"lil red" 1965 Mercury Comet Caliente

[atch]

Originally Posted by sugarmaker

Mercurycyclone,
We need some additional pictures. I assume you still own it?

Here are some recent pictures of our lil red Comet. Cheryl has been so patient to allow me to work on it for hours. With Johns help we installed new rear leaf springs, installation kit and conventional rear shocks. The goal was to set the rear of the car about the same height as when the air shocks were pumped up near the max. The air shocks which were on the car when we bought it. They worked but did leak down over winter. I did not want them to fail and let us down on the road.
So in my infinite wisdom, Ok a best guess, I ordered new leaf springs from Eaton. I specd 2 inches higher ride height. They raised the back of the car more than expected. maybe about 4 inches.
Oh yeah pictures.....
Yesterday (mothers day) we went for ice cream up near Lake Erie and then to Raccoon Park about 3 miles to the west. Right on the lake.


Cheryl like the ride and the AM comett radio had to be called upon since there was not cell reception:


So today's project was to put the old 225-70R14 tires on the rear of the car. Yep that made it even higher!


John helped me get these on and stretch the new springs again.


The concept here was to fill up the rear wheels more than the 235-60's.




Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

Chris, I wish I had known you were going to order new springs. I could have given you a bit of free advice. About 30 years ago my friend wanted to lower the front of his 1956 F-100 so ordered new springs with reversed eyes. Got them and installed them. Raised the front 2". New springs replacing old weak springs will always raise the car/truck.

[KULTULZ]

So in my infinite wisdom, Ok a best guess, I ordered new leaf springs from Eaton. I specd 2 inches higher ride height. They raised the back of the car more than expected. maybe about 4 inches.

No reason for that. Did you get back to EATON?

EATON was the supplier to FOMOCO and have all of the spring ratings.

They offer stock or modified. If nothing else, maybe lowering blocks?

[sugarmaker]

folks,
Atch, yes they di raise it more than I expected. May live with it/ Its not a bad look and with the front higher it sets pretty close.
KULTULZ,
I did get back to Eaton they are very knowledgeable. I asked for two inches higher than stock. If you look at the brochure pictures this is about 5 inches higher.
They said to push the spring eye back to get the shackle angled back. Doesn't work on these springs More arch in them. I may call them again.
Also Local spring shop could de-arch them if needed.
I am not loosing any sleep over it and several folks at shows have said leave it alone they like it.
Got my new Merc Man hub centers from Auto Krafters. They should work fine!
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[atch]

You can always de-arch them yourself. All it takes is patience and elbow grease.

I'm sure you already know how but at our ages I probably wouldn't attempt it myself either.

[sugarmaker]

Mike,
Yes I think I could do it, Brute strength. Take them apart. hammering or pressing a little every couple inches a long the back side of each leaf. Thus deforming the leafs just right. Sounds straight forward, Maybe easier said then done. My luck they would be about like the ones I took out A tracing of the spring leaves before would allow you to sneak up on the new shape. Plus some dimensions. I can flatten the spring in the car with the port a power. Thus I could get the desired look and dimension with the spring loaded.
Not sure I will attempt this de arching. Not sure its worth the effort or gain.
I have checked most of the boxes with all the new suspension components added to the Comet. It steers and handles better. Stiffer than our 2015 Edge.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[atch]

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I have neither the strength or stamina that I used to have and knowing your age I doubt you do either.

Just drive the wheels off of that thing and enjoy every minute of it.

[sugarmaker]

Folks, atch,
We are still driving the Comet. With Johns help I did tighten the adjustment on the Comet steering box a 1/4 turn and it did tighten up the slop in the steering wheel. Keep tuning! Keep driving!
Have spoken with Mike at Eaton and they are building me a new set of springs with less arch and slightly longer. We will see how those set the car. Looking for something near 24 inch dimension at the rear wheel well.
Last night, John and his wife in their nice 55 Club Sedan. We crusied to the ice cream stand and then to a park on the lake:




This is from last week in Erie:


Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[KULTULZ]

Have spoken with Mike at Eaton and they are building me a new set of springs with less arch and slightly longer. We will see how those set the car.

Gad to hear that. Are they on an exchange/warranty basis? I would expect better from EATON.

I didn't want to say anything, but it ruined the look of the car (IMO).

[sugarmaker]

KULTULZ, folks,
The look is just a tad higher than I would like and the ride is pretty harsh. Mike at Eaton is working on design improvements to the rear leaf springs. The dimension I am looking for on the rear is about 23-24 inches from floor to the rear wheel well. We shall see.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[sugarmaker]

Guys,
John helped me put the redesigned rear leaf springs. It reset the rear of the car about 1.5 inch lower. Shackles are more in the slight rear direction as desired when we set the weight of the car on the springs. The shocks now have a 1.5 inch of stroke. That should provide a much better ride.

Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by sugarmaker

Guys,

John helped me put the redesigned rear leaf springs. It reset the rear of the car about 1.5 inch lower. Shackles are more in the slight rear direction as desired when we set the weight of the car on the springs. The shocks now have a 1.5 inch of stroke. That should provide a much better ride.



Regards,

Chris and Cheryl

Now that is more like it ...

I forgot to mention as to shock travel length/stroke/mounting needing to be modified if a car is lowered or raised. Bad things can happen.

Now Miss Cheryl will not have to worry her ice cream may fall out of the cone if hitting a bump in the road ...

[atch]

Originally Posted by sugarmaker

Guys,
John helped me put the redesigned rear leaf springs. It reset the rear of the car about 1.5 inch lower. Shackles are more in the slight rear direction as desired when we set the weight of the car on the springs. The shocks now have a 1.5 inch of stroke. That should provide a much better ride.

Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

Good job Chris.

Some folks might argue with me but imho those '65 Comets were the best looking car Mercury ever made. And that includes the '40 and '49-'52 Mercs which have such a cult following.

[sugarmaker]

Guys,
The look is fine. The shocks should function better now. We took the Comet to a cruise in last night. The ride was good. But there is a problem somewhere in the drive line. turning to the right there is a grinding noise? We had to leave early due to not feeling well. Kidney stones. These things are nasty! Better this morning. Will do some testing and evaluation on the Comet noise. Sounds like the noise is from the rear??
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[atch]

Sherry had a kidney stone some years back and said it was MUCH worse than childbirth. Hope you all get through this.

[sugarmaker]

atch, folks,
I am learning lots of things these days! Health and cars.
John came over and we looked the underside of the Comet over to see if we found somewhere something was rubbing. Still did not find the issue. On hard fairly slow right turn is sounds like something is rubbing. Like a tire in the wheel well noise? That might be it?? Need to put something there to mark the tire if rubbing.
John took the Comet for a test drive and said it drove and felt ok!
We drove about 20 miles last night and i was very pleased with the ride and handling! Steering is pretty good and hope will be even better after another alignment next week.
A cruise in tonight in NE Ohio tonight. We will do some additional testing.
Found the right rear axle seal is leaking. Ordered a new one from NAPA.

Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by sugarmaker

. . .

Chris and Cheryl

That is one thoroughly excellent looking car!
I regret not being able to look at this thread very much before, first had to get an extra thick bib to cover the keyboard.

[sugarmaker]

dmsrff,
Thanks for the compliments. I am the fourth owner at least? The guys before me need the credit! They cared for it for 58 years! Being 13 in 1965 I was not able to get my first car until 1970 and it was not a Comet. I liked this red car when I first saw it. It has never had a total restoration, just upgrades and improvements.
I am going to make a slight adjustment to the spring setting on the choke. Maybe it will flip to full choke and fast idle better?
We still have a rubbing or grinding sound in the rear area of the car more work to do there, figuring out what that noise is on a sharp slow right turn.
I did call Eaton Detroit Spring and thank them for their support on the updated Comet suspension.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by sugarmaker

dmsrff,
Thanks for the compliments. I am the fourth owner at least? The guys before me need the credit! They cared for it for 58 years! Being 13 in 1965 I was not able to get my first car until 1970 and it was not a Comet. I liked this red car when I first saw it. It has never had a total restoration, just upgrades and improvements.
. . . .
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

Back in '71 my almost first car was a Comet. Still have a soft spot for them all these years later.
If I'd had something better than a 19 yr old brain at the time I should have bought a low mileage Comet from the mid 60's and saved money on the purchase price. But I already had a cheap used chevy and didn't want another project car that might or might not get me to work if I was inclined to take something apart for a 'cool factor' upgrade.

I didn't buy a Mustang cuz I figured I'd wreck it while driving it like an idiot.
The '71 Cougars were a larger body style I didn't like as much as the late 60's versions, and pricey.
I bought a '71 Comet very similar to this one. It had the factory optional trunk lip spoiler (not shown in these photos) and no large-ish black stripe on the sides.
302 with a 3spd on the floor, and nicer looking than the same vintage Maverick they were based on. Sort of a sporty/performance version of an econo-box(?) about the time emission controls were hitting the market. It survived very well thru a few engine parts upgrades and a transmission change.

It's the one I most regret 'letting get away'. Possibly because it was my first Good fun car.
Sold it after 12-ish years and 130k+ (rust free) miles to buy a full-sized van that would more comfortably pull a trailer with my off-road car, both of which were eventually sold also.
.

[sugarmaker]

dmsfrr, folks,
I like the blue Comet!
Yesterday I pulled the right rear axle and replaced the axle seal. I boogered this seal up last year not using the correct size socket to drive it into its seat. Back together for a ride to get a root beer float with Cheryl. The car is driving pretty nice! Very little wheel movement while at 55 or 60 mph. Took it in for alignment after all the changing of the rear springs and it was still in spec. I am very happy with how it runs down the road. Suspension feels pretty solid compared to when we brought "lil" red home.
Have an appraisal coming on the Comet and the 32. That will be interesting.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl