Keep the I 6 or go V8?

I vote, hhmmmm.... either!

Have you checked out fordsix.com yet?

There's a TON of information there and a lot of love for the "little block 6's".

Good luck whichever way you decide.

 

T.L.,
For me, the challenge. I have a 400hp 351. Ok, I've had healthy 302's too. But a good/great running I-6. That takes some time and effort. You tell me how many good running 250 I-6's you have seen. I'm willing to bet not many. But to get one to run isn't that hard, just have to be creative, not read a Hot Rod mag and buy the latest heads, intake or carb. That isn't going to happen, you haven't seen any articles about putting AMC 258 pistons in a 250 block, nor have you seen many articles on adding a 2bbl carb, 500 cfm's aren't uncommon to run on the street. Camshaft are plentiful. You just have to figure out which one you want. The head can be ported and cleaned just like a V-8, well sort of. But figuring out an engine can be fun and rewarding. That's why I play with an I-6. Tell me what hasn't been done to a V-8. Turbo, Nitrous, Supercharged hmmmm. 5.0 mag.
An I-6 is a great challenge.
Ken

 

I understand your point; especially if it's for the challenge of doing something "different". I was more referring to the "original" crowd, who think that having a Maverick that is original ( keeping a I-6 because that's what it came with) is some kind of virtue. My comment really didn't apply to your case, and this thread probably wasn't the place for it...

 

Jerryfow2,
Goto fordsix.com and buy a book called The Ford Falcon Performance Handbook. I think it cost ~20.00. This is a great starting point and it has lots of info dealing with the 144-250 I-6 engine.
Ken

 

T.L.,
I'm sorry, I misread your post. I thought you were asking why use an I-6.
Sorry again,
Ken

 

if you have a base model maverick and want to bastardize it thats one thing. up grade the engine, trans, rear, aftermarket interior, full gauge layout, fiberglass panels. thats all fine, i know i would if i could afford it. i think its pointless to buy a special edition original version of a vehicle, like a sprint, and do all that to it. its not like the sprints were any faster out of the box, its the originality factor that makes them worth somethin

 

The way I see it if its a grabber, sprint, or stallion just leave it original and if its a lower milage car thats all original leave it also. Now a well driven maverick that could use some work I'd say go with a 302.

 

Well, I'm not a big fan of 6 cylinder cars but I did see a 6 banger win best of show at the 2006 Round-Up. That car was simply amazing. Yours being a Sprint, I'd have to go with the majority here...keep the 6. Some people still don't seem to believe what I've been saying but Maverick prices are on the rise and certain ones are definitely going to be more valuable than others. Some buyers would certainly pay more for original cars while others would pay as much or maybe even more for tastefully modified cars. Look at Mavaholics Sprint...it was an original 6 cyl car but I would be willing to bet $20K would not buy it right now. I wouldn't take $20K for my blue car and in my opinion it's not worth as much as Mavaholics car.
You still gotta figure which way to go on your own. Just be sure to do a 1st class job on it either way and you're sure to have a winner. Good luck.

 

Why? Grabbers and Sprints are nothing more than a trim package. There was no other difference. It's not like comparing a GTO to a base Lemans, or a 4-4-2 to a regular Cutlass, a Fairlane 500 to a Torino GT, or a Buick Gran Sport to a Skylark.

Yeah, an all original Maverick with low miles may fetch more money than a modified car, but if you're building a car for yourself to drive and enjoy, I say leaving it original is"pointless" and leaves a lot to be desired.

'Sorry for the thread-jack here...

 

Not your fault. It's mine, for the way I worded it...

 

Granted there were no other differences it still dosent change the fact that they are alot more rare especially the sprints and stallions. But its all in what the person wants in a car and not everyone's going to see eye to eye. With that said you have your own opinion and I dont have a problem with that but respect mine while your at it.

 

I'm not saying an I-6 is the only way to go for everyone. For me, I'm just trying something different. I know the 250 won't make the same hps as a good running V-8. As far as keeping the car origional for value, I dought Barrett Jackson's will have a Maverick center stage. The value of these cars is mostly to the owner. Just have fun with your old girl, I-6 or V-8.
My next 250 might be an LP gas conversion. Hmmmm interesting?
Ken

 

Leave it i6

If it were mine I would leave it i6.

In addition to picking up the Ford Falcon Performance handbook zip on over to mustangmonthly.com and look at the tech article on six-cylinder performance guide. Way cool

There are some folks putting together some darn snappy i6's. It can be done and I think it looks good!!!

 

OK I am going to throw something out here and I am probabaly wrong as wrong gets, but didn't the Sprint ONLY come with the 200 I6. While I know you couldn't order the V8 I also thought that the standard engine (200 CID) was the only engine you could get in a Maverick Sprint????

 

That would be incorrect...I have a Sprint also, factory 302, power steering, automatic. The Mavericks came standard equipment with the 6 but any Maverick after 1970 could have had a v8.