Projects All The Twos: 1962 Mercury, 352cui, 2bbl, Too Many Doors.

Bonnet clears the air cleaner so can look at painting that.


Brakes are still driving me nuts!

Trying to work out a way to fix the grille badge. The tangs that hold the emblem in have broken. Maybe some epoxy putty

 

I can see this going badly!

 

1 out!

 

Dang, is that only after a little bit of run time. Or did you not replace them when you had the block out?

 

Some idiot didn’t replace them

 

Double bollocks! I just can’t get the core plugs in with the engine in the car.

 

Well, maybe this is an option. This stuff really works wonders.

 

I feel your pain, been there....
If you pull the engine again, make sure you flush out the block while all the plugs are out. I got about 2 lbs of casting sand out of my FE coolant passages when I tore it down.

 

I flushed out the block with a jet wash, that’s probably why it wasn’t leaking before but is now!

 

Don’t think that’ll seal 1 39/64” hole where the core plug I’ve removed was.

 

Dorman makes expandable rubber plugs. I have used them in the past where pulling the engine was not an option.

 

That’s a bit of a bodge. I’m going to pull the engine and do all six. Then they’re done.

 

I had a stock car with a mysterious water leak that got me black flagged in 2 races. So we looked for a water leak and found it, the plug behind the flywheel was porous. Banged in a new brass one in all positions that we could reach. The Dorman was a quick fix on a GMC truck that froze on a cold night with just plain water in it.

 

I don’t think the FE has any core plugs on the back of the block it’s just cam and oil gallery plugs but I’ll check that thanks.

 

Been a while since I had my paws on an FE, maybe one of the experts here could chime in.

In one of these photos, I see a plug where the cam is situated, doubt it is a freeze plug of any sort.

https://unitedengine.com/product/ford-390-cid-long-block-engine-1963-76/

 

Fixed the badge back in its surround with some epoxy and bolted back in the grille.

Got someone coming round on Tuesday to inspect the car for registration, not really sure what they’re after as I’ve never had one done before. So need to keep the car in one piece till after that.

 

Registration Dept came round yesterday to inspect the car, fingers crossed should hear back from them in two weeks

Took a MIG to the manifold that leaks and got no 5 the same height as the rest. Bit of a bodge but not really got anything to lose.


Brakes are all pretty new looking


But the MC is a bit weepy and the front I looked at was full of rusty goo, so I think I’ll just order a full set and flexi and get it done.

 

It never hurts to put a new master on an old car especially if you see something funky with it. Peek behind the WC cups if it is still apart.

 

I’ve ordered a MC along with the slaves, didn’t seem much point not doing it for £40, I’m probably going to have to disconnect it anyway to change the booster.

 

IIRC, the front wheel cylinder bores on those were something like 1 3/32" (1.093"). The rears were more standard. If you can find the kits, they are a breeze to rebuild.

 

A new wheel cylinder was 2 quid more than a repair kit. Didn’t seem worth the effort in rebuilding them.

 

I had a ton of leftover cups and springs from my brake days, I'm down to very few of them left and finally tossed them all out. The Fords of the era were unique, as is the front WC attachment, you'll see.

I bought rear cylinders from Rock Auto, the kits were around $3 more. Made in China of course. I took them apart, looked them over and reassembled them.

 

Got home from a week in Italy to find my registration documents have arrived , just need to pull my finger out and get it running and stopping!

 

That was unbelievably difficult, I hate core plugs but I buggered 10 I think

 

Well that was a long tedious and somewhat unnecessary day. Need to get a couple of exhaust flange gaskets then I can hopefully get it started again.

Happy Easter!

 

I know tyres is a subject longer than 1960s French film but anyone got any thoughts for 215 70 15? Do I just go BFG?

 

I would recom 215/75-15.
Looks good in my LTD which im not gonna post picture, because moderators seem only tolerate french off topic cars pictures.

 

What make of tyre have you got in that size?