1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

The Era of The Square Body Racing Comets
darryl27529
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Re: 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

Post by darryl27529 »

More searching. Found the dyno numbers and plugged them into a spreadsheet. The curve looks real similar to Richards Clevor motor.
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darryl27529
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Re: 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

Post by darryl27529 »

It brings up a question, maybe silly one. Where is the streetable part of that graph?
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Joe Travers
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Re: 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

Post by Joe Travers »

darryl27529 wrote:
Thu Aug 04, 2022 4:27 pm
It brings up a question, maybe silly one. Where is the streetable part of that graph?
Here's a speed calculator so you can figure it out. I think TKO-600 transmission is about the same as the T-56 gearset, 1>5.
https://shiftsst.com/speed-analyzer

You have a mega-ton of untapped power driving on the street legally.

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

darryl27529
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Re: 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

Post by darryl27529 »

Looking for suggestions for a harness bar/ roll bar. Should I buy a kit or take it to a fab shop? What did you do for a roll bar?
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A/FX
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Re: 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

Post by A/FX »

darryl27529 wrote:
Mon Aug 08, 2022 12:05 pm
Looking for suggestions for a harness bar/ roll bar. Should I buy a kit or take it to a fab shop? What did you do for a roll bar?
If you have a fab shop that is convenient I would go that route. When I built my bar I started out with some 1 1/2” PVC plumbing pipe and a heat gun. I designed the bar to fit the body in both height and width, the top of the bar just clears the headliner and has a slight peak in the center. After I had the PVC cut and formed to the shape I wanted I took it to a local chassis fabrication shop, they then bent all the tubing to match my pattern. The material is 1 3/4” DOM seamless tubing. When I had all the steel tubing I fit it to the car, made all the mounts, and tig welded everything together. I used roll bar joints similar to these: https://cagetec.net/product/1-3-4″-44-4 ... be-joiner/ this allowed the bar to be installed or removed easier, the bar is bolted to heavy mounts that are welded to the sub frame. The cross bar behind the seats is curved to allow full travel of the seats, it is also installed at the correct height in relationship to the seat height so the shoulder harnesses are installed per the manufactures requirements. The bar is wide enough and tall enough to not interfere with my head if I am strapped in, the last thing I wanted it to hit my head on the bar during an impact. Here are some phots that might help you.
Jim
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‘64 Cyclone/ Boss 302,quads,4spd, Winters 9”

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darryl27529
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Re: 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

Post by darryl27529 »

Thanks Jim. Great idea with the PVC and I appreciate the input. Beautiful car btw.
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tomb22
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Re: 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

Post by tomb22 »

If you know someone who is a electrician they probably could bend up your roll bar. I'm a retired electrician and bent up my roll bar out of 1 1/2" tubing used by stock car racers. Just a thought.
Tom
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tomb's 65

darryl27529
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Re: 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

Post by darryl27529 »

So I have been mulling over what to do with the 427 Clevor motor. The build sheet is very impressive and the motor looks at good as it reads. The issue is that I keep thinking I want to build a cruiser not a weekend drag racer. Where would you go to sell a Ford Small Block intended for drag racing?
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Joe Travers
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Re: 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

Post by Joe Travers »

JMO, I would keep the engine and do a cam swap.

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

A/FX
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Re: 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

Post by A/FX »

darryl27529 wrote:
Tue Aug 30, 2022 4:26 pm
So I have been mulling over what to do with the 427 Clevor motor. The build sheet is very impressive and the motor looks at good as it reads. The issue is that I keep thinking I want to build a cruiser not a weekend drag racer. Where would you go to sell a Ford Small Block intended for drag racing?
I do not remember if you mentioned what the front suspension is in your Comet. If it has the stock shock towers a 351 block with Cleveland heads will be a real tight squeeze. If you have a Mustang II there should be no issues. I would keep the Clevor and make it street friendly, the Wow factor when you open the hood will be worth the trouble. Just my opinion.
Jim
‘64 Cyclone/ Boss 302,quads,4spd, Winters 9”

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darryl27529
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Re: 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

Post by darryl27529 »

Thanks Jim and JT for the input. I think you’re right. It would be cool to open the hood and see it. I just have to build a chassis that can handle the power. It does have a Mustang II up front. I am hoping to do a test fit in the next couple weeks. I’ll post some pics. D
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darryl27529
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Re: 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

Post by darryl27529 »

Progress is slow on the Comet and I need some help. Trying to figure out how to mount the alternator to a set of heads that don’t seem to want it. These are the Yates C3 heads and curious if anyone has seen an alternator mounted on these. The passenger side head has one bolt location that seems to be in the wrong spot. I have the CVF alternator and brackets but it just doesn’t seem to want to go there. My question I guess is it common to have to build custom brackets for Ford small blocks? Also does the hole on the bottom passenger side timing chain cover a threaded connection into the block? Seems like it should be. I tried to show some pics that might help. Darryl
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SASSY
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Re: 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

Post by SASSY »

Wow! That stuff is all above my pay grade!!
I'd probably support it with something where it needed to be and play with cardboard brackets looking for something that worked. But to keep it as crisp as the rest,,,, even chromed steel would look out of place.
I'd rather do it myself if it's done right or not,,,isn't that what hotrodding is all about

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SASSY
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Re: 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

Post by SASSY »

Looking at the pics again,, has the engine been in the car? The lower pulleys and the electric water pump look like they would be in the rad,,,?
I'd rather do it myself if it's done right or not,,,isn't that what hotrodding is all about

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Joe Travers
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Re: 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

Post by Joe Travers »

Would it be best to plumb the head to the thermostat housing first to check interference as well?
Hard to tell but may be a little tight between alternator & hose fitting?

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

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