1968 Mercury 250 Camper Special

[cdnwillyg]

I got one side done on the radius arm bushings done, it went real well after I got the cotter pin out...what a beast!

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I used a come-along on the front frame after the shock and lower spring mounts were off to separate it and then a bottle jack under the radius arm with a ratchet strap to aid in the re-installation.

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I found the pitman arm to drag link castle nut upside down and loose with no cotter pin, these are the kinds of things I keep finding all over the truck. Making sure I check EVERYTHING after this!
The front brakes were dragging real bad so I wanted to see why, well everything was rusted tight so now its a soak and see experience with new pads ordered.

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[cdnwillyg]

Jamie (Ranchero50), I received the interior lens and ash tray handle, they are unbelievable quality, thank you! It makes the original really look cheap and will be a great upgrade for my truck.

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[Ranchero50]

Thanks, now get them installed. Original ash tray screws thread into the replacement gently. I think they were 1/2 or 5/8" #10 Phillips if you don't have any.

[cdnwillyg]

I have the screws but the ashtray may need to be painted as the PO didn't clean the junk out of the inside when he painted???
I have to order new calipers for the front brakes as they are seized good! I got the drivers off but what a task, amazing how a little rust will weld bolts to their sleeves. It took a big hammer, rust eliminator and heat to finally get the attachment bolts out. Needless to say those bolts will not be going back in!

[cdnwillyg]

Now that I have to wait for parts I threw on the fender to see what the rims will look like with them. I'm a little concerned that these rims maybe to wide for this truck. The thought was to go with LT 265 75R16 but now thinking the 245's would be better. The original tires that came with the truck are 225 75R16 and seemed to be tucked inside the fenders well.
Your input here would be helpful!!!!

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The new rims have -11 mm about 1/2" neg offset and are 8" wide.

[Joshgt87]

You're moving right along! Looking good!

[DuckRyder]

Is the front I beam at ride height? There is a lot of camber change in them.

It would be easier to tell if the suspension was at ride height and the wheel straight ahead.

[cdnwillyg]

I agree Robert that the pic really doesn't help much. When I get my new calipers and install them I'll make sure it is where you suggest and take a new pic. I was getting excited to see what these wheels would look like on and didn't think about the ride height at all but did notice that there is a lot of camber on the truck even with the weight on the old rims and tires. I just put in the new radius arm bushings and am thinking this truck needs to be driven a least a bit to let the suspension fall back into normal position after being forced forward to put the bushings in.
I'm on to the door seals and fenders now until the parts get here and here I think Jamie was right AGAIN!
It makes more sense to have the fenders line up first then the hood because if the inner apron has to go up to adjust the fender then I need to move the weight of the hood with it. The hood will more likely have to be moved down to align with the cowl again....Live and Learn!

[Ranchero50]

We try to help. You're also probably 150 lbs light on the nose. The combo will either fit or it won't. Front track is a little wider than the back if memory serves so at worst you'd need to replacement front rims with more back spacing. It would make the rear wheels look wider too (not a bad thing).

[DuckRyder]

8” wheels are pretty common fitment on F100 but I’m rusty on the offsets and never was up on the F250.

FWIW I have 7” for the front and 8” for the rear, IIRC they are zero offset...

[cdnwillyg]

I measured out the different sizes on a piece of card board and on 8" rims with 265's sure look big for a front tire in my opinion, great for a back tire.
So what I may do is run 225's in the front and 265's in the back on the 8" rim. The truck came with 7" rims and -11mm offset with 225's on now and they look okay.
Your thoughts??

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[cdnwillyg]

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and stayed warm......-31C here this morning.
Did a little on the truck waiting for parts to arrive. I decided to get my side tank ready if it was any good and was happy to find it pretty good for cleanliness.

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I tested the fuel sender to find it didn't work so I took it apart to discover that the rheostat wire wasn't making contact with its stud.( Found that to be the case on another one as well....maybe the weak point on these) So I soldered it to the stud and all tested good!

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I then cleaned up the outside of the tank and gave it a coat of paint with new hoses and clamps

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The rock cover was cleaned up as well and all mounts found to install it, but I have only one front strap for the fuel tank itself. Can anyone help me with what holds the back end or does the tank just sit on the rock guard?

[jamesdfo]

Willy: Go have a look in your Master Parts Catalog, should have an exploded view that will show you what you need to know

James

[67mann]

I believe there is a bracket that comes off the frame(top side) and an adjustable strap that hooks to it it would just bounce around on top of the skid plate. I tried to get my pic from photobucket so you could see what I mean but, Pop up Pop up can't even view the the damn thing's

[DuckRyder]