My '69 Mercury Montego Convertible

[clutch47]

Thanks fellas. I'll be in touch with Stan again soon, and if there's an interest in a group purchase of a specific panther header, I'll let him know.
I'll be asking him if he can pull it off. Even a Tri-Y. Something. Any ideas of perfect primary size or any other specifics.?

[clutch47]

So...
I talked to Stan at FPA about headers. He's really not in a position currently to try to develop one for our panthers YET. Maybe next year.

Update on my Merc.
Got it together. Not sure how to post a video here. Any advice.?
It hasn't gotten the exhaust that I've planned for yet because Coronavirus..
Soon. 2-1/2" and Magnaflows coming out behind the tire as it always was. Nobody around here will bend 3 inch.
So currently it has 2 pieces of 2-1/2" flex pipe connecting the collectors to the old exhaust.
It runs. There's no choke provisions on this carb, so it's a pain in the ass to get heat in. Once she's warm and happy it is more than I thought it would be.
After heating the tires a little a few times and going for a nice launch, it gives me the willys. Wide eyes and white knuckles on full giddyup.
If I'm easy into it and roll it on, it want's to break loose going past 3800...
The converter stall is too high for my liking. I think that's going to get lowered to 2400 to 2800.
The thing flashes at 4K.
So that's where I'm at.

[87gtVIC]

You would need to upload the video to youtube or similar to act as a host. This site only hosts photos to my knowledge.

[packman]

Beautiful!

[clutch47]

Wanted to start the season with fresh plugs. These Autolites were still in there from the Dyno and initial start-up after being fogged with marvel mystery oil for storage. They look pretty damn good to me.
Remind yourself again why big hands and shock towers add up to fun X 8.. DEFINITELY glad I bought SCOTT plug wires.

[clutch47]

Merc went to my friends transmission shop for a converter and valve body swap.
3300 stall out, 2400 stall in.
Didn't get to drive it before it went on the rollback to a friend of a friends exhaust shop 3 towns over.
Going from 2-1/4" to 2-1/2" with Magnaflows. Brand new pipe bender with new mandrels should make a nice exhaust. We're adding an H or an X to it wherever it fits best. There is a sweet spot that lines up with the body and trans mount, so it'll likely be there.
The guy doing this exhaust has been doing FORDS for 40 years, and just finished his '64 comet with a 445" 385 series with a pile of go fast parts.
Man, those big blocks make ridiculous power and rev like nothing else. Canted valve heads for the win.
The 2-1/4 mufflers on the Merc are vintage Lakewood welded mufflers from about 1982. I'm going to save them. Really cool pieces, just way too restrictive for this build. Hoping to have it home for next weekend so I can enjoy some time in the '70 Mach one buckets I put in there. We'll see...

[clutch47]

Little update on the Merc.
A couple vacuum leaks chased down and it's really coming together. Here's some exhaust shots of the Magnaflows, the X and how it all came together.



Lucas liked this X better than the ones he makes for this install, so he went with it. I'm happy. LOTS of clearance.



A decent shot of how it all came together. I'll get tailpipe pix this weekend, and I'm going to try to get a video on Rumble and see if it will work on here.



275/60-15s on an 8 inch Cragar with 4.25 inches of Backspace. I dunno if I can get more in there. It doesn't rub at all...so I think I'll leave it alone.


So that's where I'm at with this car.

[Tiggie]

Interested to see how the x sounds. Looks good.

[clutch47]

Rebuilt the rear end. The original clutches were so shot.. 8 inch rears were common, but the equa-loc slip units aren't.
It works well now. New 3.55 Motive ring and pinion gears, carrier and pinion bearings, wheel bearings, seals, and new 75/90 with stench modifier.
The next time I get to my friends shop with the outdoor lift, it'll get the pressure washer and scuff pad scrub and a coat of paint.
I can't see the reason to upgrade to the 9 inch when I run street tires.

[DerekTheGreat]

"..stench modifier.."

[sly]

"..stench modifier.."

+1

[clutch47]

So I tried uploading a video to youtube.
No idea if I did it right or if it will work for you, but here goes.
My Merc this morning. https://youtu.be/7Vp_e8ZLRfw

[Mainemantom]

The video looks good. That is a sharp paint job ! I have not seen a Montego MX in many years. Very sharp car.

[87gtVIC]

Awesome. Nice garage too!

[Tiggie]

Sounds like a race Merc. I approve it's message.