Tomorrow morning I'm going to a junkyard to get the dash out of a '49 Mercury for my '51. I'll be leaving shortly but if anyone reading this knows what specific tools I should bring and things to look for, I'm all ears. I assume there's big flathead screws under the garnish along the top and bolts on either side but removal tips would be really helpful. I'm not allowed to cut anything on the car so a torch is out.
Been a while, but I'm remembering a lot of screws and the bolts on each side underneath. Guessing they're 1/2" or so, one on each side. Plus the bolts holding the column up. 7/16" maybe, or 3/8" ? You won't need a torch for anything, it all unbolts. Are you allowed to cut the wiring? You'll have to disconnect a few other pieces, but no torch. Sorry I'm not near mine to doublecheck.
That's kinda what I was thinking, but the confirmation helps. I'm going to unplug the wires, although there's probably very little of that left. It's in a rough parts car at a junkyard, but the yard owner is real particular about how things are removed, and i don't want to mess up my chance at a '49 dash.
Am I the only one who thinks the '50-'51 dash is better looking than the '49? The '49 instrument panel looks like it was an afterthought, & just slapped on the dash. The '50-'51 is much smoother, which is what we are all going for here isn't it? I have a later dash hanging on the wall, waiting for me to put it in my '49. No, my fully functional '49 dash isn't for sale, yet.
Squablow, good luck pulling the dash, remember, it always takes a lot longer to do something than you think. I always seem to get impatient and that's when things start to go wrong.
Small powerful flashlight. Small mirror. 1/4" socket set with extensions. Cardboard sheet or carpet to lay on. WD 40 or similar. Safety glasses. Container for small parts and fasteners.
If theres big flat head screws under the molding you had better take an impact screwdriver if ya have one. Oh and a hammer to hit it with.
For fun....bring the aforementioned items,but maybe a small propane torch (like for heat shrinking) and a small birthday cake candle,or any candle...... Penetrant might not work in seconds to remove 65 yr old rusted stuff......The wax method might help a lil.........Also- a impact hammer with bit's....... You can never be too armed with tools when recovering older treasures........
If the windshield trim is still in the car you will have to pull it to get to the screws along the top of the dash. By the way, what's wrong with the stock 51 instrument panel? I've been hunting one for a project.
Hey Jon, did you get the dash out or are you stuck to the car? Just checked your weather, 28 frigging degrees.
Me and Mr Cheater froze ourselves all day but I got the dash and a sweet '52 Merc accessory wheel, along with a bunch of other goodies. For the record, I removed the windshield garnish (all small Phillips screws) and there were 8 Phillips head screws below it that held the dash along the front, they weren't very big either, not nearly as big as I was expecting. Then there were two screws on either side that had a half inch hex head on them (they look like bolts but they're big sheetmetal screws) and a U-bolt holding the column to the dash, that had 7/16" nuts on them and required a deep well socket, they broke right off, then there's a pin to remove at the back of the parking brake handle shaft and that slides out, the rest is just cables and wires. Wasn't nearly as bad as I thought.
The yard is called CL Chase and it's in Camp Douglas, WI. The guy isn't cheap and he's very particular, I've heard a few people say they won't go back because he didn't want to sell them anything, but he's got some good stuff and I was happy to pay the price for what I got. Once you know how to talk to the guy and negotiate with him, he's not so bad to deal with, he was real nice to us. I've got some pics on my phone of some cool stuff in the yard, I'll post those when I get some time.
I would agree that the '50-'51 dash is smoother, but the row of big round gauges in my face on the '49 dash really does it for me. Plus, it's easier to adapt different gauges to it. I want to keep the original gauge faces but I need some gauges that will work in the car. The '49 is my favorite Merc overall of the 49-51 style, but I've always liked the '51 rear quarters and bumper best, so I'm adding a '49 jailbar rear window, this dash, and a 49-50 grille shell to my '51. The window and shell I've had for years, way before I had the car, but I wasn't sure I'd ever find this dash, especially not in a junkyard.
Nope, I took all that was there, so the radio, speaker grille, glove door, and that upper trim piece are all missing. The glovebox door I'll have to find, I've seen them on eBay occasionally, the rest I'll do something custom with, unless I find those pieces as well.
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