Idk, I got about 1k $. I was planning on getting a 289 + trans out of a 64 comet that i can get for 500$. Other than that idk what else to do. Not that mechanically inclined but im sure with a little help from the interwebs and a few tools theres something I can do. I want a little street cruiser that rides good and sounds nice. Maybe some paint later if I can conjure up more money. Currently going to college right out of HS and dont have a job
Well you will get plenty of help on here however my first question would be is this your daily driver, your only means of transportation and if so what kind of overall mechanical shape is it in, another words how is the current drivetrain and brakes for starters?
I drive it back and forth to school 3 days a week. It runs good but the transmission is slipping. I dropped the pan last week and changed the filter and gaskets but it didnt help much. Trans fluid is very metallic so im assuming the trans is going. I have another source of transportation but I'd rather ride the mav. in style, but if need be I do have other reliable transportation. Replaced about 60% of the brake lines and got a rebuilt master cylinder. Brakes feel like they still need some work though.
my first thoughts would be to get the brakes in order and then look at the motor/trans you can get for $500, you can be sure you'll spend another $500 easy swapping it all over so make sure they are both in good running condition.
Yeah I think I'm going to look at the 64 comet this weekend with my Dad. The guy said he will give me the whole car for 500. Hopefully its in a decent condition, or at least the engine and trans is anyway. Ill know more soon
What is wrong with the 64 Comet that it is so cheap? There is a demand for that body style. If it is too rusty, etc, but runs great, it is probably a good deal. Parting out the rest of it, you ought to make money beyond the $500. All the trim on that, etc, adds up. Definitely make your car safe and reliable to start off, especially if being pressed into daily use. Being in college, I know you are bound to be busy, to take that into consideration. I had a great Torino when I was in school, and I lived on campus. There were times that I went three weeks without driving anywhere.
Im pretty sure that the comet is rusted out, but I have not gotten a chance to look at it yet. Im not even sure if it runs to be honest :O . I was going to take a look at it yesterday (saturday) but things came up so I was unable to do so. Ill post again with more info on the old comet when I get a chance.
Where are you located? There may be someone around to help you from here. You already have front disc brakes (standard in 77), which can help either the daily-driver argument, or the parting-out argument. 4drs aren't as desirable as 2drs, but having two extra doors doesn't make it any less-able to get you where you're going. What would it cost to just have the transmission rebuilt? Your $500 289 conversion is going to end up costing you a lot more, by the time you get Maverick V8 motor mounts, a V8 radiator, EXHAUST, and deal with any gaskets, hoses, etc that you'll need to deal with to get that 289 into your car. If it were me, I'd look at throwing another transmission in it, or getting that one rebuilt. The 200cid will certainly be easier on the wallet, too. Much easier to work on, and you won't have to change anything like mentioned above.
