1951 Mercury (Ford) M-1 Advise

I've started work on a 51 m-1 and need to know where to go to next. I have a 305 chev with an auto transmition that both need rebuilding. I also have a front clip and a differential out of a late 70's nova. The Flathead is just above ready to come out. There is a lot of dents and rust on the truck. Now where could I go next, take all of the body parts off and mount the differential and front clip then fix body panels? Or is there real order i should do things in? Thanks  

You are right. Just like building a house got to have a foundation first. Then put it all back together and do body work so you know the fenders fit before paint. You will probably take it apart a couple times before your done.  

thanks, i just wanted to make sure i wasn't going to regret the order i doing things in.  

Thanks for the info Curtis.  

Is the it a Canadian truck? Wasn't sure if they ever made Mercury pickups in the U.S.  

ya it's a canadian truck  

I found that out from CCT, the whole history. There a M1 on the CCT if you want to see one. No different than a F1, just a logo.  

I'm think about taking the cab off, if i unbolt the cab can i just lift it with pallet forks? Or do i have to worry about it flexing and distorting? and im hoping to do the same with the box.  

Not a good idea to ask that when we don't see the truck and how bad the rust and dents are.  If you are worried about the cab flexing then weld some bracing into the cab.

Word the the beginner is go buy a large box of sandwich bags and a perminent marker (fine tip). As you dissassemble (anything)place the small parts into the sandwich bags and mark them, then get painters tape and tape the small parts bags to the larger part.  Where ever possible put bolts or parts back together after removal.  

When you do the rebuilding take the time to detail every part you put back on the truck ie: sand, paint, new bolts, etc.  It don't take that long but the finished look will turn alot of heads at shows.  
07 GMC crew diesel
53 3100 original
53 3100 rat
51 3100 streetrod
49 F1 panel

Ill weld some bracing in before I take the cab off. I've had a major change in the plan for the truck, I found a decent flathead,so im not putting the chev in it.  

I haven't been here in a long time. The truck is now just the frame, its sandblasted and painted and most of the suspension is sandblasted and parinted as well. I have found a couple flatheads I hope to make one out of.  

51 Merc -

I purchased an F1 way back about 20 years ago when I was about 21 with no wife or kids to dictate what I was doing when, where and why... now I'm 41 with all that stuff going on.  I bought it thinking, cool grill and how nice to have something a little different than all those Mid 50's trucks.  I drove this truck for a couple years before getting ahead of myself and rippin into the thing to do a big $$ rebuild.  Then once I ripped her apart I sold a business, went and found a 67 FLH harley and restored it with the money and there the 51 sat half apart (along with another half pieces 53 plymouth 2 door I drove in high school).  I put the F1 back together as a rolling basket case, got married, had three kids, etc., etc.  Now I finally have the $$ and connections with top fabricators to build the truck up.  This is where the changes have happened mentally for me and the Rodding scene as well.  I have decided to build up the truck with all new mechanicals... TCI frame, 4 wheel disks, etc.  BUT, I will ONLY use ford parts for the driveline such as the Flattie for power, and so on.  When I first read your intentions today I thought "Oh No", he wants to put Chevy power in a Ford.  Then I thought, "Wow, I been through the same thought processes he has been through!"  I was so happy to hear your sticking Ford for power!  The last few years have made a full circle with regards to the scene and THANK GOD FOR RATS!!!  The budget builders have forever brought back the acceptance of the low buck builds and more importantly the passion of, in my opinion, the raw Rodder!  I liken it to the days (before I was born) when rodding kicked off.  I do believe the Rat scene will be much more than a side note in rodding history and will be credited for much more as well.

Anyhow, the way I feel is to keep Ford, well Ford!  Especially with Chevy and Chrysler being all changed up with under the government rules and pieced/parted out, reformulated, etc.  Ford has, to date, taken NO Federal duckets!  God save the Ford!  All these years of making money, must have been the the Henry and family forsight that will hopefully allow them to remain Ford!  Dont know if they stuffed the mattresses with the extra money all these years, as long as they survive.  I do feel this way as well with my 53 Plymouth, the Harleys I build and of course the rest whenever possible... only upgrading for safety and performance sake with the ever attempt to keep the vehicle as pure as possible.

Good luck with the rest of your build(s).  Please post your truck as you progress!!!  

Thanks!

Mike  

There hasn't been any progress(ran out of money to order parts over the winter ), but ive started working now in the summer. I hope to have it running for my grad next year. My plans started out big too, but now my dreams have crashed down and im going mostly orginal. Thinking about heads, headers, intake, and maybe a cam. No fancy suspension or power brakes and steering.  

If you need parts for that flathead engine , try www.speedwaymotors.com or www.honestcharley.com ! Both carry substantial inventory for the engine . Heck , Honest Charley's even sells a custom motorcycle powered by a flathead !  

The frame is pretty much ready for the engine, it needs the brakes done but I should be working on the flathead pretty soon.