While I was waiting for my new rear window I was able to get the original rear window to work...what a shock that was!!! Well good to have a spare.
Where should I start...so much has been done since my last update. The good news is my 1964 Mercury Monterey runs. Yes it does...and quite strong, when one considers the mess the engine was in when I received the SS Mercury. I did have to replace the carburetor (with a 4v Thunderbird), fuel pump, alternator (upgrade to 110), radiator, all hoses and vacuum lines, the list of minor items is just to long to go into further detail. I had it running with the two barrel carburetor at first and the engine showed no burning oil or miss firing. So wanting to have a four barrel on the big 390 I pulled the top end off and opened up a MAJOR can of worms...
I discovered a bent pushrod and a frozen valve...So I had work cut out for me.
I love Marvel Mystery oil for loosening frozen bolts and the like. Did I mention it was Marvel Mystery oil that unfroze the engine block. That and a lot of daily working out on a breaker bar on the crankshaft. Well the Marvel Mystery oil came in handy freeing the frozen valve. At the time I thought I would change the exhaust manifold gaskets, that was dump. Ended up breaking more than half the bolts.
More work cut out for me...I am beginning to see a pattern.
Long story cut real short... drill and tap all broken bolts and replace all with brand new grade 5 bolts. This task shall go down with a major lessen learned about over heating a drill bit...snap...jump into thumb...get the picture. Oh well...a couple Manhattans that night and all was well.
Well all in all everything turned out just fine as I was able to upgrade to a four barrel manifold while the engine was apart. Found one for a 1964 Thunderbird a perfect fit, add one 4100 Ford carburetor and it started up just as nice as the two barrel set up. Well summer set upon me and time was not to be found for my new found project. There was all those summer projects...any way I had other duties to perform that filled most of my summer.
Fall set in and the summer just kept on...warm weather up till November. Looking a lot like another El Nino winter. That would figure after booking a week in the Florida... 65 degrees there and 55 degrees in New England. Some guys just have all the luck.
I do go on sometimes...but that is why I like to write...putting my thoughts out there for someone else to ponder. So ponder...
Well a few people started to bug me about my progress on my Mercury and I had excuse after excuse all summer. Then I just got off my butt and said time to get it together. I got it started and pulled it inside for a new make over. Yea...it's inside where my roadster should be and has been for the past two winters. Now it sits under a cover for the winter...the sacrifices we make in life!!! Subject to a New England winter of snow and the such...blasphemy for a 300sl in near mint condition. But I want that Mercury to cruise next summer also. So....
Remember me mentioning something about Murphy's law... I swear the guy sits in the passenger seat every time I decide to venture into my little labor of love. For example... good deal comes along on rebuilt hubs complete with brake job... I go for it. Major can of worms...complete with pictures (coming soon).