The Big M is home.

Brought the mercury in Saturday. Did a test fit on the ngine on Monday.
I hope the pictures work right.

Well. Those seem to work alright so I think I'll try again.

Drop right in-Sure. Bolt right up?-Not On Your Life.

If that's an FE block (which it looks like from here) you should be able to turn the mount around and bolt it in. I've been involved in a couple of 390's swaps in 56 Fords and the Mercury is the same except there's a little more room for the firewall. The exhaust gets tight around the steering box. Way back when we did that swap we used the log type exhaust manifolds from about a 63-65 Galaxie. I've heard the one's from a 59 332/353 fit even better. Something like a Maverick accelerator should work pretty good. That's what I have on mine with a 302 in it.

That's what I thought. I helped a buddy put a 390 in a 56 Ford. It took a little hammer work on the firewall but it fit. And you're right. When I set it in, the manifold sets right down on the steering box. Maybe if I can find a set like you suggested it would work but the ones I have now won't go. Maybe different mounts too. The ones I have, I already turned around and it would take another inch with the left bank hard into the wall. Doesnt leave much room for the kick-down that way.

What happened to the 312 as I could use some 312 parts and if you need a good front seat I have one.

It was gone when I got the car. All that's left is the air cleaner and the valve covers. I didn't ask about it but I didn't see it in his shop. Of course his shop is like mine. Could have been buried somewhere.
I'll call him today and see if he still has it. I got the front seat with it but it is pretty pitiful. I'm thinking buckets like are in my '10 F-150. They are some of the most comfortable seats I ever sat in and will flip up far enogh to get in the back.

Sorry, but modern bucket seats are going to look like crap in that car. Stick with an original type bench.

Nice car, BTW. I drove a '55 Monterey 2dr hard top for a few years.

If you are not going to use the valve covers I could use them.

What a dork! I sent this to Blue Eyed Devil today because I wasn't paying enough attention.

"I called Guerry. He doesn't have the original motor. Gave me a couple of names with no phone numbers. I could probably chase them down if you want.
Probably right about the seats. Oh well, if i wanted a soft ride it would be a Lincoln."

The valve covers are yours. How do we get them to you? Know anybody with a good front crossmember. Got that oak tree thing going on....Looks good on the outside but totally rotten on the inside.


Doug


_________________
Arieldouglas

They sell them on ebay for around 300.00 I had mine capped 3or 4 years and it still looks good I hope this helps you I have a 54 .

Boy, I envy you with that big motor in there. That thing would really throw a flame. More fuel, more fire. My little 302 does ok but a 390 would really pump some gas.

Everybody's got ta have a Mercury!

I might have a couple of taillight assemblies and some headlight doors (or what ever they're called) but I'm not too sure what I have already given to the Dog for the Merc that he had and then sold. I need a good '55 front grille bar (the part that appears to be the bumper) I have a decent '56 I'd trade.

Just crazy about a Mercury.

From what I have been told the front crossmember is different on the merc,I had to replace the one on my 55 Ford and found one out west. There are reproductions available for the Fords but will find out some contact info for you and they should know if they are the same. I will pay the shipping for the valve covers and will get you my address through a PM.

Cool! I found the one on ebay and I have contact info on Goodell out in OK but any info is appreciated.

What attracted me to you gouys in the first place was the name. Try to scrounge it up first, then think about making it and if all else fails - buy it. Is that about right or did I miss something

I have the headlight doors and the front bumper/grill. One of the head light doors is cracked but the grill is pretty good. Even got some new chrome "teeth" with it.

Read the post about the home made flamethrower and went looking for those old Galaxie horns. Haven't found them yet but I think they'll work. Got a way to go to get there though.

Goodell is who I was thinking about,a local junkyard had a frame pile that had some good crossmembers but they stated cleaning the place up before I could get with them to save some of the stuff.

Arieldouglas wrote:Try to scrounge it up first, then think about making it and if all else fails - buy it. Is that about right or did I miss something

That's the way it goes. Unless you have really deep pockets you have to dig for this stuff now a days. Let's face it. Most places don't even sell the stuff we need anyway. scrounging left over parts from junkyards, friends or other sources are the only way some of us can build one.

Growing up on a farm you learn more than you want to know about scroungong and making.

Well been busy with other things but got that crossmember out.

Oh here is the rest of it.

Seems like it would be a good time to replace those bushings. Does anyone know if urethane bushings are available?

Well, I decided to quit looking for a replacement crossmember. Looked in my scrap metal pile and found one there. Just didn't recognize it at first. Here it is though. Next I'm off on the brakes. Found a 79 LTD booster that I can install and maintain clearance from the engine.

Looking good!

Thanks!

I got lazy and found a used on for my 55,traded some labor with a frame shop to get it installed. A local junkyard had a frame pile with many good crossmembers and told them when they ever wanted to scrap them to let me know and I would help them go through the pile and keep the good parts but they scrapped them any way.

Yea, I know. When the price of scrap goes up the oldest victims are the first to go. I found several local that weren't in much better shape than mine. I could have ordered one from Goodell's. I decided to spend that money on something else. Don't know what yet but it's still in my pocket. The one I built is a lot heavier duty than original but I know I don't have to worry about the integrity of the metal. it'll bee there when the rest of the frame is gone!

Got the brake booster figured out. Trying to do this thing on the cheap and try to do all Ford. For what that's worth these days. '79 LTD booster. Most of the master cylinders will interchange so I think it won't be too hard to bring the lines out the other side.


It's only like 1/2 inch clearence. Wasn't sure that was enough.
Once I got it bolted in, jacked the whole car up with the oil pan and couldn't make it hit the booster. I guess that's a pretty good test.

I am planning on using a booster from a 73 to 79 truck on my 55,it has a bracket that moves the booster up from the motor a few inches and should clear the Y block.

Do you have one yet? I have one from a 74 but the larger diameter offset the bracket clearance on the FE and didn't help me. I guess the Y sits lower though and that should help a lot. What about a stock booster on yours?