Joe's '63 1/2 Tinkering Thread

The Round Body, Finned Comets
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comethead
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Re: Joe's '63 1/2 Tinkering Thread

Post by comethead »

I’m 98.75% sure the 63 8” rear end and brakes are the same as 64/65.
1965 Caliente HT- 289/4 speed
1964 Falcon HT- track car- 302/4 speed
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Joe Travers
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Re: Joe's '63 1/2 Tinkering Thread

Post by Joe Travers »

comethead wrote:
Fri Nov 05, 2021 11:38 pm
I’m 98.75% sure the 63 8” rear end and brakes are the same as 64/65.
The early 8" housings have necked down axles tubes @ the spring perches (3" >2.5"). This was changed to straight 3" tubing which could change backing plate, I'm guessing? Don't know first year for straight 3" axle tube. May be overthinking this, as usual.

Joe II
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1963 1/2 Custom Hardtop
342 stroker, solid roller, T-10, 3.55 posi

comethead
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Re: Joe's '63 1/2 Tinkering Thread

Post by comethead »

My 65 axle tubes are tapered as well. I’m not aware of any big changes from 63-65.

Joe
1965 Caliente HT- 289/4 speed
1964 Falcon HT- track car- 302/4 speed
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Joe Travers
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Re: Joe's '63 1/2 Tinkering Thread

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comethead wrote:
Sun Nov 07, 2021 10:37 pm
My 65 axle tubes are tapered as well. I’m not aware of any big changes from 63-65.
Thanks Joe! That eliminates the guesswork.

Joe II
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1963 1/2 Custom Hardtop
342 stroker, solid roller, T-10, 3.55 posi

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Joe Travers
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Re: Joe's '63 1/2 Tinkering Thread

Post by Joe Travers »

Haven't posted here in a while because I've been busy driving my Comet :D Down here in the Deep South, October-May is prime driving weather when it isn't too cold or roads are wet. Most days are neither, so the fun is on. June-September are pretty hot with rain, not good for driving but good for work in the shade with stiff bones. :wink: Works out well for me, on a fixed income and a lot of big personal expenditures during good driving season. It all works out for the best.

With all that being said, thought I would list everything I addressed on the Comet in 2021 for my personal reference. Hope the site stays up for many years to come so I have something to go back to. I'm not a stickler for keeping receipts, as I'm not planning on selling her. Here goes everything on the tinkering list-

Right fender script
Hood-rad bumpers
Radiator cap
Coolant recovery tank lines
Battery cables
Battery
Battery tray and apron rust treatment
Upper radiator hose
Alternator bracket
Alternator belt
Colder spark plugs
Plug wires (two sets)
Distributor cap and rotor
Valve cover gaskets
Holley 650 DP (rebuild)
Manual choke cable
Air, fuel & oil filters
Headlight switch
Headlight switch retaining nut
Driver side window crank
Driver side air vent
Shifter boot
Shifter rod bushings
Dome light lens
Floor mats
Dash script
A/C drain pan
Rear tires
Shock absorbers (front & rear)
Leaf spring shackles and bushings
Differential vent tube
License plate bulb and lens

--------------------------------------

Spark plugs
Spark plug wires
Shackle frame bushings
Distributor recurve
Z-bar bushings
Thermostat
Water Pump
Radiator petcock valve
Fan spacer
Fan shroud
Fan pulley
Fan
PS hose
PS belt
Bypass hose
Heater blower motor
Heater vent collar
Speedo driven gear
Lower radiator hose
Heater hoses
Heater hose fitting

--------------------------------------

Holley 3310 - 750 cfm
Valve cover studs
Leaf springs
Trunk seal
Hood-fender bumpers
Trunk mat
Horn bracket
Horns
Horn contacts
Front tires
Grease caps
Spare wheel/tire
Spare tire hold down kit
Tire cover
Wheel center caps

My car is an older restoration that just needs some TLC to keep her fresh. Next items to address are the vent window seals and rear leaf springs.
I think the best improvement I made last year was installing the vent. Controlling inside temp really improved comfort for more enjoyable cruising. I have a suspicion that it may have led to the car being turned three times in as many years, as I haven't found anything else to attribute this after 17 months of ownership. I put more miles on the car last year than the previous three combined. I was very blessed to find a vent housing in immaculate shape. They are very difficult to find, almost unobtainium.

Joe
Last edited by Joe Travers on Thu Nov 16, 2023 5:43 pm, edited 34 times in total.
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1963 1/2 Custom Hardtop
342 stroker, solid roller, T-10, 3.55 posi

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poboyjo65
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Re: Joe's '63 1/2 Tinkering Thread

Post by poboyjo65 »

Dang you've been busy !!! :D
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Johno

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Joe Travers
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Re: Joe's '63 1/2 Tinkering Thread

Post by Joe Travers »

poboyjo65 wrote:
Thu Jan 13, 2022 1:40 pm
Dang you've been busy !!! :D
Tinkering, yeah :lol: Surprised how little things add up. That list of small stuff is around $2K.
I did increase my insured value back in October to keep up w/ costs.

I'll probably edit the list 25 more times as I remember it but that's the whole point of keeping one :mrgreen:

Joe
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1963 1/2 Custom Hardtop
342 stroker, solid roller, T-10, 3.55 posi

comethead
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Re: Joe's '63 1/2 Tinkering Thread

Post by comethead »

Nice job Joe!!
Did you post a pic of the vent housing you found? I remember you looking for one but I didn't catch the final installation.

Joe
1965 Caliente HT- 289/4 speed
1964 Falcon HT- track car- 302/4 speed
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Joe Travers
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Re: Joe's '63 1/2 Tinkering Thread

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comethead wrote:
Fri Jan 14, 2022 5:49 am
Nice job Joe!!
Did you post a pic of the vent housing you found? I remember you looking for one but I didn't catch the final installation.
Thanks man! Not much heavy lifting (doctor's orders).

Yeah, the vent biz is back on page 3 in this thread. Listed a Wanted post in the HAMB forum and was contacted by George @ NWClassics in Missoula, Mt. He sold me a pristine piece out of a '62 he is parting out.

Joe II
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1963 1/2 Custom Hardtop
342 stroker, solid roller, T-10, 3.55 posi

comethead
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Re: Joe's '63 1/2 Tinkering Thread

Post by comethead »

Joe Travers wrote:
Fri Jan 14, 2022 1:44 pm
comethead wrote:
Fri Jan 14, 2022 5:49 am
Nice job Joe!!
Did you post a pic of the vent housing you found? I remember you looking for one but I didn't catch the final installation.
Thanks man! Not much heavy lifting (doctor's orders).

Yeah, the vent biz is back on page 3 in this thread. Listed a Wanted post in the HAMB forum and was contacted by George @ NWClassics in Missoula, Mt. He sold me a pristine piece out of a '62 he is parting out.

Joe II
Yessir there it is!! Man you got a nice one too! Looks great installed. Not sure how I missed it
Back in December I did a track day and it was in the 30s. The day before I fabbed up 2 aluminum covers for both under dash air vents. The thought of that cold air blowing on me feet’s didnt sound fun. Turns out I’m going to keep them in even for the hot days. The cabin seems less chaotic at high speeds without all that air blowing through :?

Joe
1965 Caliente HT- 289/4 speed
1964 Falcon HT- track car- 302/4 speed
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Joe Travers
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Re: Joe's '63 1/2 Tinkering Thread

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comethead wrote:
Sat Jan 15, 2022 4:01 am
Back in December I did a track day and it was in the 30s. The day before I fabbed up 2 aluminum covers for both under dash air vents. The thought of that cold air blowing on me feet’s didnt sound fun. Turns out I’m going to keep them in even for the hot days. The cabin seems less chaotic at high speeds without all that air blowing through :?
I did a deep dive on the driver side vent and looked at every picture of restored cars I could find on the web. To my surprise, most were missing! I can only guess those cars had cowl repairs and the driver side was closed off during restoration. I couldn't get the A/C to cool down the interior when temps got up last Summer or get the heater to warm it up in the Winter. I'm guessing last three owners (Okla., Tenn., Md.) couldn't deal w/ it with no appreciable mileage on the car.

Good move on the Falcon! I watched a crazy video not long ago of a '60 drag Falcon w/ a turbocharged 460. Guy ran the quarter w/ the vent windows fully open to cool off the interior :shock: He was moving, must have had the springs fully compressed to keep 'em open during his runs.

Joe
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1963 1/2 Custom Hardtop
342 stroker, solid roller, T-10, 3.55 posi

comethead
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Re: Joe's '63 1/2 Tinkering Thread

Post by comethead »

:lol: :lol: :lol: awesome!!
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Joe Travers
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Re: Joe's '63 1/2 Tinkering Thread

Post by Joe Travers »

comethead wrote:
Sat Jan 15, 2022 7:48 pm
:lol: :lol: :lol: awesome!!
Man, my short-term memory not so good sometimes. Guess I watch too many drag videos. :mrgreen:
Blown, not turbo big block. This is a baaaaaad dirty bird!! :twisted:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RoJM3g ... =1320video

Joe
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1963 1/2 Custom Hardtop
342 stroker, solid roller, T-10, 3.55 posi

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Joe Travers
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Re: Joe's '63 1/2 Tinkering Thread

Post by Joe Travers »

Post toasties, here-

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Maybe me shifts be lots better. No snap rings, no felts. At least the bushings were still present and accounted for but snap, crackle, pop on the engine pivot. Can't get the Z-bar out w/o removing the steering shaft, no biggie. Fished the bushings out w/ a seal pick.

Grease it all up and reassemble tomorrow. Time for NSAIDS and back rest. Besides, it over 90 degrees. :?

Joe
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1963 1/2 Custom Hardtop
342 stroker, solid roller, T-10, 3.55 posi

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Re: Joe's '63 1/2 Tinkering Thread

Post by SASSY »

Man when its over 90 i go sit beside the taters in the cellar!
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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