Rocket's Comet Build

The Era of The Square Body Racing Comets
popscomet
Posts: 9689
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 11:19 pm
Location: Jacksonville, Arkansas

Re: Rocket's Comet Build

Post by popscomet »

THAT's the very reason WHY,I won't hardly EVER get rid of ANYTHING,just as soon as I let something go ,,,sooner or later I need it,and it's mostly sooner...so I just hang on to everything I get my hands on.......those parts don't eat nuttin..they just collect dust or (rust),,pop
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pop/glenda

Comechero65
Posts: 1870
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:37 pm
Location: Santa Clara, Ca

Re: Rocket's Comet Build

Post by Comechero65 »

poboyjo65 wrote:
Comechero65 wrote:Is that a flexfan or a flexalite fan? Those flexfans scare me. Heard some horror stories about them breaking off and cutting a hose or going through the hood. I wouldn't want to be around one when that happened. I prefer to use a either a fixed 5 or 6 blade fan. So far i have only used a 5 blade fan which has worked just fine. If i needed more coolong I would go to the 6 blade.
Good luck and hope nobody gets hurt.
Ron
both ,It's a flexalite flexfan. I'm not worried. I dont know anyone personally that has had a problem & have seen lots of them over the years. Yea you hear stories, or maybe I just keep hearing the same old one. I think most mishaps with them are race cars at high rpm but it's just a guess. but no need to be scared Ron , I think there is enough distance between us. :lol: Good luck to you too with your EPS!
Flexalite does make some good fans, it's just the Flexfans that scare me. Would not want to be bending over the front working on the engine and have one break loose. Would make for a bad day. It's the blades where they flex they get brittle and crack. Any fan with rigid blades are ok. Have only seen pics of a hood with a big hole in it and of course have heard the stories.
And yes there is enough distance between us so no problem. Only worry might be if we were ever parked next to each other like at Camarillo. Ha!
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EPS has been working just fine since my last final fix. Was a thrill driving it to Camarillo. Now I'm going to be building the 1:25 scale Comechero. Got most of the parts, just need the comet wagon taillights to complete the look if I can find a source. Am looking for someone who builds models and may have a stockpile of spare parts. I did find one possible 64, which is not exactly the same as 65, but in that smaller scale may look ok but they want $45 for model. Ouch! Only need the taillights.
Ron
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Rocket989
Posts: 1678
Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 2:53 pm
Location: Kansas City Metro

Re: Rocket's Comet Build

Post by Rocket989 »

Ron - if you want a scale model of your ride - $45 bucks ain't horrid...lot for two tiny plastic pieces but if it lets you get it done.....buy once, cry once!! :D :lol: :mrgreen:
'cause Johno says you gotta have a sig pic! :)
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Comechero65
Posts: 1870
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:37 pm
Location: Santa Clara, Ca

Re: Rocket's Comet Build

Post by Comechero65 »

Rocket989 wrote:Ron - if you want a scale model of your ride - $45 bucks ain't horrid...lot for two tiny plastic pieces but if it lets you get it done.....buy once, cry once!! :D :lol: :mrgreen:
I know I know, sometimes you just have to go for it. I'm not usually tight with the $$$ and I almost always go for the best instead of cheap. You're right that is a lot for 2 little pieces of plastic. I'll probably bite my tongue and go for it. That's the last part i need to be complete. Will make a nice center piece for the dash at the shows. Thanks.
Ron
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Rocket989
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Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 2:53 pm
Location: Kansas City Metro

F'ing cam pin!!

Post by Rocket989 »

I need to change it to the longer pin...can't get it out!! I heated it up & even made a "tool"...welded a 5/16 & 3/8 nut together and used a piece of allthread to make a "vice-grip slide hammer".... :shock:

No joy...got pissed, pulled the cam out and its in the freezer now!! :mrgreen: :shock: :lol: :lol:

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Last edited by Rocket989 on Wed Aug 16, 2017 11:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
'cause Johno says you gotta have a sig pic! :)
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SASSY
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Location: Wynndel, BC CANADA

Re: Rocket's Comet Build

Post by SASSY »

Rocket,,,, I think I have a patent on that type of tool just in case you think about applying for one,,, lol
Think out side the box,, what box ,,, you don't need no stinking box :lol:
After your done flinging that F'ing hammer :shock: take a break the answer :idea: will come later!
I have felt the pain your feeling,,
Fred
I'd rather do it myself if it's done right or not,,,isn't that what hotrodding is all about

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Rocket989
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Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 2:53 pm
Location: Kansas City Metro

Re: Rocket's Comet Build

Post by Rocket989 »

Fred - Yah, answer is buy a new, new f'ing cam! :D :D :D I've never had one that friggin tight...it's a new cam so somebody must have used Loctite (on a pin WTF?!?) or something! Given the other junk I've found on this 289 not much would surprise me!! :lol: :shock: :shock: :roll: :mrgreen:
'cause Johno says you gotta have a sig pic! :)
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comethead
Posts: 5692
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2003 7:44 pm
Location: Palmdale, CA

Re: Rocket's Comet Build

Post by comethead »

I like it! Needs a laser sight though. And a kick stand :D

The pin I sent you- when I looked at it, it just kinda slid out on its own :lol:
1965 Caliente HT- 289/4 speed
1964 Falcon HT- track car- 302/4 speed
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Rocket989
Posts: 1678
Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 2:53 pm
Location: Kansas City Metro

Re: Rocket's Comet Build

Post by Rocket989 »

Thanks for THAT Joe..... :evil: :x :x :roll: :) :) :D :mrgreen:

After freezing it up a little, I read about a better method: clamp (tightly...very tightly) the pin in a vice, put a bolt in the end of cam, and hammer on bolt head. Worked pretty good!! One hand on cam (don't wanna drop it!), the other wails w/ the hammer! :D

In retrospect, I probably didn't need to chuck it in the freezer, but I was pissed! Now to make sure it doesn't rust up while thawing out! :shock: :roll: :lol: :lol:
'cause Johno says you gotta have a sig pic! :)
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Loner
Posts: 368
Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2015 10:58 am
Location: Mariposa,CA

Re: Rocket's Comet Build

Post by Loner »

SASSY wrote:Rocket,,,, I think I have a patent on that type of tool just in case you think about applying for one,,, lol
Think out side the box,, what box ,,, you don't need no stinking box :lol:
After your done flinging that F'ing hammer :shock: take a break the answer :idea: will come later!
I have felt the pain your feeling,,
Fred


Anything that can be done to Vicegrips, C-Clapms or pipe clamps can't be patented :lol: :lol: :lol:

Where you been Fred??
I figured someone talked you into smoking some tweeds down in O-side and you were off dreaming about Spanish gallons, modern technology and who knows what else :lol: :lol: :lol:

Glad your back,Matt
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Rocket989
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Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 2:53 pm
Location: Kansas City Metro

Re: Rocket's Comet Build

Post by Rocket989 »

The kitchen project is finally winding-down...still not done though... :roll: ...but I made some time to finish up the 289. At SOME point I guess I need to get it stuffed in though. If it was just an engine/ trans swap, that'd be fine but I've gotta do the hydraulic clutch conversion and finish up some lingering junk from last years efforts. Hopefully the thing doesn't grow hair on the stand.

Some stuff I learned (the hard way of course):
-The newer 1-pc oil pan gaskets are awesome!
-C4xx and earlier timing covers need a casting boss clearanced (uh, removed) to clear most aftermarket harmonic balancers
-The reducing bushings for SBF heads...I've only used them once before on a set of 351 GT40 heads going on a 302...worked fine. Not so much on the RPM heads...I gave up trying to pound them in and used a 17/32 bit to open up the top of the holes (fully assembled of course...).
-Comp Cams continues to drill their pin holes too small in diameter and too deep. I had to reduce the pin diameter .004 and use a piece of another pin stuffed in the cam to properly engage the 1-pc eccentric. Probably moot if you use a 2-pc. eccentric but I had all the stuff for 1-pc.
-WIndage tray + Canton pickup = grinding a big ole slot! :)

Here are dome pics:

Done-up:
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Shortblock:
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Heads back from surfacing:
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Getting a matching paint job:
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Valves Lashed!:
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Air-vented windage tray:
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Stole some Playdoh from the kids:
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Assembling heads:
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Last edited by Rocket989 on Wed Aug 16, 2017 11:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
'cause Johno says you gotta have a sig pic! :)
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Loner
Posts: 368
Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2015 10:58 am
Location: Mariposa,CA

Re: Rocket's Comet Build

Post by Loner »

Where did you get those value covers? They are sharp!!
How do you like that Value spring compressor? I lost my big C shaped one and was thinking of buying one like that just to use until I can find another C shaped one at a swapmeet .


Matt
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Rocket989
Posts: 1678
Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 2:53 pm
Location: Kansas City Metro

Re: Rocket's Comet Build

Post by Rocket989 »

MAC's, etc. has 'em...I believe they're Scott Drake parts. I was going to use a pair of stamped '93 Cobra covers and drill for PCV but between the welding (baffles) and $90+ bucks for spacers to clear the rockers...I already had the Comet covers; they look nice & probably needed something to break up the Green!! :lol: :lol: :shock: :D

The compressor works fine on single springs w/ dampers, etc. but is a bit of a PITA on doubles. I had to replace the springs either way (a few had rust and they were doubles for a roller cam, no solid flat tappet) and ended up using the tried & true deep impact socket and 5lb. hammer...they pop (literally) right off. Aim twice & don't miss! :D :D :P
'cause Johno says you gotta have a sig pic! :)
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comethead
Posts: 5692
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2003 7:44 pm
Location: Palmdale, CA

Re: Rocket's Comet Build

Post by comethead »

The motor looks sharp! Love the valve covers too!

So what's the story on the green engine? Details Cmon! :D
Joe
1965 Caliente HT- 289/4 speed
1964 Falcon HT- track car- 302/4 speed
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Loner
Posts: 368
Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2015 10:58 am
Location: Mariposa,CA

Re: Rocket's Comet Build

Post by Loner »

comethead wrote:
So what's the story on the green engine? Details Cmon! :D
Joe
I was wondering about that also,looks a little Nailheadish from here. :lol: :lol: :lol: but I still like it.
Looking forward to seeing it installed.

Matt
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