Great pics, looking forward to seeing the progress on this.

That is a problem with most street rods as we get older we get used to creature comforts and the rods just don't have it.This is going to be a very cool car I can just see it now cruising down the road seat tilted back music on low ac blowing cold a little rumble out the exhaust Keep us posted!

 

   Randy

A bonus with the Lincoln was the air ride on the IFS and IRS, unlimited ride heights with minor modification to the computer system.  While the IFS was on the frame machine I removed the engine and transmission (another bonus with the Lincoln, one of Fords 4R70W AODE transmissions and the all Aluminum modular 32 valve 4.6L engine) to get access to the K member.  A good place to start with the 5" wheelbase increase was making the opposite move back with the engine and transmission.  Finally some fabricating.............................

 

 

Fabricated a fixture to move the mounts back properly

 

 

 

 

Motor mounts boxed in................. but steering rack and linkages???????????????  More next post.

 

 

 

Thanks for the great follow along pics again.

Great build thread !! Keep the pictures coming !

Some random pictures.  I stripped the rear sub-frame down and sent it out for sandblast and powder coating.

 

 

All new bushings and wheel bearings, upper and lower Aluminum arms glass beaded and the sub-frame reassembled.

 

 

Chassis on the frame machine at the onset of the perimeter frame install.

 

 

Perimeter frame attached to the front and rear frame rails.  The frame was a pain to fab and install and the pictures are pretty boring so.................   All the skin attached back to cover front and rear attachment points.

 

Widen or narrow you say v8deuce, well that's exactly where I was going with my next set of posts.  So the wheelbase differences have been all sorted out and a perimeter frame fabbed up.  The next was the track width issue.  v8deuce is correct, the Lincoln has a wider track width than the Merc.  I did not want it to look like a Hot Wheels car with the tires stuck way out in the wheel wells and back spaced rims were out of the question with the large rotors and calipers so i made another sacrilegious move.  I widened the Merc right down the centre.  This also allowed me to use the Lincoln dash without cutting it up.  First things first though, body was braced and the floor cut out.

 

 

 

 

 

 Body off to the sandblasters to find all the rough spots and give it a nice protective coating.

 

 

 

Body back and attached to the frame machine with a fixture all true and level.

 

 

 

Adjusters made to evenly move it out for the big cut.

 

  

 

The big cut.  I will let everyone get comfortable with this before I post the metal work.  Thanks, Rhys.

 

Yes poncho62, it will have a modest chop (3" to 3-1/2" on the vertical).  Front glass is no issue as it is all flat glass.  The rear will be the original from the 49 sedan so rear glass will be OEM.  I will just have to widen the pie cuts a bit more than usual on a regular chop.  Here is a picture of the back window going in.  Is everyone ready for the grafting of roof metal?????????????????? Rhys.

 

Awesome I'm ready

 

  Randy

More on the roof.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stretching the welds.

 

Rolling out the contour. I still have a bit more to do here (I have since added braces to this set up to keep it a bit stiffer).

 

Plannishing or stretching the welds.

v8deuce wrote:

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I get what you are doing now I thought you were doing the old style,putting the front and rear in the merc frame, but this is a helluva lot better idea.When it comes to width are they close or do you have to narrow,widen the dash? You need to put a set of valve covers on that I had on my roadster it confuses the hell out of people.

  Randy

 

I love that set up in your 32.  I saw a picture of a 31 coupe with a similar "modular" in it with the timing chain "bulge" of the valve covers slightly stuck out of the side curtains of the hood.  There is a nice 31 coupe for sale http://stcatharines.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-1931-Ford-Coupe-Barn-Fresh-W0QQAdIdZ495642252  nearby.................  no.......... I need to finish this first.  One day though, Rhys. 

---

 

Thanks for posting . I look forward to each update.

     Well I have time to post as I am off work today watching my girls (eight and eleven, they need a constant eye as they tend to get into a bit of mischief if I wander into the garage).

     To answer Ragtop's question, my wife did not mind me re purposing the Lincoln.  I bought here the car when it was four years old, she loved it.  As the years went on it lost it's luster with the start of our family.  At the point of having two toddlers to get seated in a coupe she was fed up with it.  I started using it as a primary vehicle and just loved it.  I could have kept it running forever and a day but with purchasing a new car in 2010 my wife wanted rid of it from the driveway.   That's when I had the idea of combining the two cars, my daily driver and my next project.

     I started to make body repairs at the back end, rust repair and further widening.  I first filled in some pin holes in the taillight areas, I make all repairs with a TIG process, ER70 filler, as I find the finished welds are softer and easier to work or stretch.

 

 

 

 

I cut out the rusty lower taillight lower flanges and replaced them with new metal.

 

 

 

 

 

I cut out all of the rot and damage and replaced as I widened.  Again, I left the original centre sections in to keep contour and filled on either side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Replacement of damaged section.

 

 

 

Getting the contour to match on the patch panel.

 

 

 

All done at he back end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                           

 

Thanks for sharing not only your build, but your thought process and detailed implementation as well. Blending new and old isn't for the faint of heart! Looking forward to your next installment.

The "B" pillar extensions, as mentioned above, were completed next.  I started with the the right side by removing all of the poor metal and built it all back out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The left side was completed in the same manner.  The next series of pictures are the mating of the chassis to the body, my favorite part of the build so far.  I will post that series shortly, Rhys.

 

 

 

        So you have to do what you have to do.  I had two less than perfect right front fenders.  One on the car that I purchased from fatchuk and a second I found on the internet.  These Merc fenders are few and far between so some fabing was required.

        I tried to repair the fender I purchased over the internet as the professionals would but I soon came to realize I lacked the skills that many on here have.  Light bumping on dolly, off dolly, etc.......   This is where you can laugh.  

 

 

 

 

 

The fender that came with the Merc.  The lower section had a brazed patch panel.  It did what it had to do but I wanted a bit better repair.

 

 

 

    Now you can cry.  This was my approach to the repair, it works for me.  I made a tool to un-flange and remove the back support

 

 

 

I decided to repair the rot first so I fabed up a patch panel.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I fabed up a punch and die to match the factory indentations.

 

 

 

 

Welded in the patch.

 

 

 

 

Now to get rid of the creased section at the upper end.  I took the file along this area and found good straight metal.

 

 

 

Most would cry here but as I said this is the only way I can pull it off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checked it for gaps, fit, straightness, etc.....  I had to wedge, pull and pop it however I could to get it there.

 

 

 

 

Looks good, on to the next, Rhys.

 

 

 

 

 

that's a neat way to do a car, modern handling and drivability with old car looks.  ive seen a lot of gms grafted onto caprice s but widening the body is cool, makes it different and a real head scratcher since it wont be stock width.  I would add some determination and patience along with skill on this one. theres a ford truck ive seen before that uses the firewall and engine from a more modern ford , its silver and about an early fifties I think.  this method also saves you a lot of wiring hassles as you are using the linc dash and stuff

Frame horns trimmed back

 

 

Mock up of grille surround to test fit hood for strut support clearance.

 

This actually shows the total amount I widened the car, 5-1/4".

 

 

There's gonna be a few pie cuts on this hood to get this to all match up.  I can't wait.  This hood will take me a good few weeks alone when the time comes. 

 

Still a bit of leveling out of the front end but the good news is all of my strut supports and eventual tubing will clear nicely as shown.

 

I started the strut supports today.  I managed to get it where I want it with the multiple compound bends.  I think this is going to support the strut towers properly.  I have it tied to my 2"X3" tubing perimeter frame at the firewall and the front sub frame.  I have an additional piece bent to fit in from the front sub frame to the tower support at the firewall as well.  The JD squared model 32 is working great for the bends.  I still have a lot of fitting before I weld it in but its a start, Rhys.

 

 

 

Absolutely awe inspiring!
I couldn't stop scrolling down.

I'm tired just from looking at the pictures. That is a huge project and good for you for sticking with it. You have done some really nice work there and I applaud you for it.

i had a Mk VIII a while back and just loved it. If your Merc has the comfort and performance the Lincoln had it will be a real winner. Good Luck..

WOW. That is an impressive build you are doing . Excellent thoughts and workmanship. Keep up the postings.

Well........................   I have no real excuses for the lack of progress here.  I managed to fab up a cart for my new welding machine by early November to put in a killer season of fabbing but life and the cold winter caught up with me.  

 

 

 

      The coal fired power plant that I work at burnt it's last scrap of fuel last September 19, 2013 and I have been heavily involved in the layup of the site.  So over the winter I spent most of my time organizing my belongings and home for the sale and move.  I did not want to get too deep on the car and make the move harder.  I was expecting to be redeployed/relocated to a new site with Ontario Power Generation on March 21 with the rest of the plant staff but I have been left behind.   I continue to work to layup the equipment with a small group of staff.  I really have no idea when I will now be moved.

      So here I am, in la la land, no location no date.  With that it is hard to get motivated on the car.  I have just been spending a lot of time with the kids hanging and having fun.  

       Pro Stock Johnny, I have read your threads on the HAMB and refer to them often for parts and suppliers.  You have a great Merc by the way.  I don't often post on the HAMB as this project does not fit the traditional approach.

       I will be back on the car this holiday weekend for sure.  I will post updates.  Have fun with your rides this long weekend, Rhys.