My '73 Comet GT Restoration Thread

ooohhhh... SCORE! What's the plan, Rusty? Regular sized crank and maybe spin it a lil' bit? Or bigger stroker type deal.. 427"? Solid reliable 408" spun to 6,500 rpm over lotsa years?

Some inquiring minds want to know!

 

Let’s put it this way. Think high angle, long rod, low RPM, street torque monster.

 

Also got some Ford students building me a beefed up TR3650. It’s not a TKO, but for under $900 I’ll have a fresh, solid, street only 5-speed. And yes, that includes the Tremec bell front adapter.

 

Are you converting to manual or was built w/ manual trans. I have considered going manual, but, w/ bad left knee and lots of traffic congestion in the Chicago area -- best to stay auto.

 

I converted it to manual 20 years ago. Just upgrading from the 4-speed to a 5 speed this time around. Also upgrading from mechanical clutch to hydraulic at the same time.

 

I'd build a 418" deal for that kind of running duty. Thing will literally fly into high gear and never need anything more than a 3.50 rear gear to get there. Could even push a 3.25 gear if you cam it right and don't care about post-5,800 rpm rev ranges. Glad to see you moving forward, Rusty. Keep us posted!

Here's a good stroker layout overview.

https://www.coasthigh.com/Ford-351-Windsor-based-engine-kits-s/1306.htm

 

Tr3650 all rebuilt with new and some upgraded parts. All together I have $1k in it, so still cheaper than a TKO. But still only “rated” to 400 lb ft. Another $300 for a 26 spline input to get 500. I think for a street cruiser it will do nicely.

 

Next mini project, assemble and setup the 9” differential.

 

Envious of your skills! You've did something like this setup before?

 

Yep.

 

Nice to see builds where people are saving big cash on premium used performance parts combined with respectable amounts of sweat equity. Then end up with something many can only dream of if they had to actually pay someone to do the entire project. Kinda inspiring to say the least. Heck.. half my car is from here, ebay and various scratch-n-dent sales! Looks like those hands must be gettin dirty lately which is a sure sign of progress!

Hard to tell.. is your strange center steel or aluminum?

My car will get progressively lightened a fair amount so I'm thinkin the AL's tad bit of deflection should be low enough to help the gears tolerate my beatings for a couple of our shorter hotrod seasons(your neck of the woods probably also shorter I'd guess). Then hopefully the stiffer fab 9 housing should help a bunch too.

Good luck with it!

 

Thanks, sir! And the center is steel.

 

All setup. Ready for axles next. Also spoke with Clay at Full Tilt Street Rods. MII conversion parts are ordered.

 

What ration are u finally going with?
Why the choice of Full Tilt Rod MII over Street Rod Eng? Curious!

 

I ended up with 3.25 to 1. I’ve got a wide ratio 5-speed and torque to spare, so I opted for the taller gears. And I couldn’t pass up the deal on the parts.

As far as the MII stuff, I like the design of Full Tilt’s Ford in a Ford lower control arms. Other than that, no other reason, lol. All the kits seem to do the job.