The Ford Barn

SuperDave · 02-15-2016, 08:36 AM

Most of my experiences in restoration has been Model A fords (Got my first one in 1956). I have worked on a 33 and 39 ford , so I am not entirely clueless! LOL. This is a 116" WB Sport convertible.. ? It just arrived at my shop on a roll back. A restoration was started in the early 2000's. The owner that started the resto. is unknown. Body off with all paint and body work done. Many (damn near ALL) small parts missing. My job is to get it running and brakes working. I'll let the restoration shop worry about all the exterior and interior trim. As an example: No front brakes at all, just spindles.There is nothing on the firewall but many holes. I can guess at a few things, but a picture of the engine side of a 39 Merc. firewall would help a lot. Aside from body parts, how much of the mechanicals (Brakes-engine accessories) are interchangeable with a 39-40 Ford? Any other reliable parts sources other than Dennis Carpenter and Mac's?
Thanks guys and gals.

mercman from oz · 02-15-2016, 04:47 PM

While no body parts interchange between the 39 Ford and 39 Mercury, many of the mechanical parts do. You can use the brakes and brake drums from a 1939 Ford. I hope that this picture of the engine bay from a 39 Mercury helps.

moefuzz · 02-15-2016, 05:21 PM

.

Good job Mercman.

I suspect the trumpet horns might be merc specific but not sure.
Others may know.

I had a 40 Merc Tudor parts car about 25 years ago.
It was an old dirt track racing winner and as such, it had a lot of Dale Earnheart style push marks on the rear bumper and fenders.

But due to it being a constant circle track winner, it had a nice grille and front fenders.
I sold it in the 90's to pay for my Model A addiction but some how the trumpet horns fell off before the l̶o̶w̶ ̶b̶a̶l̶l̶e̶r̶ buyer could pry the '40 from my hands.

I thought that at one time I had compared the trumpet horns to 40 Ford and they were different but maybe it was a 41 Ford and my al's highmers was acting up.
Either way, I still have the 40 Merc block out at the farm and the trumpets may or may not have been sold on epay to help pay for a twin screw blower addiction.

.

swoopNZ · 02-15-2016, 07:32 PM

Headlights, wheels, horns, engine accessories, brakes and radio are pretty much the same.
Buy a 39 Mercury owners' manual - you see them on e-bay.
There are 14 on there at present. Grab one.

mercman from oz · 02-15-2016, 07:47 PM

I hope you do better than the owner of this 1939 Mercury Convertible. He took his car to this Shell Service Station many years ago, and is still waiting for work to be started on it.
Not true, this car and service station is on private property in California and the recreation looks very authentic in this setting. Wouldn't you like this set-up in your backyard?

moefuzz · 02-15-2016, 08:46 PM

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49 Plymouth bumpers?
No, maybe Desoto.....

SuperDave · 02-16-2016, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swoopNZ

Headlights, wheels, horns, engine accessories, brakes and radio are pretty much the same.
Buy a 39 Mercury owners' manual - you see them on e-bay.
There are 14 on there at present. Grab one.

0
Thank You very much. Went there and bought one. I also scored a
"Sport convertible " supplement.
Another guy from OZ has helped me with my Hudsons. Geoff Clark, Wakefield, Nelson, NZ 7181. This internet is amazing!!

SuperDave · 02-16-2016, 12:56 PM

OH, By the way the fuel tanks are different on the Merc. Don't ask how I know!

supereal · 02-16-2016, 05:20 PM

Having done convertible restorations, I can tell you that finding usable body and top parts is a long process. Convertibles were low production models, and Mercury was even more scarce. My '47 was in better than usual condition when I found it, but still required ten years and bushels of bucks to complete. Many body parts are not reproduced or interchangable, and the years when the top rotted usually produced rusty floors and rocker panels, along with missing door bottoms, etc. I wouldn't commence the work until you have the parts in hand. I scoured sources from coast to coast to find mine.

02-15-2016, 08:36 AM	#1
SuperDave Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Melbourne Fl Posts: 166	39 merc Conv. help Most of my experiences in restoration has been Model A fords (Got my first one in 1956). I have worked on a 33 and 39 ford , so I am not entirely clueless! LOL. This is a 116" WB Sport convertible.. ? It just arrived at my shop on a roll back. A restoration was started in the early 2000's. The owner that started the resto. is unknown. Body off with all paint and body work done. Many (damn near ALL) small parts missing. My job is to get it running and brakes working. I'll let the restoration shop worry about all the exterior and interior trim. As an example: No front brakes at all, just spindles.There is nothing on the firewall but many holes. I can guess at a few things, but a picture of the engine side of a 39 Merc. firewall would help a lot. Aside from body parts, how much of the mechanicals (Brakes-engine accessories) are interchangeable with a 39-40 Ford? Any other reliable parts sources other than Dennis Carpenter and Mac's? Thanks guys and gals. Last edited by SuperDave; 02-15-2016 at 01:08 PM.

02-15-2016, 04:47 PM	#2
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,359	Re: 39 merc Conv. help While no body parts interchange between the 39 Ford and 39 Mercury, many of the mechanical parts do. You can use the brakes and brake drums from a 1939 Ford. I hope that this picture of the engine bay from a 39 Mercury helps.

02-15-2016, 05:21 PM	#3
moefuzz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Under A Clean V8 Posts: 228	Re: 39 merc Conv. help . Good job Mercman. I suspect the trumpet horns might be merc specific but not sure. Others may know. I had a 40 Merc Tudor parts car about 25 years ago. It was an old dirt track racing winner and as such, it had a lot of Dale Earnheart style push marks on the rear bumper and fenders. But due to it being a constant circle track winner, it had a nice grille and front fenders. I sold it in the 90's to pay for my Model A addiction but some how the trumpet horns fell off before the l̶o̶w̶ ̶b̶a̶l̶l̶e̶r̶ buyer could pry the '40 from my hands. I thought that at one time I had compared the trumpet horns to 40 Ford and they were different but maybe it was a 41 Ford and my al's highmers was acting up. Either way, I still have the 40 Merc block out at the farm and the trumpets may or may not have been sold on epay to help pay for a twin screw blower addiction. .

02-15-2016, 07:32 PM	#4
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	Re: 39 merc Conv. help Headlights, wheels, horns, engine accessories, brakes and radio are pretty much the same. Buy a 39 Mercury owners' manual - you see them on e-bay. There are 14 on there at present. Grab one. Last edited by swoopNZ; 02-15-2016 at 11:22 PM.

02-15-2016, 07:47 PM	#5
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,359	Re: 39 merc Conv. help I hope you do better than the owner of this 1939 Mercury Convertible. He took his car to this Shell Service Station many years ago, and is still waiting for work to be started on it. Not true, this car and service station is on private property in California and the recreation looks very authentic in this setting. Wouldn't you like this set-up in your backyard?

02-15-2016, 08:46 PM	#6
moefuzz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Under A Clean V8 Posts: 228	Re: 39 merc Conv. help Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 49 Plymouth bumpers? No, maybe Desoto.....

02-16-2016, 12:56 PM	#8
SuperDave Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Melbourne Fl Posts: 166	Re: 39 merc Conv. help OH, By the way the fuel tanks are different on the Merc. Don't ask how I know!

02-16-2016, 05:20 PM	#9
supereal Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Re: 39 merc Conv. help Having done convertible restorations, I can tell you that finding usable body and top parts is a long process. Convertibles were low production models, and Mercury was even more scarce. My '47 was in better than usual condition when I found it, but still required ten years and bushels of bucks to complete. Many body parts are not reproduced or interchangable, and the years when the top rotted usually produced rusty floors and rocker panels, along with missing door bottoms, etc. I wouldn't commence the work until you have the parts in hand. I scoured sources from coast to coast to find mine.