1972 Maverick Sprint - Phase 2

[Maverick]

My neighbor and friend, Steve Murray, took these pictures of the Sprint today.

[oldvettedad]

Really talkes a good picture, how do you keep it so clean?

[Basement Paul]

If it takes that long to start acting up, it's most likely the coil. This is a very common symtom.

Car looks great btw.

-BP

[Maverick]

Really talkes a good picture, how do you keep it so clean?

Finally washed the bugs off it from the KY trip. Put a little wax on it too. Lois says her car feels neglected.

[Maverick]

If it takes that long to start acting up, it's most likely the coil. This is a very common symtom.

Car looks great btw.

-BP

Swapped coils with same result. I'm thinking it has to be the electyronics in the distributor. Tried running the distributor on both 8V and 12V with same result. Now I'm waiting for the new distributor, coil and plug wires to arrive. Should have them by the end of the week.

[Racin'Jacin]

I didn't read everything so if I say something stupid - go easy on me

Sounds like you're running points - without a BALLAST RESISTOR (or proper coil) = fried points.

The new coil won't help until you check (replace) the points.

We also once had an OLD dizzy lose it's internal ground - that sure was fun to track down on the side of the road.
EDIT: OK I went back and read some more - I'm more confused than before, but I vote HEI - easy to get parts for should it crap out in BFE.

Swapped coils with same result. I'm thinking it has to be the electyronics in the distributor. Tried running the distributor on both 8V and 12V with same result. Now I'm waiting for the new distributor, coil and plug wires to arrive. Should have them by the end of the week.

[Maverick]

I didn't read everything so if I say something stupid - go easy on me

Sounds like you're running points - without a BALLAST RESISTOR (or proper coil) = fried points.

The new coil won't help until you check (replace) the points.

We also once had an OLD dizzy lose it's internal ground - that sure was fun to track down on the side of the road.
EDIT: OK I went back and read some more - I'm more confused than before, but I vote HEI - easy to get parts for should it crap out in BFE.

Swapped coils with same result. I'm thinking it has to be the electyronics in the distributor. Tried running the distributor on both 8V and 12V with same result. Now I'm waiting for the new distributor, coil and plug wires to arrive. Should have them by the end of the week.

The 5.0 had the HEI distributor on it but there are several fitment issues with the big distributor. Interfers with the air cleaner, heater hose fitting on the intake, AC bracket, etc. That's one reason its being replaced with the Pertronix distributor. Other reason is to get rev limiter. Gotta hang in there for a few more days till the new ignition shows up.

[Maverick]

The Pertronix distributor and coil are installed and I believe the ignition issues are solved. The engine still runs rough on idle and under light throttle till it gets warmed up but it no longer developes a mis-fire after running for 20 minutes.

I'm convinced the remainaing issues (unstable idle, idle mixture adjusters not very effective, very rough running till hot) are carb issues. Summit has agreed to take back the Summit carb on warrantee after almost a year, WAY beyond the warrantee period.

We're headed for Charlotte tomorrow to replace the Summit carb with a new Quick Fuel SS 650 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/QFT-SS-650/ and get the timing curve set and carb tuned. I am READY for a smooth running engine. EVERYTHING is now from Prestige Motor Sports so, if there's any remaining problem, Doug will fix it. I've bent my pick on this one.

A Lokar kick down kit will also be installed since the QF carb doesn't have a Ford kick down lever.

We'll also make a stop for some TB SS goodies but WXO will no doubt fill ya'll in on that.

[Maverick]

After multiple carburetor and ignition changes, the 347 is FINALLY running quite well. WXO, friend Keith, and I took it back to the engine builder on Friday and had a great run back home with the Maverick running better than it ever has. SMOOTH as silk on cruise.

It ended up with an MSD distributor with digital advance curves and a Quick Fuel SS 650 carb. Could have saved some money and a lot of pain had I gone with them in the beginning but I just didn't think I should have to lay out that kind of money for a driver. But, in the end, I feel like both carb and ignition are first class. Everything in the QF carb appears to be changeable or adjustable. Digital timing curve on the MSD dist is adjustable with dials.

Idle is still not what I wanted. Have to have it up around 900 in neutral. Depending on weather, engine temp, etc, it will drop 150-400 RPM (stock converter) when it goes in drive. 750 is smooth enough, but 500 is not nice. As Doug explains it, the carb loses vacuum signal when idle is that low.

Idle is non-existent when its cold but, when exhaust and intake heat on the fuel charge are eliminated, maybe I have to put up with some of that. I'm thinking about a higher stall converter to avoid the need to slip into neutral sometimes at a stop light.

Since adding the trans cooler and putting some exhaust wrap around the pipes by the transmission pan, the transmission doesn't get much above 150*, down from 180* before those changes. Expect a higher stall converter won't cause the trans to overheat now.

I don't feel like it needs a higher stall for launch. With 3.00 TL rear and 235/60/15 tires, it has ample wheel spin. Just need it a little looser when idling in gear. Have a call in to B&M to get their advice on a converter. I'm thinking their Hole Shot 2400 would be about right but I'll see what they say. The catalog doesn't say anything about that converter being looser on idle but I guess it should be.

We were able to get double duty from our trip Friday, as WXO described in the TB SS project thread. That was good 'cause WXO and Keith stood around for 6 hours while Doug (Prestige Motor Sports) worked the kinks out. Fortunately, they got a little diversion with some Go Cart runs.

I'm VERY glad I bought the 347 semi-locally so help was available. I've been battleing the mis-fires for almost a year, first on the 5.0 and then on the 347. Would have been very embarrased if Doug solved it in 6 minutes rather than 6 hours.

[Maverick]

No video yet, but I did get a chance to punch it from a stop light with no one around. Was leaving pretty good but the rear end started moving out one way. Corrected and waited for the tires to bite but the kept spinning and it drifted out the other way. Had to get off it or go in the weeds. Think I'm out of practice.

I'm really eager to get a WOT 1-2 upshift but may have to wait for the strip. Better traction there, right?

WXO and I are looking at 11/10 or 11/17 for T&T at the strip. We'll get some videos then if not before.

[Maverick]

I'm getting excited for T&T on Thursday nite. Finished installing the Lokar C4 kick down cable today. Quick Fuel carb doesn't have a C4 kick down cable lever. And, Lokar doesn't have a carb bracket for the kick down cable that works with the stock throttle cable and bracket. So, I had to mod the Lokar bracket some.

It does a 3-2 downshift at 60 but not 65. Think that's probably OK. Actual speed would be about 64 and 69 due to bigger tires. I'm eager to try the 1-2 WOT upshift -- can't stay on it that long on the secluded roads around here.

WXO was definitely pulling on me with the 5.0. He's made some improvements too so it'll be fun to see how we do. Another friend will be there with his Mitsubitshi something-or-other. Have no idea what it will do. Could be another bad ricer experience.

Think I'll try it first in "D" and see where it shifts into 2nd. I'm not worried about over-reving it now since the MSD distributor has a rev limiter -- set at 6K. Would like to have two hands on the wheel for the 1-2 upshift. If that doesn't work for some reason, I'll shift it manually. Don't think I'll need 3rd on the 1/8th mile track.

[Maverick]

As I mentioned in another thread, the Dunn Benson strip was closed when whe got there last week. We may try again this week.

[MostMint]

What's most important is to just show up at the track with the mods done and lay down good numbers. Adds to the fun.

You can tell us all about it once you are in the lead.

[Maverick]

What's most important is to just show up at the track with the mods done and lay down good numbers. Adds to the fun.

You can tell us all about it once you are in the lead.

Guess I got too speculative. I'll delete that post.

[Maverick]

No posts in a while so here are some updates.

The Benson-Dunn drag strip is closed for the season so, unless we go somewhere else, we won't get a timed run till Spring. A strip in Greensboro (1+ hour away) has a couple of T&T days but, with the holidays and everything we might or might not get there before Spring.

The 347 is running pretty well but still not 100%. Its very cold blooded. If the choke is set on hard enough to start well, it doesn't crack open when the engine starts so its loading up for a mile or two. Set it lean enough to not load up and it takes several trys to get it to stay running. Part of the problem is lack of a choke pull-off on the Quick Fuel carb. The choke also opens very quickly. There are temp-sensitive switches that can be put in series with the choke heater to slow the opening but really don't want to do that. Read one suggestion to turn the ignition on, count to 10 to let the choke heat a bit, then start the engine. Kinda like a diesel start. May have to go to manual choke but that will be my last option. Think after-market electric chokes are not as good as the OEMs.

It also still has a little mid-range flutter. Don't know if its too rich or too lean or just not getting good atomization. Have an appointment a week from today to get a dyno tune from a Ford specialist right close by. http://www.piedmontcustommotorsports.co ... n-contact/ Found him with a Google search for "Raleigh dyno". Was planning on taking it to another Ford specialist but when I contacted them they said they don't do carbs. Guess its a dying art.

An Automatic Overdrive (AOD) transmission has been on the wish list since the trip to Florida a year ago. Drove up to VA the weekend before last and picked an '89 F150 AOD for $250 with a lot of auxiliary parts needed to install it. But, some measurements made it clear that the exhaust pipes would have to be redone to fit it in. AOD is significantly wider than the C4. And, the required flex plate with the older 28 oz imbalance (stroker crank) is quite unusual, hard to find used, and expensive -- close to $200 with shipping -- to buy new. Add to that the custom-made cross member, new pan with a bung for the temp sender, ring and pinion change someday, and Lokar Throttle Velocity cable and the cost/benefit was heading in the wrong direction. A buyer is supposed to be picking up the AOD, etc, on Monday. Just breaking even on the transactions.

Picked up a pair of Merc Bobcat taillights in pretty rough condition. They're the same style as the Maverick/Pinto but have additional Maverick-like lenses.


Thanks to Carlisle, I have LOTS of Maverick lenses so replacing the damaged lenses in the Bobcat lights is no problem.

The Bobcat lights are almost 24" each so the pair pretty much fill the tail panel and look quite nice. Didn't pay much so no big loss if I don't use them. They're pretty hard to find anymore. Maybe some year I'll spring to get the bezels re-chromed. The additional lenses can be lit if holes are cut in the tail panel to accomodate the bulbs. Or, with a single bolt hole, dummy extra lenses can be installed in the bezels. No plan for all this yet -- just couldn't pass up the rare pieces.

The 2012 NPD All Ford Show in Silver Springs, FL is coming up 1/8. I'm registered but not 100% sure I'll go. Bro Willy and I drove down last year and that was great. It'll be a long drive by myself.

If all goes well, the results of the dyno pulls will be posted next week. Expect it to be somewhere North of 250 RWHP. 300 would far exceed expectations. It'll be interesting to see where the peaks are as compared to the 302.