1950 Mercury starting my progect!

Cool car, wish the Flathead was staying in it Good luck with your build

 

"...i believe that merc was a monterey if i remember right..its a nice start for the $$. are the garnish mouldings brass? "

Mine's a monterey, the garnish moldings are chrome plated. Monterey's have "Monterey" stamped in raised letters on the vin plate.
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Been there, done that. I grafted the front clip from a 92 ZR1 onto a Merc frame and installed an LS1/4L60E trans. Also modded the rear of the frame to accomodate the C4 IRS and bags. The concept was good and the actual clip graft came out fantastic...the problems arose with engine to body clearances. The Vette setup pushes the engine way back...the harmonic balancer actually sits behind the R&P unit in the stock configuration so you know that the rear of the engine has to sit a lot farther back in the chassis. Track width is also a gotcha. I forget the actual dimensions but the Vette IFS/IRS is wide enough to cause problems when trying to fit it under the Merc. Sure you can use some wheels with massive backspacing and get the tires fit fit under the wheel openings but is that really the look that you are going for? I thought that I could make it all work and then finally decided to shitcan the whole chassis and start over. Maybe you can get your setup to work to your satisfaction...I don't want to tell you not to do it, but maybe hearing my story may bring up some issues that you did not consider. Good luck!

 

Syco"Steve" good to see you on here. That merc looks to be a fairly good builder even though the seller was not totally truthful on a few issues. It was good talking to you about your merc. I know you are adding bags an you made the right choice by going with a 2nd gen Camaro stub instead of a MII stub. I know you are worried about tire to fender clearnce but if you use a deep offset wheel you will not have a issue at all. Of coarse if it's in your budget you can get a set of 1" narrower tubular A-arms and end up with A narrower track width that the stock merc. Check out some of my post about camaro clips for some tips.

 

Just another unasked for opinion here, I think with all the possibilities for custom suspension components there's no great reason not to use the stock merc frame. But I'm no hater here!

 

Good luck. I'm running a sbc now but plan to swap in a carbed ls at some point. I need more power.

 

The donor clip.

 

What look are you going for? Is there a Merc that you are looking to for inspiration? There was a great thread on here by Rikster that showcases a ton of inspiring Mercs. Look to the timeless Mercs and make your own version.

 

I really messed it up now!

 

Blackie I,m going for tho old school look on the out side with a newer drivetrain that will drive nice and if i want i can drive it anywhere without worries and have plenty of power nice brakes and handle well.

 

Now if you want advice on an old style LOOK-- can't get better advice then what you'll hear from bad bob, and if you're planning to do the body work yourself-- can't get better advice then from sldnnmatt, and if you're gonna do a modern frame and suspension EXK can put you on it....... good luck and enjoy.. was hoping to start mine this spring. but duty calls

 

Document the shit outa this build with lots of pics as i have a 50 Merc that will also be getting a camaro clip in the near future!!!

 

I have been talking with EXK im going with his sugestions on sub frame and suspension. I have looked at many chops including sldnmatt and I like his style of chop, I have been a bodyand frame guy for 25 years and do alot of custom paint including flake, candys and flames. I hope that this comes out how I vision it it should be a nice piece.

 

yep- matts stuff you just kinda look at and shake yer head and say damn- nature couldnt flow any better then that..and Bobs had his car modeled as an old style sled.. and those outfits dont waste mony on a design unless its dang near perfect. Plus he's a good old fart, I've asked him some silly questians b4 and he has always taken the time to answer me... course sometimes its like your buddy standing in the driveway calling you a dumb shit while he's smiling and handing u a beer lol. But he has an eye for it, so I value his opinions.. Dont always take it, after all its my car... and EXK's frames are sick.. wish to hell I could afford one

 

All trimmed out ready for subframe.

 

I'm interested to see how the LS engine fitment goes!

What is your plan for the flathead? I think I have just enough of a spot clear in my shop for it!!!

 

All tacked in! Measures purfect! finish welding and fabricate gussets next. I,m tired.

 

Steve it looks like you may have the clip set a little low. I can not tell by your pics if you set the clips main rails 2" up from the bottom side of the X member like we talked about. If you did you have it leaned down in the front to much. I can see in your first pic where the merc frame is butted to the clip it looks about level on the top side. When i do them the clip sets about 1" up at that joint. Look at the 2 holes on the clip thats on the drivers that alline slightly in front of where the 2 frames join. Usally the upper hole on the clip ends up about 3/4" down from the top side of the merc frame at that joint. At this second i can not find a pic that shows this joint clealy but if you need it i will find one for you.

Oh an LS motor will fit in a stock merc frame fairly easly even with a big 6 speed 4L85 auto trans attached and even more room with a camaro clip. The only mod you need to do is to slightly raise the top side of the transmission cover.

 

I,ll call you in the morning to go over it. I was looking at the pics of the one you did on the 51 frame and the rear of the rails looked dlush with the bottom where it joins the xframe meets it. No problem to move it its tacked in a couple of places. Thanks for lookinf out. If you can post some more pics.

 

Nice merc...good luck bro!

 

Sweet mercure

 

I do not always set the clip at the same height. Customer's want differnt ride heights with bags, no bags, lay frame, and even a built in saftey scrub. Some customers want large dia tires and lay frame so i have to set the clip even higher. Buy adj the clip height you end up with very good suspension geometry as it fully cycles. Here are some better pic to look at.

 

update.. welded up time to build gussets. thanks for your help EXK!

 

dont know why pics are so blurry, here is one more.

 

Looking good!, love how your dog is right there helping! well, eating

 

Sycosteve,
would you mind taking some other pics showing all sides of the clip marrige to the frame so i can appreciate the alignment and and frame cuts you did?
thank you so much.

 

I will send you more pics if you like. What is your email that would be eaisiest.

 

Awesome, thank you. You can send them to t_hawkins@hotmail.com. Very much appreciated!

 

Nice looking build. I'm subscribed.

 

looking good!