Note to the Flathead guys...he said he sold the original engine and is moving on. This question has not been asked: Are there any American v-8 engines available in France? Or, are you planning on importing whatever you decide on? If importing, are you buying a core, a runner, or a rebuilt engine? The list of suitable engines is very long, in fact, in just the EarlyHemi line you have 12 different engines to choose from, some perhaps better than others for your Merc. As someone said, the Merc is fairly heavy so look to an engine that has some grunt. As for the manual trans application, some early v-8 will require an adapter package in order to use a modern 4 or 5 speed so add $$$ to your budget. .
Hi It was the caddy in the Robert Lomas coupe I saw which was a bit special. If I go the hemi route which is the one to go for? Thanks Neil On another note we get a lot of hail here and I've bought one of these things that is meant to sort out sunshine but stops hail as well. I park my Merc under it in the summer. Just look at the pictures as it's in a strange language.www.voilesdombrage.com
what about this baby Imagine it's got more power than I need and probably big bucks Thanks Neil http://www.ebay.com/itm/1958-Chrysl...t=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
Back when I was a kid, the trick set up would have been a Caddy with Hydro. Actually back then, it would be anything but a flathead. I must admit the coolest looking would be the Nailhead Buick, so that would be my choice.
If you are willing to search for an early Hemi in France, then I am going to make a radical suggestion that you look for an MEL as well. A 430 would look great under that hood, and it is still a Mercury in a Mercury.
WOW! IMHO, If that guy on ebay actually spent $35k then he got xxxxx... We have built blown 392's for less than that. If you are considering Hemi engines then I would recommend: 392; a stock rebuild would move the car easily. Compare your curb weight to a 1958 Imperial. 354; easier to find and cheaper to buy than the 392, but the rebuild costs will be the same. 331, 330, 341; all excellent engines. the 341 will likely cost more than the 330 or 331 to buy. The 331 will be slightly cheaper to rebuild. In a stock to moderate performance rebuild you can expect to spend $6k to $8k depending on the exact repairs and the needed parts. If you want a bunch of shiney aluminum eye candy then add about $2000. All of the EarlyHemi engines require an adapter to run a modern trans, either manual or automatic. Prices will start around $350 for a basic adapter and can reach $1000, again, depending on the exact application. If you are importing then add the required transportion and import duty fees. If your budget allows for this outlay then welcome to the world of Hemi power. If you want 400hp/500ft-lb torque in a relatively stock package and can't spend so much as the Hemi demands then consider the Mopar 440. The Buick 455 is also a great high-torque engine in stock form. Both engines respond immediately to performance parts that can make 600hp in streetable trim. I also agree that an FE or an MEL would be very appropriate. .
Hi; I plan on working on the 51 merc my dad bought new this year, he even drove it off the rail car so he would be the first to drive it. it was always under powered,he even milled the heads, so we are going to put a 283 Chevy with 6 94's and a powerglide in it, it had a mercomatic in it so the column shift will be unchanged. for those of you who bash small block Chevys do you realize they were made in 1955? I think sometimes you foget that! I can remember when I was a kid (im 60 now) saving my lunch money for months to buy a $40.00 265 that was in pieces, still have parts of that motor! small block Chevys are like a sore Pecker, ya can't beat em!!! Chris
The hemi while having a high "cool" factor is a hard fit in most older rigs that requires a lot of modifications to get it to fitted in there. The stock oil filter is right in the way on just about every swap. Strange but as usual not one of the flathead diehards asked what shape the flathead was in and why he pulled it in the first place. You piss and moan because a flathead is being pulled out but not one swinging Richard asked what happened to the flathead in the first place. DjNell I'd say that first you would have to figure what interesting engines are available in FRANCE (shouted for the guys who think France is part of New Jersey). The Cads of about any year out of a rear wheel drive Caddy would look good in there and run with the big dogs on the big roads. My choice would be one of the later Nailhead Buicks that had the later bellhousing bolt pattern on it so that you could get more common stock bellhousing. I ran a 350 R Oldsmobile engine in my 51 Merc for years and even with a 2 barrel it could cruise at 80 mph on the highway all day long and give reasonable gas mileage. Those aren't the prettiest engines but as they came in several American cars a 350R, 400,403 or 455 Olds based engine might be easier to find in Europe. The 403 was in a lot of second generation Firebirds 70/81 along with the 350,400 and 455 Pontiac engines during those years.
Thanks to all Here's the story I've had the Merc since 1986 and I loved the flathead, tri power set up with all parts bought from Patrick's speed parts USA. When me and the wife decided to start a family I knew I couldn't afford to keep the Merc and raise three boys. I donated it to a museum and it was on display from 1194 until last year.I'd been hassled by a mate with a 32 hiboy to sell him the Merc engine and knew the Mercury was going into a museum for at least 15 years so sold it to him. I have regretted it everyday since. I now have a beutiful dead straight gloss black merc with no filler anywhere and want to drive it. I am struggling to come to terms with having to take the whole front off(will need a repaint) to put in (your opinions please) a fatman fabrications front clip and a different rear end set up than leaf springs. I need to get it right and am never going to touch the car again after all this work. There is something about a hemi that makes it special. I have no idea about clearances and I dont want to start modifying inner wings etc. The 365 caddy seems a nice engine so it will probably be one or the other. You guys have no idea how grateful I am for this input. This is a car i'll be buried in and very important to me. Thanks Neil
Beautiful car!! Although Hemis 'look' big, they are the same width as a 440, and nearly the same length as a 318. Remote filters work well. Truck exhaust manifolds replace headers. Read through the HemiTech for ideas. .
Hi We have recently moved but bear with me and i'll dig out the piccies. There is no filler or stopper anywhere in this car which is why it took a long time to build. I was going to build a copy of the Hirohata merc but deep down new i wanted it black. My favourite thing about the car is it's flush fitting fender skirts which I wanted from day one.You can see them in this picture Best Neil
Great looking car, do the rear windows roll down? Your hood rounding looks killer and the flush fit skirts are of course tres' bon!
Hi John rear windows are fixed. I built this car in 87 and haven't touched it since. Usual story, kids a bit older and a bit more cash to get the car handling and driving. Just been offered a 291 hemi and am seriously considering it Best Neil
I have a 41 mercury and building a early 392 blower motor for it . All polished . Blown sticking out of the hood will be outrageous and haul ass
I new this would be a can of worms! I would personally put a 430 Lincoln in it. 6 deuce intake manifold would blow a hemi out of the water! Have fun
So, whatever happened to this? Beautiful merc. Are you happy w/your choice of mills? Or are you still looking for a mill/trans? Last I heard, France was a real bear for modified cars, hope all is well... Marcus...
Leave it up to a guy with 1 post to a) resurrect a dead thread, and b) add nothing to the conversation. Man, I miss the old HAMB
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