1962 Comet Build Thread

[dydaktix]

cool Comet! I just got a 62 myself; what size wheels/tires/backspacing are you running?

[darryl27529]

Thank you. I am running American Racing 15X6 Torque Thrust with 195/65/15 tires. They have a 3.66 inch backspace with +4 mm offset. Keep in mind that I have a Ford 8.8 inch rear that is narrowed to 56.5 inches and a 5 lug conversion. Most of the lip is still on the fenderwell and I occasionally rub when turning into a hilly driveway. Otherwise all is good.

I got them from Summit Racing:

American Racing VN1055665 - American Racing VN105D Torq-Thrust D Gray Wheels

I was planning to buy the Weld 15X5 Rodlites as I really liked them (photoshopped) but they got back ordered. They also jumped in price a lot. See image:

Rodlites-2.jpg (64.42 KiB) Viewed 2135 times

Good luck and let me know if you have any additional questions. Darryl

[dydaktix]

Is the 8.8 narrower than what you had stock, or is it the same width as the stock rear? Did you narrow it or did you have a shop do it for you? I want to eventually, but right now, I don't have the time or budget to do so; I do have some 16x7s that I'm trying to figure out if I can make work with spacers.

[Jims65cyclone]

Here are some tools I used in figuring out what tires/wheels to get for mine.
https://www.rsracing.com/TechWheel.aspx
https://www.tyresizecalculator.com/tyre ... calculator
https://tiresize.com/wheel-offset-calculator/

The last one may be the most helpful for your situation. Mind you, it's not perfect. I occasional have some tire scrub on my front tires on tight turns with a dip. I probably should have gone down a size in width and/or profile on my front tires.

Jim

[darryl27529]

Sorry for the late response. The Comet came with a Ford 8 inch that measured 58 inches from mounting surface to mounting surface (I think it came from a 1967-69 Mustang) and almost any tire wheel combination would rub. I dont know what was original to the car. The narrowed 8.8 is 56.5 inches. Basically you cut the long side of the Ford Explorer 8.8 to match the short side and replace the axle with a stock short one. Lots of folks do it themselves but I took it to East Coast because they could tig weld it and replace bearings, etc.

I also went with the Ford Explorer 8.8 for the 3.73 gearing and the Limited Slip and it was cheaper than buying a custom width Ford 9 inch. I never could find much information about narrowing a Ford 8 inch otherwise I think I would have tried it.

[darryl27529]

Been tinkering again on the Comet. I got the horn working with the stock steering wheel and should be installing the new dome light shortly. I am also thinking about re-doing the interior. The previous owner had it recovered by a family member and its a little rough. I died the sewn in Mercury on the door panels and the rear seat but thinking its time to consider a new set of panels and covers. I found a small add from Mercury where you could upgrade to Jewelsheen cloth in the old days. Can't get that anymore but considering having Jake at Northwest FalconComet sew me up a new set in a black and red color pattern that sort of matches the Jewelsheen. I sketched it out. Let me know what you think:

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[Joe Travers]

I have a custom interior in my '63 Custom but I really dig the chromed stock door panels.
They were available not long ago. Don't know if they are still available but they really set off the interior.
Reminds me of my Grandmother's chrome and linoleum kitchen table back in the '60s.
The Space Age theme fits the fins.

Joe

[poboyjo65]

I like it ! although it wood look good with the black panels you have drawn up I agree with Joe on the panels, the chrome would look great & go with the seats you want too.

[Jims65cyclone]

That would look really sharp!

Jim

[darryl27529]

Been talking with Jake at FalconCometInterior. I do like the chrome inserts. One of the things that I want to do is brighten up the interior. Never really considered white/red combo since Clyde has black carpet and black headliner. Any opinions on whether a black headliner would go with these seats?

Space Age Door Panel (I believe they were stock on an S22).

Comet Panel 1-2.jpg (78.4 KiB) Viewed 2051 times

I like the red and white but just not sure with black headliner and carpet

Comet Interior 1.jpg (177.03 KiB) Viewed 2051 times

[poboyjo65]

I like your black & red seat idea better,& would go great with the chrome panels,& black carpet & headliner. I think the black would make the chrome pop more. throw some red floor mats in,that'll brighten it up! I could never keep the white clean ,it would look ruff in just a few years if I had it. but you dont have to please me or anyone else,only yourself!

[Joe Travers]

Cool you have the chrome panels Wonder if the window crank handles w/ chrome knobs are still available?
If I ever replace interior in mine, original panels are going back on for sure because I really dig 'em!

Joe

[JimsHot66]

If you've already got a black headliner and carpet I'd go with the red/black seats. The chrome door panels look great and should brighten things up a bit. It'll look awesome!

Jim

[darryl27529]

Thanks for the input regarding the interior. I think I am gonna wait until I put some more miles on the car.

Been working on installing a new door release latch and window regulator. The driver window in particular has been hard to roll up so I picked up a new regulator from Mac's. Man, what a difference it makes. Super easy and quiet to roll up and down. I think I gonna do the other side when the offer free shipping again.

Also noticed a little bit of coolant inside so thinking a new heater core is next.

[darryl27529]

Finally a nice warm day in North Carolina. I think January lasted about 47 days. I pushed the Comet outside so I could install the heater core.

rad 5.jpg (17.54 KiB) Viewed 1960 times

A few weeks ago I noticed some antifreeze making its way inside. I pulled the heater core and decided to replace the motor and core while it was out. I picked up an aluminum heater core for about $60 from NAPA and once I got the old one out I couldn't bring myself to use it. The old one was copper and brass and just looked much heavier and well built. Local shop that did my radiator said $250 -$300 for re-core (copper is expensive). So I called FalconParts.com and got one sent on Thursday last week. To my surprise, it was dropped off this afternoon so I got to work.

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This one is the heater core for a newer Comet as it was only 2 inches thick. Their supplier for the 2.5 inch thick went belly up. I filled up the space around the edge with some camper tape for truck tops.

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Seems to fit in there nicely and I forgot to take a pic with foam in place. Time will tell but super impressed with the quality of the part and the service from Falcon Parts.

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