1965 Mercury Comet Project

[Krashyman]

Thanks again everyone. John -- thanks for posting the pic of the '63, but it doesn't show up on my screen (only a box with a red x) . . . not sure if it is the pic or my computer.

Here are some more photos of the engine . . . .

Unloading off the truck:


We're going to fit THAT in this car?!?!


Let's give it a try . . . .


Snug fit:


With this engine fit, looks like it will need to be manual brakes!


Hope the driver has short legs!


SVT Romeo Niche-Line signature plate:

[hechtrod]

Awesome!!! Are manual brakes going to be enough for that beasty?

[LMDGUY]

Wow...

[Cometose]

Wow, seeing it in the car really gives you a sense of scale, that badboy is huge! I like it!! Looks like you're hood clearance is good too. Even with the mods you're doing, this is still gonna be a sleeper of sorts with that monster lurking under the hood

[Krashyman]

Awesome!!! Are manual brakes going to be enough for that beasty?

Chris,

We thought about using Hydroboost to save space, but at this point we've decided on just going manual. Everything I've looked at says that a manual system with the right master cylinder and correct pedal ratio can work just as well as any power brakes -- and also has a great feel to it. This is not to say anything bad about Hydroboost -- everyone raves about it and we definitely would go with it if we decide to use power brakes.

Thanks,
Josh

[kamaroman68]

krashyman,

I would like to know if you are building your car to be a bolt on affair or a weld on affair. (body to chassis). if this is already mentioned i am sorry. i also have a max g frame for a 68 camaro. i guess my question is could you please send pictures or post pictures on how they made it a bolt on if it is. Chris

[Krashyman]

krashyman,

I would like to know if you are building your car to be a bolt on affair or a weld on affair. (body to chassis). if this is already mentioned i am sorry. i also have a max g frame for a 68 camaro. i guess my question is could you please send pictures or post pictures on how they made it a bolt on if it is. Chris

It's going to be be bolt on -- just like the Mach 1 that Woody's did for the Buckaroo Buildoff in Super Rod.

Obviously, the Comet is still early on and so I'm not sure if there are pics that would help you, but I'll defintely post them as they become available. In the meantime, here are two links to a Super Rod tech article (part 1 and part 2) that details the installation of the Max G chassis on the Mach 1 with pretty specific photos. And the Comet will be done just about the exact same way.

Part 1:

http://www.superrod.com/Media/Public...UCKBLDOFF2.pdf

Part 2:

http://www.superrod.com/Media/Public..._BUILDOFF2.pdf

Hope these help.

Thanks,
Josh

[Krashyman]

Just a couple of new pics -- the shop had to do some more work to make room for the massive engine.

[Krashyman]

Putting on the clutch . . . .

[Krashyman]

A couple of quick updates:

We decided to go with a gas tank from Rick's -- I found Rick's from reading threads here on pro-touring and everyone seems to rave about the tanks, so I'm excited to see how it turns out.

We're still waiting on the motor mounts -- once they arrive, Woody's will be able to finish the mock up of the motor and tranny (and how they will be positioned in the car), and then re-build the firewall and the floors. Once all of that is done, it sounds like paint is the next step!

Woody's received the transmission -- we decided to go with a T56 instead of waiting to try to find the TR6060 (the TR6060 might be available, but it sounds like there could be issues with the positioning of the shifter). Here is a picture of the tranny:

[CraigMorrison]

Awesome!!! Are manual brakes going to be enough for that beasty?

Manual brakes will be just fine! We've done manual only on our projects, and if you pick the right MC they work awesome. Our 55 does 60-0 in 132' and our 60 Vette does it in 116'.

[Krashyman]

In addition to talking about the Comet, this thread has posted updates on the three Buckaroo Buildoff cars being done by Woody's Hot Rodz (the shop building the Comet).

Well, the three cars are fininshed, and so I thought I'd post a link to the November issue of Super Rod magazine, which has a full spread on the three cars built by Woody's (they made the cover). There are a few quotes from Art Morrison in the article as well as some other fun info.

Here is the link and pic of the cover:

http://www.woodyshotrodz.com/SR_11-07.htm

[Krashyman]

Here are some update pics on the engine and tranny installation -- the shop is trying to figure out all spacing issues before permanently mounting the engine. The good news is that it looks like the motor will fit and we can still use the hood (with a little modification). Let me know what you think.

Putting it in:


Side shot:


Stuffed in there, but radiator is not in place yet:


Front view:


Radiator in place:


Looking good, but will the hood close?


Exterior shot of the hood:


Yes, the hood closes (but will need some minor modification to the hood brace):

[fast Ed]

Engine setback looks great, should help to reduce the effect of having such a big heavy lump of an engine there!! It will be great if you can hide that all under the cool hood you have.

I'm still diggin' those Z-28 wheels.


cheers
Ed N.

[Cometose]

Wow, that really fills the bay! Makes my 5.0 look like an inline 6...How far did they set it back?
Looking good!!

Oh, and I'm with Ed, keep the Z wheels

[Krashyman]

I'm still diggin' those Z-28 wheels.
cheers
Ed N.

Hehehe, I guess they put the old wheels back on to do the engine mock-up . . . maybe we should keep them!

[absolom]

what are you gonna use for engine managament?

[Krashyman]

what are you gonna use for engine managament?

I believe that Sean Hyland was able to get a stock computer for the GT500 and re-program it to be able to work in the Comet -- at least that was the plan the last time I talked with the shop about it. If you go back in this thread, there are a number of posts on the engine management issue . . . there was a real question in the beginning as to whether we could make the GT500 engine work in this application, and we considered after-market ECMs, etc. I'll give an update once the shop focuses on making sure that the engine works (lol).

[Krashyman]

Wow, that really fills the bay! Makes my 5.0 look like an inline 6...How far did they set it back?
Looking good!!

Thanks, Joe. The set back of the engine is as far back as it could go without creating issues with the firewall -- but we won't know the exact measurements until the shop permanently mounts the engine (and they can't do that until they plan out the spacing for everything else -- intercooler, etc.).

[Krashyman]

Modification to the hood brace so the engine will fit: