Desert Mavericks.......Sand Box

Seems like a fair deal to me -- If it's a tinted piece. I like the new windshield much better, mainly cuz of the better tint.
I paid $290.00 3 yrs ago for installation; I had my own gasket. I didn't want to take chance on breaking a glass, esp., not having any help -- was best solution for me.

 

Hope everyone is thawing out from that brutally cold January (Hehe). Just an update on my Mav: I went to a tow yard auction last Saturday and towed home a 92 cougar XR7 with the 5.0 HO and AOD. Put a battery in it, cracked the ignition key lock to see if it would start, and it runs like a champ....It seems complete and unmolested, for right around $400 out the gate. I think this engine/tranny will go in the mav instead of the '98 exploder I bought at the same sale last year. If nothing else I can drive it for a while to give me time to rebuild the X motor as it needs a refresh before I would use it. (and a note: I've already picked up the parts to do the front sump conversion, except the dipstick if anyone has a spare laying around)

Too bad it has the IRS rear suspension, as it does have a ls-3.08 8.8 rear in it. I'll keep it around for a while and can swap the gears to the X rear if I decide to use that. But dang if ford didn't put 5x4.25 hubs on this car, as it has a nice set of wheels too, aluminum scrap unless I get adapters for each corner, which I'm not a fan of.

One question I can't seem to find an answer for here is: will the Cougar factory headers fit between the shock towers? I can't wait to get it towed up to Show Low (where the mav is sitting in the garage), get the engine pulled out and slid into the mav for a test fit. Hope to get to that in the next couple weeks if the weather holds.

 

Hey Lee...any updates on your Maverick?

 

Lots of things in the works but nothing finished.....

Finally got around to taking the cougar 5.0 apart last week as I got delayed in setting up my shop near Show Low. Should have it down to the bare block the next trip up and I'll have a better idea what I have to work with. Can't wait to take the plasma cutter to the front of that car to make room to pull the engine straight out the front .

I did pick up a '75 Mav with the LDO interior so may take the C4 from that and mate it back up to the original '70 250 engine and get those and some of the interior into either the '70 or '75. Would be pretty easy to get one running and save the 5.0 cougar engine for the other one as a long term project. That gives me time to play with things like the headers and other fitment items to do the cougar swap into a Mav. I think I have nearly all the mechanical parts I need to get either one back on the road between the two of them. Have the '75 loaded on the trailer right now ready to take up to sit side by side with the '70.

 

FWIW since I have now switched to front disc brakes I am now selling my 5 lug front drums w/spindles. I have an add in the For Sale section if anyone is interested.

 

Does anyone have a good machine shop they would recommend? Preferable in North Glendale/Phoenix or along the I-17 corridor.

Took out the radiator and condenser then cut the front off the donor cougar (302 w/AOD) over the weekend, stripped down the block and pulled the heads. Looks like there was a blown head gasket, but want to get the heads checked out and refreshed if they are good. The block and tranny comes out next. Nothing like being able to walk right up to the engine and work on it in the car, no bending over the fenders.

 

I just used Basko Engines in Gilbert to machine an aluminum block for my Typhoon. I know thats a bit out of your way tho

 

Picking up the refurbished 302 heads Monday... yay! Have the engine out, but haven't measured up the block yet. Taking a lot longer as I took a temporary job assignment up north and and can only get to the car once every couple weeks on the weekend.

I hope to get the '75 engine swapped out for my good 250 and also get the C4 rebuilt and that car would be ready to drive. Then take my time getting the 302 fitted up in the '70. On a mission to have a runner for the November meet!

 

November meet?

 

Probably out on a November meet. I have the car partially apart for paint but the season picked up and hit me hard this year. I have lots of good trim and big bumpers I removed is someone is looking.

 

Ooops, I was off a month, last year the Phoenix mini-meet was in December. Keep an eye here and Gene should announce it. Bring your car, parts or just show up like I did last year. A few hours of entertainment talking Mavericks and Comets. Not a big show like some of the others, but a good time. This is an MCCI event so you can also sign up for their newsletter (its $10/year). They covered our meet in their last newsletter.

http://maverickcometclub.org/

 

Finally got the '75 off the trailer and into the shop. Started checking it out and it seems pretty solid. A little rust in spots that the '70 doesn't have, but it has a much better interior. May just use the '70 as a donor and take the doors, fenders, and small bumpers off for the '75. Throw on the grabber hood I have and it will look like the car I want. Definitely use the '70 for fit up for the 5.0 EFI so I can keep one running during the interim.

Pulled the C4 out as it was slipping and leaking all over the place. Went to take the bell housing off, and realized too late it was the style that the pump was bolted to the bell from the inside... to say the least I had the tranny apart before I realized what I was doing. Thankfully the guy I bought this car from had a full set of Ford factory books in the trunk....The last time I was inside a C4 was when I was in high school, and that was a few decades ago.

Any chance someone down here has a set of front seat belts (with the shoulder harness) laying around they would want to part with? The passenger side is good, but the drivers side only has the lap belt remaining.

 

Hey guys this popped up for sale. Someone go buy it so I dont get tempted. He has dropped the price 100$ over the last 2 days https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/pts/6295910592.html

 

Hey guys. If anyone has been considering a disc brake setup, I have a used set of Wilwoods in the for sale section. I would love to see them go to one of the fellow Arizonans on the board.

 

Who is up for a mini-meet? I'm thinking either the 2nd Sunday in either November or December. Last year we met in December. How do your schedules look? Where should be meet?