73 Comet rear shocks mounting

Discussion in 'Technical' started by buba6, Dec 17, 2014.

  1. buba6

    buba6 Member

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    Hi guys, it seams my Comet has something strange installed in the back, for sure those are not oryginal shocks and mounts. Can you post any picture how shocks are mounted to the bottom of the car? Many thanks!
     
  2. tody

    tody Member

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    here's what it looks like:

    [​IMG]

    i have a spare pair of the mounting brackets, in case you need them.
     
  3. buba6

    buba6 Member

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    so I have a wrong set of new shocks, they are with the same type of mounting as in the bottom part, so a bolt stcking out.
     
  4. tody

    tody Member

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    sounds like it - can you post pictures? i have a set of nearly new kyb gr2 shocks as well ;)
     
  5. Craig Selvey

    Craig Selvey Indiana State Rep - MCCI

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    Curious how they mounted that.
     
  6. buba6

    buba6 Member

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    ok, so I need to buy new shocks, any tips on some performance shock? Something that will improve handling with stiffer and lower spring.
     
  7. CaptainComet

    CaptainComet Large Member

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    Buba,
    That sounds like shocks that would fit a 70-71 Torino, and perhaps a Mustang from around that time. I remember sitting inside the trunk to have bolt the shocks on my Torino. They really must have changed the upper mount, because Mavs didn't come that way.

    If there is a way to get a brand and/or part number from the shocks on your car, you should be able to do an online search and work backwards. Shock manufacturers will frequently list the applications for each model. Once you know that, you can look for other options that would fit one of those cars. One thing to be careful of is to make sure that the shock you choose has enough working range ... at least as much travel as a stock Maverick shock. Too little, and it may be possible to fully extend the shock, and that could potentially lift the tire, making for some very evil handling and possible shock damage.
     
  8. buba6

    buba6 Member

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    I think I will fab a mounting for those Mustang shock that I have, becouse I can not find any performance shocks for my Comet, unless you have any tips what shocks to use.
     
  9. CaptainComet

    CaptainComet Large Member

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    The Torino (and maybe my 65 Mustang now that I think about it) had the shocks mounted through the floor ... probably through a cross-member for reinforcement. It was open to the top, in the trunk floor, after popping an oval rubber cap off of the opening, if I am recalling this correctly.

    I wrote this tech article a while back, but it applies to a replacement for our original shocks ... your upper mount is different ....
    http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/more-options-for-rear-shocks-for-our-cars.50105/
     
  10. buba6

    buba6 Member

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    My 65 and 68 Mustang have exactly the same shocks as those that I have bought for my Comet, as you say they mount in to the cross member. I do not why I did not look at the old ones when I was ordering the new ones, but on the other hand Mustang Plus had them listed as the one that fit Comets. Just to clarify, I have the oryginal mounting, just ordered the wrong shocks.
     
  11. rthomas771

    rthomas771 Member

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    My Falcon has studs on both ends also. Best I can remember...there's 3 layers of metal the shock's stud passes through at the floor pan

    [​IMG]
     
  12. tody

    tody Member

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    do you want to have the kyb shocks pictured above?
    swapped them out with roughly 5.000km on them.
     
  13. buba6

    buba6 Member

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  14. buba6

    buba6 Member

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  15. CaptainComet

    CaptainComet Large Member

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    Ah .... the joys of owning a Comet. You will see many incorrect listings for parts for Comets, mainly due to the fact that they didn't start in our body style until 71. It was an intermediate-sized car up until 1970. Many aftermarket companies will refer to their parts fitting a Torino or Fairlane, and spanning those years overlapping when the Comet changed body styles, BUT ... because it fit the early Comet, then, according to them, it simply must fit all the same years as that other model .... they are a bit confused or overwhelmed or didn't do enough research.

    A good way to be more sure a part will work with your Comet is to verify that it is the right part for a Maverick. But even that isn't certain in every case either ... I have repeatedly seen headers that, if you trust the company listings "will fit a Maverick or Comet" and then include a 351W motor in the possible combos as well, because they fit a Mustang with a 351W. Might be OK with a 302 Mav, but not a 351W.
     

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