Hey guys, I just picked up a 53 Merc and I I'm having an issue. So I notice this morning after starting the car that when I would try to go into first gear and move forward the car wanted to stall. It seemed that I would have to give it a lot of gas and slowly let out the clutch to get it to barely move. I did notice that the more the car warmed up the less it had the issue and after a little time it seemed somewhat fine. What could be causing this issue? Thanks, George Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Hmmm, where can I find the choke on this thing? It's not a pull choke so I don't know what to look for. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The choke is part of the carburetor, there is a plate at the top that closes to restrict airflow (and make it draw more fuel, making it run rich). Automatic chokes have a thermostat type thing that closes the choke when it's cold, and then opens it as the engine warms up. there is usually some type of vacuum operated gizmo that opens the choke some as the engine starts running. If the choke is not closing enough, the engine will cough and die easily. If it closes too much, it will blubber and make a lot of black smoke out the tailpipe.
Gotcha, can that plate be adjusted? I'll take of the air filter tomorrow and start it and see what it's doing. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I've been fiddling with them for 40 years....sometimes I can fix them, sometimes I just learn to live with how they work.
My Galaxie has a finicky choke, I've learned to deal with it rather than screwing with it and making it worse.
When I have choke issues that are *****y to solve, I wind up fitting it with a manual choke. I've also thrown new carbs on just to get a bullet proof choke ***embly that may only need fine tuning. Bob
Go to the library, copy the page(s) from National Service data on the make of carburetor you have. (Holley or Chandler-Grove, it will be imprinted on the carb body...there are only a couple to choose from on that model) There is a very simple procedure to follow, [rather than hammer the ****erfly open, drill improper holes, rig a cable, etc.] these engines were very serviceable. Additional pages on basic tuneup should also be copied, and followed. The result will be positive, as long as engine condition is reasonable. Begin with a compression check...
I maybe totaly off on this but 53 didn,t they have a lever like a 1951 ford trans. I just got and engine out of a 53 truck and found a mouse nest in PP and back of flywheel.
I have a copy of the above suggested 1953 National Service Data book. $15.00 plus shipping. Worth every penny as these are GREAT books. P.M. me if interested. Oldmics
Disregard all info and input about Ford carbs if your Merc has the original carb, as it is entirely different from the Ford carb. That's a deal on that Nat. Svc. Data Book. You oughta be on that like a duck on a June bug!!!!!!!!!
Does the clutch disengage and engage normally or is it better when the car is warmed up? It might just be a sticking clutch or throwout bearing especially if the car has been sitting. Don't ***ume it's the engine.
On a newer car, the computer runs the engine. On your merc, the computer is behind the steering wheel. Your engine talks to you, you must learn to listen. Cold engine = needs more fuel. The choke does that. You have some reading to do, have fun!
It works fine when the motor is warmed up. I let it warm up more than yesterday and it worked but I still had to give it a lot more than normal gas for it not to stall. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Maybe that's what it is. I've only had the car for three days so many I just need to figure out how she works. Just like how it works with women haha. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Is the shifter so worn that two gears are selected at the same time? I had a '65 Chevy P-U with a column shifter that would do that at bad times (traffic). I had to get under the hood to untangle the levers to get going again.
If two gears get selected at once, the trans will be completely locked up and the car won't move at all
So I've been doing some research and I think it just needs to warm up before it works properly. Is that pretty normal? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Maybe that could be part of the problem ---- it's a hot air choke. Engine has to warm up to hold idle. I have two 450's that have a hot air choke. Can't move without stalling for about 5 minutes. Once the engine is warmed up, no problem shifting and going.
First thing to do is look a the choke, and figure out how it's supposed to work, and see if it's working. If it has an automatic choke (of whatever type) it should start and run ok when it's cold, and it should also hold the idle speed up a bit all by itself. As the engine runs and starts to warm up, the choke plate will open part way, and then by the time the engine is all the way warm it should be fully open. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFGf1kXlnLs shows an example of this, on a newer engine.
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