The 1967 Mercury Comet shares Ford's reliable Falcon platform but shows its age in typical 1960s weak points: front suspension wear, drum brake fade, and cooling system inadequacy on V8 models. The timing chain stretched over time is the primary documented concern.
Timing Chain Stretch and Failure (I6 and V8)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: rattling noise on cold start that quiets after warmup, rough idle or misfiring at idle, backfiring through carburetor, difficulty starting when hot, Check timing shows significant retardation
Fix: Replace timing chain, gears, and tensioner. On 200ci I6 expect 4-5 hours labor; 289/390 V8s run 5-6 hours due to tighter engine bay. Must pull radiator and accessories. Critical to replace oil pump drive gear on V8s simultaneously as it wears concentrically with chain. Use double-roller aftermarket chain for longevity.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Front Upper Control Arm Bushings Deterioration
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking over bumps, steering wander and vague on-center feel, uneven tire wear on inside edges, alignment won't hold settings
Fix: Replace upper control arm bushings both sides. Originals were rubber and decay completely by now. 3-4 hours labor including alignment. Most shops press out old bushings and install polyurethane upgrades. Expect to replace ball joints at same time if not already done—they're typically worn by this mileage.
Estimated cost: $450-800
Single-Circuit Master Cylinder Brake Failure
Occasional · high severitySymptoms: complete brake pedal loss to floor with no warning, brake fluid leak at master cylinder, spongy pedal that suddenly goes to floor
Fix: This is a safety-critical design flaw—1967 still used single-circuit master cylinders. When the seal fails, you lose all brakes. Upgrade to dual-circuit master from 1968+ Falcon/Mustang (direct bolt-on with proportioning valve addition). 2-3 hours labor including brake bleeding and line modifications. This should be preventive maintenance on any survivor.
Estimated cost: $350-600
Radiator Core Clogging and Overheating (V8 Models)
Common · medium severitySymptoms: overheating in traffic or hot weather, temp gauge climbs rapidly under load, coolant flow visible at radiator cap is weak, heater produces weak heat despite hot engine
Fix: Original copper-brass radiators are typically 50+ years old and internally corroded. Core flushing rarely works. Budget for re-core or aluminum replacement—aluminum 3-row direct replacements available. 390/428 engines were marginal on cooling from factory. 3-4 hours labor for R&R including hoses and thermostat. Verify fan clutch operation simultaneously.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Fuel Sender and Gauge Inaccuracy
Occasional · low severitySymptoms: fuel gauge reads empty when tank has fuel, gauge pegged at full regardless of fuel level, erratic gauge movement, gauge reads accurately only in certain range
Fix: Tank-mounted fuel sender develops internal resistance issues. Ford senders of this era used bimetallic arms that corrode. 2 hours labor to drop tank and replace sender unit. Verify gauge voltage regulator behind dash isn't failed first (15-minute check). Most failures are sender-side, not gauge.
Estimated cost: $250-450
C4 Automatic Transmission Bands and Seals (if equipped)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: slipping on 1-2 shift under load, delayed engagement into drive or reverse, burnt transmission fluid smell, no engine braking in manual 1 or 2
Fix: C4 transmissions are generally reliable but front band adjustments weren't always performed at proper intervals. Slipping indicates band or clutch pack wear. If caught early, band adjustment and fresh fluid (3 hours labor) may buy time. Full rebuild runs 12-15 hours. Many owners swap to rebuilt units on exchange basis.
Estimated cost: $350-2,200
Door Hinge Pin Wear and Sagging
Common · low severitySymptoms: door drops when opened fully, difficult to close door without lifting, wind noise from door seal, door-to-fender gap widens at bottom
Fix: Steel hinge pins wear in aluminum bushings. This is universal on 1960s Fords by now. Replace hinge pin and bushing kits—both doors, 4 hinges total. 2-3 hours labor if you don't repaint door jambs. Door must be supported during pin removal. Use hardened aftermarket pins, not OEM-style soft steel.
Estimated cost: $200-400
Buy a solid six-cylinder car with maintenance records; walk away from neglected V8s unless you're prepared for $3,000-5,000 in deferred maintenance up front—they're parts-available and mechanically simple but need immediate attention to brakes, cooling, and timing chain.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.