My new project. And introduction.
 

Hello y'all,

My name is Ken, I'm 29, an Air Force vet, and living in Southern Arizona.

Picked up this 1939 Mercury sedan last Friday. Hope to learn a fraction of the wealth of information y'all have to get this car back on the road. Current plans are to resto-mod as a street rod. But I do want to be able to daily it as well. The previous owner already did some modernization to it, so I plan to as well.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...5&d=1750980193

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...6&d=1750980193

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...7&d=1750980193

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...8&d=1750980193

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...9&d=1750980193

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Ken, that's an amazingly straight find you have there, congratulations!
The good news is that it is a pretty rare bird these days.
The bad news is that it's a pretty rare bird these days, which I'm sure you've already found out. Take care to not discard anything in hopes of replacing with new or better condition.
I see from your profile that you're into kyaking. I've done a bit of white water rafting myself, and given your location, you have a fabulous resource in your own backyard! Go for it before you get to be my age. The Colorado is still on my bucket list, too late now.

Alan USN Seabee '59-'63

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Thank you! Yeah, I'm definitely seeing the scarcity of certain part and pieces. I'll try to restore what I can, but I know it's going to be a long term project. As long as I can get it running, driving, and stopping, I'll be happy. Everything else can come later.

As far as the river goes, you can still kayak the lower Colorado below the Hoover dam. It's usually not too bad and lots of hot springs. There is a kayak club near me, and most members are retired, so if you can move, you can float yourself down the river!

Thank you for your service!

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

I tried to send congrats on your find, but the Barn ate it. Super Nice. Save the paipnt do not repaint. Hub caps original??? Lucky you

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Thank you. Leave it with patina and clear coat? Not sure if the caps are original, but i assume so.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Definitely do not clear coat over original patina. Do that and you wind up with imitation puke. Sorry to use such graphic language, but I must speak the truth.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Stick with the patina...Wipe it down every now and then with GIBBS oil...
This is what I did on my original '34...

Gibbs Brand Lubricant, Penetrant, & Conditioner


https://external-content.duckduckgo....9261cedcc7131f

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Sounds like a plan. In the Navy when all the vehicles were battleship grey, we simply used diesel fuel on a rag. A quick shine without elbow grease, protects the paint and metal. Next day it's dull again, but a quick wipedown and the brass is in his happy place.
Dunno how basecoat/clearcoat would take to diesel fuel, but it smells all military and macho! :cool:

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Welcome to the Barn, from a fellow '39 Merc owner:). This place is an awesome source of information. Another good place to check out is the Early Ford V8 Club of America, their website even has a Mercury specific forum.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Makes sense

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Appreciate it!

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

For the price of Diesel these days, idk about that.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Thank you. I may hop over there eventually.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Thanks for coming to the Barn - it looks like you have a really great car to start with. It is rare to find any early Ford in that condition (at least from what I can tell). This is a great place for information as there are multiple folks here with 39-40 Mercs.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

BTW: The Ford Barn is really about keeping the cars here in as original state as possible. Hopefully your Merc still has a flathead in it . . . I highly encourage you to stick with the flathead as they are wonderful engines, have a unique character to them and it is what belongs in your Merc. We can help you with everything needed to get the car in top mechanical shape . . . using as many original parts as possible.

Many of us have built high-performance flatheads . . . with all the go-fast goodies available. You can take a 40 Merc engine and increase its horsepower quite easily, though there is always a cost involved when you start buying all the cool parts like heads, manifolds, etc.. The point is that you can surely make your Merc perform at a level that makes it comfortable and safe at today's highway speeds (even with a mostly stock engine) - you just need to plan and execute your build with those goals in mind.

Know what you want to achieve and budget for it. Ask a lot of questions before you chose your final build path. Truth be told, most of us have found that it takes twice as much money and at least twice as much time as we originally envision (that is how we talk ourselves into doing what we do!) . . . but it is worth it in the end!

If you really desire to go the street rod route, the best place to collaborate on that type of build in the HAMB (Jalopy Journal). The truth is, many of us have cars that are a good "fit" for both places . . . but we'd surely like you to keep your Merc as unmolested as possible! Your car looks very original - I'd try to keep it that way ;)

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Smart man and words. Keep it original, you won't be sorry.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Thank you. The only thing I don't want to keep original is the motor and gearing for the most part since i want it to be reliable on modern gas and usable as todays speeds. And in AZ, I need A/C. The previous owner has done a few things to it already, such a adding a fuel pump, crab dizzy, and changing it to 12v. If the motor is original, I wouldn't mind getting a second motor to hop up instead of this one.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

I will keep it as original as possible while making is usable for todays world. I saw one of these 39 sedans with way more done to it than i want to do to mine still go for $20,000. That was 350 SBC swap, positrac rear end, different steering column and wheel, two piece front seats, etc.

I just want modern day usability since i do not plan to make it a weekend only car. They are meant to be driven, and that's what i want to do. But the world is vastly different than almost 90 years ago.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

I cant wait to tap into that knowledge.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Ken, Yes, I agree with your need of air conditioning in Arizona, so I guess it's a SBC in the works for you. That's the easiest way to get where you need to be.
Something else did catch my eye, though, something that most rodders never consider... you mentioned two piece seats? I take that to mean buckets? Don't for a minute think that any seat replacement could be anywhere near as comfortable as your stock Ford/Mercury seats of the era. Think twice before replacing your armchair luxury.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

[email protected]
Keith Lee

Keith makes great reproductions of knobs/steering wheels/horn button/etc. He made a '40 MERC button spare
for my car.
My son has my ' 40 4door convertible now. Love the car. Do you have the air heater? They are being reproduced now.
Clem

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Im going to keep a Flathead in it. Im just saying thats what i saw. I will see of I can find it again. They were still larger seats, but not racing bucket seats

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

excellent, thank you! Mine is a bit damaged

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Oops, it was a coup, not a sedan. But it actually went for $40k.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...-coupe-custom/

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

I saw a picture of a 40s Mercury once with a small a/c unit mounted on an 8BA/8CM engine once, don't remember where. The engine had a small 4 barrel carburetor & aluminum heads. Just saying; someone's done it.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

I know i saw some adapters for a compressor on speedway. But the Radiator is the bigger issue. I found some with condensers but not with the correct ports. So i am on the lookout for those still.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

https://vintageair.com/ford-1937-194...mount-bracket/

https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-xovj...678228.jpg?c=1

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showp...4&postcount=14

Default Re: air conditioning on a flathead?
I put A/C on my 40 Ford more than 10 years ago. I have driven anywhere I desired without engine overheating regardless of the terrain or temperature. That includes over the Rocky Mountains, in August, to Bonneville from southern Georgia. That trip was with STOCK Ford waterpumps and STOCK Ford radiator. I installed a blow-through electric fan on the condenser to help the exchange rate at low speeds to provide cold air from the A/C. The fan is not used at highway speed and it is a restriction to maximum air flow. But, still NO OVERHEATING. I have since changed to a Walker radiator with their condenser because the stock radiator braces repeatedly broke loose from the top tank. I think the extra weight of the condenser and blow-through fan contributed to the breakage. I still have the stock waterpumps in place. I suggest the Walker radiator with their condenser because the recovery rate of the radiator is superior and the condenser is a nice arrangement. I built my brackets and special reinforcement gadget at the front of my aluminum intake manifold. These days there are brackets advertised in magazines(as noted above) and they should work OK. I would only add that some aluminum intake manifolds are not well designed at the generator mount so they might not handle the additional loading. The Edmunds on my car was one such example.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Thank you. Im going to have to try to find out which he used.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

About a decade ago one of the local car club members in Houston restored a 41 Mercury sedan and added air conditioning using the Vintage Air mounting kit. The engine ran hot. He found he had to make brackets and move the condenser forward of the radiator, towards the grill. After moving the condenser everything was good. He sold the car after his wife quit riding with him on tours.
The car is now owned by friends of mine in central Texas, the wife drives the car daily to work even in the summer.


The point is you can have a mostly stock Mercury that runs on pump gas, goes reasonably fast (65 with stock gearing, 80+ with overdrive), and has air conditioning. As everyone above has said, you need to plan ahead, but it is worth it when everything works out.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

There was a '52 or so Ford pickup at Springfield - flathead with air. Did not look at setup close. I was likely getting too hot at the time with temp in the high 90's.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Knob Soup [email protected] Lee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IESeHql

Keith does great work on knobs and horn buttons and steering wheels
Clem

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

i cant understand why people put in a diffrent seat in any old car, the ones they put in look very uncomfertable, and puts you into a weird position

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

It will be worth it to be able to drive in our summers here. I want to keep it mostly stock, but modern/daily usability is the goal. I have no idea if i have O/D or not. I will also need to upgrade the brakes, since it appears that i only have mechanical brakes. Someone up the road opted for the heater, but not the good brakes. I should also look to see if they came with any sort of insulation under the carpet, and headliner. If not, add some.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Dont blame ya. Heat can be brutal.

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Thank you!

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Me either. I love these stock seats.

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Every '39 Merc (or Ford for that matter) I've ever seen has hydraulic brakes. What makes you think you have mechanical brakes?

Re: My new project. And introduction.
 

Well, you see, I'm a bit of an idiot. I thought that because the res isn't where i'm used to them being. After doing to more research, it seems like its under the car somewhere? Unfortunately, the car isn't parked at my house due to a multitude of reasons, so I'm unable to crawl around it whenever i want. So i didnt see it on the firewall, so i assumed it wasnt there.

The second reason is when looking at rebuild kits for wheel bearings and seals, there were kits under the '39-40 Merc section that were optioned for mechanical brakes and hydro brakes.