Customs 49 50 51 merc what motor

when i was at the james dean fest this year i noticed the mercs were pretty much setting around with the hoods closed. if somebody was around i would ask what motor they were running. some ford but mostly chevy. the guys who were running flattys had the hood open very proudly showing them off. my question is how many of the merc guys here are running something other than the flatty and if so what motor are you running? i would think that it shouldnt matter what motor is in the car as long as you like it i would show off my 51 with the hood up weather it was a chevy ford or the flatty.

 

in my weird way... sure it's nice to see the engine but I prefer the hood closed. I like to see the lines of the car.

 

I have the Flathead but leave the hood closed mainly because of the flames. However many people have asked me to show them the engine which I proudly will do.

 

Early '50s Cadillac engines just bolt in like they were made for them and probably double the H.P. are a worthy engine. Something to be proud of.

 

love that look slopok. that flatty is killer.

 

rebel, are we talking ohv engine if so what years, cubes

 

Thank You, I appreciate that.

 

Yes ohv '49-54 331 all you need is an adaptor plate and a flywheel and clutch. Okay motor mounts. You can get those from venders on HAMB. A little more trouble than SBC but well worth it. They have a little head crack problem but can be fixed if you can't find good ones. The newer heads the better up to '62 will fit. And you won't be embarrassed to open the hood.

 

It is a sbc. Nothing special, I think the car looks better with the hood close, not open. If someone wants to see it, I'll open the hood, but most of the time it is closed.

 

if it's a 49-51 mercury anything is cool! my 50 will run whatever is available at the time, i like the newer mustang engines!

 

saw a small block Chevy with the stock plain valve covers...the guy had Cadillac decals (in the old block logo) on top... you do a double take on it...

 

im still running the flatty in mine it hasnt gotten tired yet. just really wondering about what people run in them. i like the idea of a caddy motor cool factor. but the reliability of the chevy is hard to beat. the wife drives my 41 olds all the time but im running a sbc with a 700r4 in it. she dosent care for the 3 spd od in the merc to much work no power steering.

 

If you really want to do something different and are not concerned about tradition try the Ford Truck V-10 for a wow factor.

 

do you think cadillac engines are not reliable?

 

I have a 1955 Chrysler 331 hemi in there now and going to replace with a 1954 Chrysler 331 hemi that runs.

 

Running a 322 Nailhead and T5 in my 51 Meteor(Canadian shoebox)

 

samurai mike not saying caddys are unreliable,like i said i just like to know what guys are running in there mercs. nailhead and hemi caddys very cool. i know most guys put new chevs or fords in them cause of parts available. thats alright too just kinda like the old iron looks.

 

Of course ! Isn`t that why they quit making them old engines ? You coudn`t even drive across town without breaking down! Let alone across country ! For crying out loud!

 

350cid Chevy here.

 

I assume this is a sarcastic reply. If not, then, "Are you shitting me???"

 

I have a SBC but am collecting parts to do an LS swap. Tired of leaky slow old crap.

 

John, I won't be around but I wonder if an LS-1 will still be runnin after 65 years like my Flathead.

 

I run a 455 Oldsmobile, .030" over. 461 cu. in.

 

425 nailhead in my 51

 

beauty

 

400 sbc in mine. Dressed up in vintage parts. I never open the hood on any custom. Take away from the flow of the lines.
That said I drove my avatar for 2 years with the hood off just to piss off the hard core customs guys.

 

mine has a sail boat motor now
thinking about going yblock

 

Mine is still under construction but going the Y-Block route.

 

that's cool, any more pics?
I have been saving up y block parts to do this

 

545 ci. Big block ford in mine.




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