History 64/65 Comets old drag cars lets see pictures

Tonight. But next week, the group'll be there to support you, as well as Todd! I feel a match-up a brewin.......

 

Dale

I think a point about the Mopar S/S springs that is being overlooked is that they were designed to be used with a pinion snubber. Thats what really made them work. The a-symetrical springs are stacked heavy on the front third (front spring eye to center bolt) making them almost solid like a traction bar. But the back two thirds (center bolt to rear spring eye) are stacked soft and "wind up" in an "S" under hard acceleration. This allows the pinion/U-joint angle to get so extreme it can break the U-joint (probably what happened to AFXDave). Mopar even made an adjustable pinion snubber for the 8 3/4 that could be moved up or down to maintain 1/4 to 3/4 inch clearance between the snubber and pad. Some guys even ran them dead tight or with 1/4 inch preload. Back in the early 60s when NHRA would only let Stockers run "bolt on" traction devises, Lakewoods & a pinion snubber was the hot setup on most anything non-Mopar.
Mike

 

Mike- Great point! I forgot about the pinion snubber pre-loading!

Here are some quick pics:

Bottom of page:
http://public.fotki.com/teddisnoke/the-rosedale-rocket/page18.html

 

Pinion snubber?

 

Yes...They made pinion snubbers for 9 inch & Dana 60s also.

 

I lean a little towards G.M. & Mopar stuff but Chrismans 64 Comet was one of the best looking & best running cars of any brand to ever go down the track!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXRD11GKZjk&context=C3310d7fADOEgsToPDskJ-p7PAM2Bm_3m3ud8Gg5u1

 

Back to the BFX 65 Comet, what happened we didn't have slippage in the drivetrain the track was sprayed with glue, the slicks were D-12 compound not the D-3 or 5 that are normal, I had 16# of air, I didn't know that the guy with me lowered the tire pressure to 6# of air after he was listening to the Dink and the 422 boys. With the clutch just being cleaned and comming out at 7500 RPM's that was it. Moving the holes doesn't matter, I ran it in both positions forward and back. I don't know if you can still get Goodyear 15x30x9" wide radios any more? ~~~~~~~~AFX DAVE~~~~~~~~.

 

O.K. you guys...it's time to play "Name That Part".Attached are four pictures of the same part.The fact that it is on this thread should give you a clue.AFX Dave and Dennis K. can't play cause you two guys know what it is.And it is not bigger than a bread box.

 

I haven't posted any recent pictures of the 64 Hawaiian Hi-Po Cyclone since bringing it to Utah with me.Here are some pictures taken this year in my friends garage parked next to his 65 Cyclone. The 65 is completely restored by my friend and is a work of art.The 64 is a work in progress.The only things left to do are the interior and exterior.At this time the old custom black diamond tuck and roll,carpet,sound deadener and seats are completely ripped out.The interior is going to be completely redone.Then comes the body work and paint.Probably some new wheels and tires too.I'll try and do a better job of keeping this up to date.Just a note; the mystery part that I posted earlier came off of the 64.

 

Both great looking Comets! The mystery part has me stumped but I keep looking at it and the connectors for a clue. Brian

 

Transistorized ignition box.

 

Is it part of a transistorized ignition system?

 

I guess I had not refreshed this page in a while.

 

Winner Winner,Chicken Dinner!

 

Steve;the black box gave it away!!! I had never seen the insides before!!!!"Sometimes even a blind squirrel finds a nut"!!!!! I'll take a season without breakage as my winnings!!! Larry;your reaction times are too slow,need to break out the practice tree! ROY.

 

Roy,you definitely cut a good light on that one.Your RT was .001.And I am going to have to start attending some of the Comet Meets this year.Is there any kind of calendar of events to refer to,or is there just an announcement of the next meet.Whatever,please keep me in the loop.I think I can keep up with Fast Eddie with the "Shine".

 

You guys can then keep the midnight fire burning, drinking that stuff.

I'd say the next big Comet gathering would be DragFest??? In April I believe?

Comet made it home safe from Irwindale tonight. Only two passes, it was just one of those off-nights for some cars, 'cause there was breakages. But not for the Rocket..Footbraked the first one, rested my hand on the shifter, launced, and the rearward lunge put the new reverse valve body shifter right into second gear . Okay- scrap that pass,and never let it happen again like that! But the second pass. Ahhhh. The second pass. Well? I left on the transbrake, at 4000 rpms, 1200 below where the new converter stalls at. It wheelied to a 7.96, almost two-tenths quicker, this being with a dismal reaction time. Yes- it got air..... Not alot, but four-five inches. The new radial slicks are like butter. 18 psi was where I started, and they seemed fine with that

 

Future plans on the Hawaiian Hi-Po do include a original 64 B/FX front bumper and Crites front fenders.The Cyclone is factory Vintage Burgundy,but that might change also.The engine,trans and drivetrain have all been rebuilt as well as all the front and rear suspension.I have factory lift bars for it,but not sure if we are going to use them.I would like to,but my friend isn't so sure.The picture of the 9 inch pinion snubber posted earlier is from the 64 Cyclone 9 inch rear.And yes,the 9 inch has 31 spline axles with a factory 4.71 locker.

 

Sounds like you're getting it "dialed" in!I am gonna assume that you prefer the auto over the manual trans.Which is cool!Different strokes for different folks!

 

Steve;I tried to talk Dale into a REAL trans but he wimped out and put a slush box back in the ROCKET.A good site for Comets is www.cometcentral.com ,All Comets,All the time,very active site.Like Dale said,the next race gathering will most likely be Drag Fest at Bakersfield in May,I think.I don't think the Colorado gang will be out for that one as they [and me] are planning to head to Bowling Green for the NHRR. ROY.

 

I drive a stick all day long. So what if I wanna relax a bit behind the wheel of my race car??!! Sheesh!

Here's the shot we all would LOVE to see. No room in the garage for anything but Comets!!!

 

Some pictures of the Hawaiian Hi-Po with the new suspension and new stance.

 

Mark,nice Cyclone! That's amazing that you were able to get it back.Not too many of us get a second chance at getting back a car we let go!

 

WOW,like looking into a time machine!!! Great story on getting it back!! ROY.

 

Actually I'm just the R&D guy.My buddy Frank is the restoration expert.It's his garage that the pictures of the 64 and 65 were taken in.

 

Mark-
Thanks for sharing with us, and WELCOME in officially!! Your story with this really rare and unique Comet is amazing. Its the stuff a car guy dreams of!! I'm stoked that you were able to get it back, and am amazed that it only clocked so few miles during its tenure with the previous owner..

Dale

 

Dale;now you understand why all those slushbox racers take their hands AWAY from the shifter!!! How did your MPH compare to the old setup?I have been giving Gary crap about his slushbox so he posted a bunch of pictures of his L/S,5.0 Muscrat! ROY.

 

Mark. your 65 is way cool. Thanks for sharing!
eric

 

hey guys ,c.....lst in my area has 65 comet 800.00.just throw'in out there