1966 Comet

The Big Comets
Caveman49
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:15 am
Location: South Alabama

Re: 1966 Comet

Post by Caveman49 »

Been awhile, but I’ve been tinkering with the 66 Comet a little here and there. Wound up pulling the 289 and dropping the 69 302 in it, runs pretty good. Going to get it back into my shop and start working on it again, hopefully next month August.

Pic of the 302, with rebuilt C4 trans, now 340 traclock gears and electric fuel pump.
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Motor Safe,
Lee
Last edited by Caveman49 on Wed Aug 11, 2021 3:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Motor Safe,
Lee

Caveman49
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:15 am
Location: South Alabama

Re: 1966 Comet

Post by Caveman49 »

I did put a new tank in it as well, swapped the motor with the 302 as pictured above, put a new Holley 600 on it, and some other small changes.
Had the 289 heads on the 302 that had been redone and damn if I didn’t break a rocker stud. The heads had stock pressed in rocker studs, so I pulled them and had our local machine shop put in some ARP studs. Finally got it all back together, got it timed pretty close and she runs great. No problem with gas in oil, or leaks, etc, couldn’t ask for anything better.

Sorta felt good digging back into an engine, been awhile.
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Motor Safe,
Lee

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Joe Travers
Posts: 2424
Joined: Mon Sep 21, 2020 6:23 pm
Location: Louisiana

Re: 1966 Comet

Post by Joe Travers »

What camshaft are you running Lee? Looks like a damper spring installed for a little more action than stock.
Did you go with 3/8" screw-in studs and guide plates?

Yeah, engine work is what I really like.

Joe
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1963 1/2 Custom Hardtop
342 stroker, solid roller, T-10, 3.55 posi

Caveman49
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:15 am
Location: South Alabama

Re: 1966 Comet

Post by Caveman49 »

Joe, we put a stage 2 hydraulic flat tappet 448/472 cam and lifters, mild, but is nice for the street. I believe the kit was bought from jamsionline. https://jamsionline.com/ford-sbf-v8-289 ... 734-ha900/

Yes on the 3/8 ARP studs (local machine shop put them in) but didn’t need guide plates, the roller rockers keep the push rods in-line nicely.

I can usually do heads, intakes, etc, but have a friend in Florida who is a fantastic engine builder, he built the engine. We barter and swap stuff for payments on the work he does for me, some cash occasionally.

It’s just crazy hot in my shop right now to do anything, hopefully get the window ac working, or the weather to cool down some here in the near future. I’m looking at redoing the front suspension a little, want to go with roller spring perches, maybe an Arn UCA drop, along with a few other goodies, as the funds will support. It handles ok, but want it a bit more stable for my daughter.


Motor Safe,
Lee
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Motor Safe,
Lee

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Joe Travers
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Joined: Mon Sep 21, 2020 6:23 pm
Location: Louisiana

Re: 1966 Comet

Post by Joe Travers »

Caveman49 wrote:
Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:26 pm
Joe, we put a stage 2 hydraulic flat tappet 448/472 cam and lifters, mild, but is nice for the street.
That was the profile for the old Ford Motorsport street cam back in the '90s. Put one in a 289 build for my son's '68 Mustang back then with Weiand intake, 600 Holley and '69 351W heads. Good running engine and enough power for the kiddos.

I hear ya about the heat. I'm in the house by Noon. 100+ heat index every day.

Joe
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1963 1/2 Custom Hardtop
342 stroker, solid roller, T-10, 3.55 posi

Caveman49
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:15 am
Location: South Alabama

Re: 1966 Comet

Post by Caveman49 »

I’m about to pull the front suspension apart again, will likely install some better quality parts. Got a set of roller spring perches made by Opentracker, and I’m looking to get their upper n lower CAs, the ones that cost the least, they sell several types. Anyone here use them, just wondering how you like them. Or what UCA and LCAs are you using?

Also, what shocks are you using? I’m considering bilsteins front and back, if I can find them. Last I checked Opentracker had them.

Thanks for thought’s or info on this.

Motor Safe,
Lee
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Motor Safe,
Lee

Caveman49
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:15 am
Location: South Alabama

Re: 1966 Comet

Post by Caveman49 »

Well took the 66 out for a cruise today before tearing in to it. Ordered some new front suspension parts from Opentracker, UCA, LCA, bilstein front and rear shocks, should be here this coming week. Picked up some roller spring perches off of the VMF site, he had purchased 2 sets from opentracker by accident, they’ll fit the comet.

Got the passenger side fender off, the front windshield trim, may remove the windshield not sure yet. Gotta try and remove the big scratch made on the ps from the wiper, was there when I got the car. Gonna enjoy the therapy diving back into it, plus hone what little skill I have at body and paint work 😄
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When I brought it into the shop
When I brought it into the shop
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Motor Safe,
Lee

Caveman49
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:15 am
Location: South Alabama

Re: 1966 Comet

Post by Caveman49 »

Did figure out how to remove the antenna, and found out it has a hidden VIN under the passenger fender, just like the 66 Stangs I had.

I’m really surprised at the condition of the metal in this car, guess that’s attributed to it coming from Georgia.

The rubber splash shields under the fender are basically shot, as is the seam sealer.
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Motor Safe,
Lee

Caveman49
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:15 am
Location: South Alabama

Re: 1966 Comet

Post by Caveman49 »

The new leaf springs I bought from general spring (4 leaf).
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Got new hardware as well.
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Motor Safe,
Lee

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Joe Travers
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Joined: Mon Sep 21, 2020 6:23 pm
Location: Louisiana

Re: 1966 Comet

Post by Joe Travers »

Caveman49 wrote:
Sun Apr 03, 2022 10:30 pm
I’m really surprised at the condition of the metal in this car, guess that’s attributed to it coming from Georgia.
My '63 is a Lorain car sold out of Jacksonville District, landed in Georgia. Blew my mind to see all original solid metal under the car when I first inspected it.

Have fun in this heat. Right @ 100F for the last week here. Too hot for me.

Joe
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1963 1/2 Custom Hardtop
342 stroker, solid roller, T-10, 3.55 posi

Caveman49
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:15 am
Location: South Alabama

Re: 1966 Comet

Post by Caveman49 »

Yeah Joe, it’s amazing how these Georgia cars preserve the metal. I agree with you about the heat, almost to hot to even get on the riding mower and cut the grass. I did fire the Comet up and back it out of the shop and let it idle to temp, around 180, while I sharpened the blades on the JD zero turn 😀, was soaked by the time I finished 😬
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Motor Safe,
Lee

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