My 72 Comet Build.....

Discussion in 'Maverick/Comet Projects' started by franktf, Jan 13, 2013.

  1. franktf

    franktf Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2009
    Messages:
    4,119
    Likes Received:
    336
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Pinellas Park, FL
    Vehicle:
    72 Mercury Comet
    Must be you..... They are 16" long, more importantly they have been checked for bind or interfearance throughout suspension travel and lock to lock.....
     
  2. franktf

    franktf Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2009
    Messages:
    4,119
    Likes Received:
    336
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Pinellas Park, FL
    Vehicle:
    72 Mercury Comet
    Bled the brakes this morning..... Installed the new adjustable rear shocks while I was under there..... Washed the filthy wheels/tires and installed then..... Now the car is rolling again, I pushed it outside and did some much needed shop cleaning..... Last thing I did today was install the turbo mount to the chassis.....

    Here is todays progress.....

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    mavgrab302 and mercgt73 like this.
  3. franktf

    franktf Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2009
    Messages:
    4,119
    Likes Received:
    336
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Pinellas Park, FL
    Vehicle:
    72 Mercury Comet
    Got the turbo compressor housing drilled/taped for a fitting..... Then installed the turbo, downpipe and wastegates..... I also changed the springs in the wastegates, removed the factory install 15psi spring combo and installed the lowest possible spring yielding a whopping 1.3 lbs..... I want the boost very low for initial tuning, the efi stuff is new to me and I just want to be extremely safe for initial tuning(plus I will find out how efficient hot side stuff is).....

    Here's todays progress.....

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  4. COMETIZED

    COMETIZED Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2008
    Messages:
    1,671
    Likes Received:
    542
    Trophy Points:
    288
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    70 Mav. 74 Comet
     
  5. COMETIZED

    COMETIZED Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2008
    Messages:
    1,671
    Likes Received:
    542
    Trophy Points:
    288
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    70 Mav. 74 Comet
    Hi Frank:
    Looks like a well planned setup .. I replied earlier but lost it .. so I'm doing it again. I like the way the pipes flow
    together and compliment each other. Nice Work Sir !
    Cometized
    (Chip)
     
  6. franktf

    franktf Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2009
    Messages:
    4,119
    Likes Received:
    336
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Pinellas Park, FL
    Vehicle:
    72 Mercury Comet
    Thanks Chip.....


    I was sitting around watching tv and doing nothing so I decided to go to work get my motor and bring it to my shop.....

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Bad Brad and mavgrab302 like this.
  7. franktf

    franktf Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2009
    Messages:
    4,119
    Likes Received:
    336
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Pinellas Park, FL
    Vehicle:
    72 Mercury Comet
    I got the flexplate and the oil pressure feed line on the motor..... Then put the motor in the car..... Next order of business is to get the trans built and in the car, so I got all the trans stuff out and finished removing everything from the case so I can get it cleaned up and ready for reassembly.....

    I am going to need to make relocation brackets for the rear coils on the Holley valve covers due to them being rather close to the master and blower motor(you can see in the pic's)..... I think I have the one that came with the valve covers I can try and maybe use for a pattern..... The trans is next though.....

    Todays progress.....

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    injectedmav and mavgrab302 like this.
  8. franktf

    franktf Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2009
    Messages:
    4,119
    Likes Received:
    336
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Pinellas Park, FL
    Vehicle:
    72 Mercury Comet
    Well, not much got do so far this weekend..... I went down yesterday morning thinking I was going to get my trans build, WRONG..... I did get the case and tail shaft housing all cleaned up and ready to go this week..... But Sat morning I was going to get the CSR trans shield on the case and test fit the assembly in the car, this is when everything turned into an epic failure..... First problem is you can't get any kind of breather/overflow tank fitting on the vent hole because the shield completely covers that area up(it will barely clear the stock case vent)..... Then the shield makes it nearly impossible to put braided an cooler lines on the trans without putting goofy ass 90 degree pipe fitting with 180 degree hose end on it, f that.....

    There is a cure for this problem, but it isn't a cheap one...... Needless to say the Reid Racing Supercase is now ordered($$$$$).....

    Today I decided to get everything else ready to go for the trans, this is when I noticed some excessive end play in a couple of the gears in the planetary set..... So I disassembled it and found it was eating a couple of the thrust washers and the pins are also showing a little wear, happy day..... At least the gears all look good, so I also ordered a HD planetary rebuild kit.....

    After that I decide to make a little trans stand to make building it a little easier......

    A pick of the cleaned up tailshaft housing and the case I am not going to use now.....

    [​IMG]


    Here's a few of the planetary disassembly and worn thrust plates...... and removing the input shaft bushing.....

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  9. franktf

    franktf Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2009
    Messages:
    4,119
    Likes Received:
    336
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Pinellas Park, FL
    Vehicle:
    72 Mercury Comet
    Almost forgot, one of the little trans build stand I threw together.....

    [​IMG]
     
  10. Maxx Levell

    Maxx Levell Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2002
    Messages:
    1,038
    Likes Received:
    107
    Trophy Points:
    222
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Henderson, KY
    Vehicle:
    1972 Mav 2 dr, 1971 Mav 2 dr...thanks Old Guy!
    It's coming along! Sounds like you've been having luck like mine lol. I was out assembling the top end of the engine earlier and found 3 roller rockers that were a little too tight for my liking. Got them freed up some...but had to get online and get a new set on the way. I think they'll be fine to get it fired up and checked for leaks and all, but I won't be racing with them.

    Hope things start going together better for ya! And without having to order new stuff ;)
     
  11. franktf

    franktf Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2009
    Messages:
    4,119
    Likes Received:
    336
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Pinellas Park, FL
    Vehicle:
    72 Mercury Comet
    They do say expect the unexpected, and it really applies when dealing with these things..... Thanks.....
     
    Tannersg1 likes this.
  12. franktf

    franktf Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2009
    Messages:
    4,119
    Likes Received:
    336
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Pinellas Park, FL
    Vehicle:
    72 Mercury Comet
    Got a bunch of parts this week including this.....

    [​IMG]


    The fun continues..... I put the tailshaft housing, pan and sip stick on the new trans case so I could test fit it in the car..... I had to modify the dip stick tube slightly to fit the trans case properly and clear the floor, but the big problem is the bell housing flange does not get along with the top 2 bolts in the rear engine cover on the LS...... You can see in the first pic here the small marks in the face of the bell housing where heads of the engine rear cover bolts hit it..... I got a couple regular hex head bolts and ground about half the head thickness off and put them in there..... This gave enough clearance for the bell housing to bolt up tight against the block.....

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    With that problem solved I went ahead and got the clutches and band soaking in some fluid..... Next I started modification of the planetary housing for the new retainer and pins, then started reassembling the planetaries..... The new input shaft bushing and thrust bearing/bushing are in place, and the 3 tall planetary gears are now in(just need to get the 3 short ones in and that will be done).....

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    mercgt73 likes this.
  13. CaptainComet

    CaptainComet Large Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2007
    Messages:
    4,991
    Likes Received:
    436
    Trophy Points:
    413
    Location:
    Clearwater, FL
    Vehicle:
    72 Comet
    That Reid case .... does it allow you to run without a blanket? Nice-looking piece!
     
  14. franktf

    franktf Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2009
    Messages:
    4,119
    Likes Received:
    336
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Pinellas Park, FL
    Vehicle:
    72 Mercury Comet
    Yes it is both a SFI approved trans and flywheel shield!!!!!
     
  15. franktf

    franktf Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2009
    Messages:
    4,119
    Likes Received:
    336
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Pinellas Park, FL
    Vehicle:
    72 Mercury Comet
    Got a little more done today, damn I'm a slow somebitch..... I finished assembling the planetary set..... Then I finished modifying and fitting the dip stick tube..... Next I had to set up and check the reverse clutch pack, it was way to loose so I had to put the piston in the mill and cut some off it for proper clearance..... I now have a properly clearance 6 clutch pack for reverse, I just need to put the seals on the piston and assemble it with the springs..... That's it for today, like I said I am slow.....

    Today's progress pic's.....

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     

Share This Page