I just bought a 55 Mercury Monterey and this is my first experience with a Y-block.  I purchased an oil filter conversion kit.  I assume that the canister filter is the large cylinder at the back of the block on the drivers side.  Also, on the drivers side to the front of the block, below the head and behind the fuel pump is another canister that is smaller and has a vacuum feed from the carb.  Can anyone tell me what this is? 

Also, when I change the oil what weight do you recomend.  I am in Utah so it will be very hot here soon.

Thanks

I have a 1955 Merc Monterey as well, the extra canister is merely a breather. It's not an auxillary filter or anything. If I lived in a really hot climate I would probably run 20-50w oil. But since it is mild where I live, I am not exactly positive. I'm sure someone knows the perfect number on this site.



Loving my Y!

Kevin Walshe

Costa Mesa, California

That cannister at the front is a "road draft tube".There is a filter in there which can be cleaned in varsol if its in good shape or replaced for about $10.00.There is a tube inside also which drains oil back into the oil pan.If it gets plugged up you will find oil dripping from the tube.It can be cleaned out with a piece of wire if you do not want to unbolt the whole thing and clean it.The road draft is the outlet for engine crankcase pressure.Air is drawn in through the oil fill cap and it is cleanable also. 

  

What the others told you is correct. The oil filter is the 4 inch or so round can on the drivers side of the block. The smaller unit nearer the front is a breather. The breather should be serviced (cleaned)as the same time that the filter is changed. Usually these are neglected so you should remove and clean throughly. Gaskets and the filter are available.



As far as the conversion kit is concerned, when changing the unit over you may find that a socket will not work very well in loosening or tightening the nut because the nut is thin. What you have to do is grind down the socket so you have the teeth all the way to the end (most sockets do not have the teeth all the way to the end so they go on the nut easier).



Do you have a friend who is a mechanic that that help you?

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ