Lou's 65 Comet Build

[tomb22]

Sounds awesome Lou

[Lou's Comet]

Sounds great! So I looked back to see the date of your first post,,,,, been a while!!
Any idea when that power will move that machine?

Thanks Fred,,,,,I wish I knew when,,, The list is getting smaller tho !!

The next part is installing shifter and fabricating shift rods. I have an old Mr Gasket V-gate that I want to use but don't have the mount/rods. Thinking I am just going to cut the shifter side of the transmission tunnel out. Get the shifter installed where I want it, fab some shift rods, then making a panel for the tunnel.

Interior is pretty much done, except carpet and mounting seats

Brakes need done, drive shaft and loop, exhaust, side and rear glass. Wiring the rear lights. and few other small stuff. So I am hoping this fall?

Sounds awesome Lou

Thanks Tom!

Lou

[Sugarmaker]

Lou,
Your Comet is going to look awesome on the street!

[Lou's Comet]

Lou,
Your Comet is going to look awesome on the street!

Thanks Chris,

[Caveman49]

The next part is installing shifter and fabricating shift rods. I have an old Mr Gasket V-gate that I want to use but don't have the mount/rods. Thinking I am just going to cut the shifter side of the transmission tunnel out. Get the shifter installed where I want it, fab some shift rods, then making a panel for the tunnel.
Lou

Lou, the Mr. Gasket V-gate is a great shifter. I had one in a 66 Chevelle, 454 ((LS6) with the rock crusher 4spd, that thing never missed a gear.

[Lou's Comet]

Lou, the Mr. Gasket V-gate is a great shifter. I had one in a 66 Chevelle, 454 ((LS6) with the rock crusher 4spd, that thing never missed a gear.

Always liked the 66 Chevelles, LS6 4 speed sounds like it was a real fun car. I have a BBC (just 350 horse) in my boat.

I had a V-gate shifter in a 68 GTO back when I was young,,,,,fond memories . Looking forward to shifting one again!!!

Lou

[Caveman49]

I had it in 71 when I was stationed in VA, got out of the Army there and carried mail in the Chevelle in Arlington, it was a blast to drive and race. Had a straight axle and 4:88s in back, I did run it a couple times at the Manassas VA drag strip. Ran low 7s when I was hooking, and the wheels didn’t go to high . This was an 1/8th mile track, never got to a 1/4 mile track, but it would run.

I tried two Hurst comp +s couldn’t hit 3rd gear all the time with my power shifts, traded them both for the V-gate, man what difference, at least for me. The pattern was perfect, straight forward and back, and it had much thicker shift rods. I basically gave one away a couple years ago to a friend. I gotta see what parts I still have laying around, I know there’s some 4 spd brackets, but not sure what for, will have to unwrap them.

[Lou's Comet]

I had it in 71 when I was stationed in VA, got out of the Army there and carried mail in the Chevelle in Arlington, it was a blast to drive and race. Had a straight axle and 4:88s in back, I did run it a couple times at the Manassas VA drag strip. Ran low 7s when I was hooking, and the wheels didn’t go to high . This was an 1/8th mile track, never got to a 1/4 mile track, but it would run.

Sounds like a Blast! Would have just got me a few more visits to magistrates

Lou

[Lou's Comet]

Started on my shifter today. Got it mounted to trans.



Wasn't to hard after cutting a minor hole in the tunnel, lol



Not going to be able to save the brace, going to have to cut it. But should be extremely easy to make shift linkage after brace is cut. Put the seat in place to see how close it was.





Have plenty of room. Seems like shifter is in a pretty comfortable position.

Here are pictures with the shifter in 1st



And 2nd



Going to install steering wheel so I can adjust seat to steering wheel, and check position of shifter again. Thinking it is where I want it. If I need to move it back some the mount has an extra setof mounting holes 2" further back.



After everything is done I will make a panel to cover the hole..

Lou

[Caveman49]

Love it, especially the reverse lockout skull. Make sure your seat is well supported, don’t need to be banging gears and have the seat go sliding back on you….. ask me how I know…

[SASSY]

Yep, had one in the Comet behind the 351C, didn't have to worry about Marilyn driving it,, lol
Sold to Brian Gugenmos a long time member here who isn't around so much anymore.

[Sugarmaker]

Lou,
Your comet build: All the words have been written but I must add some too. These 66 pages are an inspiration for anyone working on a car. (Yep read every page and tried to absorb some of your details) If any one questions the cost of good body work and a over the top paint job they need to read this build thread! I can see the things you do are not your work, they are for sure, your passion! The willingness to share the details of your build is amazing. Walking us through your thought process is a real tribute to your teaching skills! The engine sounds wonderful! What a strong thump-er. I love all the gauges on the engine to monitor running conditions!
So you are about 2 hours from me. When you get that beautiful beast on the road take a trip up I-79 from Pittsburgh almost to Erie and visit. Maybe give me a ride in it?
After having driven a Comet for about 6 months I can almost now relate to these cars. And we are enjoying ours. Seven car events in 7 days this week.
This site and the folks on it have helped me tremendously in the small tasks we have completed on our little red Comet.
Lou, Does your slick black Comet have a name? It should!

[Caveman49]

LIKE BUTTON HIT. Spot on Chris.

[Lou's Comet]

Thanks Chris!

Yea I love working on cars, alway have. Having a lot of fun doing my own car
Yea if I am up in your area I will definitely stop by.

Worked some more on the shifter, I cut the brace out of my way.



Now I have plenty of room for linkage. I ordered a shifter installation kit with rods I think will work. If not it at least gives me something to start with. While I am waiting for the kit I started working on shifter hump and tunnel piece. Will make them in two pieces. Made some poster board templates to give me a rough idea where everything will fit and what size shifter boot to look for.







Then put the seat in place to make sure everything clears





It is close, but it does all fit. Once I get the linkage all installed I will trim and try to get a little more clearance for shifter hump to seat.

I also polished the rear window trim and got the rear glass ready to install



And my rear brake kit came Saturday



Before installing rear brakes need to set pinion angle, weld perches, and paint rear. Then get a driveshaft made.

Then glass, finish wiring, interior, etc, etc, etc, lol

Lou

[tomb22]

You put a lot of thought into the design of your car Lou. I love the outcome. Thanks for all the pictures.
Tom