I pulled the 260 V-8 out of my ‘62 Mercury about 2 1/2 years ago. It had bearing noise from the bottom end and had low oil pressure for awhile, so it was due. Anyway I tore it down, took some measurements, and determined it was still in decent shape. I dropped the block off at the machine shop for tanking and honeing. I also had them do a valve job. I got the block and heads back about 6 months later. So that was 2 years ago, long story short, life got in the way, and I just didn’t have the time to get it back together, it’s still all wrapped up in plastic from the machine shop. So my question, I’m a GM guy by experience, I’ve rebuilt a few. This is my first Merc or even Ford rebuild, that combined with the fact that it’s been over 2 years since I tore this down, I would be a lot more comfortable with a dummies guide to putting a Merc engine back together, so I don’t miss something. Is there any good book or reading material for a step by step process for assembly? Thanks
I found the Tom Monroe book "How To Rebuild Ford Small Block Engines" very helpful when I was doing the 289 in my '67 Galaxie.....the 260 really isn't that much different, other than a few brackets, etc, that are unique to the early small blocks....the interchangeability among these engines is pretty amazing....
The 1962 Fairlane and Meteor shop manual would be fine also. I used Tom Monroe's book when I rebuilt my first 260 (1964 Fairlane). It isn't too relevant unless you replace the engine, but the 260 will have a five bolt bellhousing vs six bolt in the 1965 up small blocks, motor mount bolt spacing is 1" narrower, valve stems are 5/16" vs. 11/32", conrods are skinnier, you have a water heated carb spacer... plus a few more differences no doubt. Oh yeah... there's really no such thing as a Mercury 260 - it's a regular Ford 260 with maybe a Mercury logo here and there.
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