1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Build

[darryl27529]

So the 1962 Comet made way for its little brother a 64 that I picked up today. I really like four horizontal headlights. Details to come. I missed you guys. Darryl

[poboyjo65]

Well that didn't take long ! a week maybe? Welcome back !

[Jims65cyclone]

Man! You don't mess around! Welcome back! Looking forward to following your new build.

Jim

[Joe Travers]

Oh, yeah..............You caught the bug!

Joe

[SASSY]

So the 1962 Comet made way for its little brother a 64 that I picked up today. I REALLY LIKE THE 4 HORIZONTAL HEADLIGHTS. Details to come. I missed you guys. Darryl

That's the way to step up, put the crest on your chest and walk proud!!

Lolol

[darryl27529]

As some of you know, Clyde (1962 Comet) found a new home a few weeks ago to a fellow North Carolinian. He has to tidy some things up but I think he is very happy. I wasnt really looking for a new project but I was surfing Facebook and found this 1964 Comet (big fan of the horizontal four) that was a little rough and a little rusty. Browsing through the pics it caught my eye because of what was under the car. Ford 9 inch with a four link. Only some serious hot rodders do that. ..
I contacted the seller (impressive young lady who know her stuff about engines and cars) and she was selling her fathers Comet project. He ran out of time to finish the project. I convinced my buddy to go with me and we jumped in the trucks and will some help from Uhaul brought the Comet home. I was trying to convince myself that I didnt need another project you know how that goes... this one I couldn't pass up and I have plans to continue the build in the direction it is headed. Lots of parts and pieces to go through and organize my plan. Thankfully, there is a lot of documentation about the build.

Much more to come and a few pics for now...

Back 1.jpg (49.7 KiB) Viewed 4599 times

Back 2.jpg (42.26 KiB) Viewed 4599 times

Engine 1.jpg (65.19 KiB) Viewed 4599 times

[wgreggking]

Did you get any missing parts,trim, tail lights, bumpers, interior? (the hard to find ones)

[Joe Travers]

New rear quarter panels! That's a monkey off your back
What is engine displacement?

Cool find

Joe

[darryl27529]

Hi Guys.

I have most of the trim I believe along with lots of parts and some extras. Some details that I know so far.

Engine: 351W bored and stroked to 427; Yates C3 heads MSD ignition
Transmission: I got 2. One I think it a C4. It has a thick racing style bell housing and the other is a Borg Warner (maybe T56)
Rear: Currie Ford 9 inch with 3.50 gears

I had to add some shelving in this garage for all of the extra parts. Missing a windshield and driveshaft.

I am trying to inventory some of the parts but I believe most of everything is here. If interested, here is a video of it on the car hauler:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hPctRFpPXfw

[SASSY]

Looks to be a great start! Im sure youll turn it into a stunner!

[darryl27529]

Looking for information on putting a T56 6 speed in a vintage Ford or Mercury. Anyone have any details about how they made it work?

[wgreggking]

Some good info here on trans swap
https://www.moderndriveline.com/shop/so ... n-package/

[SASSY]

I wondering if some floor modifications may be necessary. I have no experience with your proposed install but looking at pics of those trans there is a lot of bulk above the main shaft centerline. To help decide if there is a problem measure main shaft centerline to top of trans then get main shaft centerline to trans tunnel measurement on a stock trans install from someone here.

[Joe Travers]

I wondering if some floor modifications may be necessary. I have no experience with your proposed install but looking at pics of those trans there is a lot of bulk above the main shaft centerline. To help decide if there is a problem measure main shaft centerline to top of trans then get main shaft centerline to trans tunnel measurement on a stock trans install from someone here.

Good point. I did a lot of research on the older TKO transmissions & that was one drawback to installation. Have to refabricate the transmission tunnel to get it to fit. Not surprising, as the '64 came w/ 5-bolt bellhousing that was shorter than '65 6-bolt. I believe the newer Tremecs are designed to fit better but best to measure, as you mention.

Joe

[A/FX]

A couple of weeks ago I was looking at the Bowler Transmission display at the GoodGuys event in Iowa. The TKX 5 speed looked interesting, even more so was the Bowler designed shifter relocation adapter. This piece mounts the shift lever to the rear and left of center, which looks to be real close to where a factory 4 speed lever is mounted in a Comet.
Here is what they offer for FoMoCo products:
https://shop.bowlertransmissions.com/co ... ype=Manual

The shifter relocation adapter is too new to be on the web site but I am sure if you called them they could provide information on it.
Jim