Marauder Resurrection

[golfmiser]

I'm not sure if this is the correct place to put this but please don't black ball me I will be happy if it needs to be moved.
I just recently purchased and '03 merc that has seen it last days on the highways due to a ditch running out in front of it. I plan on putting the motor,tranny and the front suspension under a '67 short box f100. My question I have is for all you old fellers like me. While I have this motor out what would you suggest I need to inspect and maybe change or update while it is accessible. I believe the water pump may be leaking so that looks like something I will be changing. Car has 111,000 miles.
I appreciate all comments and suggestions. It will be months down the road before the install so anything you can think of that I may need to care of now will be nice.
By the way I have spent many hours on this site and man there is a lot to read...great job guys...:)

[fastblackmerc]

I'm not sure if this is the correct place to put this but please don't black ball me I will be happy if it needs to be moved.
I just recently purchased and '03 merc that has seen it last days on the highways due to a ditch running out in front of it. I plan on putting the motor,tranny and the front suspension under a '67 short box f100. My question I have is for all you old fellers like me. While I have this motor out what would you suggest I need to inspect and maybe change or update while it is accessible. I believe the water pump may be leaking so that looks like something I will be changing. Car has 111,000 miles.
I appreciate all comments and suggestions. It will be months down the road before the install so anything you can think of that I may need to care of now will be nice.
By the way I have spent many hours on this site and man there is a lot to read...great job guys...:)

Somethings off the top of my head............


Install the rear cooling mod, available from Zack (member here) or other vendors offsite.

Replace the oil filter adapter gasket.

Install the EMP/Stewart water pump

Install the Reisch Performance 170degree thermostat.

Check the coolant crossover tube, may have to replace the o-rings.

[martyo]

I'm not sure if this is the correct place to put this but please don't black ball me I will be happy if it needs to be moved.
I just recently purchased and '03 merc that has seen it last days on the highways due to a ditch running out in front of it. I plan on putting the motor,tranny and the front suspension under a '67 short box f100. My question I have is for all you old fellers like me. While I have this motor out what would you suggest I need to inspect and maybe change or update while it is accessible. I believe the water pump may be leaking so that looks like something I will be changing. Car has 111,000 miles.
I appreciate all comments and suggestions. It will be months down the road before the install so anything you can think of that I may need to care of now will be nice.
By the way I have spent many hours on this site and man there is a lot to read...great job guys...:)

Great project!

If you need the truck tuned when your project is complete, let me know. My shop is in Georgia.

[golfmiser]

Appreciate that offer. I am pretty sure it will need that. I want to get it tweeked to get the most I can out of it and still be a driver.
I was just close to your neighborhood Saturday. I had to go to Douglas Ga.
I have your name written done in my notebook.
Thanks Again

[BAD MERC]

Timing chains and guides!!!! Do it while the motor is out and easy to disassemble.

[Mr. Man]

Anything you want to powdercoat or chrome etc.

[babbage]

Oil pan gasket? new oil pan perhaps?

***** (very hard) to change once engine is installed.

[lifespeed]

Timing chains and guides!!!! Do it while the motor is out and easy to disassemble.

This^^ !

Get the complete kit from Ford Racing. The OEM plastic hydraulic tensioner that bolts to the engine block is a notorious weak link. It fails by leaking oil past the O-ring seal to the engine block and failing to tension the primary chain, which then beats itself and other valvetrain parts.

The replacement kit has iron tensioners without an O-ring and should last the life of the engine. The original cam timing setup could have lasted the life of the engine, but they cheaped out with plastic.

[RubberCtyRauder]

+1 rear head cooling mod

[MMBLUE]

You might want to read the thread from marauder truck guy ????????? Charlie where are you ?????

He put a MM under an old Ford truck. Don't remember the year etc?

[Turbov6Bryan]

Wow. Best of both worlds man, great front suspension and great motor.

Watched gas monkey guys do the Crown Vic front end on one of their project trucks, looked fairly easy, but much cheaper than heidts setup

I guess when you tackle the front suspension on the truck, your probably going to lower it some. I'd put air ride on the front and rear
Maybe someone can post the part number for the special bolts your going to need to get the front end aligned

Got any pics? You going with a explorer rear axle or 9 inch?

Cool old trucks, love the short bed 68 69. Just like KCs truck on gas monkey garage

[golfmiser]

Rubberctyrauder what is the rear head cooling mod?
Yes I'm in the process of installing 8.8 rear on air bags with a 4-link suspension.
Appreciate all the comments, keep them coming...

[Turbov6Bryan]

Rubberctyrauder what is the rear head cooling mod?
Yes I'm in the process of installing 8.8 rear on air bags with a 4-link suspension.
Appreciate all the comments, keep them coming...

Keeps the rear cylinders from overheating, allows coolant to flow through



http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=93567&highlight=Head

[djcrook73]

sounds like an awesome project, I love restomod types of projects, cannot wait to see more posts as you go! that will be a kick ass truck for sure! If you do not mind me asking, would you have any leftover parts from the mm to sell when you are finished? I need a few things for mine to clean it up a little if you had anything available. thanks, dave in ri

[golfmiser]

To be honest there's not much left. The interior is pretty much gone.
The body is banged up. Shoot me a pm and I can let you know tomorrow.
Thanks

[chief455]

You might want to read the thread from marauder truck guy ????????? Charlie where are you ?????

He put a MM under an old Ford truck. Don't remember the year etc?
recent thread - about getting the PCM to work...would be good info for this swap...must find thread....what is his screen name?

[RubberCtyRauder]

MarauderPU put a 63 unibody ford truck on a marauder chassis.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1104539-63-unibody-big-window-on-2003-marauder-chassis.html

more info here for wiring etc.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=97650

[golfmiser]

I can already see I may need to put mo's speedshop on my Christmas list. That is one of the problems I have in my area is no one place does this kind of tuning. I just sold a '94 ford lightning because it was a nightmare to get someone to tune it. I am hoping this newer model will make it easier to have that done.
I read a lot last night. The one on the cooling mod was very lengthy. By the time I got through I wasn't sure how to plumb that. I went on to bed and dreamed all night about plumbing and fittings. I hope that's not a sign of getting old...my wife says it's just called loosing my mind...

[RubberCtyRauder]

Marty/Mo's can help. They can remote tune with you datalogging via the SCT unit. They have tuned maraduers from Canada to even Germany with a
supercharger on it. Very experienced with the 4.6 dohc motor. I've taken my car to MO's twice and I live 680 miles away. You are much closer.. Rent a trailer etc..if need be.

[MMBLUE]

MarauderPU put a 63 unibody ford truck on a marauder chassis.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1104539-63-unibody-big-window-on-2003-marauder-chassis.html

more info here for wiring etc.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=97650


Thank you for finding that for him. :bows:

A bunch of stuff in there to help him on his build.

[golfmiser]

My goal is maybe to have the motor install and driveable by spring or summer of next year. In the meantime I will keep an eye out for a supercharger complete hook up. Have it tuned then.

[RubberCtyRauder]

My goal is maybe to have the motor install and driveable by spring or summer of next year. In the meantime I will keep an eye out for a supercharger complete hook up. Have it tuned then.

There are no complete superchargers for marauders anymore in terms of "off the shelf" ADTR.net in Cali. does have a Vortech centri kit made for Marauders which will be the only "new" kti avail. The other popular supercharger set up is the "eaton swap" which has parts from the cobra supercharger and some custom specific parts need for the marauder engine. There is a list on here in the "power adder" section at the top of the threads with parts needed. It's just a matter of gathering this and that. Unless f course someone takes off their supercharger and sells it,which does happen.

[MOTOWN]

My goal is maybe to have the motor install and driveable by spring or summer of next year. In the meantime I will keep an eye out for a supercharger complete hook up. Have it tuned then.

PM LJ on 24s i think he may have a complete Vortech JT trim s/c kit he's willing to sell complete with front mount intercooler.

[golfmiser]

I noticed their not cheap.. I guess I'll keep my eyes open and in the mean time try to learn all the abbreviated words. By the way Rubberctyrauder that picture there looks like some time and effort has been put in that ride. Looks good.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Thanks!..I was fortunate to find this car for sale with most of the performance modifications done for a awesome price. I tweaked q few things..rather had MO's tweak some things on the tune, driveability etc. installed 31 spline axles. It was a clean car..never a winter and about 46000 miles now.