Ford 289 Swap -73 Comet - Day 3: The Flex Plate Disaster & Murphy's Law

New T-Shirt Designs go to https://www.dansmessygarage.com Welcome back to Dan's Messy Garage for Day 3 of the 1973 Ford Comet project. In this episode, I'm continuing the 289 engine swap by tackling the bell housing installation and prepping the engine for its first test start. From torqueing flywheel bolts to the unexpected challenge of a mismatched flex plate diameter, this video captures the raw reality of garage builds and the persistence needed to keep a project moving forward. Chapter List: 00:00 - Introduction & Day 3 Goals 00:43 - Figuring Out the Bell Housing Support 01:37 - Flywheel & Torqueing Bolts 03:26 - Adjusting the Engine Test Stand 05:12 - Boroscoping the Cylinders & Rust Check 07:51 - Priming the Oil System 10:49 - The Flex Plate Setback (Murphy's Law) 12:50 - Swapping to the Correct Flex Plate 14:43 - Final Prep for the Big Start Thanks for following along with this Ford 289 small block build. Dealing with setbacks like the wrong flex plate is all part of the process when working on classic cars like the '73 Comet. If you’re into DIY engine swaps, Ford restorations, or just want to see if I can get this rebuilt 289 running, make sure to subscribe and stay tuned for Day 4.