1948 Mercury woody wagon restoraion

[mercwoody]

Greetings and glad to be a new member

i have a fire damaged woody that I am going to upgrade suspension and drive train .while trying to salvage as much of original parts.very new to this i am more of a muscle car guy so bear with me if i ask some dumb questions
thanks

[rotorwrench]

Welcome on. The only dumb question is the one that a person should ask but decides not to. We don't see too many of the 42 through 48 Mercs so anything about them is going to be interesting. There are a few dedicated woody guys on this forum.

[woodiewagon46]

Welome to the site. I have a '46 Ford "Woodie" with a modern drive train. From the outside it looks like a restored car but underneath it has a Chevy 350, TH350 and Ford 9". I used Chassis Engineering for the suspension parts ETC. Just remember, try not to get too crazy with the HP because "Woodies" flex a bit. There are no dumb questions, you might get some dumb answers though.

[mercwoody]

thanks for warm welcome .
after reading rules thought i might be out of place.
Glad i was wrong
putting a fatman mustang 11 front end simple with coil springs and shocks
mild small block chevy with a 700 r4
and a 9 inch with posies slider leaf springs
and once again thanks for warm welcome

[JSeery]

Have you looked over on the HAMB?

[mercwoody]

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steering column is getting some small changes to convert from 3 on tree to 4 speed auto
will give p/n and mod i made as soon as i figure out

[mercwoody]

i heard this was best web sight i will look at hamb if you think better source

[Bill]

If U aren't already a member U should join the "National Woodie Club" Many Mercs original and modified there. Good source for all things woodie. What part of the country R U from. There may be a Merc or two in your area. U have a major job ahead of U. Good luck! Bill

[woodiewagon46]

Probably have to modify the massive X member to fit the 700 R4. I didn't need to do very much with the TH350, just had to heat it up in a few places to clear. If I wasn't trying to keep it as original as possible I would have made a new X member and made it a lot smaller. I noticed you mentioned that this car was once in a fire. Was it for sale in the flea market at Hershey a few years ago? If it's the same car, I have a bunch of pictures of it somewhere.

[mercman from oz]

Welcome to Ford Barn. Seems like you have a big job ahead of you replacing the wooden body. The end results will be worth it.

[47Merc]

This is what you are going to have to do to get a 700r4 trans into a 48 Mercury frame

[mrtexas]

How about this? http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/497...smission-swap/

[38bill]

What part of the county are you located in?

[woodiewagon46]

Nice chassis work 47 Merc. As I said the TH350 was tight, but only required a little heating and bumping. The issue with this is that if I have trans issues I will need to pull the motor. I don't want to chop out the "X" member, because down the road, when it's time for me to "check out" if someone wants to restore my car it will be easy.

[mrtexas]

The 200R4 is the same length as the TH350 and also has OD.

[Mtn Wudy]

Welcome......

[mercwoody]

thanks for all reply's
i live in southwest florida fort myers
good chance this is same car that was at Hershey
@ 47 merc a picture worth 1,000 words thank you
that gives me a great head start was figuring i would need 17 inches gap

[mercman from oz]

With this frame modification, can you remove the transmission without removing the engine?

[mercwoody]

looks like a bolt on cross member

[mercman from oz]

When completed, it could look like this beauty.

[47Merc]

"With this frame modification, can you remove the transmission without removing the engine?"

No. The engine would have to come forward.
The trans mount support is bolted in but the original bottom of the X member is still in place. It could be cut out and replaced with a bolt in plate if there ever was a need to do it.

[GB SISSON]

I wish you all the best with your project. As many have stated over the years, it will try your patience and your skills. Many have also said 'never again'. I'm taking a bit of a break from mine, but back at it real soon.

[woodiewagon46]

Mercman, I like that modification, because after looking at it closely, you can use the stock brake pedal mount. When it comes time to redo my car I might copy your idea.

[mercwoody]

Dustless blasted frame .time to dig into suspension

[mercman from oz]

This is really starting from scratch. We look forward to progress shots.

[mercwoody]

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instructions say drill out rivet heads and punch out with hammer ..
not going to happen had to use blow torch

[woodiewagon46]

I found it fairly easy to punch out rivets by grinding the head flat and drill a 1/4" hole in the center about 3/4 the way through. Put a 1/4"punch in the hole and hammer away.

[mercwoody]

front is done for now . next is rear leaf springs

[woodiewagon46]

merc, I have the front and rear Chassis Engineering spring mounts, no springs. If you can use them just pay for the shipping and you can have them.

[Fredb_]

Good progress, thanks for sharing.

[mercwoody]

posies adjustable leaf spring conversion

[Bill]

Looking at your bare blasted frame just gave me a thought! Can U locate the serial # of the car somewhere near the mid-point top of frame rail drivers side and again somewhere near the rear crossmember which goes over the rear diff, again top of frame rail drivers side. Other than the serial# near the front crossmember I have never seen the serial # in the other locations. Also check your Private Messages.. Thanks Bill

[mercwoody]

Bill i noticed s/n on frame right where i welded top hat of front suspension.
will look for more

[Bill]

Originally Posted by mercwoody

Bill i noticed s/n on frame right where i welded top hat of front suspension.
will look for more

Keep in mind that if you have covered over the serial number with the new suspension piece if and when it comes time to sell, it could pose a serious problem. If you can locate the serial # near the rear crossmember you might consider putting an inspection plate above it to verify the number. Just sayin'.. Bill

[NewOldWood]

Ft Myers Florida? Have you seen this car running around town?

[47Merc]

My Mercury frame has the number also stamped on the top of the drivers side rail right about where those two spanners on the floor are pointing in picture 2 of post 31.

It is a very faint stamping and hard to see but it is there.

[mercwoody]

stuffed the 700r4 in today was surprised how little cutting

[mercwoody]

still working on project .
waiting on parts was only hold up .rear end came yesterday so i can get all drive line angles worked out then i can make the motor and tranny mounts

[mercwoody]

boxing frame now .

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by mercwoody

boxing frame now .

If I live long enough I would love to be able to weld like that. I can weld, but not that pretty. Great start on your project btw.

[mercwoody]

thanks GB ........
trying to snake exhaust thru x frame today

[mercwoody]

slow but sure

[mrtexas]

Originally Posted by mercwoody

steering column is getting some small changes to convert from 3 on tree to 4 speed auto
will give p/n and mod i made as soon as i figure out

You have rack and pinion steering. GM column may be your easiest choice as you will have to mod the original steering column for u joints to hook it up. Original steering wheel can be put on GM column with some fiddling. Makes turn signals easier as well. Previously had a 51 auto column/original wheel someone mod-ed for rack/pinion. Then had a GM column with a cut down 40 wheel before replacing it with a repo Crestliner wheel on my 49 woodie hot rod.

I like the original look, but it is a hot rod after all. Mine is Mustang 302 and AOD. I also put in a Dakota Digital analog dash and clock so the instruments would work reliably. Notice the AC ducts? I wood grained them as well! Just now seeing I need to wood grain the column drop. This looks cool to me anyway and works better than original: http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...od/prd1003.htm

[38bill]

FYI: Limeworks makes a manual to auto steering column shift conversion.

[mercwoody]

still working on frame . small details now

[mrtexas]

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Originally Posted by woodiewagon46

Mercman, I like that modification, because after looking at it closely, you can use the stock brake pedal mount. When it comes time to redo my car I might copy your idea.

Since it is a hot rod if it were me I would use a firewall mounted master cylinder. Sure makes it easier to bleed the brakes. You could still use the stock clutch pedal.

[jagnweiner]

Originally Posted by mrtexas

You could still use the stock clutch pedal.

I suspect the 700R4 won't require a clutch pedal. ;-)

[mrtexas]

Originally Posted by jagnweiner

I suspect the 700R4 won't require a clutch pedal. ;-)

You are correct!

[hook00pad]

I really like your X-Frame mods. I recently did something similar to mount a Muncie 4-Speed in my 48.

Had to do it the hard way with the body on and working under car on a lift. A friend of mine did the fab work with my help. Re-used the original brake and clutch pedal pivot, removed the entire center part of the X and replaced with two pieces of 11 ga channel to get the required clearance for linkage/etc. Turned out pretty nice.

[mercwoody]

I had to move brake over to make room for trans . going with floor master cylinder . plan is to dive into body work and paint and be ready for final assembly in Feb
hook00pad that must have been hard with body on frame .share some pictures if you can

[woodiewagon46]

merc, right you are about routing exhaust with the body on. When I built my Deuce roadster, I did the exhaust with no body on the chassis. Made it a dream to work on. When I built my '46 Woodie I was advised by several "experts" not to remove the body. When I replaced all the body mounts I did so very carefully as to not tweak the body. And as you correctly state doing the exhaust with the car on jack stands was a real PITA. Keep at it, nice job!

[mercwoody]

making progress

[mrtexas]

What are your plans for frame paint? Powdercoat after removing drivetrain?

[woodiewagon46]

From your pictures it looks like you have a real nice floorpan and wheel tubs. As you probably know they are almost non existent.

[mercwoody]

it has its cancer but is a real gem in my eyes

[mercwoody]

lots of powder coating ..
black chassis and fire truck red body

[mercwoody]

deep into rust repair and replacing cage nuts .
perfect weather in south Florida for this kinda work

[woodiewagon46]

Those areas that you picture are common areas for rot on Ford Woodies. The rear fender mounts always collected water between the fender and wood arch and the welting never can dry out. The "box"that the running boards bolt to also collect dirt over the years and gets wet. The weld nuts that you are using may require you to enlarge the clearance holes in the bottom of the wood rear fender arch. I replaced my threads with nuts that I TIG welded in. Keep at it it will be well worth it in the end.

[mercwoody]

time to inspect clearances with wood thanks for heads up WW46

[mercwoody]

trying to keep as much original metal /bolt hole locations

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

With this frame modification, can you remove the transmission without removing the engine?

Very nicely done . . . quality work!

Only problem - I see you mounted the brake and clutch pedals on the wrong side - you better fix that.

[mercwoody]

not mine .
this is it

[Topher5150]

Originally Posted by mercwoody

slow but sure

is that brace in front of the crossmember supposed to have that hump on the passenger side?

[mercwoody]

its boxed around larger trans

[mercwoody]

rust removal

[woodiewagon46]

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I think what post #63 might be referring to is the upper spring pocket for the Mustang II front end. Looking good!

[Topher5150]

I'm talking about the one with the red arrow pointing to it.

[woodiewagon46]

In post #42 you get a good look at it. The "Red Book" calls it a Radiator Support Cross Bar. I have the same part on my '46 Station Wagon but have no idea why Ford stamped the recess in the passenger side. Hopefully someone can clue us why that recess is there.

[Topher5150]

I hope I didn't this it away thinking it was bent. Thanks for the info

[Topher5150]

I know you guys were worried that I threw it away, but I'm in luck I didn't

[mercwoody]

it could be on wrong with hump clearance for factory steering

[mercwoody]

should be ready for final blast and have powder coat done this week .crunch time

[mercwoody]

last of rust repairs ... hoping to start paint and powder coating this week

[mercwoody]

starting to come together

[woodiewagon46]

Very nice Merc, now the fun begins. When I did my Woodie and my Deuce roadster, after I finished the chassis' I couldn't stop bolting things on. My wife would ask, "are you coming in tonight or are you staying in the garage"? It's addicting, one more part, one more part. All clean and shiny parts go together so nice!!!! Keep up with the pictures.

[Bill]

Was in Fort Myers for a few hours tonight at Merchants Crossing cruisein. Gonna land on you one of these days to see the progress first hand.. Bill

[mercwoody]

epoxy primed

[mercwoody]

firetruck red

[woodiewagon46]

I'll bet you are "Chomping at the bit" to get that body back on it's chassis. Are you doing the wood yourself?

[mercwoody]

matte black makes it pop

[hook00pad]

Everything is looking great! I suppose you are buying a wood kit for the wooden parts.
A. Hook

[hook00pad]

I'm a fan of the Woodies too, since my brother had one years ago. Our grandad had given it to him, having taken it in on a loan payment. Charles redid the wood, eliminating the 2 rear passenger doors, making it a tudor. It turned out pretty nice for a back yard job done by a couple of kids. Of course, it was only about 15-20 year old car at the time in the mid 60's. Low mileage too, I think it only had about 35,000 miles on it. Drive train was great.

A. Hook

[Topher5150]

Originally Posted by mercwoody

deep into rust repair and replacing cage nuts .
perfect weather in south Florida for this kinda work

I'm jealous of your rust problems

[mercwoody]

car was in a fire all wood has been collected over the years at different car show/swap meets.have some repairs to make on main roof rails .going to hammer on wood work this week

[woodiewagon46]

Merc, I have the piece that goes over the quarter sliding windows for the driver side, if you need it its yours. I replaced from the rear doors back on mine and have this original piece leftover. I also have some pictures of your car for sale at Hershey after the fire, also yours if you want them.

[mrtexas]

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I like fun colors for woodies. My 36 is bambalino blue. It really sticks out. It is a 36 Easter color. I had to get used to the idea of turquoise. I bought a quart, sprayed out a panel, and looked at it for a month to be sure I'd like it. I love it! Not many 36 woodies painted like that originally, most were awful beige I think. My 41 is a 41 green, no wild colors for that year.

bambalino blue

awful beige

[mercwoody]

Getting the wood on

[mercwoody]

Originally Posted by woodiewagon46

Merc, I have the piece that goes over the quarter sliding windows for the driver side, if you need it its yours. I replaced from the rear doors back on mine and have this original piece leftover. I also have some pictures of your car for sale at Hershey after the fire, also yours if you want them.

would like to have any left overs

[woodiewagon46]

merc, contact me by E-Mail, [email protected] with your address.

[mercwoody]

day 2

[mercwoody]

cruising along

[mercwoody]

starting to look like a woody

[Elmo Rodge]

IloveitIloveitIloveitIloveitIloveitIloveit.
Wayno

[paul2748]

I bet it feels good with the progress you are making

[woodiewagon46]

Moving right along, Merc. Looks like you will be cruising by summer!!!

[mercwoody]

should be done by july

[mercwoody]

gluing the doors together in the hole

[woodiewagon46]

merc, I am so glad that you are using the original wood where you can. When I did mine I tried to also use as much as the wood as I could. Unfortunately I had no choice to replace from the rear doors back, not much left. My lift gate and tailgate were removed and stored inside the car when it was placed in the barn and it was protected. Do you ever sleep?

[mercwoody]

the old wood has character

[woodiewagon46]

You are so right. I have been to countless Woodie shows and prefer a car that has wood with character, patina and a nice warm varnish finish. I have seen some very beautiful cars that have been totally re-wooded and are finished to an almost white color. Any luck locating the hardware you are looking for?

[mercwoody]

long day

[Bill]

It's coming together nicely! I'm 50 miles north of you gotta get down for a first hand look. At your progress rate I may be able to go for a ride! Bill