My '73 Comet GT Restoration Thread

Finally got the steering wheel done today! First I sewed the seam and then glued down the ends on the spokes. Then I slid the leather over the steering wheel and checked to see if everything lined up. So far so good.




Then I started stitching. A few hours later, I was tieing the last knot in place. I have to admit, I impressed myself. It came out great! The new leather is super soft and feels awesome. There are a few imperfections, but I'm not going to point them out, lol. I'm totally stoked.

 

Nice job Rusty...damn sure doesn't look like first time...

 

Thanks! Yep, first time, but I spent a lot of time watching videos on the internet, lol.

 

Next project: rebuild my HVAC box.

 

Today I started tearing down my HVAC box. First I tested the vacuum actuators with my hand held vacuum pump. The only bad one is the defroster actuator. Gotta see about getting a new one. The tear down commenced.





This box is filthy. Can you tell that my cowl hat was leaking? I may be fabricating a new lower hat for this box.



Once I get the evaporator and heater core out and cleaned, I am going to pressure test them. I hope they are good.

 

Ordered some parts that I know I will need for this HVAC rebuild.

1971-73 Mustang heater control valve vacuum switch.



New defroster door vacuum actuator that I think I can modify to fit.


1971-73 Mustang A/C heater box reseal kit.



I'm thinking about upgrading my evaporator to a newer style evaporator. Classic Auto Air makes an improved 1971-73 Mustang evaporator. Not sure if it is a direct replacement or not. Anyone used one?
https://originalair.com/71-73-mustang-evaporator-coil-new

 

I just looked at my box compared to yours; my cowl hat looked new compared to urs. I feel vry lucky after seeing this one. Only vac. motor I had to replace was the one nr the pass door. I had the evap. tested, cleaned it, painted it and re-installed it.

 

Looks like you have your work cut-out for you, Rusty! those heater boxes can be a "Pandora's Box" sometimes. Leaky cowls certainly do take their toll on the rest of the car.

 

Nicely done, Mojo! Hopefully mine turns out as nice.

Yep, a cowl leak definitely adds work, lol. But, once it is done, it will last a very long time.

 

Just ordered a repopped hvac intake bezel for a 1971-73 Mustang. It looks to be close to mine. I'll know once I have it in my hands!

 

Finished tearing my HVAC box down. Cleaned everything up.


I removed the toasted intake bezel. I've got a Mustang repop coming. I'm hoping it is close enough to work.


Once my reseal kit shows up, I will clean all the old foam off of the doors.


Also need to figure out a way to reshape my blower box. The opening is sagging.

 

On a side note, I could not pass up a local craigslist deal. I snagged it for $200. 351w air gap, brand new in the box. Wasn't planning on starting to work on the engine build. I've got big plans for this intake, though.

 

I had the same issues with the warped heater box. I heated it up with a heat gun and locked it into place with some heavy pieces of flat steel until it cooled again. Worked for me.

Micah

 

Thanks for the tip! I'll give it a try.

 

Today I painted up the HVAC box brackets, vacuum motors and the doors. Still waiting on backordered HVAC parts, so I will have to wait until those come in to move forward.


So, while I wait for HVAC parts, I moved on to another project. I'm converting my newly acquired 351w airgap to multi-port fuel injection. I bought injector bungs from Ross Machine Racing. I have never done this before, so my plan was to just take my time and be patient. I drilled in 1/8" increments so that I could go slow and correct any misalignment issues.


Step one was to jig up the drill press for repeatable, steady drilling. I created a fence using angle iron so that all the holes are inline. I'm installing the bungs straight up (90° to the machined valley surfaces of the intake manifold).



I started drilling with 3/16 bit. It was a little tricky getting it started since the runners are at different angles.


I finished up today with 1/2" holes. Tomorrow I will finish drilling them out to 3/4", which is the OD of the injector bungs. I had fun! I like the way it is coming out so far.