This is all original and numbers matching. I am NOT swapping the 144 or Merc-O-Matic! Sorry, but im not putting a V8 in this one. I put a new gas tank, new fuel lines, new brake lines, new master cylinder, new brake components, new radiator, rebuilt engine, new motor mounts, all new OE exhaust, new exhaust manifold, new carburetor, flushed out heater core, disassembled and cleaned wiper motor, cleaned up transmission, powder coated brake carrier plates and drums and a lot of other parts, repaint engine bay..... and more...
Engine bay cleaned up and primed, transmission drained and cleaned filter, engine returned from rebuild and I painted the valve cover the factory yellow...
Engine and transmission is back in. All engine bay components are back on, freshly powder coated or painted. Ran out of yellow for the air cleaner, after spraying it with a separate 2nd batch I found out its not the same shade as the valve cover. I will need to get another correct batch made up next week. I also ran out of clear coat for the air cleaner as you can see the different color yellows and shininess in the photo, but it will get fixed. Not much left to do... Cleaning up the drive shaft to get painted and new u-joints put on. Bleed brakes. Clean up and repaint hood hinges. Reinstall blower plenum under the dash. Reconnect fuel and vacuum lines. That's about it I think
While an 8 may not be necessary, you might change your mind on the 144. To call it underpowered is being charitable, a swap to a 170 or a 200 keeps it looking stock but turns it into an actual car. -KK
Thanks Veach and stationWAGONS! She is cleaning up real nice. I have an album with pics on my page but here is a couple shots...
KK, I had considered putting a 170 or 200 in since it just bolts right in, but I decided to keep the car as original as possible. The 144 isnt as much of a let down as I was expecting but it has also been rebuilt and runs like new. I never planned on hot rodding it, just using it as an economy driver really. I admire the little (bare-bones-no-radio-or-power-anything) booger for what it is lol
Hot Dang another Comet restoration I dig It! I may not be the only nut case here! We are restoring a 61 Comet for a little old lady, it is a 4 dr even but Hers has a radio, so that's pretty Deluxe! it was so rusty I had to find a donor body shell but we still had a lot of work to do, and it's turning out pretty nice, only costing me 3 times what I'm getting paid on it, but something about helping little old ladies across the street means something to me! Plus it's a grate project for my young trainees to practice on, and just cool as hell! i might have get me one (a 4 dr) sometime and stuff the drive unit from my 95 Continental in the front part of the trunk 32 valve 4.6 frt drive unit in the rear, and suit cases up front, done up just like this one to look original a real sleeper!
WOW! You guys brought that one back from the dead for sure! Fantastic work it really looks clean. Its good to see you're keeping it original and that you found the correct air cleaner/valve cover color was yellow, NOT BLUE! LOL That sure is a lot of work for an old lady
Man, the 144 I could ALMOST deal with, but that Ford-o... Outa there! I did the 200 and C4 thing in the Girlfriend's wagon and life is sooooooo much better. Even with the shaved head and Weber hidden plus the Dura spark it looks stock as a rock. Now if I can just lay my hands on a Volvo overdrive we'll have it made!
yahooooooo! another comet! Yours looks great! I have a 62, 2 dr post, its got a radio too, pimpin tube style. It has a 170 3speed floor shift. I need a carb! any of the comet nuts have one?
Thought I'd share this article I found in one of my old Hot Rod magazines about modifying the 144, as almost no information like this can be found searching the web...
The Jalopy Journal
