Most of the tech articles, i.e. chassis, engine and the rest of the driveline is virtually identical to the '55-'56 Ford. The body, while constructed the same way as those Fords, will have different outer body panels.

If you are trying to do a restoration - it's not quite as easy to find OEM info on some of these older Merc's, but it's there.

Body/engine number - there isn't one on the engine. It will either be a Y block 292 or 312 cid.

They were "neat" cars in their day

 

Here's a little info:

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/default.aspx?carID=2083&i=2#menu

http://www.faxonautoliterature.com/...om/1956-Mercury-Reprint-Owners-Manual-56-Medalist-Monterey-Montclair-P9741.aspx

 

http://www.y-blocksforever.com/forums/

These guys can answer any question you have, merc and Lincoln owners on here.

Also one of the foremost Y-block engine guy is John Murdoch??
Don't remember spelling but he has a machine shop in CA and does make special parts for the engines, when I build my 312 bought most of the internal from him including the semi roller set up (mushroom lifters so can't be a 100%)
edit:
http://www.ford-y-block.com/
Here is John Murrmerts site.

 

I have a 56 Mercury Monterey and I'm working on the wiring. I have replaced the burnt out wiring for all forward lights from connector block on drivers side inner fender forward.

1. When I turn on the head lights the parking lights (markers)turn off. Is this correct or should they stay on? They work if I only pull the switch to the first position to turn on markers only , but they go out when I pull the switch all the way out. The head lights do come on though.

2. The turn signals are not working . Where is the flasher relay located? Is there a fuse block somewhere?

3. I cannot find the hazard flasher switch . Where is it located at for this car?

 

I have a 56 Mercury Monterey and I'm working on the wiring. I have replaced the burnt out wiring for all forward lights from connector block on drivers side inner fender forward.

1. When I turn on the head lights the parking lights (markers)turn off. Is this correct or should they stay on? They work if I only pull the switch to the first position to turn on markers only , but they go out when I pull the switch all the way out. The head lights do come on though.

2. The turn signals are not working . Where is the flasher relay located? Is there a fuse block somewhere?

3. I cannot find the hazard flasher switch . Where is it located at for this car?

1 - Correct, parking lights go off when the headlights come on

2 - There is no separate relay. The flasher is somewhere under the dash, buried, on the left side. Historically, the signal switch under the steering wheel was failure prone.

3 - There was no hazard flasher in '56

All old tech stuff, electricals with hefty gauge wiring, no electronic gizmo's

 

parts interchange.

I used to have a factory parts interchange book. I'll look for it when we go south after christmas, When I was in High School my folks had a 56 2 door hardtop. bought it a year old. It had problems so they traded it for a 57 Ford, I always thought The Merc was a lot better looking Car.

 

Rick, one thing about any old car is it takes a while to get into the "community". You posted this a month ago and if you are like me you have been looking all over and you are just now after a month learning a little bit about the car. After a number of months you will see that there is a TON of into and you only need to jump on the net and you will have all you need to know and wonder why it was so hard in the beginning. But that is how it is until you put some time into it.

Hope all is going well!

Brian

 

Also sign up at www.lovefords.com they have a lot of info on codes there.If your Merc has the cloth insulated wiring you may want to upgrade to a newer wiring harness as sometimes the cloth just falls apart when you touch it after all these years.This works well http://rebelwire.com/rebel-wire-products.php?cat=Wire Kits the 9+3 kit has been used by many 50's Ford guys,by doing the upgrade you can then have a fuse box for all your circuits and upgrade to safety flashers.The folks at the Rebel Tech-Line are fantastic to work with if you have a problem and it is all U.S.A. made.

 

plastic wiring.

My 55 crown vic had the plastic insulation, although a lot of old cars have deteriation in the engine compartment wiring because of the heat.