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By Jeffs54Merc - 16 Years Ago
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I am kinda new at the interchanging of parts for the y blocks. I was wandering if the parts from the 272 - 312 can fit the 256, i.e. valve covers, headers, distributors, ect.
I am also wanting to add the power assist steering to my Merc, but I can't find the unit that came with the model year. Can someone tell me if a 1960 Thunderbird steering unit will fit without much modification. I want to keep the original look.
Thanks for the help.
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 16 Years Ago
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Jeff: The parts you mention will interchange, but be sure to check the tooth count on the distributor gears. Your '54 will probably have 13 teeth, all '55 and later have 14. Also, you will need to change the oil pump and drive rod to '55 and later. Do not bother with a '55 or '56 distributor, you need a '57 or later. I'm not sure about the PS from the '60, but if it is the type that has a booster cylinder on the drag link, it is probably adaptable. If it is self contained in the steering box, it can probably be done but would require a lot of work and would not look original.
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By shakey pete - 16 Years Ago
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Hi good on you for fixing up a 54 mercury most parts are interchangable I have a 54 mer 2dr ht installed 57 intake worked ok first carb was a holley 600cfm way to big !! went to a 400 cfm holley ran great now i have a 573 intake with 3 dueces ford mod 94,s want to install a wc t5 have all the good parts excep. trans and adaptor ,steering don,t know if it is interchangable but ford was like chev back then, if it had a y blk chances it would fit didn,t change to much till earley 60,s but it,s a lb of flesh every time you work on them it,s all been there done that and we are having a great time enjoy you won,t regrett it and this isss a great place for info (trial by air 
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By Jeffs54Merc - 16 Years Ago
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I thank you for the info. This car belonged to my Dad and when he passed away I kept this great car. It is all stock but for the Holley 600cfm and the new disc brakes( I used 1975 Cougar spindles with a sleeve for the lower ball joint, the booster and master cyclinder are 70"s Ford truck.) This car only has 34,065 miles and handles so good. I want to add extras to it just to make it a very mild custom. I am going to keep it looking all original so it will look period for 1954. I did add an oiling system for the rockers.
This was Dad's so I will not change anything that he wouldn't change. I would like to add a 6 volt wiper motor so that I can drive it in the rain
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 16 Years Ago
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Jeff: If you are using a later carb and the original distributor, you will notice a big difference in performance and mileage if you change to a '57 or later distributor. The late carbs are not calibrated properly to control the original all vacuum distributor.
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By Jeffs54Merc - 16 Years Ago
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John, thanks for the advice. This winter I am going to do that. I am going to enjoy the ride and make another car show before I put her away for the season. If I could figure out how to laod pictures I would show you what I have.
Once again thank you any info .
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 16 Years Ago
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Jeff: I forgot to mention, you will also need a '57 and later distributor cap and rotor when you change it. The '54 stuff won't fit.
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By Jeffs54Merc - 16 Years Ago
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I will do that, thanks
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By Jeffs54Merc - 16 Years Ago
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I want to thank everyone for their advice and info. I have traded some work for a 312 truck motor that I might swap into the Mercury. It is a fresh rebuild that only needs a distributor and carb added. I have the carb, now I am looking for the distributor.
Also, do they make a set of headers to fit the '54 Merc? It looks as if the "Rams Horn" might be tight.
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 16 Years Ago
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Jeff: While that motor from a truck could well be a 312, be careful. Ford never put one in a truck, but some did get switched by owners. Rams horns won't fit a passenger car with the side engine mounts. I think Red's Headers make headers to fit '54-'56 passenger cars. There may be others.
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By Jeffs54Merc - 16 Years Ago
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Thanks John. You are right the engine was placed into the truck after the re-build. I know the man who built it and he is the one who turned me on to it.
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By John Mummert - 16 Years Ago
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Jeff, you should consider a new logo for this website. Most of us have seen all the 55 scrubs we ever want to see, and more.
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By Jeffs54Merc - 16 Years Ago
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I'm sorry about that. That was the banner from my web site. I hope this is better.
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By MoonShadow - 16 Years Ago
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No problem making money of those S#%$B lovers to support your Y-Block habit. We just don't like to see them much Chuck in NH
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By Jeffs54Merc - 16 Years Ago
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I would rather do the old Fords, but I live in a place full of Ford lovers who own Chevy's. I can't seem to get away from them. I have two '57's to do in Nov. Anyone have some spare blood pressure medication?
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By John Mummert - 16 Years Ago
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Ahhhhhhh. That's much more pleasing to the eye. Thanks Jeff
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By Doug T - 16 Years Ago
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Hey Jeff, I was thinking the '55 scrub was a little too much in the face of a lot of people on this site and I was wondering who would complain first. But you are most welcome to the site and it is nice to see another Kentuckian. Do you get to L'ville with or without your car? With regards to the 312 be sure to use the harmonic balancer that came with the 312. The '54 front pulleys did not have vibration dampers built in. The 312 damper has provision to bolt a power steering pump pully to it also. If the 312 was equiped with heavy duty truck pulleys you should probably change to 55 up pass car harm balancer because the fan clearance to the radiator is tight in '54 to 56 pass cars and the truck pulleys are a little longer. Also the '54 will have what Ford called a steady rest at the front under the harm. balancer. If you want to stay strickly stock you will need to switch this piece to the 312. It is something Ford eliminated in '57 and you don't need it for function.
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By Jeffs54Merc - 16 Years Ago
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Doug, thanks for the info. I haven't made it to L'Ville as of yet with the Merc, but we just might make it there next summer. I aim to drive this car, it will not be a trailer queen.
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