Looking for help/advice for what engine to go with in my 51 Merc custom. Originally the plan was to rebuild the flathead and use a Chevy T5 behind it. Due to cost of rebuilding a flathead and reliability, I'm thinking of going with a 351 Windsor with either an AOD or Mustang T5 behind it. Thoughts, suggestions? I found some tri- power set ups to give it somewhat of an old school look. Auto or manual? SBC not an option. Won't put Chevy in a Ford
Windsors are nice little engines with some good pep. I'm lazy when it comes to shifting unless it would be in a Hotrod..flatheads are cool but that cost always sways me too Lee
Lee a 351 windsor is a great little engine but they have the oil pump and filter up front. Your merc's frame still has the stock crossmember so even with a rear sump pan you will have to mount the 351w engine a little higher than most others requiring you to do a little firewall mod to clear the top side of the bell housing and raise the trans cover. I know you do not want a chevy but what about the Cadillac 390 or a Lincoln 368. Booth have the cool factor and can be got at a reasonable price but will take some looking. Oh a stick would be real cool behind these engin's and more money than an auto. Erickson / Extreme Kustoms 951 678-3520
302,351 are both great engines. I went with a 302/5-speed in the wagon and I have been happy with the results. HRP
I did have to modify the K member but I didn't touch the transmission tunnel. We fabricated the rear drop down transmission mount (Shown) and a piece to connect the K member back together,it's basically a rectangle piece with a C notch that bolts into the original K member,but it's not installed in the photo. HRP
I'm using a '66 401 Nailhead in my "51 Mercury. They're still relatively inexpensive and easy to find and make huge torque to get that big sled moving
351 with an aod and 4.11 rear gears YOU WILL LOVE IT!! With a 28 inch rear tire the 4.11s will get the Merc moving just fine. And at 70 mph in od You will be at 2300 RPM. My son just did that to His 50 but with a 289. It works great. The 351 has even more power so go for it. My Sons gets 18-19 mpg on the fw to boot. FED
With a 5.0 and AOD you can almost bolt it right in with late model Mustang mounts and everything clears in a '54.
You will need this: http://www.butchscoolstuff.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=20 might as well do this while the engine is out: http://www.butchscoolstuff.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=12 Butch's is very helpful,give them a call if you need more questions answered also if you are an Alliance member they give a 10% discount.
'Ya want nostalgia...how about a 312 ford with t-bird valve covers??? Three deuces. Might be a little hard to find but definitely a cool engine very few others would have. If not this then probably a 289-302 maybe.
I get the Ford in a Fomoco concept but I ran a 350R out of an Olds in my 51 for about 80,000 miles including a road trip to Texas and back and it did great. I pulled it to put a 455 in and the current owner of the car runs a 455 in it. And Custom Mercs should never be seen in public with their hoods gaping open like a hungry alligator anyhow.
I think you need to assess how long you want to keep it and how much and far you wish to drive it,i had a 401 nailhead in a 51 and have another set aside for a deuce project so i dont want to offend old school builders at all but...the price of gas is killing me,my gas pigs had to sit while the new economy kicked my butt...lol..so if you intend to run the wheels of this and drive hours away,i would suggest a late mustang 5.0 and the t5,i have a 87 mustang that is breathed on and still gets 26 mpg (u.s. gallon) at 130 kmh or near 80 mph..its barely turning 2 grand.I remember 302 pickups from the seventies we couldnt get 13 mpg out of.I have a 53 meteor(canadian ford) with a 289 but old school powertrain(56 trans,389 stock style rear),that with tall bias plys got over 20 mpg at 65 mph..but it was a stock 68 mill down to the 2bbl but dual exhaust.my suggestion is to grab a late 80's mustang style 5.0 amd make it look older,these motors have been refined and improved for power and mileage,a factory roller cam and roller chain is a bonus plus a 70's 351 w, would need many mods to get close to their stock power levels,old school cars had overdrive,so it makes sense now, forgive my suggestion that you dont go vintage,if you want to keep it and drive it,get the most efficent motor you can and dress it up to look vintage,use it as your driver and build a 5 mpg wonder for the short trips..i love nailheads and ford fe's but driving over 50 thousand miles a year,i have come to appreciate mileage more than i did when i put my merlin headed,roller cammed,aluminum rod 468 in my street car..lol..M.
My Merc won't be a trailer queen but definitely not a long hauler. Now I'm thinking a 302 crate engine with AOD tranny. I plan on keeping this car a long time and so I think a cruiser will be better down the road than a shifter. I came across a 3x2 intake that edlebrock makes that will allow me to run my 97's. Or if I wanted more modern but old school look, I could try the demon 98's. Rear is already built Ford 9 inch posi with 3.25 gearing.
I helped to install a 351C (worked over) and used a T-5 . I bought an adapter from Hamilton Transmission Adapters. I sent in a photo and a ruler to see the dimensions. After a bit of discussion I received an adapter kit. Fit right the first time and I'm very pleased. The owner was thrilled. The T-5 in his came from a 98 C-15 4.3 V-6 GMC truck. It is on the road daily for his transport to Stockton daily. Normbc9
good to hear your decision bout not putting in an SBC...a SBF would be nice...if your not wanting to constantly tinker with a flatty...I love to tinker, but for a daily driver I would suggest upgrading to a more efficent engine...specially if your in traffic a bit...I'm not to familiar with nailheads but I do like y blocks...again not the most efficent with cooling issues but cool in their right...I had a 272 in my '54 f100, and was really pleased with it...I keep the stock trans...which in hindsight would have changed it out...
I plan on going 302-AOD in my 51 shoebox. I've heard that you need a double sump pan and pickups to get it to clear the front crossmember. I'm going to find Grandma's mid 80's Lincoln or Mercury and use it as a donor car. Seats, wheels, everything I can use. Maybe even suspension and rear end stuff from the donor for my 56. Kudos on staying blue.
Something older like a Caddy,Y Block,or Olds,not a later distributor in the front engine. And a 3 speed stick with OD.
Since you ruled out the best engine ever built (SBC) I think it makes little difference what you put in there. However, I don't think you'd be happy with an M1 tank engine Frank
I'm putting a 351 W and a C 6 in my 50 Merc and was told the trans mount wouldn't be a problem. Maybe I need to call Butch! Any ideas? Or pictures
Just put in a 289 Ford in my 50 merc.I wanted to use a 302 h.o. but couldn't find the right adaptor to go with my mercury three speed trans. Had to use a racing fuel pump -mechanical,because of front crossmember clearance. I like the old flatheads but price caused me to use the 289 ,which gives me about double the horses. There is an adaptor made for the 289 to merc trans,but no where could I find an adaptor for the 302 to 50 merc,If a speed shop would have adaptors made to use the 302 engines to old For and Merc transmissions ,they would sell a lot of them.
If it were mine, I'd locate a 410 Marauder and put in it. I had one I sold late last summer - came out of a '66 Mercury Parklane. Its an FE motor of course, but it has cursive script Mercury valve covers on it and a really cool lookin Breather. They were pretty hot too.
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