COMET CENTRAL

Baby steps... started working on the headliner and realized that the previous owner had ordered the wrong one so waiting on another one from Jake at Falcon parts. I have been calculating widths for wheels and tires. While a widebody Comet I think sounds kind of cool or some minitubs in the back, I think it gets me a little too far offtrack and I want to be driving this summer. That being said, I think I settled on the Scott Drake 15X6 Styled Steel wheels. I think Bruce's 63 looks sharp with them and its one of the few 15X6 wheels with a 4 inch backspace. I just cant seem to get the Torq Thrusts to fit (at least on paper). I drove by a car dealership tonight in Clayton that had a 65 Mustang with these wheels and it looks sharp. See image: I did get a new steering wheel installed. Plan to work on glass installation next while I wait on the headliner.

Quick update. Got the glass and vent windows installed. It has been time consuming just because the window channels seem to be a little bit off. Got the trunk lock working. It was missing the sleeve and rod that I made out of an old flashlight and screwdriver. Also installed a B&M Megashifter. I like the old school hotrod look and I think it makes a more positive shift with the C4. Still waiting on a headliner and windshield. Progress is slower than I would like but I'm OK with taking baby steps. Everything seems to take a little longer than it should and the 62 can put up a good fight. I did order some flexible window channel for the rear. I ordered some wheels and they should be here in a few weeks. Will post some pics once installed.

She's really looking good! She'll really be sharp with the new wheels.

Jim

Update: Been traveling a little with work so progress slowed a little. I have been working on getting the headliner installed and still waiting on the wheels. They have been backordered til the end of March. I guess the Corona virus is slowing down the build. I got the Global West 1 inch lowered springs installed today. Pretty easy job just be careful and take your time. The spring compressor needed a little modification to get it to work. Also got all the door and trunk weatherstripping installed. Its pretty easy once you watch a couple videos. The key was putting on a light bead of the 3M 80080 on both surfaces and then spread it with a small piece of wood; I used a little piece of cardboard. That gets it to tack over and then it instantly bonds and will stay in place. I like the new look with the lowered springs. Not sure what was on it but they were 4.5 inches! taller than the ones from Global West. I have all the glass to finish up so now waiting on the headliner to be done. See pics below.

The stance looks like what it should from factory if they hadn't messed up and made them sit so high

It is looking good, came a long way since you started.

See Ya,
Mike

Felt like I got a lot accomplished today. I installed a sheet metal barrier between the trunk and occupant area. I used aluminum sheet metal with E6000 glue and rivets. I wanted it to be lightweight and not rattle as a I drive the car. I have a cardboard cover that I used some adhesive and glued it to the sheet metal to help keep the rattles down. I also got the tires installed. I decided to go with 15X6 Torq Thrust on 195/65/15 BFGoodrich Advantage Sports. I think they look really good on the car (shout out to Jim). I have to trim the lip on the rear fenderwells to get them to fit (slight rub) or I can shorten the Ford 8 inch. My long term plan is to install disc brakes on all four corners so I may hold out for a 8.8 axle and do the narrowing trick like others have done. Not sure yet. Other news is that I got the rear glass installed. Its pretty tricky and took me about 1.5 hours by myself but I was taking my time and trying not to force it too much. My kids are starting to show a little excitement as its starting to look more like a car. I used to have a 1976 Jeep CJ5 Renegade (Firecracker red) that my oldest daughter and I would drive on Sunday afternoons. I am hoping the Comet will fill that gap this summer. We shall see.

That is going to be a SHARP lookin' Comet!

Jim

Looks awesome Darryl
tom

Good news and not so good news. Took today off to get some work done on the Comet and to get my mind off the coronavirus. I am working on upgrading the brakes and wanted to get the windshield installed. For pros, its probably pretty easy but this my first windshield installation as no one seems to watch to touch it since its oldschool. That being said, I got the Wilwood brakes installed a couple nights ago and then tackled the windshield this morning. Each took about 3 hours and lots of patience. An extra set of hands helps too. Just getting the rubber installed around the glass and the trim pieces took about 2 hours. Lots of on and off but eventually with my wife and oldest daughters help, the windshield is in. The not so good news is that the wheels rub slightly. Even with trimming, I would need to roll the wheel arches to get the new wheels to fit. Gonna roll with the steel wheels on the back for now and consider the Ford 8.8 axle more seriously. Thats about it for now. Lay low and stay safe.

darryl27529 wrote:The not so good news is that the wheels rub slightly. Even with trimming, I would need to roll the wheel arches to get the new wheels to fit.

One of the hardest things is getting tires to fit on the back of a Comet (I guess any car with enclosed wheel wells) I am sure you will get it to work out in the end judging from everything you have done so far.

Thanks for sharing.

See Ya,
Mike

Darryl, the car is sweet, hope you bite the bullet and do the 8.8
Fred

Been working mostly on the interior and quarter windows. Headliner is done but has some wrinkles. Hoping they will fall out with some heat and time. Also installed the quarter windows and metal trim. The real fun is about to begin with the engine. I poured some Marvel mystery oil in the cylinders and turned it over by hand. Gonna let is sit til this weekend and then see if I can get it to start. It looks pretty clean and I checked under valve covers and it looks like a rebuilt engine as the previous owner stated. I think it will run with some time and effort. I pushed it out today to wash off the pollen; North Carolina has its own version of a gold rush in middle March. I hope to have it running in the next couple weeks. Stay safe.

Looks awesome out in the sunshine all cleaned up. Good luck with the motor.

See Ya,
Mike

Thanks Mike. I'll keep you posted.

She's a good lookin' ride! Where are you located in NC?

Jim