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

Still leaking

 

Is there something special about the thermostats in these FEs that I’m missing?

 

Its real easy to drop when installing and bend the expansion tank flange when tightening bolts and thermostat wedged between.
Check the straighness.

 

I used a sealant to hold it in place both times and when I took it out the thermostat was still in the right place. I’ve flattened the flange on a glass sheet with some sandpaper and will try again.

It didn’t leak before when I’d accidentally put the thermostat in back to front!

What’s the rubber band trick?

 

The shellac sealant will hold well. It does take time to set up so the 'stat stays put. Permatex makes a couple of them, their aviation stuff is excellent.

 

Thanks both.

I’ve flattened the surface on a flat glass. Knocked out some of the ridge on the thermostat as it was slightly proud when installed. I’ve made a gasket out of Flexoid gasket sheet which is still made in England and used Loctite 518, which is basically a modern shellac and sticks like shit to a shovel.

Bit difficult to use an elastic band due to the baffled tank but did it with some fishing line.



All back together, will fill it with coolant tomorrow and see

 

Topped the coolant up and ran up to temp, fingers crossed!!!



You wouldn’t believe it but it’s the middle of June and I’m sitting here in the car with the heater on, it’s bloody freezing!

 

Oh yeah, the surge tank... puts another whammy on things...

I recall my dad changing the little hose between the water pump and intake.... the tank had to come off. This was on a 352 Ford, I was the helper and all of age 13.

 

I did that pipe this time around, it was sweating slightly and I thought I’ll just change it and the clamps while I’m there. So far ok.

Got the tracking set up



Found 4 of the body mounts were loose which may explain what I thought was the harsh ride over ridges, was all ready for an evening test drive and it’s pissing it down now

 

Hows today?
Fog or rain?

 

Rain and 12c. At the Three Counties Show looking at pigs and tractors today.

 

It lives!


Popped over to see my folks today, not far it’s only a 15 mile round trip but apart from the steering box probably needing a rebuild it was a successful journey. And even better the Mrs liked it too, better than the TVR and Maserati apparently!! She doesn’t like be in the middle of the road though!

 

We like an uneventful maiden voyage. I'm not sorting out an OT '66 Belair I just picked up and am working on.

With my Ford in 2016... I had a flipped 3-4 shift arm and an very loose LR wheel...

 

There’s bound to be something that breaks soon! Power steering control valve seems to be the source of the play in the steering it’s so loose it’s almost like the two springs aren’t inside, I’ve ordered a rebuild kit. If it arrives and I get it fixed I might use it at the weekend. I’m racing a mate’s car so don’t need to tow anything but it’s a 4 hour or so drive to get there, anything might happen!

 

You do realise that control valve play should be checked engine running?

 

Yes, it’s the same sort of setup as Corvettes, thinking about it there’s probably that much moment because the ball/sockets are worn out, I’ll go have another look to confirm

 

The ball isnt too bad but the sleeve is completely screwed up, hopefully a rebuild will sort it.


End cap is chewed up too so had to order one of those from USA.

 

Looks similar to the drag link guts on my manual steering.

 

Man this car has turned out nice! Glad to see you are getting it all sorted.

 

Rebuilt the control valve



Waiting on a new end cap now.

 

Thanks, needs a clean and polish but it’s getting there.

 

It looks like the pin that holds the valve piston rod to the sleeve wasn’t put in properly so the sleeve could move around rather than just wear and tear.

 

End cap arrived and steering is back together, seems to have sorted the play and wandering.

Trunk is packed



Off to my mate’s in Norfolk, google says 4 hours so I’m imagining nearer 5 plus breakdowns.

 

Made it, one stop for a drink. Seems to cruise along nicely.


Race car isn’t looking too pretty though.

 

In a steady 50mph cruise, do it feel any like driving in a headwind?

 

My cruise is a bit faster than 50mph

65-70 seems nice. There’s no real throttle needed at all

Once it’s shifted to top it gathers speed over 50mph quite quickly. Full throttle from standstill and I get a backfire through the carb so something to sort there.

 

Beautifull twilight...in here.