Hot Rods Flathead crankshafts

I received an E mail from a HAMB member. He stated and I quote. " Merc was not the first to use a 4" crankshaft " He says he " Had taken them out of big Ford trucks as far back as 39" He also stated " Earlier motors didn't even have no plugs in the front " His english, not mine. I built LOTS of 4" stroke engines. [ NOT motors ] All had 5/8" plugs. I have 4 more 49-53 Merc cranks. All have 5/8" plugs.

 

Well, the "SYFY" channel did have a "Twilight Zone" marathon last week........

 

I can only ***ume he is the oldest Hamber we've got if he was pulling flathead cranks out in the 40s.

 

******** flows freely in the automotive world.

 

That's funny!!!

 

I think he is an ex moonshine brewer in the hills of South Carolina. I am loving the posts so far.

 

WOW! Weren't the 4" cranks used in 49-53 blocks?(just thinking out loud)

Here is a cool video to show to your pen-pal to help him ID a Merc crank.

 

What's the name of this HAMBer? We might like to pick his brain for more flathead expertise.

 

Wired Customs LLC is his forum name

 

I pulled a Merc engine [ for the crank ] out of a 49 Ford F5 truck about 20 years ago. NOT the original engine. They used what ever they could get their hands on. Just like my Dad pulled the 59A engine with a Melling cam and a Thickstun 2 carb intake from my 35 Ford coupe while I was in the Air Force 1954-58. He installed the engine in a dump truck. When I got back from overseas I installed a Merc engine from a salvage yard. It was a SMOKER!.

 

Yeah, my flathead loving friend has pulled two Mercury engines out of trucks. I one upped him, though; I pulled a Buick nailhead out of a '49 F2.