Ignition and everything that goes with it!

[tubman]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

I found that replacing the stock Merc intake with an 8RT intake and carb made the Merc engine run much better with fewer carb problems.

The Ford carbs are much more common than the Holley's on the Mercury's and there are more people who work on them, so I don't doubt what your saying. That being said, the Mercury really should have a bigger carburetor because that's what the engineers at Ford originally designed it for. If you are not up to properly rebuilding and adjusting the original carb, a small-base Rochester 2G (mounted backwards) is an excellent replacement. I have a couple of these on my engines and am very happy with them. And remember, nothing beats proper proper maintenance.

There is a member on this forum, "scicala", who has a lot of experience with the Mercury carburetors. I would not hesitate to take advantage of his experience and expertise.

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by WABOOM

It was in the center hole. I moved it to the hole closest to the front of the car.

That makes sense.
The forward hole was generally used in cold weather if needed to help on acceleration.

[WABOOM]

scicala rebuilt my Holley 885 and he did a a wonderful job. He even helped me over the phone today too. Great guy.

[WABOOM]

Originally Posted by Kahuna

As has been said, If your car is still 6 volts, stay with the points setup.
Your off-idle stumble is probably carb related. Try opening the idle air screws 1/4 turn.
That would be ccw

Is the 6 volt Pertronic not good?

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by WABOOM

Is the 6 volt Pertronic not good?

Electronics don't like electrical 'hash', or 'noise'. Run your engine at fast idle after dark and look in at the generator brushes. See all that fire flyin'? That's causing voltage spikes in the system which can mess with an electronic device's brain.

[flatheadmurre]

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Back in the days the radios didn´t like the noise from the generator or the oilpressure sender either...
Look at old cars originally fitted with radios and you find noise suppresion capacitors on the generator and oilpressure sender...
Putting a 0.47uF capacitor at the output of the generator does wonders...
Lost knowledge to be reinvented for a new purpose

[J Franklin]

Was it the carburetor adjustment or the new spark plugs that made it run well?

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by WABOOM

Is the 6 volt Pertronic not good?

There doesn't seem to be any issues with the 6 volt Pertronix conversion.
Your only advantage is the elimination of having to check and adjust points and timing.
The installation also requires the use of suppressor spiro-wound ignition wires.

[WABOOM]

My car already has modern suppression wires. I dont know why the PO put them on. It one of the only 3 things that are not completely correct and stock on the car.

[51 MERC-CT]

The PO may have installed them to eliminate radio static.

If you are really looking for the stock look then this kit (that I am using) is available.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pnx-708190/overview/

[Drbrown]

Beautiful car ! I also recommend staying with points. I had two expensive failures of pentronix modules due to voltage problems then Charlie NY convert my distributor back to points .... has started and run great ever since.

I had a '51 Merc Coupe (lovely car) and when the carb was set up right, and the points adjusted using a dwell meter, it was a sweet runner and hot off the line .... could out accelerate my friend who had a '51 Ford with dual carbs (but I don't know how good he was at tuning his engine). I liked that side-draft carb. The engine and distributor were easy to work on.

[WABOOM]

I need to get a set of points, condenser, and find someone to put a dwell meter and timing light on my car... Then we will be cooking with gas!!

[Terry,OH]

Solid core wire, spark plug wires, are what you want for a ignition point car.

[Frank Miller]

I've got 15k on a pertronix wth their coil. 6 volt pos ground and solid core wires. I'm not saying it's right. Just saying it works.

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

I found that replacing the stock Merc intake with an 8RT intake and carb made the Merc engine run much better with fewer carb problems.

yup when i was in High school my Dad had a 51 merc, we did the same thing to it. that helped out alot.