Thread: How hard it is to...

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Hi there,
This is my 1st post here. I am from Europe and i have a question. I would like to build a chopped top 1951 mercury. I have the chance to get all parts of a 1951 Mercury 4 door except the engine and the chasis. I do have the option to get a chasis of a 1956 Ford fairlane as well. What i was thinking is to use the cap and other parts of the mercury on the fairlane chasis. How hard process is this?
As a second question, if the 56 fairlane is not the correct solution to use this mercury cap and other parts, what chasis should i be looking for?
This Mercury was a project which i was thinking for a long time and is very important for me.
All answers are very much appreciated...
Regards

I read an article many years ago where they put a Merc body onto a 71-72 Pontiac lemans chassis and it was a real nice fit. The biggest modification, IIRC, was to tip the back frame horns up a little.

Is 71-72 Pontiac le Mans chasis only the one i can use?
Any good of the 55 Ford Fairlane?
please this is very important for me and looks like a lifetime chance i could come across....

I don't know on the 55-56 Ford chassis. I guess if you have access to it you might want to get all over the body and the chassis with a tape measure.
Personally I would be looking at a 90s Crown Vic chassis. Here in the states they are plentiful and cheap, modern brakes, steering and all too.

Originally Posted by willowbilly3

I don't know on the 55-56 Ford chassis. I guess if you have access to it you might want to get all over the body and the chassis with a tape measure.
Personally I would be looking at a 90s Crown Vic chassis. Here in the states they are plentiful and cheap, modern brakes, steering and all too.

U r definately in right when it comes to finding parts in US market, however in my situation, chances are shallow and hectic...
It is hard to get this kind of cars' chasis here, there fore i am looking at older cars.
Manwork is not an issue here aslong as NOT heavy work needed, i have access to small to medium modifications...
So a kinda list of usable chasis are highly appreciated....

The 55-56 chassis will have the same rear end as the 51 merc except I seem to remember they had different number of axle splines altho were the same width. the cars after the overhead valve Y blocks came out had a different front crossmember and an oil pan with a front sump---probably only being an concern if you want to run a flathead v8

overal, width should be fine, wheel base might vary but all amjor componentry should be somewhat similar

Good luck and keep us advised

Jerry

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

The 55-56 chassis will have the same rear end as the 51 merc except I seem to remember they had different number of axle splines altho were the same width. the cars after the overhead valve Y blocks came out had a different front crossmember and an oil pan with a front sump---probably only being an concern if you want to run a flathead v8

overal, width should be fine, wheel base might vary but all amjor componentry should be somewhat similar

Good luck and keep us advised

Jerry

Thnx for the reply, i felt necessary to make some explanations and options i have.
I have the option to use ALL parts of a 1951 Mercury except the engine and the chasis, i also have the option to use ALL parts of a 56 Ford and also have the option to install a different engine of my like with the Mercury or Ford transmisson, drive train and etc.
Looks like complicated, definately for me, i am not worried of the work needed, just trying to make a correct path as i will be buying the mentioned parts and wrong decisions will make me spend for nothing...
Finally, i may be asking odd questions but i need "use the Mercury cap , use the transmission and drivetrain of mercury and the ford chasis" type leads if possible.
If this looks like close to impossible, i will not pull the trigger.
Regards and sorry again if i talked a little odd.....

checked some of my stuff--51 merc had a 118 wb
55-56 ford 118 wb
ford went to ball joint suspension in 1954
51 merc 4door sold for $2000 and they made 157,648

55-56 fords 1900-2000 dollars also

I saw an article where they also used an Oldsmobile chassis under one. It was such a close fit they even cut out the Olds firewall and dropped the Merc right down on it. Not sure what year they used, but I think it was a full sized Olds from the '70's.

Don

Dear Jerry,
looking at the specs provided, Ford and the Mercury has the same wb, this was one of the most important issue for me, i am definately not an expert not even a rookie maybe, trying to learn things from mostly this website.
Seems i can hook up the Mercury cab to Ford frame.
Here are my options....I can use ANY part from the Mercury EXCEPT the engine and the frame. I can use ANY part from thr 56 Ford and i can get a different engine than the Ford has. I havent seen the Ford in person but told that they changed it to a 6 cly. engine from the 8.
What i am looking for is to chop the top, make the car 2 door, extend the front doors, use air ride, use some smoothies, leaning on 18s and up, do some speacial work on interior...
Not worried about the interior, not the chop, not the paint, my concers were, if the cap can be installed on a Ford frame (seems yes) , how hard to get the new engine (leaning on a new engine) work, how hard is to work on the suspension, and the gears and etc.
I can easily find automatic and manual transmission here not a big deal, engine is so far not an issue, suspension and brakes seem to be the issue as i am looking to use some new parts. Are there easy solutions for those parts when looked new?
Sorry, a long post with quite a lot questions, but experience is not cheap and kindly need all shared..
Regards

A 56 Ford chassis is not enough of an improvement to warrant going to all that work to make it fit. Dubious front suspension and lousy brakes mean that you have a lot of work left after you get the body to fit. I'd find a newer setup with disc brakes and good suspension. The 77 Olds midsize cars seem to work under a Merc.

There was a thread on this forum which discussed frame swaps including mention of a magazine article which put an Olds frame under a merc. Might be something of interest for you there,

http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...?threadid=6356