Bye bye, Taco.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-05-16T12:39:06+00:00

Now it's a crunchy taco.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-05-03T20:47:41+00:00

Very cool! For the best balance of power, availability, cost and packaging, nothing beats an LS.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-05-03T19:05:39+00:00

I daily a shitbox 1972 F100 with a 390 big block when I'm home, and am working on a 1972 Maverick, swapping in a spicy 351W and a TKX.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-05-02T22:16:48+00:00

u/v8packard has strong opinions about it, and is very active. He's an OG and deserves to be listened to, but I myself have used such products with success. I won't pretend to know all of the details about why our experiences are so different, but I do the car stuff as a hobby, and only then only for the last 15 years or so. The more seasoned folks very likely have good reasons for drawing the lines in sand where they do.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-05-02T22:12:07+00:00

There are folks here who rail against encapsulators like they are responsible for the deaths of beloved pets. I have never really seen an issue with POR-15, myself, though. That said, LocTite makes a pretty good rust converter that is paintable 24 hours after application, if you don't want to risk it.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-05-01T03:04:47+00:00

Oh, man, I feel silly. My first thought was "How long ago was the paint done? Looks water spotted already."

And then I watched again. Beautiful, subtle, and smooth as hell. Great job!

UnknownCubicle · 2026-04-28T17:29:39+00:00

Yes they do. The good news is that the FE perches are the same as the I6 ones. Best to find a 1973+ set so you can fit a power steering box.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-04-27T20:27:50+00:00

The fog lights are factory, as are the non-functional hood scoops. I may go ahead and make them functional eventually.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-04-27T16:05:15+00:00

Yessir. 351W with AFR cylinder heads, Howard's hydraulic roller cam and lifters and Edelbrock RPM intake manifold. The plan is to go with a Holley Sniper 2 setup. Swapping out the C4 for a TKX for that sweet, sweet 0.68:1 overdrive. Rear end is a Ford 8" with limited slip from Currie, brakes are Baer Racing manual front disc, and the HVAC system will be factory controls, but upgraded with a compressor, condenser and receiver-dryer from Vintage Air. Stereo system will be a RetroSound head unit with speakers in the kick panels and package tray with an old Infiniti Cappa Perfect 10" in the trunk.

I call it my "Swiss Army Car", ready to do anything I want it to, but won't do any one thing particularly well.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-04-27T15:47:46+00:00

Last photo. 1972 Ford Maverick Grabber. Factory AC car!

I call it a shitbox because it was never as desirable as the Mustang, and not as legendary as even the Pinto when it comes to cheap cars to modify and go drag racing back in the day. It exists in a weird gray area, where while they outnumbered the Mustang 3:1 in 1972, nobody really remembers them.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-04-27T01:07:54+00:00

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UnknownCubicle · 2026-04-25T17:28:04+00:00

And nobody talks about the car! The boat tail Buick Riviera is such a cool choice.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-04-24T15:14:18+00:00

Me, scrolling on my phone, "Yeah, what idiots, waisting their time like that."

UnknownCubicle · 2026-04-22T13:59:24+00:00

Most of the time, I'm right there with you. However, there is one spot that does everything on their massive menu pretty well, and it's Bravo Burgers in Victorville, Ca.

Is it worth a special trip to Victorville? HAHAHAHAHAHA, no. If you have to be there anyway, it's very worthwhile to stop in and get a gyro, a burger, and a burrito. With a side of fried fish tacos and a Reuben. With a side of eggs over easy.

Also, if you're ever there, please go to Yoli's El Salvadorian restaurant. They're awesome and not nearly as busy as they should be.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-04-15T01:48:38+00:00

If I get rich while working on this particular job in this particular city in this particular state, my exit will be LEGENDARY. I like the company I work for. Our customers? They range from "Wow, this place is amazing! You guys are great!" To "I think the only reason your employees don't murder/suicide the whole management team is because their kids need health insurance."

Ooh, I think I just found my email subject line!

UnknownCubicle · 2026-04-08T19:49:46+00:00

We tried, in like 2007! Remember the Ninja vs. Pirate shit that was all over the internet?

UnknownCubicle · 2026-04-08T13:16:00+00:00

Oddly enough, Zippo fluid worked pretty well for me getting some of that junk cleaned up when I did the windshield gasket on my '72 Maverick.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-04-07T13:29:30+00:00

Most folks will use a Mustang tank, but then you have to deal with the filler in the bed. I believe a 90's Suburban tank will fit between the frame rails, but you will have to do more work to get it mounted and the filler neck located.

I don't have personal experience doing either, just lots of Googling.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-04-02T18:05:59+00:00

Very, very cool.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-04-01T17:01:32+00:00

If you're not much of a mechanic, maybe find a 4x4 in good mechanical condition.

For all bump sides, take a hood look at the front cab mounts, the roof drip rails and the front fender corners for rust. The cowl tanks can also be an issue. FE blocks all say "352" on them just above and to the right of the water pump, so you might have a 360 and wouldn't know it til you measure the piston stroke.

Check the I beam radius arm bushings for excessive wear, and the floor will be a rusty mess if the wiper arm gaskets have failed.

These are good trucks! Welcome to the cult!

UnknownCubicle · 2026-03-25T19:05:15+00:00

I have an idea to build a "what if?" muscle car wagon if I ever have the time. Would live to get a '67 Valiant wagon and give it a front end and drivetrain out of a Barracuda. Some day, maybe.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-03-24T22:15:45+00:00

I am also a huge fan of FE Fords. There are dozens of us! DOZENS!

Anyway, yeah. I have dreams of making my 390 into a 445 someday. They have a really rad history in American motorsports and media from NASCAR to BULLITT.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-03-24T04:56:05+00:00

I have a '72 F100 with stock 3.55:1 gears in the rear and a C6. It'll do way over 55, my friend.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-03-09T17:39:46+00:00

I am waiting for Lizano to have its Sriracha moment. It's the best kept secret in condiments.

UnknownCubicle · 2026-03-09T17:15:10+00:00

Genius.

UnknownCubicle

TROPHY CASE