[Virgil & Sue Klein]

As far as wheels and disc brakes go it is all about the offset.  Just go to google and enter wheel offset.  It will explain the concept in detail.  Disc brakes generally require more negative offset (a deeper dish on the back side) than drum brakes because you have the caliper to deal with.  Wheels that fit on the disc brakes of a car will almost always fit on the drum brakes as well.  For many years cars had front disc brakes and rear drum brakes and only had one spare (usually one of those mini spares, although a ’66 would not have that).  If you know you need a wheel for your ’66 you should be able to find out the  diameter and bolt pattern in your shop manual or at a friendly dealer or tire store.  I’m guessing there is only wheel size for full size Mercs in ’66.

[Virgil & Sue Klein]

The firewall is not black but painted the same as the lower body color.  The balance of the parts you have listed were painted black as noted.  The manufacturers did not buy expensive paint for these parts.  If I had to choose I would go with gloss black which is what I see on most show cars of the era.  Most show cars are way overdone and better than anything the factory could afford to produce.  “Better than factory” is not a true factory restoration, in my opinion, but it is what gets you judging points if that is what you are looking for.

[Virgil & Sue Klein]

I would suggest you look in the member directory on this website and contact one of the owners of a ’54 wagon.  Someone will know the answer but they may never look at the website.  Good luck.

[Virgil & Sue Klein]

Look at Mac’s Auto Parts website.  They show a complete gear set for ’49-’50 Mercury transmission.  The set is $695.  I was also able to find a complete gear set for a ’50 Ford truck (don’t know how much different) at C&G Early Ford parts.  Price was the same.

[Virgil & Sue Klein]

This may never shift as smoothly as you want it to.  Remember you are dealing with gear ratios that are not necessarily the best for the particular set up you have so shifting can seem early or late depending on the circumstance.  I guess I would yank the modulator back out to make sure the threads are not stripped in the case or the modulator.

[Virgil & Sue Klein]

I wouldn’t call a leak in a freshly overhauled transmission normal but then if the spot is only the size of a half dollar (maybe a drop or two of fluid) after driving it I don’t think I would have a big concern either.  If the leak is coming from a specific area I guess I would look at whatever gasket seals that area and replace it first.

[Virgil & Sue Klein]

THis is not the first time this question has come up.  The flasher likes to hide above the steering column.  There is an orange wire with a yellow tracer that goes from the switch to the flasher and a blue wire that goes away from the flasher.  Hopefully you can locate one of those and trace it to the flasher.  Have you checked the ground on the front turn signals?  The front turn signal assemblies are notorious for coming loose and losing the ground.  I finally ran a separate ground wire from the turn signal assembly direct to the frame.

[Virgil & Sue Klein]

Both leather and vinyl were offered.  You can find out which you have by looking at the data plate on the driver’s side door post.  Under “body specif” are some numbers.  The first two numbers are the exterior color and the next three define the interior trim.  Basically, if that number is 477 or above you have a car with a leather interior originally.  If that number is between 467 and 476 the interior was originally vinyl.

[Virgil & Sue Klein]

I think you have a defective seal in the sending unit.  Assuming the tank is properly vented the expanded gasoline should simply go up the filler tube.

[Virgil & Sue Klein]

The auction is on October 27 in Archer, NE which is near Central City (also close to Grand Island).  The auction company is VanDerBrink Auctions and you can find information by entering VanDerBrink Auctions in google or go to Mercuryland’s website and there is information there as well.

[Virgil & Sue Klein]

My understanding is that Mercuryland will continue to sell new parts but they are getting rid of all the cars and used parts at this auction.  I would encourage anyone who lives anywhere near central Nebraska (within 1000 miles) to attend this auction.  The amount of used parts that are being auctioned is amazing and it is almost all Mercury.

[Virgil & Sue Klein]

I plan to attend as well.  I do not live far from Archer and have been to Joel’s place.  You will not be sorry that you attended and I hope all the Mercs there wind up with IMOA members.

[Virgil & Sue Klein]

I did that swap a few years ago in my ’53.  It is very straight forward.  We were even able to use the stock shift linkage.  As I recall the transmission mount was in the proper location and needed a new hole drilled to complete that part of the install.  Would suggest an auxiliary trans cooler be installed while you are doing all this.  Have fun!!

[Virgil & Sue Klein]

The front exterior door handles on ’55s are the same throughout the model line.  Some ’56 Montclairs have an additional piece attached to the rear of the door handle to finish off the chrome (stainless) trim on (what I call) the “bib” molding.  The ’55s have a separate small piece of stainless to finish off that trim.  I also know from experience that door handles from a ’56 Phaeton (the 4 dr hardtop) will not fit a Montclair or any other ’56 for that matter.

[Virgil & Sue Klein]

Assuming these are drum brakes, any kind of grease, oil, or brake fluid on the drums or brake shoes will cause the brakes to lock up.  Assume you have checked for that first.  Is it one wheel doing this or all four?  The other simple option might be that the brakes are adjusted too tightly.  Surely whoever adjusted the brakes followed the steps in the shop manual. 

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