Projects 1965 Comet Caliente Convertible Project

Roy,

No plates yet and I am going to try and do the top myself. The top is optional for the Anaheim show but not for the trip in November.

 

It was the big day on Saturday. The cars first time back on the road. Below are a before and after of us pushing the car in just after we got it and Saturday pushing it out. I have to fix a tire rub and install the top but that is about it. There are still projects like the sound system, security system and air conditioning but those projects will have to wait for the money. Last link is a video of the first drive. Thanks everyone for your help and support.




http://vid17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/jpearl_/Comet/20140906_165233_zps26282e16.mp4

 

Jeff;great pictures but I get NO video!!!Comet looks great!! ROY.

 

Thanks Roy. Ok try that link..

 

Jeff;that is TOO KOOL,She has her sunglasses on,ready to run!!! Wow is it ever quiet!!! ROY

 

Roy,
It’s hard to get the real sound on video. It’s not too loud but has some volume when she puts some gas to it.

 

I have been working some on the car but mostly I’m waiting for parts (the top). I had keys made and verified that the PATS security systme that came from the Mountaineer works. I found out after testing the car that the speedometer did not work. After researching it I found out that the speedometer on a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer and Ford Explorer is not run from a speed sensor on the transmission it is run from the speed sensor on the differential that is run thru the ABS module that is attached to the ABS pump. I did not adapt the ABS to the Comet and of course several weeks ago I was cleaning house and got rid of the ABS pump I had so I had to buy another one used. This will only add to my hording and saving everything mentality. Anyway I was able to get the speedo to work and the following is what I did.

I removed the pump from the module (4 bolts) which exposes some coils and I will make a plate to go over that. The module is small enough to go under the dash somewhere. I do not run any of the large gage 12 volt wires to the module that would run the coils so they should be dead. The only wires you need are mostly 16 - 18 gage except the ground that is 14. Below is the wiring I used.

1. From the module Gray with Black to the back of the speedo gray with black (and any other gray with black like cruise control).
2. From the module Red with pink to the top of the pumpkin Differential speed sensor red with pink.
3. From the module Green with black to the top of the pumpkin Differential speed sensor green with black.
4. From the module Light blue with pink to 12 volt power key on.
5. From the module Black to ground from pin 8 although I will probably ground pin 24 too.

None of the other wires to the module are used or connected to anything.

 

Jeff;sounds like you got another problem solved!! A speedometer is a good thing to have working!! ROY.

 

Finally got the WABS module turned into a speedometer module, installed in the car and tested so now I have a speedometer. Tomorrow I will get the car aligned and then clean the car up the rest of the week in preparation for the Cougar and Mercury car show this Saturday. If anyone else is interested the show is open to most any car with classes for Falcons, Mustangs, Fairlanes, Woodies, Trucks, Chevy, Oldsmobile … below is some info.

http://www.socalcarculture.com/Images/101814CougarClub.pdf

October 18,2014,8AM-3PM,Pearson Park,Anaheim,400 N.Harbor Blvd.,corner of Harbor and Sycamore

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Ahh sad times. The Mercury show has been canceled. We drove down there so we made our goal of driving the car to the show but alas the show was canceled because of too few entries.

 

Absolutely amazing! A a perfect Saturday morning read! LOVE how it turned out!

 

Jeff;sorry to hear about the Mercury Show,lack of Mercurys over the last few years has been a HUGE problem!! Did the Comet run OK? ROY.

 

Rprice76: Thanks for reading the thread I'm glad you enjoyed it. The project has been a lot of fun for us.

Roy,
The car ran great. It was the first time on the freeway. I hardly have to press the gas pedal at all to get it to really move out. Cruising on the freeway was a breeze and it has a really nice ride. Much better than any other car I have. I had a really nice talk with Mike at the “Almost Mercury Car Show”. He was there to let people know the show was canceled. We talked cars for about an hour. How was the Hot Rod Reunion?

 

this has come a long way in coming to this point ..... i like the progress and the attention to detail w/ this build ....

i bet that the daughter is ready to go cruising =0)

 

Jfreakofkorn,
Thank you. We have had a good time working on this project. My daughter is ready to get the car full time but the top still needs to be finished. I did start on the installation last weekend so it should be done in the next couple of weeks.

 

Jeff;That*****S that the show had to be canceled,I'll have to call Mike!! Good to hear the Comet ran good,sounds like everything is working well!! The CHRR was a bust for me,my Comet seems to be down on power,was almost two tenths off so I failed to qualify for A/FX,OH WELL!!!I ran over something at the track and ruined a front tire,luckily M/T Tires had their support vehicle there so I had to have two new front tires installed!! ROY.

 

Roy, Sorry to hear that the racing was not as expected. Hopefully you still had a good time.

Finally got to do some work on the top. First picture got the well done. The dog is chasing reflections from her collar. Picture two had to do a few adjustments but not too many staples had to be removed. The dog is doing her best at a photo bomb. Picture 3 got the window, the cross bars in the right place and the tension is correct. Picture 4 continuing work on the rest of the top. So far so good.

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Jeff;looks like a lot of work but it will be worth it!!Photo #3 really gives an idea of how it will look!!! Your dog really likes to get in on the action,TOO FUNNY!!! ROY.

 

I am finally done with the top. It wasn’t hard just time consuming and of course there were lots of interruptions in the middle because of life. This also marks the end of this build. There really isn’t ever an end to modifications for a car like this but the major stuff is done and the car is on the road. I drove it to work this morning for its first long distance test. It ran great no heater core leak just a few squeaks and rattles. I may be taking it on a 400 mile drive over Thanksgiving. I have not decided yet. Below are a few pictures.
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Jeff;WOW,the top turned out great!! I'm not a convertible fan but I feel you and your Daughter should be very proud of the outcome!! Most people would have let the hulk die an ugly death but you two have made a sweet ride from a couple of destroyed cars!! GOOD JOB,SWEET CAR!!! ROY.

 

Awesome job from start to finish. Any thought to installing a rollbar with all the crazies on the road now?

 

Roy: thanks for the complements we had a great time changing it from the parts car status to on the road status. I hope to get the car to one of the Camarillo car shows during the summer along with Tom’s TBird. Hopefully we can meet there. Let me know if you go to the Long Beach Swap Meet we could meet up there too.

LoudBang: I know what you are talking about. It was a struggle just to get the ok from my daughter for the head rests let alone a roll bar. I looked into a Roll bar but could not figure a way to install it and keep the car useable for entry and exit. Thanks for visiting the thread.

 

Jeff;no plans for LB Swap yet,the Camarillo shows start on the fourth Friday in April,then every fourth Friday of each month until September!Best defense nowadays is to KNOW how to drive and pay attention to the idiots around you! You have done a lot to the COMET to make it safer,you just need to drive defensively!! ROY.

 

I hate to see this one end. I've been truly fascinated by your creativity and stick to it attitude. Great car!!

 

Roy: Thanks I agree defensive driving is the way to go. Unfortunately I did not feel the Comet was ready for an 800 mile round trip so it stayed home. I’m in Scottsdale right now and had a great Thanksgiving. I hope yours was good too. I think I am going to do a full front suspension rebuild on the Comet. Currently It only has partial new parts in the front suspension. There is also a slight gas smell every once in a while so I need to sort that out. It may be the gas tank vent and where I have it placed.

Rramjet: Thanks we have had a good time with the car and of course with a car like this the projects never end but it’s on the road and that was the goal. Are you going to any shows this weekend?

 

Jeff;you could route it to the fuel fill area or by the rear bumper! Another possibility is to fabricate a closure for behind the seat to seal off the trunk area from the passenger area!Mine exits through the trunk floor to under the car! ROY.

 

I haven't been on here for a while, good to see all your hard work coming to fruition.

 

You need an original radio for your daughters comet? ......let me know if you do!


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Roy: Thanks for the ideas. Hope to see you soon … somewhere.

S55mercury66: Thanks and thanks for showing interest in the post. It has been a long haul but worth every minute.

King Ford: Well this being my daughters car you know what she wants. A vintage looking radio with all the modern features like usb, ipod, phone pairing … so I am leaving that purchase to her possibly a Classic Car Stereos setup . Although she is interested in one of the vintage record players for the car.

 

Jeff;one of the biggest problems putting an aftermarket stereo in our Comets is they need long tunning shafts and as far as I know,nobody makes a head unit that has them!Years back I took and cut out the dash,made a mount to hold the stereo and used the stock faceplate to mount the stereo! ROY.