1968 Mercury 250 Camper Special

[cdnwillyg]

Well I thought I would try and stay a head of this restoration or should I say project completion experience. This is the day I brought it home and few of the parts that came with it.
The cab forward was all painted and the complete chassis was done motor, trany, diff and suspension I was told, frame sand blasted and painted. Most of all the parts are new and rims still in the boxes. Painless wiring kit started but not well. Redone seat, 1 new set of buckets. new carpet, headliner....you get the idea.
I'm thinking this will take time to sort thru but not much to buy to finish.
Here are a few pics of the truck coming home and the parts that came with it.

[Lone Ranger]

Awesome! It looks like most of the hard stuff is done you just get to put it all together! Not saying it'll be quick and easy but you got a great start on a beautiful and rare truck. Keep us posted. Welcome and good luck!

[Manny]

Man love it.I will admit i use to think Mercury trucks?!?!?! Now being over the young 21 stupid mayhem i realize how special and cool the m series are. They will always outweight the fords for rarity. And 250 camper special! Love it can't wait to see more!

[cdnwillyg]

Well the colder weather has hit Alberta and was trying to get the coolant ready for winter but the headers wouldn't allow me to remove the engine plugs and it would not start sooo...now I have been given permission by the wife to use her side of the garage to get this truck starting, steering and stopping so I don't have to winch it in and out. This is what is taking up my side...the last project 98% complete...that last 2% is a kller!!!

[hfdco4]

Two very nice projects.

[cdnwillyg]

Thanks hfdco4, the Spitfire was a stalled project as well. I think I like building vs driving them????
I just about killed me today hand winching the truck into the garage but went okay, good thing it has the box off or it wouldn't have fit. Now to let her warm up and then get after it to run.

[Manny]

Thanks hfdco4, the Spitfire was a stalled project as well. I think I like building vs driving them????
I just about killed me today hand winching the truck inti the garage but went okay, good thing it has the box off or it wouldn't have fit. Now to let her warm up and then get after it to run.

Agreed on the wrenching deal they get good and nice i get bored for some reason. Very nice on both good luck getting it up and running!

[cdnwillyg]

Thanks Manny, once inside and warmed up a bit I redid all the starter connections and found out the starter solenoid was done. Then pulled all the plugs and cleaned them checking the gap. Looking into the cylinders I notice that they looked real dry, not sure how long this motor has set since rebuild so I shot some oil in to each cylinder and turned over the crank on the crank. I wanted to see if the connections were my issue with it turning over slow, tried the starter with the plugs out and it spun very quickly. Threw the plugs back in and tried the starter...yes all was good I thought but then noticed some water below the motor. First though was that something had happened to the motor over night but when I looked under the engine I notice that the water had come from the flywheel opening. It seem to be only water so I'm hoping it was just condensation from coming in from the cool into heat. I'll let it dry out tonight and have a look tomorrow when I actually try to run the engine up.

[the elder rocker]

Dig the Merc. Nice squaretail, too!

[Manny]

Thanks Manny, once inside and warmed up a bit I redid all the starter connections and found out the starter solenoid was done. Then pulled all the plugs and cleaned them checking the gap. Looking into the cylinders I notice that they looked real dry, not sure how long this motor has set since rebuild so I shot some oil in to each cylinder and turned over the crank on the crank. I wanted to see if the connections were my issue with it turning over slow, tried the starter with the plugs out and it spun very quickly. Threw the plugs back in and tried the starter...yes all was good I thought but then noticed some water below the motor. First though was that something had happened to the motor over night but when I looked under the engine I notice that the water had come from the flywheel opening. It seem to be only water so I'm hoping it was just condensation from come from the cooled into heat. I'll let it dry out tonight and have a look tomorrow when I actually try to run the engine up.

Water out the bell is new i'm with you just condensate after all you got antifreeze in it if it was a rear plug it would be antifreeze not water. You should get it fired up no problem. If it turns it will run them old ones want to live!

[cdnwillyg]

Hey Manny went thru your build very nicely done with lots of info.
The engine was rebuilt and the PO put $5000 into it at a engine rebuild shop so I'm hoping all remains well too!
I have MSD ignition and wires....wow are they long, not sure how to make them look good, may need to change them out.
I picked up a starter solenoid and fuel filter today with some fresh gas, tomorrow is the day to see if it comes back to life.
Could someone with a 360/390 measure their oil dipstick for length and the low and high marks so I can see if the one I have is right. It seems that it is over full of oil??? but then again the dipstick that came in the parts may not be for this engine.
Thanks

[hfdco4]

Where does the dipstick go? It should go directly into the oil pan and not the engine block. Also it should be a rear sump oil pan on that truck.

[Manny]

Where does the dipstick go? It should go directly into the oil pan and not the engine block. Also it should be a rear sump oil pan on that truck.

Your holding to 4x4 stuff there the durn 2wd's had a standard car front sump. Stupid thing drains all over the crossmember... But then again after 30-40 years who knows whats there. Think it was 5 qts with a empty filter????? may have been 6 quarts. As for the wires to get a perfect set simple to build them to your length just need the pliers to crimp them up. Hope the old fe lives good!!!

Found the link to the oil pan tech deal this goes thru all of the different models here. Keith did the work for us..
http://www.fordification.com/tech/dipstick.htm

[Manny]

Heck the article says 7 qts don't know if i have ever put 7 qts in there.....

[cdnwillyg]

I do have the front sump on my 390. Great article on dip sticks but seemed a little ambiguous with different options???? or maybe it's just me?
So no measurements from a 2wd front sump 360/390 dipstick? For length and fluid level marks?