Recent content by stonewalker

The transmission with the cover on the tail is a Merc. I have attached a pic showing a '54 Ford ****** on the bottom and a '54 Merc ****** on the top. They are interchangeable but the '54 Merc ****** has some minor internal differences.

To the best of my knowledge the Wick (Driving Pin Oil Seal) sits next to the Oil Slinger and has no importance to setting the Pinion depth. If that is your question. I believe that with no Wick (as with no slinger) you may get some oil leaks.

The 256 Merc y-Block was only offered in 1954. It responded differently than the previous year 255 Flathead and certainly sounded different. It was the beginning of the horsepower wars (especially after the small block Chevy came out in 1955). If you rebuilt it (just did one) you have to be...

The Mercs in 1956 had 312 engines. The Fords with a V8 could be 272, 292 or 312. Here is a website that may be of assistance: http://www.classiccardatabase.com/postwar-models/Mercury.php

Yes, overdrive engages at about 28 MPH: the governor controls that. Below 28 mph it does free-wheel. However, free-wheeling will allow you to easily shift between gears without the clutch if you are below 28, if you want. Also that non-synchromesh first gear is way easier to engage. Above 28 the...

If it is Canadian then it would have been built in Oakville, Ontario. The code for a 1956 (and a 1955) Mainline Sedan Delivery either Ford or Meteor is 78A (they were all base models). Finding production numbers for the Canadian Sedan Deliverys (we rarely called them Couriers) is very difficult...

The best write-up I have seen for the BW overdrive is: http://www.fordification.com/tech/overdrive.htm . I know it is for trucks but it all holds true. The Borg Warner overdrive is more than just an additional 4th gear at top end. It is a functional 5 speed. Ford used the term “Touchomatic” and...

In general the pecking order in classic car prices starts with Open cars (convertibles) at the top, then 2 door Hardtops, then 4 door hardtops (phaetons), then 2 door post (Sedans) and lastly 4 door post (Sedans). Specialty cars like Glasstops, Businessman Coupes, Convertible Skyliners, and...

The part number looks to be B9MB-17687-A. The generic part number is 17687. The suffix “A” may mean nothing unless there also exits a “B” or “C”, etc. The suffix usually indicates minor changes to the base part number (if they exist). The prefix “B9MB” tells more. The “B” means the 1950's (“C”...

In 1954 there was no hood for the accessory side view mirror. It was 5-sided and attached with an Allen key to a base. They are hard to come by. They are similar in shape to the “Custom Spotlight and Mirror”. (One could also get a regular round Mercury spotlight (2 sizes) with or without an...

I would suggest you pull the existing solenoid and check the contacts. If there is any sign of oil at all then the very small solenoid seal is allowing transmission oil to seep in and fouling the mechanism. This is a common point of slow failure. If that is the case then clean contacts (two...

The teapots are a bit fussy at times. Perhaps this will help: http://www.tocmp.com/manuals/Carbs/Holley/H4000/C228/index.htm

Congratulations on the purchase. #53 ME 68556M# 53 means 1953 Model ME = Metuchen (as the gentleman indicated) 68556 means it is the 58556 car at that assembly plant (numbers start at 10001) M means it is the Mercury line BG60E 38-351-23G-176 BG60E is the Body Type code (Six Passenger Sport...

There were two major types of Fender Skirts (aka Fender Shields): factory style and aftermarket. All 1952-1954 Ford and Mercury (and Meteor and Monarch) were interchangeable. The skirt attached by a “hook” to the lower lip of the wheel well opening and a means to connect to a front and rear clip...