Last night I got the engine ready to pull. I'm pretty sure it's going to be junk internally, we'll see once I can get the pan off. I'll probably be playing musical engines and sticking a Windsor in it for now.
The 2bbl 352 is all complete at least. I have an iron 1960 4bbl intake for it in the stash if the engine is salvageable. There's a big mouse nest in the pan and the dipstick is rusted in place.
I pulled the 352 today and discovered a rod hanging out of the block. This afternoon I managed to pick up a complete early FE in good shape for a really good deal. It has Mercury valve covers as a bonus. Now it's cleaning time...
I just got a '60 Startliner, a little over a year ago. It's my second '60. I had a Galaxie Club Sedan when I was 20, in 1964. I looked for this one for 10 years before I found in in WA. Mines a 300hp 3 speed OD, with a 3.89 rear gear. It was originally a 3.56. I'm only the third owner. Sold new in Portland, then to the guy's son in WA. I've spent a lot of time on the rust. '60 and earlier Fords didn't have zink plated rockers so, there almost always gone. Here is a picture of mine and a picture of Ned Jarrette's but, I don't think it's a H&M car.
I have a buddy who has a complete 1960 352 hipo engine. Not sure if you are interested since you just bought the Merc FE but if interested, I can ask him if he’s ready to sell it.
I'm a little shocked that there is no roll cage - not even a roll bar - in Jarret's car! When did roll bars on hardtops become mandatory?
I dug out a '65 3spd toploader to put in the car until I can find the original trans. I machined down the input retainer to fit the smaller center hole in the earlier bellhousing, now I'm just waiting for a clutch disc and throwout bearing to show up and everything should bolt together.
I got the clutch and trans all put together. I had to cut 1/8" off the tip of the trans input shaft to make it fit the FE, since for whatever reason Ford decided to make the FE toploaders use a shorter input than all the rest. I replaced all the core plugs in the engine block with br*** ones, then got everything stuffed in the car. It was dark by then so no pictures yet.
I appreciate the offer, I'm just going to stick with this Merc engine for now and scrounge hipo pieces for it as the budget allows.
This thing still had the original nylon tooth cam gear on it, still in one piece! I put a double row set on it, and built a transmission crossmember while I'm waiting for parts...
I haven't hooked up a fuel system yet but I did get the engine to fire for a second. There were no clanking noises so that was encouraging.
I started cleaning out the interior and removing the carpet. There was a newspaper and a magazine from 1972 so that's probably the last year it ran. I was excited to find a gas receipt with a name on it, more insight to the car's history.
Found a Betty Call in Boise, related to a Howard Call. She would have been age 17/18 in 1971. Possibly Howard was her father? Betty Call Found - Phone Numbers, Addresses & Possible Relatives | US Search
63 Mercury engine. 62 dont have plastic timing sprocket and 64 dont have that gas lingake spring bracket.
Thanks! That lines up with what I found on Howard. He was a farmer, born in Rigby in 1928. There was a Dairyman magazine in the car so that matches. He moved to Boise at some point. He p***ed in '99 and his obituary lists a daughter named Betty.
If you reach out to her, let us know! Always interesting to learn about the people who used to own our cars.
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