1950 F1 with Merc flathead

[Flathead Noob]

I am new to the world of flatheads and all old Fords, for that matter. Recently bought a 1950 F1 from the original owners granddaughter. At first glance, it looks like a well worn, all original farm truck, but after wiping off some crud I find the cylinder head is an 8CM Mercury.


Like I said, I'm new to this world. Did F1's, for whatever reason come from the factory with a Merc engine? Or the simplest explanation of just being swapped in at some point?


Thanks for your time!

[19Fordy]

Probably just a switched head. But, you never know. Is the intake for a 4 bolt or a 3 bolt carb?
Merc cars came with 4 bolt carbs. I thnk trucks did too.
I know they made a "Mercury" truck in Canada.

[Ross F-1]

Mercury trucks, with a single exception, came with the same 239 Ford engines as Ford trucks, domestic or Canadian.

Merc heads on a Ford engine results in lower compression, unless milled a fair amount.

[19Fordy]

Thanks, I didn't know that.

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Probably just a switched head. But, you never know. Is the intake for a 4 bolt or a 3 bolt carb?
Merc cars came with 4 bolt carbs. I thnk trucks did too.
I know they made a "Mercury" truck in Canada.

Due to "games politicians play" US car companies had to 'rebrand' their vehicles sold in Canada for awhile. Thus Ford tucks were labelled Mercury, Chev cars became Pontiac, Dodge trucks became Fargo, and more.

[Flathead Noob]

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Thanks everyone! I'll check the carb bolts when it gets above freezing.

[5851a]

Friend of mine had a 52 F2 his parents bought new and had Mercury heads. I asked about it and he said Ford used them to lower compression on trucks. It wasn't a Canadian truck, bought and lived out it's life in central Iowa. Sorry, I see Ross has posted same thing above.