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Projects The "NoBrakes" Mercury

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by nobrakes, May 20, 2013.

  1. nobrakes
    Joined: May 19, 2013
    Posts: 31

    nobrakes
    Member

    Howdy. Just introduced myself in the newcomer thread. Wanted to start a thread about my new project - 1955 Mercury Monterey. This is my first old car and I have only done small stuff to it so far (like apply for my title!).

    Here's a little info about it:
    2 door
    292 or 312 Y-block (will be taking oil pan off this week to determine)
    think the original paint was butter yellow with black top (will be trying to decipher number soon-see picture)
    vacuumed out the rat poo and acorns
    washed windows.

    I've got a manual on its way in the mail. Not planning on doing an original restoration job, but do want it to run clean and look nice.

    Might be needing a little help along the way, so I'll be putting questions in this thread.
     
  2. nobrakes
    Joined: May 19, 2013
    Posts: 31

    nobrakes
    Member

  3. smfyr241
    Joined: Jun 6, 2011
    Posts: 48

    smfyr241
    Member

    Fire away with your q's.... Good luck with your project .....pics of the car would be nice when u get time.... Your engine should be the 292.
     
  4. nobrakes
    Joined: May 19, 2013
    Posts: 31

    nobrakes
    Member

    The man who sold it to me said it has a 312, but we'll find out for sure soon.
    It was also modified from automatic to a 3-speed, and to dual exhaust.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2013

  5. Looks good as,is
     
  6. Jtg-3
    Joined: Sep 28, 2011
    Posts: 75

    Jtg-3
    Member
    from Huron Ohio

    Always liked those, looks super solid, great find / great luck ...
     
  7. general gow
    Joined: Feb 5, 2003
    Posts: 6,407

    general gow
    MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    The thing with y-blocks is that according to the sellers, they are ALL 312s...lol.

    That looks like a great project. Good luck.
     
  8. rotorwrench
    Joined: Apr 21, 2006
    Posts: 633

    rotorwrench
    Member

    It could be a 312 but the 55 had the 292 as original equipment. In 56 they all had 312s but from 57 on they gravitated toward the larger MEL blocks with the 312 being the smallest engine available in the Mercury cars and the only Y-block.

    It's a Los Angeles car. It was tuxedo black upper with yukon yellow lower. It had black & yellow designer weave nylon fabric with yellow vinyl. It was manufactured on the 12th day of November 1954 and was the first car assembled that day.
     
  9. nobrakes
    Joined: May 19, 2013
    Posts: 31

    nobrakes
    Member

    Thanks for the VIN/style decription help! First off the line...that day.
    I have some of the fabric still on the seats. It's not salvageable, but it's a start.
     
  10. JeffB2
    Joined: Dec 18, 2006
    Posts: 9,484

    JeffB2
    Member
    from Phoenix,AZ

  11. czuch
    Joined: Sep 23, 2008
    Posts: 2,688

    czuch
    Member
    from vail az

    Thats a nice ride.
     
  12. 54rat210
    Joined: Jun 5, 2012
    Posts: 391

    54rat210
    Member

    Or a little flat black
     
  13. big M
    Joined: Mar 22, 2010
    Posts: 709

    big M
    Member

    Your engine does have the '57 only 4-barrel manifold with the wider carb bolt spacing. Could be a 312 if the engine was changed out at some time. The stock 292 manifold would have been for the teapot Holley.

    ---John
     
  14. nobrakes
    Joined: May 19, 2013
    Posts: 31

    nobrakes
    Member

    The guy who sold it to me said that it wasn't the original engine and is a 312. Will verify as soon as I get to the main caps. Thanks for the tips!
     
  15. Great looking merc . To check 292/312, you could try lying underneath and looking at the rear crank flange while someone turns the engine over slowly with a bar/socket on the front pulley - 312 will have the identifier "dot" on the crank flange . Sometimes it can be seen this way .

    http://www.ford-y-block.com/identify312.htm

    .
     
  16. Magnus
    Joined: Apr 30, 2006
    Posts: 904

    Magnus
    Member
    from Sweden

    Welcome to the HAMB, that's a nice ride for sure.
     
  17. nobrakes
    Joined: May 19, 2013
    Posts: 31

    nobrakes
    Member

    Progress!
    Fuel pump - changed out. New filter.
    Oil pan - off! (PITA, though. Had to disconnect stuff and remove sway bar.)
    Yup, it's a 312.
    Carb filter - cleaned. GROSS. Chock solid. Now it runs super. Still need brakes!
    Next up - wires, plugs, distributor.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  18. nobrakes
    Joined: May 19, 2013
    Posts: 31

    nobrakes
    Member

    Thanks to HEAPS CC of Fort Worth for coming over on my birthday and helping a lady out. Husband got the oil pan back in today - filled it up and good to go. Then passenger side front and rear brakes got new cylinders, some shoes.
     
  19. Mildsteel
    Joined: Dec 27, 2009
    Posts: 74

    Mildsteel
    Member
    from VALE N.C.

    Good job. Keep up the good work.
     
  20. nobrakes
    Joined: May 19, 2013
    Posts: 31

    nobrakes
    Member

    Driver side cylinders and shoes today! Will need to look for new drums, turns out, but I'm good for now. I learned a lot about the correct tools to use on all of those springs, and some tricks on how to get the shoes back on. Also learned that the short shoe goes in front.
    Still need to do the tune up stuff: plugs, wires, distributor.
     
  21. Whoohoo! then it's laps of the block time??

    good progress , keep at it .


    .
     
  22. snopeks garage
    Joined: May 25, 2011
    Posts: 556

    snopeks garage
    Member
    from macomb MI

    nobrakes haha i have that tattooed on my fingers, seriously.
     
  23. mustang6147
    Joined: Feb 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,847

    mustang6147
    Member
    from Kent, Ohio

    That's a great lookin car. Make sure you enjoy it for a while before you tackle anything big where its layed up in the garage.... I have seen to many people buy cars, tear-um apart and then they loose intrest....

    I really like that cars style....
     
  24. nobrakes
    Joined: May 19, 2013
    Posts: 31

    nobrakes
    Member

    Thanks guys!
    We are "this" close to doing laps around the block. A new brake line, bleed them, then a few tweaks. Having a blast, though, and it's giving the car club something to help on (we seem to be rotating through people's projects, which is nice).

    NoBrakes - the origin. I probably should get it tattooed on my knuckles, so that next time I ride a motorcycle I can see it. My family started calling me that after I totalled one motorcycle in a ditch, then less than two weeks later crashed a dirt bike into a fence when the throttle stuck. My husband then bought me a scooter. haha.
     
  25. mustang6147
    Joined: Feb 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,847

    mustang6147
    Member
    from Kent, Ohio

    Is it pink, and a pink helmet? with flames???
     
  26. nobrakes
    Joined: May 19, 2013
    Posts: 31

    nobrakes
    Member

    Helmet? What's that?

    Alas, it was a black scooter, not pink.
     
  27. nobrakes
    Joined: May 19, 2013
    Posts: 31

    nobrakes
    Member

    Verified the carburetor today. Carter AFB. Time to get it rebuilt. People have been saying my husband and I could do it ourselves, but it seems a lot easier to mess up than an oil change or plugs and wires. Must also get through the gasket gunk put between the water pump and the block by whomever owned this thing before me. Ew.
     
  28. 48fordor
    Joined: Jan 16, 2009
    Posts: 143

    48fordor
    Member
    from York, PA

    Don't be scared of an AFB. It was my first carb rebuild and it all worked out fine. Just don't confuse the primary and secondary jets. I think HP Books published the book I used.

    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  29. mustang6147
    Joined: Feb 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,847

    mustang6147
    Member
    from Kent, Ohio

    I bet you both can do it.... Snap pics with your camera as you disassemble... so after soaking and cleaning, you can have everything out and clean and reassemble.
     
  30. nobrakes
    Joined: May 19, 2013
    Posts: 31

    nobrakes
    Member

    Been a few days, but got some more done. Turned drums on the right side of the car. Took carb off and sent it to Dynamic Industries in Fort Worth for rebuild. Very happy and excited to get it back soon! Plans for this week also include trying to clean some of the gunk off the engine.
     

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