6, 2014

• #6

Have tmoss port the Explorer lower intake. It should out perform the Edelbrock for the bucks.

 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp

10 Year Member

Sep 1, 2010

7,387

2,745

194

Kearney, NE

Oct 6, 2014

#7

• Oct 6, 2014

• #7

I missed you had the Edelbrock, it is not an RPM is it and are you going to street, race or both?

 

clyde.ledbetter

Member

Oct 5, 2014

21

1

13

Oct 6, 2014

#8

• Oct 6, 2014

• #8

looking for a nasty street ride... Got a X303 cam 248/248duration and 544/544 lift hydro roller. I already have the edelbrock intake and power performance tb i picked it up with cam all for 150.. so should i gasket match and do some hand porting on edelbrock intake? also is it too much cam for the gt40 heads??? i will do a spring job to hold lift...Dont Know much about intake... though it looks like it bolts to a stock lower to me tho....

 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp

10 Year Member

Sep 1, 2010

7,387

2,745

194

Kearney, NE

Oct 7, 2014

#9

• Oct 7, 2014

• #9

The Edelbrock uppers must be used with the matching Edelbrock lowers. Now if memory serves me right, there are the performer, RPM, RPM II, so several Edelbrock intakes. If it is the straight performer, having tmoss port the Explorer GT40 copy will not only get you the low And mid power, but also the performer's top end. As far as valve springs, contact Edelbrock for a specific recommendation and check for piston to valve clearance. I bet it will be OK.

 

clyde.ledbetter

Member

Oct 5, 2014

21

1

13

Oct 11, 2014

#10

• Oct 11, 2014

• #10

any suggestions on building stand alone harness using factory harness??? ive did a few of the ls harnesses but cant find anywhere that offers a pin out or any tips on making ur own harness..

 

horse sence

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

12,183

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233

Wile Coyote's stunt double

Oct 11, 2014

#11

• Oct 11, 2014

• #11

You can down load a factory diagram from ford ,they have it on CD also .It is actually simple ,there is only 4 or 5 wires that run the motor .
If you have the full computer vehicle ,where everything goes through the computer it it a total night mare though because of all of the extra wiring .I did it in 1985 ,used a T Bird 5.0 into my 78 Ford pick up using the Ford CD .I made a diagram but i can not find the thing ,but it has been a loooong time .

 

clyde.ledbetter

Member

Oct 5, 2014

21

1

13

Nov 15, 2014

#12

• Nov 15, 2014

• #12

sry fellas have been at a stand still with project.... anyone know if anyone builds stand alone harness? or if i could remove the coil packs from mine and use a dist and a mustang harness?

 

V

v8only

Active Member

Jul 3, 2003

2,378

22

49

Nov 28, 2014

#13

• Nov 28, 2014

• #13

There are many Efi harnesses out there, rjm is one.

You are going to have big header issues running those gtp heads in a maverick. I suggest you go to maverick.to forums and see how others made out work.

That intake is perfect for those heads, and the throttle body too, it's a 65mm.. The throttle lever can be nodded for the throttle cable.

That x cam is not the best match. A TFS 1 cam works best, or an Anderson cam which was designed for those heads.

Make sure you change the valve springs, they're horribly weak

 

clyde.ledbetter

Member

Oct 5, 2014

21

1

13

Jan 25, 2015

#14

• Jan 25, 2015

• #14

hey fella's i know its been a while but im just getting stuff lined up and have finally started on it last week.... meaning it will be holding up a bay in my shop untill shes ready for the roads....

So i still have the gt40 motor but ive decided to go a different direction.. I now have a 5.0 short block... IM running a set of windsor jr heads and the x303 5.42 camshaft.... I did hit a snag with the motor the block has been zero decked and the pistons were not fly cut for larger valves in heads.... SOOOOOO after long consideration ive decided to order me a set or .060 head gasket shims to give me the clearance i need... ILL post a few pics.... also i did locate a t5 and i was able to go thru it and get it cleaned up and painted... check my pics fella's..

 

clyde.ledbetter

Member

Oct 5, 2014

21

1

13

Jan 27, 2015

#15

• Jan 27, 2015

• #15

Heres a few of the trans and engine bay starting my shock tower notching for a little more clearance in the engine bay

 

N

n8rfastback

Member

May 28, 2014

135

7

18

Jan 28, 2015

#16

• Jan 28, 2015

• #16

Following!

 

clyde.ledbetter

Member

Oct 5, 2014

21

1

13

Feb 2, 2015

#17

• Feb 2, 2015

• #17

 

clyde.ledbetter

Member

Oct 5, 2014

21

1

13

Feb 2, 2015

#18

• Feb 2, 2015

• #18

Shock towers finished... next to clean and tuck all wires then brush weld all excess holes, prime, and paint engine bay

 

clyde.ledbetter

Member

Oct 5, 2014

21

1

13

Feb 2, 2015

#19

• Feb 2, 2015

• #19

I have a 5.0 I had to Change cam and use a head gasket shim to get my clearance bc someone had zero decked the block.. so I went down from x303 to this cam and installed a .020 shim along with gasket and new arp bolts.... Now I'm back to engine bay while I wait for parts house to send me the correct clutch set.. i purchased one but it was for a tko trans and the spline count was 26 instead of 10

 

clyde.ledbetter

Member

Oct 5, 2014

21

1

13

Feb 2, 2015

#20

• Feb 2, 2015

• #20

Heads are Windsor Jr 2.02 1.6 valves high performance springs and retainers. Intake I'll be running is a bbkssi intake full set up.. i still have the performer as a back up. But I do need a gasket and bolt kit for bbk any ideas fellas