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1964 “California Caliente” build

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2019 6:04 pm
by AFXFalcon
... thank you Roy for title.

I just purchased a 1964 Comet Caliente. I will be going through it and getting Nd it back on the road. It has no motor or transmission. It is a power steering Automatic car with plenty of floor pan rust and a few other holes here and there. My vision is black steel wheels, leaving it the factory light yellow color with a tear drop hood.

Parts I have:
Rebuilt 351w
Toploader with comet tailshaft
1957 ford 9” rear end (needs rebuilt)
Disc brake kit
A-100 dodge/ thunderbolt bucket seats
Dual quad carbs

Things I need:
Floor pan sheet metal
Price motorsports dual quad intake
Bubble hood
Suspension rebuild kit

If you have anything on my “need” list laying around you didn’t get to use on your project, let me know. I am excited to get this going, I need to sell a 55 Victoria so I have space to move the comet in my garage. I have built several of these cars and they are by far my favorite. Hope to keep regular updates coming.

Re: 1964 “California Caliente” build

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2019 9:11 pm
by lavron
Cool can't wait to see updates.

See Ya,
Mike

Re: 1964 “California Caliente” build

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2019 10:39 pm
by Jims65cyclone
Congratulations! Looking forward to following your build.

Jim

Re: 1964 “California Caliente” build

Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2019 12:17 pm
by poboyjo65
nice project! those floors sure look familiar!
bubble hoods are now available & a complete floor pan is too .partial floor pans have always been available. you said suspension kit,,,if you need steering parts too then you might consider the 65 v8 steering upgrade . It allows you to use the better handling , cheaper & more plentiful mustang steering & suspension parts except the centerlink (which must be 65 comet/falcon v8 part) , this article by Dick Harrington has good info in it about that;
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=15083
lots of comet knowledgeable guys on here that know where stuff is & we love pics so keep em coming!

keep us posted! :D

Re: 1964 “California Caliente” build

Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2019 7:18 pm
by SASSY
The plan sounds pretty cool! Yes if you plan on some canyon carving go to 65 steering. There's a sticky in Drivetrain with all the info you need.
Think I'll enjoy following along on this build too!
Fred

Re: 1964 “California Caliente” build

Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 3:47 pm
by AFXFalcon
Set my A-100 seats in it , painted my front bumper and set out 64 fairlane hood on it to see what it will look like.

Re: 1964 “California Caliente” build

Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 5:24 pm
by popscomet
gonna be nice,,teardrop hood is perfect choice for a 64,,as well as 2 4's,,,good luck on the build !!! pop

Re: 1964 “California Caliente” build

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 6:06 pm
by AFXFalcon
Name these valve covers!

Re: 1964 “California Caliente” build

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 11:24 pm
by SASSY
260?

Re: 1964 “California Caliente” build

Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2019 1:09 am
by poboyjo65
early FE ?

Re: 1964 “California Caliente” build

Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2019 1:22 am
by popscomet
poboyjo65 wrote:early FE ?
that would be my guess,,,,early FE,,,,,the attachments for plug wires,Never seen them that close to the front of the VC..most are in middle of VC...…...but to me that is where they should all be......pop

Re: 1964 “California Caliente” build

Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2019 2:18 pm
by AFXFalcon
They are the same as these:
I got valve cover adapters for my Windsor to make a faux FE, until I can get the real thing. It will match the falcon in looks at least.i also ordered the price motorsports dual quad, bubble hood, air intake kit and thunderbolt style box air cleaner with ducting.

Re: 1964 “California Caliente” build

Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2019 8:54 am
by AFXFalcon
So I went a little crazy on cyber monday trying to capitalize on some sales.
I ordered:

2x4 351W intake

Bubble hood

4 speed hump

Wilwood brake kit

Dougs Tri-Y 1 5/8 headers for my 351W

FE valve cover adapters and some cool Mercury valve covers (that I plan on having chromed)

1965 Falcon/Comet center link

New Floor plans

SO I have a lot of stuff to work on, floors first. Are Caliente Door panels available anywhere? I did not see them on a quick search through google. I am also looking for a vintage 6 bolt bellhousing/ scattershield like an Ansen or Wedge. I have a brand new Lakewood one, but to fit the headers it would have to be notched and ground on, so I think it would be cooler to use a vintage one anyway. (see the one pictured)

Re: 1964 “California Caliente” build

Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2019 11:41 am
by SASSY
Neat stuff!!
I'll be watching the news to see if any banks were robbed recently in your area :mrgreen: :D
I have a scatter shield I bought in the 70's, unused but it's pressed steel like todays which you probably already have.
Fred

Re: 1964 “California Caliente” build

Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2019 11:50 am
by AFXFalcon
No banks were robbed but there may have been a couple cut up credit cards Hahaha