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62 Comet V8 conversion
  • lsullmalsullma
    Posts: 2Hitchhiker
    Can anyone give me information or parts needed to put a 289 in my 62 Mercury Comet?
  • Birdman
    Posts: 92Expert Adviser
    The Comet and Fairlane came stock with either the 221 or 260 engine so an upgrade to a 289 or even a 302 should be a bolt in swap as all engines had the same external dimensions. Some later model 302 engines used slightly different engine mounts but can be easily modified to work. If you car came with a six cylinder engine just go junkyarding for the V8 parts you need.
  • lsullmalsullma
    Posts: 2Hitchhiker
    in 1962 a V8 wasn't available. can i use 1963 parts?
  • Birdman
    Posts: 92Expert Adviser
    Not 100% sure about the Comet but am 100% sure about the Fairlane. Have one sitting in the yard right now (62 Fairlane 500 Sport Coupe w/260). In 1962 the 221 V8 was available in the early cars and the 260 offered later in the year. In 63 I think both the 260 and 289 were available.



    What fit the Fairlane should fit the Comet.



    Find yourself a Motor Manual for the affected year(s) and it will confirm these engine sizes.



    As stated in my earlier post any of the small block Ford engines should sit right in the 62 Comet or Fairlane.
  • Oldcar_MechanicOldcar_Mechanic
    Posts: 1,786Platinum Member
    According to "Motors Auto Repair Manual" dated 1964, in 1962 the Comet had available to it: 6 cyl, 144 C.I.D. single bbl carb, 85 H/P. - 6 cyl, 170 C.I.D., single bbl carb, 101 H/P - V-8, 221 C.I.D. 2 bbl carb, 145 H/P - V-8, 260 C.I.D 2 bbl carb, 164 H/P.



    1963 did add 3- 289 engines. 1 with a 2 bbl with 195 H/P - 1 with a 4 bbl with 210 H/P and 1 with a 4 bbl and 271 H/P



    Ron
  • chento
    Posts: 1Hitchhiker
    I like your post its quite informative and i love to visit you again as you have done a wonderful job. i love to bookmark this site and would send it to other friends to read it and visit it to get upto date and quite interesting information.
  • Lee ODellLee ODell
    Posts: 1,840Platinum Member
    Also, the steering linkage is different between the 6 cyl and the V8.



    I'm not sure about the Comets, but the early Mustangs had an extra brace behind the lower control arms to tie the left and right frame rails together.



    Something to check carefully is the front spring towers where the upper control arms attach. Open the hood and inspect the spot welded sheet metal, around the spring towers, where the upper control arms attach. If there are any gaps or cracks between the sheet metals, that are spot welded together, they need to be pulled back into place, and weld a bead around all the pieces. Also, check for cracks inside the wheel well where the upper control arms attach.



    Since the caster/camer adjustment is made at the upper control arm, it is very important the tower be pulled back into place before welding. A good frame shop can do the repairs if needed.



    This metal fatigue problem is very common on the early V8 Mustangs and some early 6 cyl Mustangs. The Comet is built the same way. Personally I've had to make repairs on close to a hundred Mustangs. There were a few cars where the spring towers had collapsed so badly that the towers were pressing on the engine block.

    Since you are adding extra weight with the V8, and even if there is no problem at this time, I would suggest wire welding around all the spring towers, spot welded sheet metal. This will increase the strength of the spring towers significantly. If there is no seperation, a good time to do this is when the engine is removed. Alot easier to weld with the engine out of the way. The fumes from welding these panels it very bad so if you do the welding protect yourself from these fumes.



    Good luck. Keep use posted on your project. Post some pictures please. Would like to see your car.



    Lee
  • Lee ODellLee ODell
    Posts: 1,840Platinum Member
    The V8 cars had the extra brace not the 6 cyl cars.



    Lee