Motor recommendations for 58 merc wagon???

We are getting ready to dump our tax return into the wifes merc wagon, and was wondering what everyones opinion on motor options are? We have tried everything to unstick the 383 it was born with, but are giving up on that option.

We are kind of leaning towards keeping it all ford , so maybe a 460? Seems like we have found pretty good deals on mid 70's lincolns that still run nice. Ive never had anything to do with a ford, so this is new to me. Its always been tried and true SBC's for me

She wants something stout enough that will p*** cars going uphill, even in this big boat. Will the 460 make the fuel bill so high that we wont want to take recreational cruises in? Is there anything that will be a "drop in" fit from the ford family of motors? Im open to suggestions here!!

Thanks!!

 

Mine has been off the road for several years now and when it returns it will probably have a 351 or a 302 with an OD automatic and a new front clip of some kind. 460 would be cool but sure would be a gas hog. My stock 383 was running great but I have issues with brakes, power steering, transmission.

 

I like a 390. They are still cheap to find running good and there is some cool looking goodies to bolt to them.

 

What kind of fords do i find 390's in?

I was leaning a bit towards the lincoln as well so i could yank the 9" with discs for the wagon.

 

Any FORD vehicle from about 62 till mid 70s .Easy to rebuild,plenty of cheap go fast goodies still around, and torquey as all get up !

 

Which ever Ford engine you use get the trans that goes with it.Ford transmissions are engine style specific! 289,302,351 use one type,FE's-428,390,352 etc.use another type,429-460 uses another type.I'm not familiar with the 383 Merc engine but Mercs did come with the FE type engine so mounts should be available.If you get a Lincoln it will be a 9 3/8" rear and make sure you get EVERY part for the discs!Some 60's Mercs had a 410"FE and they had cool "MERCURY" valve covers. ROY.

 

The FE (352,390,410,427,428, and there are other sizes) would be the simplest swap since '58 Mercs came with them from the factory, so you should be able get factory mounts and such. If you want to keep with the MEL line, look for a later 410 or 430, you will appreciate the boost in power and it should bolt right in (if you get the right bellhousing bolt pattern, there were more than one with the MEL's)

Please post pics of your wagon. There aren't to many Merc wagons running around, and it is always nice to see another.

 

I would try to use 302 with an AOD, I had an 83 f150 I got for $200 that ran great after I replaced the fuel filters and flushed the gas out.

 

A 460 will bring you exhaust headachs due to there size. Yes it can be done but not on the cheep. I personally would do the late 5.0 with an AOD Ford. Lot's of those out there to pick from. I love FE's just check out some of my other posts. FE will be a direct bolt in but not cheep to get HP out of or good mpg. The 5.0 is a real easy change up even for a home builder with minimal Ford knowledge. Ford and Mercury are the same Family.
The Wizzard

 

Y-Block. Vintage 292. She will thank you for the exhaust note. Give her a 302 with an AOD and when she wants to p***. She might not be able to because you are in the AOD dead zone (3rd gear lockup).

 

Dude, I ran across 2 or 3 ford motor/****** combos on craigslist this morning. Look at OKC. I think one was a 460/c4 combo.

 

351 or 302 with cam, and a AOD trans, BUT my inner self screems 300 six with stright pipes just for kicks.

 

My 57 Rag top has a 351w with aod and I've never experianced a "dead zone" or lock up when after p***ing gear. Sidedump, what exactly are talking about?
JK, That 460-C4 combo has to be a miss print unless someone is making an adapter to put them together. I've not heard of one being made yet. That would however help with the 460 in the 57-59 cars.
The Wizzard

 

I don't remember the ****** and I don't know my ford products. Alright , it's a C6.

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/pts/1626603864.html

 

302 all the way, or a Y block with a stick. Depends on your budget

 

go for the 351. 460 will drink alot of gas. a 351 with a good cam and mild head work will run real nice.

 

2nd on a Y-Block - they sound great and look great. Lots of goodies for them. My Dad is running one in his '59 F100 (I know, way different vehicle), it is a ton of fun to drive.

 

Another vote for an FE . They can be very torquey on a budget , and will look like it belongs there . Although a 351 Windsor IS also a great powerplant and considerably lighter . If you do go FE , you most definately want an aluminum intake . You need a cherry picker just to get an iron manifold off of one of those ****ers ! I've not owned a Y-block yet , have no input on those .

 

Exactly what does FE mean? Ive heard the merc engine in it referred to as an MEL (Merc/edsel/lincoln)

Thanks for the input by the way!!

 

Grab a 5.0(302) out of a 80's Mustang. It has plenty of power to p*** anything on the frwy...

 

My Merc Wagon has a 390 with an edelbrock 600 carb and a c6 trans with a 3:50 rear gear.......I wouldn't use this drivetrain again if I had it to do all over. I would use a 351 windsor with an AOD trans with the same gear or possibly a 3:73 rear gear. The 390 drinks gas and is alot of weight over the front wheels so if you have no power steering (like mine) I doubt your wife would like driving it. This is just my opinion after owning several of these big Fords and Mercs with different powertrains I've found the Small Block Fords to be the best option.

 

Ive seen a couple of decent 351's on craigslist. Is the cleveland or windsor better? Does it matter?

 

FE=Ford/Edsel

FE would get my vote as well...plenty of torque...that Merc' is no ballerina.

Couple of good articles in Hot Rod a few months back about making power with the 400M family (mid-70's Ford full size and Torino). A 351W would be a good choice, better on gas, and lighter than a Cleveland...

 

FE = Ford-Edsel , MEL Merc-Edsel-Lincoln was the other new V-8 engine family in the late 50's and early 60's as well as the existing Y-blocks. Both the MEL and FE came out in 1957 in the 58 Model year run as far as I can find out. The larger & "more sophi****ed" Edsel had a Merc Frame platform & the MEL engine call a E-465(?) The smaller Edsels got a 361 FE called the E-400 The numbers were an indication of the Torque rating.

Movin/on

 

Can't go wrong with a 302 and C-4, had many and that combo has never let me down. Lots o'power too!

 

would a 302 be enough to propel a 4000 lb car?

 

I don't think I'd give the job to a 302 being it's a wagon. Here are 2 photos of my 57 Vert with it's 351W and aod sitting in it. Built on the same format as the 302 but 50 more ci and your doing the same job installing it. The 351C motor is like going to a big block with about the same performance only Heavier. It's also not as fuel efficent in stock form as the winsor motor. I just sold my 59 Edsel wagon with a stock 361 in it. It was a good driver but my wife wouldn't drive it because it wasn't Fun Enough and she bought the car for herself. If I were doing this job for myself it would be the 351 W with factory injection and overdrive. You will end up plenty fast, lot's of fun and not real thirsty.
The Wizzard

 

Go with a 390.
Swap the Stock (Heavy) Intake Manifold and make SURE the Exhaust Manifolds aren't cracked.

 

How about a SOHC 427???..... Your wife would love ya for it!