Jim:
If you are not looking for a Concours restoration, here's another possibility for an oil pan.  Many years ago I wanted to put a Y Block in my channelled '33 Ford pickup street rod.  A new T-Bird pan was not an option for me then, so I took a front sump pan, cut the flange off about an inch below the gasket surface, reversed the flange, and welded the pieces back together, adding a small patch in the front corner where the parts didn't exactly match.  That gave me a shallow pan at the front to clear the truck crossmember.  I don't remember what I did for the oil pickup tube, but I probably modified the original front sump tube.  I had to re-drill a pickup tube hole in the reversed pan and weld up the original hole.  I do now have a Bird pan, but it is pretty rusty.  I ran that engine until I wore it out, then decided to put a flathead in the truck like the street rods of the '50s had.  I doubt I'll ever put the Y back in the truck, I'd have to rebuild it anyway.  The flathead still runs good, and the truck is presently undergoing a restoration.

Another possibility would be to take a truck pan and trim the front portion to clear the Bird crossmember and steering linkage and weld flat plate in for a new bottom.  Either of these modifications would reduce the oil capacity a little. 

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

I'm curious (bad description) . Change that to wondering....

Is you intent just to re-power with a Y-BLOCK or attempt a close and/or dedicated restoration?

____________________________

And the other thing to consider while obtaining the needed conversion parts is, have you checked out the conditions of the Merc engine & transmission?..
And other thoughts.- In the event the engine needs a rebuild- John Mummert in CA now markets a 292 to 312 internal conversion kit.. Or there's an Ad in Y-Block magazine recently for two 312 blocks in S.W. Ohio. the # is 513-868-3311. Leave a message if no answer..  


Paul

Hi Charlie
I did not receive your email!

Sandbarfarm@hotmail.com


Thanks, Jim

John and Charlie.  You're both right.  I talked with a used parts vendor at a car show in September who told me that '58, '59, and '60 Mercs with the 312 engine have the same left hand exhaust manifold that the '56 and '57 'Birds use.  The reproductions are going for over $200 in the catalogs I've got!

This is the same fellow that several years ago told me that '55 and '56 Mercs with automatic OR 3 speed or 3 speed w/ overdrive transmissions have the same driveshaft yoke.  This is the best source for the early 16 spline T-85 transmission splines that I know that exists today!

Thanks for coming in on that info. My old brain had already forgotten.  Ugh!

Regards,
Charlie   


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

Someone on Facebook recently said that '59 312 came with a T-Bird manifold so it could be true.


Lawrenceville, GA

"Maybe Kultulz can look it up in his Merc parts manual and see if it has a B7S part number"

Sorry. I no longer have an early MERC MPC. I keep meaning to buy one on CD but never seem to get around to it..

____________________________

Charlie, regarding the left manifold, I once bought a junkyard '59 Merc 312, and when I took it apart I found an EDB exhaust manifold on the left side.  I know it could have been changed over the years, but that manifold is now on my '57 Bird.  Maybe Kultulz can look it up in his Merc parts manual and see if it has a B7S part number.  Hopefully this would be another potential source for the manifold.  The T-Bird vendors do have repro manifolds now.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Thanks Charlie Brown! I figure EBay prices are high and am going to be patient that a fellow Y-Block friend will have parts. I am kinda excited to think I MAY be driving my crusty little Bird in the not so distant future!! Again,! Thanks for the advice and help!! Jim
PS. I’ll take some pics of my engine/trans later today

Jim.  I've added to the list you came away with after reading all our 'stuff'.



This is all doable, Jim!  


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York