What did you do to your Maverick or Comet today

Hi Everett:
I was going to replace the column shift lever collar with one from floor shift that does not have the lever, so while I was at it, decide to do what member Tody did on his, see post #714
http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/72-mercury-comet-gt-in-germany.55285/page-48
I never did like the rag joint, so when I saw what Thomas (Tody) did, that was when I decided to do the same! Proper U-joint, 3/4" DD shaft cut, attached to upper OEM shaft in a way that will still allow it to "collapse" in case of accident and a bearing at the bottom for support.
I trust your summer has been great so far? I see that you did get out to a car show last weekend!
David

 

I used this one with the vibration dampener.

 

Took the Mav to the local show and shine. That was the last one of the year, and they will be replaced with Wednesday night cruises and dinner. Also included is a pic of a flathead V-8.

 

Finished up the MDL Hydraulic Clutch Pedal linkage/rod, new hole drilled in pedal, made a coupler out of brass pipe fitting, everything lines up, just have to make a pedal stop so not to bottom out the M/C......
David

 

You sticking with top loader or going 5 speed?

 

Staying with the 4 speed for now......

 

Finishing up U-Joint project on steering column, fabricated collar for bearing and pressed tube to fit 3/4" DD shaft, just have to cut shaft to size and drill/tap to secure.........
Also found this on eBay, had I known earlier........
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2849111476...wSKmouvLb9I7pWqGSJEj7qG7Pct5|tkp:BFBMlOXu8Odg
David

 

Finished the steering project..........now the shaft is supported by the original upper bearing and new lower bearing. I still have my original 73 column and compared the 2 units, definitely can feel the difference between them, having the lower bearing installed much smoother. Can not wait to install in the Comet!
David

 

Put a real trans cooler in. Used #6 hose and fitting. Special fittings to the 5/16" steel line. Never liked the steel lines to the radiator that much and never use rubber hoses and clamps. Do it right the first time or get ready to do it again.

 

Finally got radiator in, made a guard for front.

 

I timed the engine. I had painted the lines on the harmonic balancer but the were still hard to see. I thickened the line at 6 deg BTDC and then adjusted the dizzy such that the line was at the pointer. It immediately picked up some rpm and became smoother. It appears it was at TDC prior to this. The car definitely runs better. I reconnected the vacuum line and took it for a run on the highway. I plan to advance it a bit more. I’m current running premium gasoline to allow me to experiment with the advance.

 

Got the steering column installed........
David

 

Was the car original manual shift, or you converted?

 

Hi Everett:
Both my 73 and 74 Comets where column shift auto's, when I had my 74, converted it to manual Toploader 4 speed, but left the column shift handle on, would always mess with people at car shows, could not figure if it was auto or manual.
Finally when I got my 73, figured it was about time to change the auto shift column collar out, kept my steering column from my 71 Comet GT, which was 3 speed manual on the floor, so had the correct collar for the swap......
So since I was going to change out the collar, it was also a good time to replace the rag joint with U-Joint.......
Had to fabricate a couple of foam gaskets for steering column/firewall, as I forgot where I put the replacement one I purchased years ago. First one the column hole was off, so had to make 2nd one........terrible getting old, can not remember where I put everything......
As the car slowly getting put back together, I am sure I will find duplicates of parts I purchased years ago........
David

 

Removed the blower getting the motor set right & should be running soon!