New to me 73 convertible 302 auto

[OLE PONY]

Sounds like you got a buy if not rusty. Welcome to the forum.

Since you do not really have the history of the maintenance done on the car I would do lots of checking. These cars do have a dual master cylinder so the chance of blowing both sides of the master cylinder is slim. Check the fluid and fill if needed. Look for signs of fluid running down the brake booster, if it has power brakes, or firewall. If there are signs of fluid the master cylinder needs work.

The next big thing that has changed in recent past is the fact that they put Methanol into our gas, sucks. The old rubber gas lines will come apart if not made to be methanol resistant. It is not much cost and just a little time to go ahead and change all the rubber lines. From tank to the metal line going to the front inner fender under the master cylinder. There is a loop of rubber line going from inner fender to line on fuel pump and some from fuel pump to filter on carburetor. Change them all and ask for the methanol resistant line at the parts store.

Since you have never had one of these cars if you take something off do not think you can go get a new one. Lots of parts are very hard to find so always be careful when removing parts. Things like the master cylinder if you have to replace keep the original if it is the Ford one. Replacements are different. You might want to remove the gas tank and look inside to see how it looks you can get them cleaned if it looks bad. I would put some Sta-Bil in the gas when you do fill it up that helps with any issues in the carburetor.

Hope it turns out to be a great car they are fun to own.

When parked in garage always unhook the battery. You can get a quick disconnect that you just flip a lever to disconnect. Always carry a fire extinguisher with you.

Thats a lot of great advise, Thx David.

So I spent a few hours with it today. I checked all the spark plugs and put a little WD40 i the holes. Checked all my fluids, changed the battery, etc.

GUESS WhAT? It RUNS!

So David you saw this coming. The Master cylinder is leaking all over the booster.. Its appears to just be the rear reservoir thats loosing fluid

So I guess that will be my first real project with her.

Great news that she runs! I bet your are excited! Keep the updates coming.

 

[Boss1Ray]

Welcome from Oklahoma.

Please post up some pics when ya can!

Ray

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

Another welcome from NY. Obviously check air pressure in tires (32psi is about right).

Sounds like a new master brake cylinder is one of your first order of business. Have mechanic check the condition of all rubber brake lines while changing it out. Master cylinders are not terribly expensive or difficult to change.

You'll find this site informative about your car. Bill

 

[Spydajs]

So overall I love the car.

Aside from the obvious repairs needed,Master cylinder, and broken interior door pull, There are a ton of things I want to change.

Here is a short list,

1. The back suspension seems like its riding low. Maybe adding a leaf to lvl off the car better? What have others done?

2. I want to change the interior and vert top from white to black. Will that affect its "keep it original" value?

3. Not loving the white wall tires. Definitely wanting to put on something bigger and meaner looking.

4. There is a chrome strip that runs along the sides of the car. I kinda like the car better without it. What I've seen on others that I like a lot is the black hockey stick stripes going down the side instead.

5. The hood is really long and kinda plane. So changing that to the ram air hood with racing stripes would be nice.

6. More Powa! The car isn't wimpy by any means but its also not blowing me back either..

Thoughts?

Am I hurting the value on this car if I make any of those changes? Would it not be considered original if I do any of that?

 

[John J]

Nice car. If you change the wheels and tires it will give the car a different look.

John J

 

[mpbsr]

Mine came with the slotted 73 rims which I never liked so I went with 15" Magnums and new Goodyear tires.

I had the hood painted matt black, but the side Mach 1 stripes were already there and added a front/rear spoiler.

I also did new leaf springs as the car sat to low.

Just recently added a new intake and 4bbl carb, which woke her up.

 

[sdstang]

I would reconsider changing your interior from white to black. I changed mine from brown to Black but I also replaced all the panels then dyed them. If the guy starts to rub off you will just see black underneath. Whereas with yours you will see white. If your door panels and interior panels are clean you should consider redoing them white again as they will look really nice once there redyed. I'm just finishing up a ground up restoration on a 73 vert and if you need anything or questions feel free to p.m. me

 

[peche 71]

I recently purchased a 73 'vert for $1k,(302 ,2 barrel) green with a black top that i'm switching to white. I like to attractiveness of white on green, I'm not concerned about the value it adds or detracts from the car, I want it my way. My interior is avocado green but in great shape so I'm keeping it the same, but switching out the carpet when the floor pans get done. My car was sitting for 2 years, so it will take some effort to get mine running.

For $7K you got a real good looking car!

 

[will e]

So overall I love the car.

Aside from the obvious repairs needed,Master cylinder, and broken interior door pull, There are a ton of things I want to change.

Here is a short list,

1. The back suspension seems like its riding low. Maybe adding a leaf to lvl off the car better? What have others done?

2. I want to change the interior and vert top from white to black. Will that affect its "keep it original" value?

3. Not loving the white wall tires. Definitely wanting to put on something bigger and meaner looking.

4. There is a chrome strip that runs along the sides of the car. I kinda like the car better without it. What I've seen on others that I like a lot is the black hockey stick stripes going down the side instead.

5. The hood is really long and kinda plane. So changing that to the ram air hood with racing stripes would be nice.

6. More Powa! The car isn't wimpy by any means but its also not blowing me back either..

Thoughts?

Am I hurting the value on this car if I make any of those changes? Would it not be considered original if I do any of that?

1. replacing the springs is probably a better choice

2. Probably not a lot of lost value. This will be expensive to do. The interior looks good how it is. But maybe next time you swap out the top you can go with black.

4. This will require some body work be done. There are holes in the panels for that trim and if you remove it you will need to get some body work done to fill them properly. If you decide to do this CAREFULLY remove the old trim. Post up a seperate thread when you are ready and we can walk you through the process. Someone will want to buy your used pieces.

5. I went with ram air hood (no stripes) and really like the look even on a convertible.

6. A tune up is probably in order. You can wake it up with an aftermarket 4bbl carb and some headers. Another route to take is to go with different rear end gears. You probably have 2.73 or so. Putting in 3.0 or 3.25 will really wake it up BUT you will run higher RPM's. If you are planning on taking long cruises with it then I would leave the original gears in. If it is a weekend fun car then look at going with different gears.

That's a great looking car. You got a good deal.

It's is not a super rare or desirable version of our cars so originality is less important to the value. You could probably turn around and sell it right away for a decent profit.

Do a search on 'subframe connectors'. Subframe connectors is something I recommend to all convertible owners.

 

[Spydajs]

So just a quick update.

Mostly I have been getting prices for upgrades to determine which direction i can go in.

The new vert top I was quoted a starting price of $1800.00 but possibly more. So don't think I'm doing that right away.

I used a mildew and mold spray and cleaned up the underneath pretty well. As well as all the interior. Big difference.

Im getting a lot of opinions that the black interior for the vert will be to hot in the summer time. So now I'm leaning back to keeping it white. Will save a ton of $ anyways so yay!

I ordered the front and back spoilers and mach 1 decals for the 71-72 models. Cant wait for those to get here.

Im waiting for a price to do engine work. Cams and lifters, intake, headers, etc...

Im probably not going to go in that direction right away tho. For the short term I just want to add some power and do little things to make it nicer.

Like new rims and tires for sure.

What are others using? I was thinking for 17s? is that to big?

 

[73pony]

I'm running 17's. I like them.

 

[Spydajs]

I got the spoilers done. Changed the oil and filter. Cleaned the mold off under the vert top with a bleach/water.

Now onto the transmission flush.

I love the way the back spoiler looks.!!