Hi all. Just wanted to say 'HI'. Today I got a car of my dreams - 1963 Mercury Comet S-22. What makes it the car of my dreams?! Easy... 1) It was made in America at a time when workers took pride in their workmanship 2) It doesn't have all that fandangeled electronic garbage that messes up everything eventually 3) You can reach all of the under the hood parts with little effort. I came across this forum in attempts to find a few specifics about this car - such as what type of oil to add, and, since older cars ran on leaded gas, what type of additive do I add to the gas tank, and how often. I don't have tha manual yet, (need to order one), but in the meantime, it really needs an oil change. Thanks much!
From Utah! I remember when I was a little boy my Dad had a powder blue 63 four door Comet, it ran so long, I remember he still had it when my oldest brother got his driver’s license. My brothers 1st car was 62 Comet then later my dad sold him his old 57 Ford half bed is that the word?
Both oil and gasoline have changed formulas since the early 60’s. Use 10W-30 or 10W-40. If it’s a high mileage engine 20W-50 would be a better choice. You will be fine with todays mid to high grade gasoline. Remember regulator gas octane was 91 back in the day not 87 like it is now. Try and avoid the ethanol flavor in any carbureted vehicle because they don’t have a computer adjusting the mixture and timing. Here is an online manual http://falconfaq.dyndns.org/ Oh...welcome to the forum.
re: Newbie with new '63 Comet Thank you all SO much for your help! To the best of my belief, the engine is a 170 - as I said, it has been many years since I have owned an older car. (I had a 1968 Chevy Malibu in 1978 - stupidly traded it for a Caddy convertible, and a 1960 Buick Invicta in 1972 - the 'batmobile')! This '63 Comet seems to have gasket leakage's - what is the best way to clean the engine? Steam? (Have issues 'trusting' shop people anymore), or Gunk? This car came with 2 Comet metal insignias that are not the right size for this car...they are approx. 5 inches long. If anyone needs them, please let me know - I can't use them. I do need the "Mercury" plate, 4 holes that are spaced a total of 7" on the drivers side of the hood - if anyone has a spare. Also need the drivers side arm rest on the door. Other than those things, seems pretty 'together'! (So far). Too bad the original black plates aren't on it. Any way to get those? Again, thank you all
I had good results using Greased Lighting sprayed from a garden sprayer. Use a 4" paint brush to work in the soap the spray it off with a water hose. It might take 3 or 4 times but it works great. Be sure cover carburetor, alternator and distributor. This stuff will eat the paint off anodized fitting and stain polished aluminum
