Recent content by mercuryct

I've had a 43K-mile '56 Ford Country Squire since 1990, and have been meaning to replace the two factory hood insulation pads pretty much ever since...bought the replacements about 10 years ago. Anyway, what's the rush but I'm finally doing it. My originals had the yellow out, black toward the...

Small but hard to find--the correct plug for the top of a Y-block water pump (in this case, a '56 292 car)--not the larger bolt that holds the power steering bracket, but a smaller plug for a non-ps-equipped car. Anyone know where to find one? Have not had luck in parts or hardware stores. Thanks.

Rick-- Keep it long enough, and you'll get your money out of it--and if you enjoy it all those years, you'll forget about the extra $. I'll be curious to see how your rocker issues pan out--whether you're able to clear what seem to be blocked passages (although that does seem odd for a rebuilt...

I can't tell for certain from the literature I've been digging into if the '52 F-1 with the 215 Six was available with overdrive. Anyone know?

Ricks56: Since the 4-door Victoria was introduced mid-model-year (along with the Customline 2-dr Vic), its seems yours would have been among the earliest produced, which may account for it not having braces. Perhaps there were field reports of excessive body twisting (for some reason I think I...

Ricks56: Interesting that your Town Vic doesn't have the underhood bracing. What was its build date and assembly plant? Not to start a debate, but I have to take issue with RCM's comment that "Something that well made isn't available anymore." The truth is, they weren't that well made. I've had...

Ricks56: Do you have underhood braces? A couple of notes--first, re wunderwerk's Town Victoria photos: Interesting to see that this car doesn't have the 4-door hardtop's usual underhood braces--perhaps they were remove from this car or the earliest examples didn't have them. What's the date...

Ricks56: Beautiful 4-door Victoria--interesting for many reasons, including the extra under-hood bracing not used on any other model. Here's a shot of my '56, which I've had for 25 years. Just turned over 42K miles. 292 & FOM. A couple of other notes re other comments. There were no '55 4-door...

I happen to have this shot of what I believe is the original fuel pump of a low-mileage 239-V8 '54 Ford Country Sedan, if it helps you understand how the '54 Y-block pumps differed externally from later ones. Its glass-bowl filter was on top rather than on the bottom. This is a dual-action pump...

Thanks, guys, for all your insight, much appreciated. I'm going with the 3450.

I'm wondering if anyone can help me settle on a fuel pump for my '56 Country Squire--an occasional driver in original condition (42K miles on its 292). Right now it has its original (two rebuilds that I know of) dual-action pump; I really don't need the vacuum section since in 25 years I've...

Yes, the ammeter needle moves suddenly from its usual very slightly to right of center position to the right, about halfway from center to +, and then back again. I think I could tinker with a corset hook, or a coathanger, but it looks like I might go for a rebuild. Anyone know anyone reliable...

Especially when not run for a while, the regulator on my stock 6V '51 Merc "pings" loudly, with the ammeter needle intermittently jerking back and forth from a high-charge position to a lower one; I'm told this is possibly the generator brushes sticking. Sometimes goes away after warm up, but it...

Thanks, guys. I really appreciate your help.

The car: a '51 Merc I've had for 42 years. The problem--when starting to replace the thermostats, I managed to break off the head of the front bolt of the passenger side water outlet housing. Part of the bolt, perhaps a quarter inch, rises above the surface of the head; so far, lots of Liquid...