COMET CENTRAL

Hi Guys:

Its been a while since I posted. Been spending all of my free time working on the Cyclone.

Well...to start out, the 390, although I was told was rebuilt, failed the compression tests, so I decided to pull it and have a full rebuild done on the motor.

This gave me the opportunity to do a full detailing of the engine compartment while the 390 was out at the mechanics.

Here are some photos of the process:

First, I cleaned, sanded, and repainted the entire engine compartment:


Next, I painted the top of the firewall the correct gloss black color:


While the motor was out at the mechanics, I did a full cleaning and painting of all the external parts using Eastwoods ceramic 2 stage paint:


While the motor was still out, I replaced the power steering ram, valve, and all hoses as they looked original.
I also decided to replace all the brake lines in the engine compartment with stainless steel, and to re-install the factory power brakes.
While I was doing the lines, I also decided to convert the front to Disc Brakes:


I ended up going with a dual chamber master cylinder, and while its not stock, it looks pretty nice and period correct. Had to move the drivers side brace connection at the front to the radiator support to clear the master cylinder, but it fits in an existing hole and looks fine.

Here is the engine back fresh from the mechanic, basically ready to be installed:


Here are a few photos of the engine installed:




So, with the engine re-installed and ready to go, we fired it up. This car had not been run or driven in 12+ years, so on the first start up, we ended up evicting a mouse family from the dual exhaust pipes!


It did not run great when we first fired it up, but ran MUCH better once we cleaned out the tailpipes!

Now that it is running, I finished some of the engine bay details like the washer tank and glass concentrate jar:


Here is a shot of it sitting outside:



I have made some test drives with it in the parking lot, just working out some of the little bugs with the shifter/linkage, brakes, etc.

Hope to take it for its first test drive on the open road at the end of this week.

More to come.....Len

Lookin' Good
Jim

Nice job!! You did good!!

Looks great.

Very nice Job. I know they are rare with a 390 cyclone.

Great car, especially with that 390! Enjoy..........

Very nice. Looks awesme.

I concur with all the comments, Looks great, nice work.

See Ya,
Mike

Thanks for all of the nice comments.

I just finished a frame off restoration on a 73 Gran Torino Sport last spring, and was fortunate to win 3 best of show awards at car shows last year.


I'm really looking forward to getting the Cyclone up to the same standards as the Torino, just need more time, and of course money....

That Torino is kick ASS!!!

Gorgeous

I'm a lot like you, I just surrender to anything that needs done while I'm in there. & even though the time & expense adds up a lot more , the outcome & reward is much greater & you are always glad you did all you could while it was opened up & easy. never any regrets this way. It looks great! & very nice torino too!!

your work is great,,,you've done good GRASSHOPPER !! pop