My '73 Comet GT Restoration Thread

Discussion in 'Maverick/Comet Projects' started by mercgt73, Aug 11, 2009.

  1. groberts101

    groberts101 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2007
    Messages:
    4,166
    Likes Received:
    535
    Trophy Points:
    297
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Minneapolis, MN
    Vehicle:
    1971 Comet GT
    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! :D
     
  2. mercgt73

    mercgt73 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2003
    Messages:
    3,828
    Likes Received:
    352
    Trophy Points:
    223
    Location:
    Eastern Shore, Maryland
    Vehicle:
    1973 Comet GT (clone), 1974 Mustang II, 1980 Bobcat Wagon
    Let’s put it this way. Think high angle, long rod, low RPM, street torque monster.
     
    groberts101 and mojo like this.
  3. mercgt73

    mercgt73 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2003
    Messages:
    3,828
    Likes Received:
    352
    Trophy Points:
    223
    Location:
    Eastern Shore, Maryland
    Vehicle:
    1973 Comet GT (clone), 1974 Mustang II, 1980 Bobcat Wagon
    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.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. mojo

    mojo "Everett"- Senior Citizen Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2009
    Messages:
    5,250
    Likes Received:
    818
    Trophy Points:
    498
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    73 Comet GT-302 4bl
    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.
     
  5. mercgt73

    mercgt73 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2003
    Messages:
    3,828
    Likes Received:
    352
    Trophy Points:
    223
    Location:
    Eastern Shore, Maryland
    Vehicle:
    1973 Comet GT (clone), 1974 Mustang II, 1980 Bobcat Wagon
    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.
     
    mojo likes this.
  6. groberts101

    groberts101 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2007
    Messages:
    4,166
    Likes Received:
    535
    Trophy Points:
    297
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Minneapolis, MN
    Vehicle:
    1971 Comet GT
    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
     
  7. mercgt73

    mercgt73 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2003
    Messages:
    3,828
    Likes Received:
    352
    Trophy Points:
    223
    Location:
    Eastern Shore, Maryland
    Vehicle:
    1973 Comet GT (clone), 1974 Mustang II, 1980 Bobcat Wagon
    [​IMG]

    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.
     
    CaptainComet, Krazy Comet and mojo like this.
  8. mercgt73

    mercgt73 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2003
    Messages:
    3,828
    Likes Received:
    352
    Trophy Points:
    223
    Location:
    Eastern Shore, Maryland
    Vehicle:
    1973 Comet GT (clone), 1974 Mustang II, 1980 Bobcat Wagon
    Next mini project, assemble and setup the 9” differential.

    [​IMG]
     
    Krazy Comet and groberts101 like this.
  9. mojo

    mojo "Everett"- Senior Citizen Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2009
    Messages:
    5,250
    Likes Received:
    818
    Trophy Points:
    498
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    73 Comet GT-302 4bl
    Envious of your skills! You've did something like this setup before?
     
  10. mercgt73

    mercgt73 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2003
    Messages:
    3,828
    Likes Received:
    352
    Trophy Points:
    223
    Location:
    Eastern Shore, Maryland
    Vehicle:
    1973 Comet GT (clone), 1974 Mustang II, 1980 Bobcat Wagon
    Yep.
     
    mojo likes this.
  11. groberts101

    groberts101 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2007
    Messages:
    4,166
    Likes Received:
    535
    Trophy Points:
    297
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Minneapolis, MN
    Vehicle:
    1971 Comet GT
    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!
     
  12. mercgt73

    mercgt73 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2003
    Messages:
    3,828
    Likes Received:
    352
    Trophy Points:
    223
    Location:
    Eastern Shore, Maryland
    Vehicle:
    1973 Comet GT (clone), 1974 Mustang II, 1980 Bobcat Wagon
    Thanks, sir! And the center is steel.
     
  13. mercgt73

    mercgt73 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2003
    Messages:
    3,828
    Likes Received:
    352
    Trophy Points:
    223
    Location:
    Eastern Shore, Maryland
    Vehicle:
    1973 Comet GT (clone), 1974 Mustang II, 1980 Bobcat Wagon
    All setup. Ready for axles next. Also spoke with Clay at Full Tilt Street Rods. MII conversion parts are ordered. [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    mojo likes this.
  14. mojo

    mojo "Everett"- Senior Citizen Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2009
    Messages:
    5,250
    Likes Received:
    818
    Trophy Points:
    498
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    73 Comet GT-302 4bl
    What ration are u finally going with?
    Why the choice of Full Tilt Rod MII over Street Rod Eng? Curious!
     
  15. mercgt73

    mercgt73 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2003
    Messages:
    3,828
    Likes Received:
    352
    Trophy Points:
    223
    Location:
    Eastern Shore, Maryland
    Vehicle:
    1973 Comet GT (clone), 1974 Mustang II, 1980 Bobcat Wagon
    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.
     
    CaptainComet, groberts101 and BBMS18 like this.

Share This Page