Technical 1949 Mercury

Hello everyone, I'm new here, and I just got a 49 Mercury 2 door, she's rough around the edges, but I have been restoring car for over 35 years. My car is for the most part complete, but in need of lots of replacement panels, and trim. My question though today is, since the car has its original drivetrai, I was thinking about going with that, and just make it old school, may change my mind later, however, what are some of the old tricks for lowering these car, without having to break the bank? I am just a painter in a body shop, not rich by any means, but this car will be a head turner.

 

Welcome to the H.A.M.B. Bill. Easiest and cheapest way to lower your Merc would be Aerostar front springs and lowering blocks for the rear. Search Aerostar springs and see for yourself. Good luck and keep us posted as to your progress. Pictures are always welcome here as well.

 

welcome aboard.

 

Reverse-eye leaf springs for the rear...

 

Welcome to the HAMB.
The cheapest way to lower your Merc is with dropped spindles and/or lower springs in front and lowering blocks in back. Be sure to get the front end aligned afterwards.

 

Good times are in front of you no doubt. Merc's are Kool. Aerostar coils are in fact cost effective. I've always wondered how they actually ride in a car as heavy as a Merc. I haven't had the oppertunity to drive one yet. Dropped spindles are a very good way to do it but now your talking a good bit of $$$. You can add a spacer to the lower A frame between the arm and coil spring plate (that's way cheep). I went a different route and seems to be frowned on here but I think it's the best. Working at a Body Shop if you have access to a Frame rack it over the top easy. Adding the motor mounts you see I can bolt my Flathead back in. My core support is Stock and will run a Stock 50 Merc rad. I also modified my stock steering column to connect to the G.M. steering box.
The Wizzard

 

Aerostars are nice and cheap, these two were simple cut coils and a 3" block in the rear with a few leaves pulled out. I put some air shocks on the rear incase I needed it to go higher.

 

Thanks for the info guys, I had also heard something about uprights????

 

The old school way. Flip the front spindles from side to side. You will need to use some heat to get the camber right. I went the big bucks way with dropped spindles from fatman's.

Neal

 

Dropped uprights are good, i use the fatmans as well

 

The black 49 in my avatar has a nova like pist n brokes in post #6, my 50 has a 75 torino front frame and the 49 I'm working on now is stock with cut coils.

 

I put 3" lower springs in mine from Jamco suspension & ordered 4" lower from St Luis spring company. Look at 49-51 production parts on the site & you will find a lot of Merc parts.

 

Cool thanks guys

 

Being as how the Mercury cars are supposed to be a good driver, and the fact that they already have independent suspension, I see no need in all the work of a frame clip or swap

 

Is that a Camaro clip? Nice work by the way

 

Thanks and your correct. I also graphed the stock Merc frame horns to the Nova frame so everything Mercury bolts back on.

 

Oops, I ment to correct you but got distracted. It is a 69 Nova unit much like the Camaro only 1-7/8" narrower at the rotor hub.
The Wizzard