Ten Years After
 

Ten years ago today, Oct. 29th, I pulled the 52 Merc out of the woods to begin its revival after almost 40 years of neglect. I drove it back to the site for a few photos today.

Re: Ten Years After
 

Gee, I hope the poor old Merc did not think it was being put back there again. You might have given it a heart attack. Regards, Kevin.

Re: Ten Years After
 

Ralph, do you have a 'before' pic of it in the field? I guess I thought your dad drove it now and then and then later you took over. 40 years a long time sitting. I remember my brother the rock n roller and I listening to a band called Ten Years After and when I saw your title, the name Alvin Lee popped in my head. Anyhow Ralph, I think it's great how you saved your dad's old merc.

Re: Ten Years After
 

Even better I have video shot the day I hauled it home. Did a walk around of the car to show just how bad it was. Anybody that looks at it now and says "boy the car needs a little work", needs to see how it looked ten years ago. Its come a long way. https://youtu.be/8SqaLFjDKEM

Re: Ten Years After
 

Ralph do you know if the Merc has a 239 or a 255 V8.

Re: Ten Years After
 

Its the original 255. I remember when my brother was working on it back about 1980 replacing pistons and rings. By some mistake there was one wrong piston in the box and it must have been for a 239. On first start up the engine had a knock. He was really disappointed and after diagnosing he discovered one piston was too high. If memory serves me correct he filed it down until it would not interfere anymore. Probably not the recommended fix but it seems to run just fine after all these years.

Re: Ten Years After
 

Ralph, Thanks for sharing that video of "saving the Merc". It's great that you have brought it back to life.

Re: Ten Years After
 

Thanks. Only wish I had started on it 38 years earlier.

Re: Ten Years After
 

That's pretty incredible. I'm glad you revived it. Good work.

Re: Ten Years After
 

The Merc must seem like a member of your family Ralph……good on you for keeping it running after all these years……some things aren’t meant to be thrown away! ………Mark

Re: Ten Years After
 

Thanks Ralph. You sure pulled that one outa the fire!

Re: Ten Years After
 

From this
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1730301311
to this today
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1730261427

Congratulations - 10 Year Anniversary

Re: Ten Years After
 

Thanks Mercman for the before and after pics.