OT 1966 Comet Caliente Convertible

[DougA]

I mentioned this in the thread about Christmas gifts. I just bought this before Christmas. I saw it on a lot a couple times while going to the trailer this summer and just recently worked out a deal on it. It will need some body work eventually but for the next couple summers I will probably just drive it as is and fix some of the minor issues.

The motor is a 289 with a 2 barrel carb. So far I have had to replace an old dried out diaphragm which was causing a gas leak on the carb.



I am trying to find a forum like this one but so far the ones I have signed up for don't have much traffic.

[DougA]

Here's a shot under the hood.


And here is a picture of the interior.

[DFMiller]

Nice wheels Doug,
The real question is how bad is the body?
Can you get panels?
I look forward to your progress.
I grew up in Southern Ontario, My second car was a 65 Corvair Monza. I got pretty good with a torch. If I remember the convertibles sometimes had issues with body sag. One of my friends fixed up several of them.
From the pictures its looks not bad.

Good luck
Dave

[sasquatch]

Looks good Doug!!

Those 289's were a narrow block, so left room to get at the plugs etc.

I remember when a few guys "Shoehorned" the 427 block into these cars!!

They were a "Honkin" car !
That 289 2 barrel should be decent on fuel, they were a pretty decent engine.
Your'e shock towers look very good, has this still got point ignition?

[Willy]

Nice car Doug, looks to be pretty nice shape and very complete.
I'm sure after a couple of years of TLC by yourself we won't recognize it.

While not as popular as the Camaro or Mustang there is still a ton of info and parts available for the Comet/Fairlane.
Personally I think the 66 model was the best looking one.

Here's a few links in no particular order that I scooped up in a quick 5 min search:

http://www.convertibletopguys.com/co...liente-Cyclone

http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclec...-history.shtml

http://macsautoparts.com/1960-1970-f...id/FAL/ca/154/

http://www.mercurystuff.com/1966-models/index.html

http://www.dearbornclassics.com/comet.html

Like I said there's a lot more.
Have fun with the "new" car. Always fun driving something unique.

[Dr Stan]

Nice find and in much better shape than my '68 Stang.

[chriskat]

Very nice, the pics make it look nearly new (at least the body and interior). Has any of it been re-done?

[tdkkart]

General car guy forum with alot of traffic and alot of knowledge
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/

Wanna in adequate about your shop??
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/index.php

[DougA]

Nice wheels Doug,
The real question is how bad is the body?
Can you get panels?
I look forward to your progress.
I grew up in Southern Ontario, My second car was a 65 Corvair Monza. I got pretty good with a torch. If I remember the convertibles sometimes had issues with body sag. One of my friends fixed up several of them.
From the pictures its looks not bad.

Good luck
Dave

Not sure about panels. I think Crosscanada may be able to help me out. Body sag doesn't seem to be a problem.

[DougA]

Looks good Doug!!

Those 289's were a narrow block, so left room to get at the plugs etc.

I remember when a few guys "Shoehorned" the 427 block into these cars!!

They were a "Honkin" car !
That 289 2 barrel should be decent on fuel, they were a pretty decent engine.
Your'e shock towers look very good, has this still got point ignition?

I haven't figured out yet if it has points or not.

[DougA]

Very nice, the pics make it look nearly new (at least the body and interior). Has any of it been re-done?

The body has been done. I can see where some patch panels have been put in.
I am pretty sure new rockers will be need as a minimum.

[Willy]

I haven't figured out yet if it has points or not.

It has points. I worked on a lot of these.
If memory serves me well the point gap gap is .017, dwell 26-31°, basic timing at idle with the vac. advance disconnected, was 6° BTC with an automatic.

[sasquatch]

AND.................................

4in bore, 2.87 stroke, [email protected] rpm, 9.3 compression ratio, comp test should be around 150 +or-20, 282 ft lbs of torque, idle speed with automatic-475-500 rpm, engine oil refill 4.25 quarts not liters, normal hot oil pressure 35-55, plug gap 32-36, 6BTDC, carb model 9510, fuel pump pressure 4-6, 160 thermostat,(summer,) rad cap pressure 12-15, cooling capacity 12.5 quarts.

There. helpfull site!!??

[sasquatch]

Just a silly remembrance of a friends 289 in a 64 Fairlane.

This was a real problem but finally figured out.

When revved over 5000 RPM the fan belt-("V" Belt) would turn over inside out,, not come off , it was tight to the recommended 1/2 inch push on it between pulleys thing.

The weirdest thing, would have loved to see that in slow motion!!

It ended up being a pulley alignment problem.

(so, keep her under 5 grand !!)

[herbet999]

Try http://www.jalopyjournal.com

It's for 1964 and earlier.. and they mean it. But there is a lot of good information.

I'm working on a 66 merc convertible myself.. but it's a full size monterey

My interest in machining is simply an extension of my car interest