My first 1964 Caliente/Comet project

The Era of The Square Body Racing Comets
Red Lehr
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Location: New Athens,Illinois

Re: My first 1964 Caliente/Comet project

Post by Red Lehr »

Here is where the body will sit. Definitely going to need a tear drop hood !! You can see where the old frame was and where the new frame will be, almost 3 inches difference.
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1964 Comet Caliente/1964 Galaxie 500

vicegrip
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Re: My first 1964 Caliente/Comet project

Post by vicegrip »

I don't know,Red.You might be running into other problems with that arrangement...Like coilovers being too short and not enough adjustment left to set the camber if you want to keep the car level.Guys usually want to keep the motor as low in the body as they can.It's your car and I definitely see that you know what you're doing but IMO,I guess I would modify the "S" at the firewall.Would be a lot of work and I would hate hacking up that frame.It's the kind of pickle I usually end up with.Kinda hurts my brain thinking about it.

Red Lehr
Posts: 127
Joined: Tue May 06, 2014 10:32 pm
Location: New Athens,Illinois

Re: My first 1964 Caliente/Comet project

Post by Red Lehr »

vicegrip wrote:I don't know,Red.You might be running into other problems with that arrangement...Like coilovers being too short and not enough adjustment left to set the camber if you want to keep the car level.Guys usually want to keep the motor as low in the body as they can.It's your car and I definitely see that you know what you're doing but IMO,I guess I would modify the "S" at the firewall.Would be a lot of work and I would hate hacking up that frame.It's the kind of pickle I usually end up with.Kinda hurts my brain thinking about it.
Modifying the curve at the firewall was my first instinct also. I called the company that made the frame and they suggested against that move.Any altering I do to the frame is going to change the wheel base, or something else. I'm still scratching my head over this one.....I'll be doing a lot of mocking up to see how it will all work. I really don't know what I'm doing, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night !! LOL
1964 Comet Caliente/1964 Galaxie 500

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loman
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Re: My first 1964 Caliente/Comet project

Post by loman »

If the guys who built the frame say not to modify the s next to the firewall, did they offer any suggestions on what they would do? Could you cut the entire s out of the frame and have a new one made at the correct angle to tie it all back together. That way your not modifying the s and weakening it. You would then be welding on the straight sections of the frame which would be easier to weld and beef up at the splices.
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Red Lehr
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Location: New Athens,Illinois

Re: My first 1964 Caliente/Comet project

Post by Red Lehr »

Here is how it looks with the body tacked on.....
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1964 Comet Caliente/1964 Galaxie 500

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loman
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Re: My first 1964 Caliente/Comet project

Post by loman »

It looks like it has a nice stance in those pictures.
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Red Lehr
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Re: My first 1964 Caliente/Comet project

Post by Red Lehr »

loman wrote:If the guys who built the frame say not to modify the s next to the firewall, did they offer any suggestions on what they would do? Could you cut the entire s out of the frame and have a new one made at the correct angle to tie it all back together. That way your not modifying the s and weakening it. You would then be welding on the straight sections of the frame which would be easier to weld and beef up at the splices.
That was my first thought also and that was the idea I suggested to the fabricator who built the frame and he said that I should not go that route. I don't have enough experience in that area when it comes to frame work, but what would be the difference in doing that as opposed to tying in new frame rails to the old frame rails at the firewall as many people have done ? They actually did not have a solution to the problem.....
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1964 Comet Caliente/1964 Galaxie 500

Red Lehr
Posts: 127
Joined: Tue May 06, 2014 10:32 pm
Location: New Athens,Illinois

Re: My first 1964 Caliente/Comet project

Post by Red Lehr »

loman wrote:It looks like it has a nice stance in those pictures.
The stance does look good, but I only have about an inch of clearance when I turn the wheels from hitting the wheel wells. Is this too close for comfort ??? I do not have the fenders bolted on exactly where they need to be , I just put them om to get an idea of how things would look as a mock up.
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1964 Comet Caliente/1964 Galaxie 500

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SASSY
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Re: My first 1964 Caliente/Comet project

Post by SASSY »

Hey Red great look!
As I understand it you are concerned about the wheels hitting the front of the lip when turning?
I doubt it will be a problem, your turning speeds will be slow so tire deformation will be almost zero.
Do the wheels contact the lip at the top when turned?
12 inches to the center of the front xmember,,! Man now I gotta go measure mine as the front of my car is quite low too! :lol: 8)
Fred
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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loman
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Re: My first 1964 Caliente/Comet project

Post by loman »

Red, do you have the inner fender braces on? If not, maybe installing the brace might get you a little more clearance. Or if the fender brace pulls it in, then maybe you could fab a new one a little longer to gain clearance that you desire but not too long as to put a lot of pressure to the lower fender.
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vicegrip
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Re: My first 1964 Caliente/Comet project

Post by vicegrip »

Red,that won't be an issue.Mine were at least as close and I was worried about it at first but drove the car for 10 yrs and the tires never hit. Running skinnies is way better than wider tires in that respect.The engine placement,header fitment,tunnel clearance,everything under the hood is going to change some.Mock things up real good before final welding.

Oury10
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Re: My first 1964 Caliente/Comet project

Post by Oury10 »

fairlaniac wrote:
Red Lehr wrote:Well, my Comet arrived today and I'm pumped to get started !! She's not a raving beauty,but it sure looks solid underneath. I also bought 2 doors and a trunk deck lid to go with it from the seller.It was worth the trip to Wisc. to get it,and there is no engine or tranny. I plan on putting a 390 stroker in it and a toploader also.This will be a street machine with a few trips to the track(maybe Lol).
I'm going to need lots of help fellas ,I just hope you don't get tired of all my questions !! I've got thick skin,so don't be afraid to tell me how it is !!


Thanks in advance for all the help !!
Red

Here are some pics after we got her home today 8/19/14

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p63 ... 2e3abd.jpg
http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p63 ... 00309f.jpg
http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p63 ... 5a0e25.jpg
rachat de credit meilleur taux
http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p63 ... 96b148.jpg
http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p63 ... 475ece.jpg
http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p63 ... 45074e.jpg
Looking good Red! I can see it in a few years at the FE Race & Reunion. (2) '64 Comets battling it out for Pro FE. It should be a nice brat hauler!
Hi, don't be afraid for questions we are here to help each other and i also think it should be a nice kid transporter

Red Lehr
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Location: New Athens,Illinois

Re: My first 1964 Caliente/Comet project

Post by Red Lehr »

Well, It's been a while since the last post and I'm pretty well healed up after ankle fusion surgery last July. It's been a long winter not being able to work on the Comet much but that is gonna change.
Over the winter I acquired another '64 Comet Caliente pro street project that some of you are familiar with. Just couldn't pass it up....Does this make me an official '64 Comet hoarder ?? LOL The red Comet seems to have a shortened 60 Dana rear end in it, 4 brand new Hoosier tires, new Alumistar wheels, new frame with a Mustang II front end, 4 link in rear. If anyone is really interested I'd part with it, if not I will probably part it out.
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1964 Comet Caliente/1964 Galaxie 500

lavron
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Re: My first 1964 Caliente/Comet project

Post by lavron »

Red Lehr wrote:If anyone is really interested I'd part with it, if not I will probably part it out.
Wow that looks like an awfully nice project to just part out, hopefully someone will want it and finish it up, it doesn't look like it would take much, I assume it is a roller now from the second picture?

What is missing from the red Comet besides the floors?

Keep up the good work on your first Comet I have enjoyed the updates.

See Ya,
Mike
Mike's build thread
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=13058
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Bkwudz
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Re: My first 1964 Caliente/Comet project

Post by Bkwudz »

Fantastic work, love it

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