"lil red" 1965 Mercury Comet Caliente

[scicala]

All this talk and pictures about the Comet, with no mention of which engine is under the hood, other thn a picture of 8 dirty spark plugs and a right side exhaust manifold.
So, I assume it's a 289, but which one ? Two barrel or 4 barrel ?

Sal

[sugarmaker]

Sal, folks,
Yes this Comet has a 289 with stock 2V carb. It does have duals and glass packs. Also has C4 auto transmission. (information hidden in post number 1)
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[sugarmaker]

Folks,
We have been tuning and testing and learning about the 2 barrel carb on the Comet. Good instructions have helped get the choke settings much closer. The car is starting better, and not stalling.
Adjusted the trunk and hood. Some new parts coming to help clean up some details.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[rjlester]

Finally read thru this thread. Congrats on a great car! You've made some nice improvements and it looks fantastic.

[sugarmaker]

rj,
Thanks! The seat refurbishment will be a large project for the car this spring. New foam and improved seat springs for the front buckets too. I didnt realize these seats were so worn and sagging. They have been covered once in material that matches the original style very well. The plan is to reuse the current covers.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[sugarmaker]

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Ford Barn folks,
New seat foam and the right back up light lens:


John helped look at the lens today.


Old:


new:












Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[KULTULZ]

You know, a 64/65 COMET (the 65 more so) were beautiful cars.

Those MAGNUM wheels really set it off.

Tell that lovely wife of yours I said she looks sixteen again behind that steering wheel ...

[5851a]

Very nice, great colors. Nice lenses too.

[sugarmaker]

KULTULZ, 5851a,
Thanks for the positive comments. Cheryl would be tickled! We have been together since we were kids. The Comet may help us relive a few of those memories.
We are doing an oil change, filter, and maybe fuel filter change also. Then carb rebuild and the seat project. We hope to be ready for spring car cruises.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[sugarmaker]

Ford Barn folks,
The Comet project is moving along nicely.

Changed the oil and filter. Also changed the fuel filter canister.

The seats are being reupholstered, improving the spring system and new foam. Also going to move the seat back a couple inches and try it.


Carb has been rebuilt with new gaskets and a good cleaning. The car is running much better on several starts:


Adjusted the drivers door latch post on the door jam just a smidge. Working like a new one!
In the shop living room for a needed bath.




Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[Oldmics2]

Nice car

[slumlord44]

Love it. I’ve had 3 65’s over the years back in the day. I had both a Calante and a Cyclone. Am I wrong or is this a Caliente with a Cycone interior? I’m not criticizing just relating my experience.

[Jeff Norwell]

That is one beautiful Merc. Just Lovely.

[Greg Rogers]

Love that car!!

[sugarmaker]

Oldmics2, slumlord 44th, Jeff, Greg, Folks,
Mic,
Thanks for the compliments on the old Comet.
Slumlord 44th,
I believe that the interior is correct factory buckets and console from the factory.
Jeff,
Thanks! Wow you do amazing work! Might need a Comet drawing added to your works too! Just saying.....
Greg,
Thanks, We have talked somewhere?? Maybe on the 32??

Update on the Comet:
cleaned up the back of the center console


The wood insert is my own creation. Black Walnut shaped to fit in where the unobtainable plastic insert went.




Had new foam installed over the old springs and under the old covers. Local shop did a nice job making this happen and look good in a couple weeks. Seats are now much more supportive. Spring was broke and repaired.


I made custom rails to set the seats rearward 3 inches. Rails can be removed to return seats to stock positions.




Re stripped the arm rest and painted it again with SEm white.


Installed a repro mirror on the passengers door today. I even moved it back from the more correct position so I could see out of it:




Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[sugarmaker]

Folks,
Continuing to make minor improvements to the 65. The carb needed the float reset, to allow more fuel in the bowl. That seems to allow it to run better.
Cheryl and I have driven to several local ice cream shops! It always gets looks and comments.
Yesterday I reworked the door weather strip that was falling off.
Also added a little brake fluid. Washed the exterior and Adam cleaned some of the chrome with a nevrdull polish.
Getting ready for car cruise ins, and several car shows.
My tractor events may take a back seat as I need to spend much more time with Cheryl.
Hope things are good in Ford land!
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl