Merc radiator test

[RalphG]

I did a brief test running the 52 Merc with the "new" 53 radiator installed. Got some of it on video for anyone that might be curious. Nothing too exciting. Just some under the hood views of the engine and radiator. And the sound of the engine of course.
I'll never understand how the old 52 radiator got so beat up and repaired. The 53 is only a year newer but the radiator is in far better shape. I don't remember my dad ever having any work done on the original radiator.
https://youtu.be/1PcZYIAU-QY

[rotorwrench]

My hand me down family 51 Merc had it's share of radiator repair and cooling system replacements over the years. I know we rodded the radiator out at least once. The car had a pretty good front collision due to my brother forgetting about the overdrive on a hill but I don't remember radiator getting hurt. The front bumper & grill took it hard though. The 63 Mercury car that it ran into was hurt a lot worse. The car also threw a fan blade once due to a crack. It dented the hood pretty bad. That car had a hard life. Pop was driving along a farm road when the steering started feeling funny. It's a good thing he slowed down because shortly after that a tie rod broke. The car only went about half way off the road as it came to an abrupt halt with wheels splayed out in opposite directions. He barely missed a neighbors mail box. The farmers in that area would plant a big post or pipe to hold the mail boxes so it would have done some serious damage if he had hit it. Pop was lucky that time. He ended up getting run over by the car later when he did the same thing my brother did by parking on a hill and not putting it in reverse or setting the hand brake. He forgot to turn the wind mill off down the hill so he was walking back down the hill when the car hit him. It beat him up pretty well but he survived it. He always said that the Merc was the quietest car he ever owned but it was a bit too quiet that time. He never heard it coming. I don't think he ever drove it after that. My oldest brother got the car instead.

I have a lot of memories with that car. Both good and bad. I wouldn't sell it for any amount of money.

[RalphG]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

My hand me down family 51 Merc had it's share of radiator repair and cooling system replacements over the years.
I have a lot of memories with that car. Both good and bad. I wouldn't sell it for any amount of money.

I feel the same about this 52. It will never be worth much except in family history. Its always interesting to hear some of the history behind our vehicles. Do you have any pictures of your 51 to show?

[rotorwrench]

The car is currently in Kansas but I'll get some photos next time I go up for a visit. We still keep it on the farm. I'm still working on number two so it is scattered right now.

[Bulligen]

Thank you for showing us the result of your radiator fix!

[scicala]

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Ralph and rotorwrench,


You're making me jealous. I wish I still had the '55 Mercury Montclair that I inherited from my Dad when I was 15. Oh, the memories !


Sal

[RalphG]

Originally Posted by scicala

Ralph and rotorwrench,


You're making me jealous. I wish I still had the '55 Mercury Montclair that I inherited from my Dad when I was 15. Oh, the memories !


Sal

I know I'm lucky to have this one. Just wish I'd "saved" it 30 years earlier.

[scicala]

That's all I have Ralph, is a couple of old tiny photo's, and a lot of memories.


Sal