1968 Mercury 250 Camper Special

[Manny]

I have found that using Dupli Color High Heat engine enamel works best for me. Two reasons, one you don't need primer and two it dries to the touch in about 4-5 minutes which is good for me because I'm impatient.

I've used that stuff plenty but man it looks really good on those headlight buckets must just have been good and smooth.

[cdnwillyg]

I think using the glass bead to remove the rust and old paint does a smooth job.
I do have an extra set
I tried asking this question in the wiring section but only got lookers, so I will ask it here. When I took out the dash cluster sockets to change the bulbs two of the sockets left their metal holding pieces behind, is there away to fix these or do I need to buy new ones and where, would be my next question. I know the holes are 5/8" if that helps.

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[hfdco4]

Thanks for the info on the paint Willy1

As for the clip on the dash bulb socket, can you take a pic of the good one straight on? You may be able to re-attach the clip I think they were riveted on originally.

[cdnwillyg]

I looked real close and there are two little stabs that go into the bulb housing but not rivets. I think they are a pressure fit and no signs of gluing either. The bad is the bulb pins actual are spring loaded to the metal clip which puts pressure on it too. I got one to hold but not confident it will hold long. I'm thinking maybe some epoxy glue may help???? They are just so hard to get out from the cluster that I'm surprised the other 3 are still good!

[hdman90]

Up to this point, I am still astounded at how quickly you are working on this build!

If you're unable to figure out a way to repair the bulb sockets, I have a cluster with some wiring that I could cut a couple off of if need be.

[cdnwillyg]

hdman90, it's going well but remember being retired will all kinds of time is the reason it may seem to be going quickly. I appreciate your offer, that is very kind of you but I would like to either make this better or replace with new, the old will still be an issue down the road for someone else.
Looks like Rock Auto has a Dorman 85805 that may work.
EDIT: Just noticed the LMC has them too, not sure how I missed that?
So sad that the shipping to Canada is usually more than the product ....you Americans have it soooo good!

[hdman90]

Nice! New is USUALLY better! Best of luck!
And as always, keep on truck'in!

[cdnwillyg]

Well talk about getting lucky today...no not that! I went and looked in my parts pile of wire thinking maybe there was a couple spare sockets and I found this.

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At first I thought this was the old one based on how it looked but then noticed the tag on it was the same as the rest of Painless wiring harnesses, this was the NEW one. So I cleaned it up installed it, now all new wiring and sockets.

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[Bullitt74]

good find! That worked out well. Know that I have an extra cluster kicking around that I’ll never use, as it is the older style like yours. I think they went to a different setup in 70 or 71. You’re welcome to have it if you’re passing through Red Deer.

[cdnwillyg]

Thanks for the offer Steve but I like the new setup as it is 2 wire instead of the 1 wire and will out last me for sure. Are you going with a new wiring kit in yours?

[Manny]

Looking good awesome find on that harness!

[Bullitt74]

Thanks for the offer Steve but I like the new setup as it is 2 wire instead of the 1 wire and will out last me for sure. Are you going with a new wiring kit in yours?

My wiring is in decent shape, so all original wiring for me. Enjoying your build, and will be consulting you when I start putting my interior together for sure!

[cdnwillyg]

Yeah sure no problem, if I can help I will. I'm hoping to have most of the wiring done by end of next week and then the interior will get finished. I only have the headliner, sun-visors, door panels and armrests to put on but the last two will need to wait until the trim is on the doors. I guess that is all there is on these interiors.

[cdnwillyg]

Well run into a few small issues not addressed with the Painless wiring kit as far as I can see. First off the brake warning light needs power and they didn't supply a feed and on the switched ground to the proportional valve on a two wire switch they say to take either wire and it grounds thru the body when the switch is activated. On the original wiring for the truck it shows that it is grounded thru the wire that goes back to the ignition switch.
Also if your truck has an aux. fuel tank and a fuel gauge selector switch no wires provided for this either. Neither of these are a big deal but after charging $1000 for the switch included kit, you would think it would have all options that came with our trucks.
Happy to say both my original radios are working but only with a single speaker output. Under dash speaker bracket is a mystery as to what it looks like, never took it off and can't find a pic of it to see if I may have it.
So I was on the internet and some are saying that the new ABS headliner from Highliner doesn't allow for chrome trim to fit around speakers.....who would build it that way?

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So it may not be going in or no trim but from what I saw on internet this may need to be trimmed to fit as well???

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Has anyone install one of these with any extra info?
All this is taking longer than I thought it should already.

[hfdco4]

Willy,
I haven't found the headliner trim corner you are looking for yet. I also have the ABS Headliner that I haven't installed yet.


Also I am now even happier I bought the Painless universal kit for $150 and I will re-use all my existing switches (I have multiples of all the switches).