Where do I begin?

[Jared]

So after my grandfather passed away I now am the proud owner of a 1965 mercury comet (caliente model).

4 - door
Hard top
289
automatic transmission

and that is about all I know about it, other than it barely runs and there is a knocking noise if I try to turn the steering wheel pretty much at all while it is running.

I already have some older parts catolauges for it, but ordered new ones from several different sites (for free), as well as purchasing a shop manual (600+pages) for it.

What I'd like to do now is find out if there is a forum out that that people with the same or similar cars can share info and ask questions?

Let me know if you got any ideas..

[RichieB16]

Most have forums, but you might have a hard time finding a large Comet forum.  I would try and find a general Ford forum and go from there.  I'm sure there is a large Ford forum online (I know there is a large Chevy one).

I just did a quick search and found this: http://www.fordforums.com/, I didn't really look at it much but it might be a good place to start.  

As far as fixing it up, the first thing I would do is try and get it running better.  I'd do a basic tuneup, that should be a big help especially if it has been sitting for some time.

[Jared]

Allrighty, thanks for some information!

As far as I know the longest it has sat was last summer for about 3 months while my grandfather was still alive in the hospital.  

Since then we have started it up and let it run every couple of weeks.

According to my grandmother he used to drive it all over town and even a little farther. Unfortunately I'm not sure how far it would get us this year. It runs pretty decent on it's own once you get it started and warmed up, other than the starter sounds terrible...lol...

I'm hoping sometime soon this summer I can either get a job up there or bring the car back here as it is currently stored at my grandmothers house 2 hours away.

[elwellnick24]

i think what you need to do is have a good look at it, i.e, engine, running gear, chassis etc, that way you will spot any problems. look for oil leaks, torn c.v boots, rust, or anything that doesent look right! check the shocks for any leakage, look at the condition of the brakes, is the engine burning oil or water? is the coolant mucky? etc etc.......

[Jared]

Allrighty, I plan o having the neighbor from across the street who helped us get both of the older cars running (37, ford, and 48 willy's jeepster) and see if he would give me a list of things to look at or work on after he evaluates it one of these days..

[BMan1113VR]

try these forums:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Comet-List/
http://frost.bbboy.net/musclemavericksfastfords
http://www.ffcclub.com/DiscussionFolder_frm.htm

[Jared]

Thanks Bman the yahoo group seems to be quite close to what I was looking for..

[BMan1113VR]

no problem, let us know how the project goes

[Jared]

Allrighty, expect beginning photos to be posted real soon!

I just got a rather large chilton book in the mail today..(1,534 pages)!

Now to read up and gain some knowledge, and find a place to bring it down towards my house since two hour drive one way is a little much just to work on it...