The Ford Barn

RalphG · 10-29-2024, 11:11 PM

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.

koates · 10-30-2024, 12:13 AM

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.

GB SISSON · 10-30-2024, 01:15 AM

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.

RalphG · 10-30-2024, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

Ralph, do you have a 'before' pic of it in the field? rc.

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

corvette8n · 10-30-2024, 08:18 AM

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

RalphG · 10-30-2024, 08:57 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by corvette8n

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

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.

19Fordy · 10-30-2024, 09:31 AM

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

RalphG · 10-30-2024, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

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

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

Seth Swoboda · 10-30-2024, 10:40 AM

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

flatford8 · 10-30-2024, 11:01 AM

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

GB SISSON · 10-30-2024, 04:39 PM

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

mercman from oz · 10-30-2024, 05:04 PM

From this

to this today

Congratulations - 10 Year Anniversary

RalphG · 10-31-2024, 10:20 AM

Thanks Mercman for the before and after pics.

10-30-2024, 12:13 AM	#2
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,185	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.

10-30-2024, 01:15 AM	#3
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 5,881	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. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1946 Tonner Pickup with 226 H six, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, now wearing 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

10-30-2024, 08:18 AM	#5
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 3,198	Re: Ten Years After Ralph do you know if the Merc has a 239 or a 255 V8.

10-30-2024, 09:31 AM	#7
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,604	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.

10-30-2024, 10:40 AM	#9
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 4,079	Re: Ten Years After That's pretty incredible. I'm glad you revived it. Good work.

10-30-2024, 11:01 AM	#10
flatford8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lyman,ME. Posts: 2,890	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 __________________ I'm thinkin' about crankin' My ragged ol' truck up and haulin' myself into town. Billy Joe Shaver…RIP

10-30-2024, 04:39 PM	#11
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 5,881	Re: Ten Years After Thanks Ralph. You sure pulled that one outa the fire! __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1946 Tonner Pickup with 226 H six, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, now wearing 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

10-30-2024, 05:04 PM	#12
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 12,013	Re: Ten Years After From this to this today Congratulations - 10 Year Anniversary

10-31-2024, 10:20 AM	#13
RalphG Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Sask. Canada Posts: 2,550	Re: Ten Years After Thanks Mercman for the before and after pics. __________________ https://www.youtube.com/user/roosty6/videos