|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
01-04-2014, 01:02 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 13
|
Bringing 47 Merc back to life
Hey guys,
This will sort of be an open ended question, but first a little back story. Just acquired a 1947 Mercury Eight. Parked in a garage in the 60s and that is where its sat until today. No rust, perfect little resto job for my spare time. However, after some research, I'm not too sure on where to start to get that V8 back in running order. I have found 'general' information but nothing too specific towards flathead V8s. What should be the important points in looking for? I plan to rebuild carb, fuel pump, water pumps, change all the filters etc. But really other than that I don't really know where to start. So any guidance would be great! I appreciate your input, S |
01-04-2014, 01:47 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: pittsfield, MA
Posts: 2,086
|
Re: Bringing 47 Merc back to life
Well that is a tall order for help. But you will get plenty of help here.
First, you should update your profile so folks know your approximate location. You may have guys nearby that can help. Second, you should give some basics on the car: will it turn over? how about some pictures? Lacking the above info and assuming it will turn over, put a good battery in it and see if you have spark. The fuel is probably jelly from the carb to the tank so that would be the next step. Just too many things to check. Just take 1 step at a time. Report back if it will turn over and you have spark. Looks like a fun project to keep you busy and broke John |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
01-04-2014, 02:04 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: shirley ny
Posts: 992
|
Re: Bringing 47 Merc back to life
I would not run it until you drop the oil pan and inspect for sludge and condition of the oil pump and screen,oil back then was garbage....I had a flathead engine that sat for 20 years and had 2 inches of solid sludge and oil pump screen was clogged , I would then check to see if it has compression jmo
|
01-04-2014, 02:23 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: AZ
Posts: 106
|
Re: Bringing 47 Merc back to life
Welcome aboard. The Barners will provide a lot of advice and tips, and a tecnical knowledge to get your car runningThere is one cavet: we like pictures
BTW, does the engine turn or is it stucked? Also, wad the car parked in the garage by its own power or pushed backed in? Looking forward to your updates.
__________________
-Conrad |
01-04-2014, 02:53 PM | #5 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 13
|
Re: Bringing 47 Merc back to life
Thanks for the welcome! I'm slowly trying to get my profile in order. (having issues uploading pictures here at work, internet is spotty at the best of times...) Haven't tried to turn it over yet, but the fellow I bought it off of said he manually turned the engine to see if it was stuck or not. The car was driven in on its own power back in the 60s. Yanked a spark plug out, only to have the porcelain crumble in the wrench. Noticed on the plug that there was this mysterious orange sludge under the plug. Not rust, it was the consistency of old dried cheese..
I appreciate all the help and support. I can't wait to get this ol' girl back on the road. John |
01-04-2014, 04:07 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: pittsfield, MA
Posts: 2,086
|
Re: Bringing 47 Merc back to life
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
|
01-04-2014, 04:48 PM | #7 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: shirley ny
Posts: 992
|
Re: Bringing 47 Merc back to life
Quote:
|
|
01-04-2014, 05:05 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Powell, TN
Posts: 2,509
|
Re: Bringing 47 Merc back to life
You might as well pull the gas tank and have it cleaned cause it is bound to be full of tar from old gas.
|
01-04-2014, 05:30 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 5,762
|
Re: Bringing 47 Merc back to life
My '47 Ford sat for 31+ years from the time I parked it in 1975 until we decided to start it again in 2006. I first just grabbed the fan and turned it to see if the engine would turn over. When it did that was a thrill as it wasn't rusted stuck inside. Then we drained the oil, swabbed out the oil pan of sludge the best we could through the drain hole, put new oil in, put gas in the tank, cleaned the carburetor, put in a new battery and cables and started it up. May seem simpler than some would suggest but worked for us. It was a thrill. Here's our video of the start up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY389S_KUjs Later we started replacing things as they died like the spark plugs and wires, points and condenser, water pumps, radiator, hoses, belts, gas tank, etc. Drove 10,000 miles before we rebuilt the engine and transmission.
My 2¢
__________________
Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness |
01-04-2014, 08:02 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Midland Park, NJ
Posts: 3,982
|
Re: Bringing 47 Merc back to life
No mentioned this, but don't forget the brakes. Everything in the brake system should be looked at and replaced if necessary.
|
01-04-2014, 08:08 PM | #11 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 13
|
Re: Bringing 47 Merc back to life
Quote:
|
|
01-04-2014, 08:15 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 585
|
Re: Bringing 47 Merc back to life
You might find this thread of some use...
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=77566 Cheers! and congrats on your find!
__________________
Do I look like I have a plan B? |
01-04-2014, 08:50 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Bridgewater, New Jersey
Posts: 264
|
Re: Bringing 47 Merc back to life
I am a great proponent of removing the intake manifold to inspect & clean the valley. It is likely filled with waxy sludge. Scoop it out and wash the rest away. I used a garden sprayer of solvent (use diesel instead) to clean the valley and spray up into the crank & oil pump area.
Like others have said - send out the carb & dizzy - do your brakes M/C to cylinders & shoes. Probably replace all lines and junctions. Replace all fuel lines. rebuild fuel pump. Replace the grounding straps. Make sure you have big fat 6 volt battery cables with really clean connections at the grounding spots. Use a good quality lip gloss, too. You don't want to split wide open when she starts for the first time!!!!
__________________
John Haelig Bridgewater, NJ 1939 Ford Pickup 1963 Lincoln Continental 1939 Buick |
01-04-2014, 09:54 PM | #14 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 5,762
|
Re: Bringing 47 Merc back to life
Quote:
__________________
Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness |
|
01-13-2014, 11:20 AM | #15 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 13
|
Re: Bringing 47 Merc back to life
Thanks guys on all of your help! I will slowly start working away at bringing her back to life. I'll take pictures as I go. I'll keep you all posted and I'm sure that this won't be my only question.. The community here is great! Thanks again guys.
|
01-14-2014, 02:14 AM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lower Hutt , New Zealand
Posts: 2,126
|
Re: Bringing 47 Merc back to life
Welcome Slowinski. Good luck with your Merc and I wouldn't worry too much about the mice up your pipe........when you start the beast up you'll blow the little buggers brains out
GB
__________________
"you can't make honey out of dog sh*t" "You're a long time looking at the lid" |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|