Mercury Bumpers

[RalphG]

Maybe I'm just making myself work but I decided to swap rear bumpers on the Mercs. The one on the 53 parts car is straighter and a little better chrome than the 52 that I drive. 65 years of rust and corrosion are a real challenge. Can't get an impact wrench up in there so it is slow going. Got the 53 bumper off and cleaned up a little. Too bad a previous owner drilled a hole in it for a hitch.
https://youtu.be/6G7wq8kgd9A

[19Fordy]

Just fill the hole with a stainless plug.
https://www.supply.com/shop?nid=1097...SABEgI50vD_BwE

[corvette8n]

Or put the hitch back on, could come in handy. My dad pulled a 14' ski boat with his '53 Merc, I think it was the first automatic he owned. I remember all 4 of us kids piling in the car and we go to the lake almost every weekend in the summer.

[RalphG]

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Originally Posted by corvette8n

Or put the hitch back on, could come in handy. My dad pulled a 14' ski boat with his '53 Merc, I think it was the first automatic he owned. I remember all 4 of us kids piling in the car and we go to the lake almost every weekend in the summer.

No, I won't be putting a hitch on the Merc. It is taxing the old mercomatic enough just to move itself around. I want it to last as long as I do so I'm not pushing it. The stainless plug looks good but I tend to look for something I already have on the shelf.
Had to use the zip wheel on one bolt on the 52 and its looking like a second one will need the same treatment. No amount of soaking with penetrating oil helps those corroded fine thread bolts. Can't get a socket/box end on the nut inside the frame. Open end won't hold. I could weld the nut in the frame but pretty sure the bolt would twist off anyway. So, zip wheel and replace the bolt with whatever. Nobody will know the difference.