1968 Mercury 250 Camper Special

[cdnwillyg]

I got drum off after forcing the ratchet the other way, what look to have happened is the tension spring that holds the shoes together by the ratchet broke and jammed the ratchet mechanism. I even got the e-brake cable to move smoothly too, good thing because the 2 new extra cables I have were not for this truck. So just went and got a new spring kit and will reassemble later today.
The design of these rear brake/drums is the first thing I don't care for on this truck so far.

[Manny]

Been a few days since you posted get your rear brakes squared away? Glad you got this thing running right. Still think the M's are just neat!

[cdnwillyg]

Yeah the brakes are done and I went out to this guys parts truck and got what I could not much but a lot of little things. Some stuff I didn't even know I was missing...great to see a truck together and notice those things. I was amazed at how brittle the w/w container was after 50 years so I ordered a new one...not cheap for whats there!

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How cheap are the cab bezels???? Could not believe that!
Stripped two doors for the glass and extra hardware
So today I got my heater plumbed in and run the engine to see if there were any leaks all good, ran out of gas. Then installed the housing around the steering shaft, didn't know I was missing that. Set my doors but realize they maybe need to be done once all the weight is in them.
I have all the front fender, hinge seals coming to get those on but will concentrate on getting my doors all put together and the rest of the glass.
Will get sound insulation for the roof and floors tomorrow along with Peel and Seal to do the floors before carpet.

[Manny]

Very nice progress. Glad you found some good junk. It's always nice to get just what your hunting for. I spent some time with the highboy tonight and the pic hammer yeah not the greatest. Yours is much happier!

[cdnwillyg]

Wanting to install door seals but noticed that at the floor it has no lip to fasten to. I do have sill covers to install but that needs the carpet down first. So do I wait and install the carpet first and then use the sill plates to hold the bottom of the door seals or am I way out to lunch here??

[Ranchero50]

You glue the flap down flat to the floor, cover it with the trim plate. Put your seam down there too.

Gluing the door seal down is one of the most aggravating things involved in these trucks.

[cdnwillyg]

So insulation, heat shield and carpet go on after the seal is glued down then the sill cap, okay thanks.

[Manny]

As ranchero said that seal gluing stinks. Put a bead down, and i have found put a bead on both sides then spread it out with a wood paddle. Learned that trick from a rubber guy and it helps. Spreading it out thin helps the glue bite for the seals. Hope it goes smoothly

[cdnwillyg]

Thanks guys will do.
I have another question, I have installed all the door glass and new felts all around with new anti rattle whiskers too. Passenger side works awesome but the drivers travels down fine but going up it is tough, seems to move the glass towards the rear of the door which binds it a bit, is there any way to adjust this problem?? The pic shows the glass mid travel and can move forward about 3/8" which then makes it easier to roll up.

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[Ranchero50]

Make sure the vent window assy is seated correctly in the door. Take measurements from drivers to passengers as comparison. Look for differences and sort them out.

[cdnwillyg]

Good call Ranchero that may help but I don't think there is much movement in the channel that is part of the vent window. I don't see any other place that can change unless the window mechanism is the issue. I do have another one I can try if the adjustment doesn't help.
I went on to doing sound deaden and insulate the cab to get ready for the carpet. I used Peel and Seal from Rona and the insulation came with the trucks parts. I laid the carpet out to see how it fit and it's looking narrow for the width. I hope it relax's enough to reach.

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[cdnwillyg]

Looking at the door seal where it touches the floor and has to be flattened out to glue to the floor. Would it be better to cut the right angle portion off so it can be glued in on the back face and top section without the force of the seal trying to lift it? I know that the sill plate will cover/lock into the seal here as well, what are your thoughts?

[cdnwillyg]

Well today I had the windshield and rear window installed, went very well and looks good.

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Also changed the window actuator and it appears to have solved my problem with the hard rolling window.
I found another gas tank as mine was pretty rusty so that will be here on the weekend. I installed the dash pad so now the truck can have the electrical started. Carpet is down but will need to be stretched width wise if the summer heat doesn't help me out, it's about an inch short in the width.

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I went thru the emblems that came with the truck and just hand polished them to get the dirt off, happy to find 3 sets of MERCURY hood letters and some spares of the other emblems too.

[Manny]

Them badges are fantastic. Trust me the 67-69 camper special badges are a trick to find care for them with love!!!

[cdnwillyg]

I have all good ones for my truck, but some of the other ones are missing some of their mounting pins. They might be usable with body tape as the attachment.