1964 Comet 404 V8, C4 wagon

geez BS....its really comin along nice!!!

and thats a shop id hang out in

 

No pics

Not all that productive today, a lot of stuff half way done, lol. I got the wiper motor bolted up under the dash so that I could put another layer of insulation on the firewall. I figured out the correct belt lengths for the power steering and the alternator and installed them, I also put in the battery. I got two of the four power steering hoses from the parts house, just waiting for the other two. I had to use one of the ends from the old hose on the new hose.

I also finished up the door panels and sent them off to the interior guy with instructions on what I wanted, hopefully he gets em right, lol

I was hoping to get the car started soon, but looks like I am going to have to move towards the inside of the car as I wait for some parts.

I think I will start to put the stainless trim on the hood and fenders as they are off the car and should be easy to do.

I also painted some of the chrome dash pieces (again), they get a black stripe down the center, a bunch of small stuff, hope to have some pics for next week. Ryan

 

It was a good Friday, with pics

Well it was pretty cold here in Kalifornia, bout 50 degrees, yes that is cold for us!!! LOL But that is when I like to work on cars more than ever, just a little chill in the air, good music in the shop radio and a day long project ahead.

So thats what I did today ONE PROJECT. Project of the day was to install the moldings on the side of the wagon so that I could put the windows back in and start the interior work. So I did both front fenders first since they were off the car. Then I moved on tot he passenger side. All of the trim was still wrapped in tissue paper so I had to size it all up (38 pieces) then unwrap and put in new clips, just for info I ordered 60 clips at 2 bucks each and then a box of spring clips too for ??? I cant remember? LOL But can you say expensive, about 150 bucks just in clips......Sorry to ramble....

Any way I moved down the line first installing the molding clips on the car then added the threaded clips to the molding and joined the two systems together. It was pretty good until I got to the back where it was like a puzzle as most of the pieces had to be put together then put on the car. It made me think of the guy or gal that assembled these cars back in the day.

Well needless to say I only got one side done in the entire day. But it is all straight and looks about one thousand times better than I ever imagined it could. I am so glad I didnt fill in the holes and delete the trim.

And the little red stripe the shop owner recommended on the rear really looks good now that the trim is on.

Here are some pics of my handy work, lol.

Oh yea the interior guy dropped off the door panels too, they look really good, but no holes cut for the handles or cranks, yikes another task for me, LOL

Pics:
FRONT FENDERS TRIM INSTALLED


AND THE REAR SECTION WITH THE RED INSERT


AND A VIEW OF THE ENTIRE SIDE MINUS THE FRONT FENDERS



DOOR PANELS FRONT


REAR PANELS


Have a great weekend, Ryan

 

wow....that car is going to be SO cool! Nice work, Ryan!

 

Looking great! Thanks for the update and the

 

In case antone is lookin for one

I found this while I was surfin the web, as I do every night, its part of my disease, LOL

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/2696867571.html

Ryan

 

Friday update on Wednesday

I took off a little early on Wednesday as the shop will be closed on Friday and i wanted to get a little done this week, sorry no pics.

I finished installing the trim on both sides and then helped one of the guys finishing an install on a 65 Mustang fastback (engine trans upgrade)

I then got back to the wagon and installed a new (ebay used) heater control. Pretty good condition for a used piece. Thats pretty much it for the short day, I am waiting for a lift to get the power steering hoses on then may I could test fire this thing? Not really in too much of a hurry for that, lol.

I also found some rubber trim for around the tail lights, thank goodness for J and J fabrics.

Have a great Thanksgiving, RYan

 

Sheesh Ryan, that is one awesome looking resto! Showroom quality PLUS!

 

Friday update.......BUMMER

Well not really so much of a bummer, lol. I got he wagon fired up and took a video of its "first start".....I thought. I wasnt familiar with the stupid smart phone and it didnt record, oh well I am super happy I got her started...here just a little bit about today.

I started off checking everything, added water to radiator, (water only at this point in case I had to drain it down to fix a leak. IDI) Then I put in some ATF.........................thats where the day started off wrong, I didnt realize the trans shop had already put in about 3 qts, So I added 3 qts and out came the ATF all over the shop floor!!!! I over filled it !!!!
UGHHHH.

Then i mopped up the ATF and continued checking all wiring, grounds, loose wires fuel lines etc. Hooked up the power and...........................Click Click Click, the solenoid/relay bolted onto the firewall was clicking but nothing going thru the starter solenoid. Long story short we check about 1000 things, for about about an hour.......well we turned the key to ignition on and jumped the solenoid and she fired right up but the key would nt do it????? About 90 minuted later I found a wire not plugged in. It was a small male plug from the upper plug (BIG PLUG ON FIRE WALL) It wasnt attached to a female plug coming out of the lower large plug. We tested this with a test light and the ignition switch before we plugged them together. I am not even sure what the were but that was it, BAM fired right up.

Then the typical stuff a leaky here and a leak there, the fuel log leaked a bit as did the temp gauge (mechanical) coming out of the manifold,but those are things I can get to next week, Super Stoked she is running with all that I did.. WOW WOW WOW. It pays yo be thorough and take your time I guess, LOL

Just a little bummed I wasnt able to catch it on video,

Well everyone have a great weekend I know I will since I know Kathy IS ALIVE!"" LOL Ryan

 

Good deal Ryan, maybe you can record it cranking and running next week for us?

 

I guess.............LOL Its just not the same LOL Ry

 

I know, never can replicate the "first start" after a bunch of engine work. Still would be cool to see video of your nice wagon if you can swing it.

 

Frisay update

Pretty boring day but got a few things done, fixed the leak in the fuel log on the holley, fixed the two water leaks at temp sensor and thermostat housing then started to confirm all electrical was good.

Chasing wires to tail lights, looked like they used a "jumper wire" for the tail light lead as they could not access the wires behind the panels, I fixed that and got the tail lights working but could nt figure out an extra wire? Also couldnt get the brake lights to work.

As it is with electrical I had to step away and started to put on th epower steering hoses, Only the ones I order dont exactly fit?

I have researched a couple of diff part numbers for the V8 Comet and have tried 2, neither seems to work? ONe more to try its and Edelman part. Also the two short hoses............one seems to be a little short one is plenty long? I couldnt see where there is upper and lower as is the case with a mustang???

Anyways I will try the last hose next week, I dont have use of a lift right now so the car is on jack stands so it makes it a little difficult.

I am contemplating re-wiring the entire car with a painless or other system but I am a little intimidated by electrical, I have been told just follow the instructions and it is a snap???? Still on the fence for that???

Also no start up video, lol. A little too busy, I did however have to take out the distributor for the thousandth time and feel like I could poke that thing in ....in my sleep so I did get to fire her again just to make sure I was at TDC................fired right up!!!!

Well have a good weekend we are headed to the moon-eyes Christmas car show in IRwindale with nostalgic drags, should be fun!!!

Ryan

 

Cool, keep on truckin' Ryan, thanks for the update.

 

Ryan, the harness to the back of the car might include wiring for optional goodies like Backup lites, cargo lites, even rear windshield wipers. Dealers didn't do electrical changes back then.

On mine, the blue and white wires go to the tailgate wiper and fluid pump. Backup lite wire is black with a blue stripe, brown for tail/parking lites, yellow for fuel sender, the other two are Left/Right brake and signal (might have green hash or dots on black), and the only other one is the solid black Ground.

I doubt that the Falcon/Comets were pre-wired for electric trailer brakes.

I don't recall if they even made a power window setup for the tailgate window, but if the did, it would be a pink/black hash wire.

Hope that demystifies...