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11-29-2013, 10:45 PM | #1 |
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Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
I'm looking at a 49-53 engine and would buy it if I could determine it is a Merc without disassembly. The oil filter canister has a "STRATO STAR V8" logo. Any tips would be helpful. Thanks. Jim
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11-29-2013, 10:58 PM | #2 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
Measure the stroke. 4" = Merc. 3-3/4" = Ford. Measurement can be done through sparkplug hole using a nylon tie strap. The blocks are the same. Crankshafts and pistons are different.
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John "Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein Last edited by JM 35 Sedan; 11-29-2013 at 11:03 PM. |
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11-30-2013, 06:13 AM | #3 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
STRATO STAR V8 LOGO was used for 52-53 Ford.
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11-30-2013, 06:33 AM | #4 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
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11-30-2013, 08:50 AM | #5 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
Whern't the Merc heads marked 8CM and 1CM? I had one that was painted a light blue green. i think Fords were dark blue
I don't think the stroke can be measured without pulling the pan or a head. |
11-30-2013, 09:38 AM | #6 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
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I think Any is right on 49-51.. 52/53 are Mercury and EAC |
11-30-2013, 10:15 AM | #7 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
Until you open it up there is no telling what it is inside.
--louis |
11-30-2013, 03:11 PM | #8 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
With the 4 bolt side inlet carb and 8cm or 1cm on the heads you would assume it to be a merc but assuming could make an ASS out of U and ME.
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11-30-2013, 03:40 PM | #9 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
I have a 52 Mercury engine and the heads are marked:
Mercury EAC |
11-30-2013, 05:17 PM | #10 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
Now days a guy can't get too picky about the crankshaft unless you are just looking for a 4-inch crank. A good 8BA block is a good start if the price is right. The crank you can pick up separate or buy one of the pricy new ones.
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12-01-2013, 06:53 PM | #11 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
I bought a flathead that was in a 47 Ford dump truck, a few years ago that had a Ford head on one side and a Mercury on the other. Had a 50/50 chance, and it turned out to be a Mercury when I tore it down and checked the crank.
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12-01-2013, 07:06 PM | #12 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
Yeah with them being 60 years old they all have a lot of history, and they only sure way is to tear them down. I still feel if the heads are Merc and the manifold is Merc the chance are better than 50/50 it's a Merc. Nobody ever put Merc heads on to get more power.
Then the next thing is if it is a Merc crank, how many times has it been ground.. I'm not a big fan of 30/30's as I am sure a lot of them are that small or even smaller. Conversely I an sure there are a lot of 8BAs with a three bolt carb supporting a Merc crank. With the spark plug hole over the valves, checking stroke with any dip stick is going to be gamey at best |
12-01-2013, 07:16 PM | #13 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
Your right about the undersize on the crank, the surface hardness is only so deep, and 0.030 under is about max on most cranks. I have seen some 0.040 under, but where are you going to get bearings these days. You used to be able to buy bearings in many under sizes, but now your lucky to find much more that 0.010/0.020 under, even for a small block Chevy.
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12-01-2013, 08:04 PM | #14 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
Okay woodburnranch, you've got some encyclopedia-class information now. How are we doing?
Lonnie |
12-01-2013, 09:12 PM | #15 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
Don't forget, even if it was once a Merc engine, someone could have installed a Ford crank at some point in its life. Also, check the distributer part # to see if its a Merc distributor. Check the cover on the oil pump idler gear to see if it has a Merc part #on it. This one is cast iron, off a 51 Merc.
Last edited by 19Fordy; 12-01-2013 at 09:23 PM. |
12-01-2013, 10:13 PM | #16 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
JM 35 Sedan is right on.
The Merc is a stroked 239.4.... If the stoke is 4", it's probably a Merc. All the other parts, intake, heads, etc. bolt on to a 8BA block. So like JM 35 Sedan said just put a zip tie or small dowel rod in the #1 spark plug hole get #1 to TDC, mark the measuring device and turn the engine until #5 is TDC,(this puts #1 at BDC) mark the measuring device again. If the distance between the marks is 4" you either have a Merc or a 8BA with a 4" crank. Either way you have the torque potential you want.
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12-01-2013, 10:27 PM | #17 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
as said above, i don't think the piston is directly below the spark plug hole. all i remember seeing in my EAB was the valves. i didn't think a dowel would work. seems like you either have to take a head off to measure piston travel, or if the crank is out, put it in a stand and measure top to bottom.
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12-01-2013, 10:48 PM | #18 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
So if I stroke a 4" cramk to 4 1/8 and turn it to 1,998 It will ware out to fast because it soft. Where do you guys get this stuff.
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12-01-2013, 11:01 PM | #19 |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
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12-01-2013, 11:05 PM | #20 | |
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Re: Ford or Merc 49-53 engine ?
Quote:
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