I have 53 flathead that has been built. I took the pan off to put on a new gasket and want to know what crank I have. Is there a way to tell if it is a mercury or ford?
Just thinking out loud here. Is there some way to measure the distance from the bottom of the piston to the bottom of the cylinder with the piston at the bottom of the stroke, then turn the engine a half turn and measure again? This would give you the stroke which would tell you what you need to know.
Don't wanna be an****- but this question has been asked many times. Do a search {mercury crank identification} and you will be enlightened.
Yes Khead47, i tried to search that but is doesn't give me anything to identify it while it is in the truck. I will try to rotate the eng and measure, but I don't see how that will work when I can't get to the top of the piston... only the bottom. thought you had to measure the full stroke from the top side.
Merc crank has a 5/8 clean out plug on the rod journal.easy way to find out if its a merc or not Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Wideglide and Culley are describing Canadian made features...if you find them here, be sure crank has a valid green card. Measure the big counterweight across its widest point...greater than 6" is Merc, a bit under Ford,****uming it is not a pre-49 Ford. Best way is to simply measure the up/down, can be done in motor if it is not stuck, can be done off motor against a wall too. Ruler measurement is good enough to tell the difference.
well i must be doing something wrong. I put a ruler in from the bottom (heads not off) and put it to the bottom of the piston... only got like 3.5" should i stick it to the top of the inside of the piston to the bottom of the sleeve? Sorry,, very new to flatheads. learning the best way... the hard way. i will try to measure the counter weight tomorrow.. maybe that will tell me.. THANKS!!
To measure stroke you need to turn the crank a full 360' and measure the piston movement through the full stroke. Not just the bore distance of the Piston in the cylinder or the throw on the crank. It is easiest though to remove a head. All the best, Tim
Measuring from the bottom of the piston to the bottom of the cylinder will tell you absolutely nothing. Need to turn the crank and measure as previously mentioned. Doesn't matter if you measure from the top or the bottom, but you need to measure the piston movement from TDC to BDC. Also measuring the width of the counterweight as Bruce has said.
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