Resurrecting my 71 Comet 302

Discussion in 'Technical' started by RustyMack, Feb 13, 2022.

  1. RustyMack

    RustyMack Member

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    My high school bought car way back when it was new, now is out of the garage after sitting for a few years. It needs brakes and paint.

    It is one of those plain-jane models that Mercury built which had only a 302 and 3 on the floor. I bought it new. It now has a toploader 4 speed. But the brakes are in serious need of attention.

    I have 5 lug factory wheels. The easiest route would be 4 drums, assorted hardware and master cylinder. I saw a seller on Ebay that is selling disk brake setup for the 5 lug wheel. About $400-

    Not having power brakes, and having to install a proportioning valve would probably be required.

    What have others done to upgrade. This is purely an old mans ride now. Yeah the 302 is a bit hot. The toploader 4 speed was the best thing I ever did to the Comet. I just stumbled upon the retired 3 speed when pulling the car out of its spot. I had forgotten about it.

    Ideas?
     
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  2. RustyMack

    RustyMack Member

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    The car in question
     

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  3. ADOR

    ADOR Member

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    I installed that exact same eBay kit in mine. I went with a later model maverick/comet master and a new valve for disk/drum setup.
     
  4. RustyMack

    RustyMack Member

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    Did it bolt up as they state? I have not had the drums off in years. So I have forgotten what its going to look like when the wheel comes off....

    Is a proportioning valve absolute on non power brakes?
     
  5. ADOR

    ADOR Member

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    They bolted right up, no problems there.

    I had to change out the main valve block from a Drum/Drum one to a Disk/Drum one.

    [​IMG]

    Then ran new lines from the master cylinder to the main block.
     
  6. RustyMack

    RustyMack Member

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    the link I found last night I can no longer find. It was about 400 bucks for a complete non slotted setup Now I cant find that link....on Ebay

    It costs about the same as new drums, new cylinders new hardware, new shoes etc to put a disk brake setup on
     
  7. mojo

    mojo "Everett"- Senior Citizen Supporting Member

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    Forget about the drums, going to disk are a No-Brainer! Probably best thing you will do, matching or exceeding the satisfaction going from 3 speed to toploader.
     
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  8. RustyMack

    RustyMack Member

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    Somewhere along the line in the past 5 years, I had brakes put on this Comet. I spent the day with the car up on a car carrier, I pulled each wheel and drums. Everything is brand new. I guess I am getting forgetful. Maybe I did brakes on it or had a shop do brakes. All I know is everything is brand new and not leaking. The dragging brake was over-tightened brake.
     
  9. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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