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Old 11-09-2013, 12:21 PM   #1
36 conv sedan
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Default 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

Hi:

I just got a 1954 Mercury Sun Valley. A difficult project in the sense that I need to do it all over. Before starting, I want to check that the car corresponds to the papers I got for it, so I have a couple of questions:

Where can I check on the car for numbers? I mean VIN or chassis number and engine number?

Is the chassis marked in any way? I ask because I have access to a very good 1954 chassis, out of a 1954 Monterrey, and it would be much easier/cheaper to move the Sun Valley's body to it rather than restoring mine, but I will only do it if I can finish with a fully correct Sun Valley.

Thanks,
victor
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Old 11-09-2013, 10:03 PM   #2
Daves55Sedan
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

I am pretty sure it is required to re-register the car with the VIN number stamped on the car frame if you swap your frame for a different one. So if you had a Sun valley frame and are replacing it with a Monterey frame, your car now must be registered as a Monterey.
The car frame VIN is stamped into the frame at the factory in a location that is hidden under the front bumper brackets where they mount on the passenger side frame side rail on FORD cars. Not sure if Merc had theirs stamped in that same location.
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Old 11-10-2013, 08:20 AM   #3
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

Chassis may be different. Not sure, but glasstop Fords and Mercs may have used X-braced convertible frames.
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Old 11-10-2013, 06:09 PM   #4
Daves55Sedan
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

On Ford 2-dr hardtop models of the era, The frame had an additional strip of steel welded to the bottom of the frame rails in the middle for stiffening, but they did not have the X-frame. I'm pretty sure that only the convertibles had the X-frame.

So, if you are swapping your frame with a Monterrey frame (Sedan), you will not have that extra stiffener. The sedan model bodies were pretty much self supporting without the stiffener
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Old 11-10-2013, 06:35 PM   #5
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

Thanks for the responses.

The chassis I have is from a Monterrey hardtop.. in fact i have the whole car, but if there is a number in it, under the bumper bracket or somewhere around, I will keep and repair the original and not mix them.

Is there any other number to check? A body number? Engine number? Where can I find them?

Thanks,
victor

Last edited by 36 conv sedan; 11-10-2013 at 07:43 PM.
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Old 11-11-2013, 12:22 AM   #6
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

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I wish you luck with your project. They are beautiful cars. I bought (3) of these cars in 1959 and 1960. They were of course in mint condition in southern California. I put them in storage after driving them very little as I wanted to preserve them. I went to Vietnam in 1965 and the cars were stolen along with several others. The Los Angles county sheriff dept. was very unfriendly to Vietnam veterans at that time and they did no investigation. I still have the titles to the cars . They were stored in El Monte , Calif. at the time . I hope you have better luck than I did. Don Babb
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Old 11-11-2013, 01:05 PM   #7
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

Don: Sad story. I can assure you mine is neither of them, as my car was originally assembled in Mexico (it has the MEX in the data plate) and I have it's original invoice, which by the way states the car was originally white and dark green top, versus the 'almost oficial' light green or pale yellow with green top.
I got the Sun Valley very incomplete, and got also a Monterey hardtop to get the majority of the parts I need... and I will probably restore the Monterey as a custom without it's original side mouldings... probably.
Not sure about that one... what I am sure about is that the Sun Valley will get the money and effort it deserves to get it back to the road... I agree with you, they are beautiful cars.
Best,
Victor
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Old 11-14-2013, 08:05 PM   #8
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

I just went over the engine again and I couldn't find any numbers, both in the Sun Valley and in the Monterrey. Neither of them have a plate with info on paint color, etc. Perhaps is a MEX thing that they didn't engrave the data. THe only plate I could find is the driver's A post plate which says the VIN number.

Where would a regular Mercury have it's engine number?

Thanks,
victor
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Old 11-14-2013, 10:01 PM   #9
Dobie Gillis
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

"Where would a regular Mercury have it's engine number"

I could be wrong about this but I don't think Ford tied engine numbers to chassis numbers in those days. Engines didn't last as long as they do now and FOMOCO had a large contract rebuilding program. There may be no way to confirm if an engine you find in an old Ford is original to the chassis. About as close as you can get is to confirm that it's the proper iteration of the engine Ford specified. That is almost certainly the case if the car was built for the Mexican/Latin American market.
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Old 11-15-2013, 11:13 AM   #10
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

Dobie: I appreciate your response. I would be happy to know that there are no engine numbers as that will probably allow me to change the engine on one of my cars to the other. I will check if I have the proper iteration. I already got the information on casting numbers to check it, and leave hopefully a completely correct engine on the Sun Valley.

thanks!
victor
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Old 11-15-2013, 11:41 AM   #11
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

If you are not there yet you need to go the H.A.M.B and join the 52-59 Ford Social group.. Some real experts there on the old FoMoCos'
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Old 11-15-2013, 11:49 AM   #12
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/g...hp?groupid=332
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Old 11-15-2013, 12:04 PM   #13
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

I am not a member at the H.A.M.B. I always thought that site was more for Customs and hotrods, but I may have the wrong idea. I will look into it.

By the way I haven't mentioned it but I want to restore the Merc back to absolutely original specs.

Thanks!
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Old 11-15-2013, 03:51 PM   #14
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

Dobie's correct, no vin #'s on engine, just casting numbers and possibly date code.

HAMB is geared more for Customs and Hot Rods but is a another source for locating parts you may need.

Just try to avoid the politics...

Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 11-16-2013 at 08:29 PM.
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Old 11-15-2013, 09:46 PM   #15
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

Thanks! I'll take a look at the casting numbers and report back... and I'll also take a look at the HAMB. By the way, what do the HAMB initials stand for?
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Old 11-16-2013, 08:33 AM   #16
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

Hokey Ass Message Board. Great bunch! For engine specific topics there is also y-blocksforever.com.

Last edited by Dobie Gillis; 11-16-2013 at 08:39 AM.
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Old 11-20-2013, 08:17 PM   #17
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

Thanks!

I just took a look at the casting codes and fortunately both cars, the Sun Valley and the Monterrey, still have their original 256 engines, code EBY according to the y-block site mentioned above.... so I will choose the best one for the Sun Valley.

Anybody out there with a correct carb and air cleaner I could buy? I am also looking for fender skirts and the Sun Valley specific trim.

Thanks!
Victor
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Old 11-21-2013, 11:19 AM   #18
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

Quote:
Originally Posted by 36 conv sedan View Post
Thanks!

I just took a look at the casting codes and fortunately both cars, the Sun Valley and the Monterrey, still have their original 256 engines, code EBY according to the y-block site mentioned above.... so I will choose the best one for the Sun Valley.

Anybody out there with a correct carb and air cleaner I could buy? I am also looking for fender skirts and the Sun Valley specific trim.

Thanks!
Victor
Hello,

I don't have an air cleaner for a '54 Mercury (one year only), but I do have correct carburetor cores that I can restore for you. It would take about 2 weeks to get one done. I fully guarantee my work for correct original appearance and to be 100 % authentic. Also guarantee it will run good and no leaks. I have 45 years + experience. I'll include a picture of one I just sold. If I do one for you, it will look the same as the pic's.
I would need $350 plus $23 for insured shipping.

Thanks for any interest, Sal Cicala [email protected]
(586) 612-1650
Attached Images
File Type: jpg EBAY Carb 1954 Merc 8-2-13 001.jpg (62.7 KB, 11 views)
File Type: jpg EBAY Carb 1954 Merc 8-2-13 002.jpg (61.6 KB, 10 views)
File Type: jpg EBAY Carb 1954 Merc 8-2-13 003.jpg (68.4 KB, 10 views)
File Type: jpg EBAY Carb 1954 Merc 8-2-13 004.jpg (68.5 KB, 10 views)
File Type: jpg EBAY Carb 1954 Merc 8-2-13 005.jpg (64.2 KB, 10 views)
File Type: jpg EBAY Carb 1954 Merc 8-2-13 006.jpg (73.6 KB, 14 views)
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Old 11-21-2013, 12:15 PM   #19
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

The 52-59 Ford Social group is all about those Fords and Merc, stock or otherwise.. Most of them are updated stock,, such as power steering, disc brakes etc. Good bunch of guy and a super administrator..
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Old 11-21-2013, 06:00 PM   #20
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Default Re: 1954 Mercury Sun Valley project

I will contact Sal off line about the carb, thanks!

And I will look for the 52-59 Ford Social group.

Thanks!
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