Lincoln Capri or 53-55 Mercury build

I am looking for information on any builds people have been involed with for a 52 Lincoln Capri (I believe the 53-55 Mercury is the same). Since I will be hitting the highway with this car and my lil' tiny wife will also drive it I am debating front end options. I have done some research and have found that parts for a complete rebuild on the front, power steering conversion, and disc brake set-up will be ALOT more than just doing the mustang II thing. Anyone ever do one on these cars? Any other options would be nice too!

Thanks

 

Lots of posts tonight, I was burried before I hit send!

 

Rebuilding the stock front end is extremely expensive. I have 2 of these, kind of "in the works", as long range projects. One is being built for my GF's grandson, when he visits. Because of the low budget nature of this build, I had to put in a Camaro subframe, but it had to be narrowed about 3 in. Not an easy task to do right! I did a post on this, about 2-3 years ago. Due to the engine's expensive parts, as well, it's getting a Chevy, besides being easier, and more relevant, for the kid to learn engines on.
For my car, I researched doing the M2 thing, but the shape of the ch***is make doing just a crossmember swap impossible. Fatman makes a weld in subframe to put the M2 componenets in these year Lincs. Easier than doing an OEM subframe, but costlier. Not real sure the M2 parts will hold up to the weight of the car, but i guess if Fatman does a kit, he thinks it's safe.
In the end, as I'm doing the car 50's style, I decided I'll have to bite the bullet and rebuild the stock components for my car to look right.

 

i have had several 53 mercs and driven a stock lincoln around quite a bit. i don't see the need to rebuild or replace the stock suspension/front end as they seem to be very well made to begin with. just my opinion.

 

Not up to speed on Lincoln, But IIRC Mercury had a suspension change in 1954, in either case the MII worked well for me. Use the MII V8 parts for the greater GVW load.

 

Cost is a little high on the front end rebuild, but the way I look at it that is part of it. Just my .02.

I haven't owned a a Merc in a long time. But when I was in high school one of the mercs that we owned and drove was a '53 with a hopped up flatty. Mrs. '****** didn't have any trouble driving it she is 5'3" and at the time weighted all of 95 lbs.

I don't know how little your missus is but I would not underestimate her. I'll bet you could adapt a later power steering box or ***ist to it if you needed to.

 

I agree with all the comments about the frontend being a very good design. In my case I am interested in the comfort of power steering for the wife, disc brakes for safety, and after 60 years I imagine sooner or later front end parts will need replaced. With all that cost (and the fact that I wouldn't mind baggin it) the whole mustang II thing just comes out cheaper.
I thought someone mentioned they had one with a BBF in it. Anyone know who that was? I can't seem to find the post now.

 

Lincoln Capris won the Mexican Road Race in 1952, didn't they? The front suspension can't be all that bad.

-Dave

 

I am installing a hybrid system that uses the stock suspension and adds a modern power steering system.
Basically, a rack attaches to the bar that ties the spindles together.
The Merc is out getting paint. When it is back I'll get some pics.

 

From Kanter's Auto Parts:

LINCOLN

Standard Front End Rebuilding Kit Top of page

49-51 $286.00

52-57 note #3 $1199.00


Yeah, great design, but that's a LOT of money for 4 ball joints, bushings, and outer tie rod ends!

Then add shocks, brakes, ets. and you'll see why sometimes it's better to update!

 

YEP, that's what I mean! I will know more tonight when I do an inspection on the front end. The car has only seen 65,000 miles but it is still 60 years old. It is the ball joints that get you, $359 each when bought seperate. The prices you got are great compared to what I came up with!

 

Yes, the Mercury went to the same design as my 1952 Lincoln in 1954 so I think parts for a 54 Mercury are the same but i can't confirm it yet. Did you Mustang II your Mercury? Details on whose kit and etc please!

 

I own both cars, a 53 Merc, and a 54 Lincoln Capri. Suspension wise both are pretty good. But the Merc seriously needs power steering. I am planning on putting in a 54 Lincoln 317 and power steering into the 53 Merc. So that should take care of the power steering issue, however the frame is set up for a rear sump oil pan, so some modifications to the oil pan will be needed.

The ball joints are very expensive, as they need the cores to rebuild. Kingpin suspension on Merc is much less expensive, but is still a decent suspension.

 

I always thought the 52 up Mercury and Lincoln were 2 completely different cars. Practically nothing interchanges.

The Mercury was more of a glorified Ford but the Lincoln was all on its own.

So the Mercury should be much cheaper on parts especially those that interchange with Fords.

This may be wrong, I don't own either car. Maybe someone can clear this up?

 

The Ford and Mercury got both OHV V8s and ball joint front ends for '54 while Lincoln got them for '52. I'd never consider throwing. Mustang2 front end in one, the stock suspension and drivetrain are half the charm of these things.

Remember, the 52-54 Lincoln's were a**** the hottest cars on the road in the early 50s, they received lots of praise for their performance, braking and especially handling. I was just reading the magazine article where they swept 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in the '52 or '53 Carrera Panamericana. Think of the '52 Lincoln as the 1952 equivalent of a CTS-V today.

 

i think napa or carquest still stocks a lot of front end parts, i think the cost you mentioned for the ball joints is way high. i collected (off auction site mostly) a bunch of front end stuff for my 53 merc over the past 5 years at very reasonable cost, NOS stuff, not repro. i think the 54 merc power steering units, especially canadian, will bolt right on to the 53.

 

is this a non running car being put back in service? if so id get it running and feel it out. see if your lady can handle the manuel box. those early fiftys rides can be kind of a downer for the some of the ladies out there. id drive it a little and go from there. i know you can make really substantial mods to the stock suspension before you get into dangerous ball joint angles.

 

I have not tried it myself, but have heard that Jamco offers a kit to upgrade the old kingpins suspension to the ball joint kind. Also, I think Scarbird, here on the HAMB, can set you up with a disc brake setup. 53 and up Mercury's had a power steering option so you may check Hemmings etc and look for one. I'd think it'd bolt right up. Long time ago, Butch's Rod Shop offered a kit to upgrade the steering box so you could add power steering. I don't know if they're still around though. I thought I heard he retired years ago.

 

The car is a "finished" car (if there is such a thing). The original motor is long gone and it runs a mild built 302/C4 combo. The body has 64,000 miles since new. I know it is ready for control arm bushings and there is slop in the steering box but everything else might be OK. The bushings seem to be very dried out and worn. The car drives well and the handling/ride is much better than I would have expected from a 1952. I would like to end up with bags all the way around (but don't want to hack up the ch***is), power steering, and maybe even AC. This will be my family ride and something for my wife to drive to shows when I take another car. I really need to get it up on the rack but digging for information for now.

 

The power steering boxes in 53 - 54 Lincolns are very problematic.
Constant leak's, sloppiness and very poor build quality.
A rebuilt can run you $1000 with possible no improvement.
The size of them is staggering. It's a 2 or 3 man job to undo and lift the ***embly up and out thru the interior of the Lincoln.
My next Lincoln will not have a stock power steering box anywhere within a mile of it.
Same goes for the standard power braking system......loose it!

 

Yes frontend parts are extremly expensiv two upper balljoints 800$ :-( and the 53 lincoln and 53 Mercury parts want interchange,even if they look really simmiliar. The front end of the linc is a great one and so the brakes, may just ad powerbrake unit. And i think the steering should be doable,especialyy for you guys in the us wheres everything is legal
Here you can checklout my lincoln
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R1E3K3Zdlo

 

I am good on the brakes, the PO already converted them to a newer style power brake unit with a dual master cylinder. Everything I have read makes it sound like the 54 and up Mercury parts ARE the same, does anyone know this for sure?

 

I will continue some research on this but I am hoping someone that has made a conversion will pipe in. With the design of the front end I am surprised no one has made replacement control arm set-ups for these cars. It is designed well and does not look like it would be hard for someone set-up to fab front end suspensions.

 

You're thinking something like tubular A-arms with a more-readily-available ball joint? I like that better than the Pinto suspension idea.

-Dave

 

That is exactly what I am thinking. tubular A-arms (set-up for bags of course ) , shelf item ball joints, newer style spindles with easy to find disk brakes, etc.
It would eliminate so many issues and help to keep the Mercs and Lincolns of that time frame up and running without hacking the well designed front-end off and welding in something designed for a car half the weight.
The job would be well above my limitations because I do not have the slightest idea of how to design A-arms/front suspensions but a guy can dream!

 

I know exactly how you feel. Have you tried plugging into a Lincoln Owners' Club? Sometimes a group of guys dedicated to one particular make and model will have some real interesting insights on how to overcome common problems like balljoints made from gold-plated platinum. It may be someone has already figured out a conversion.

-Dave

 

May we should stick together and make some

 

I'd love to. I haven't got a '52 Lincoln, unfortunately, nor am I a suspension guru - just an idea man.

-Dave

 

I am going to continue to dig and if I find anything that looks promising I will be sure to share the info. If the car was a project car I would tear into it and work it out as I went but this is a running, driving cruiser and it would make no sense to tear apart a nice car during "season". Let's keep digging!

 

I would like to but I have not found any clubs other than later Lincolns. If anyon knows of one let me know.