I have a '51 Mercury 8CM motor in which i believe has had some cooling issues in the past who make the best heads for cooling and performance? cast or aluminum? best price? I don't care about the look (the dress-up) or the name brand ...I'm more looking on the performance first and foremost! opinions please... thanks in advance, CAB
To split those concerns...heads have significant cooling effects, but are not likely the cause of serious problems OR the cure... Look at: water jacket cleanliness, possibility of cracks/gasket leaks, running retarded (almost a given with the late distributor), plugged areas in radiator, general filth/sludge. I believe thermostats can help a bit. Fix the overheating--then worry about performance heads. You really can't soup up or even use an engine that overheats til you deal with that and repair any actual damage caused by overheating..
I have run quite a few different sets new and old and realize that the Sharp heads that are still made today cool very good. I run a mechanical fan and had the tempature running about 140-150 on 75-80 degree days. I believe that that is still to low so I put some 180 degree thermostats in and it would only bring the temp up to about 170. Even sitting in traffic on 90 degree days this motor has not been over 190-195. www.wilcap.com still machines and molds them and he can set the compression and valve height to your needs. I also use the early heads on a late motor.
Not to split hairs but the 8BA is a Ford motor. The Merc motors in that era had 3CM on the heads. The Merc had a 4" stroke and the Ford a 3.750" stroke. 239CI vs 255CI. That is unless someone changed out the Merc heads for Ford heads.
Bruce Lancaster speaks the truth... Heads might not even make a significant difference. Fix the problem at it's root and then worry about the chingaderas
Why do you THINK it had problems in the past?? More info Coupe... Whats it doing and when is it doing it? Running lean will make a flathead hot too, Bruce is right on!
Thanks for the info Bruce, at Gambino's shop right now and showed him your response to my post, he agrees completely with you he'll get those water pumps on ( if Speedway ever get's them done and shipped) and see how the engine reacts afterwards and how the cooling is doing before messing with the heads and swapping them out. thanks again for your help and advise, CAB
My bad... i changed the post to the correct descrpition... it's a 8CM, that's what it says on the head. Sixcarb- thanks for the info on the sharp heads and thermostats, will look ino it. petejoe- the reason we know there's been over heating issues is from the rust all over the engine and heads, inside of the radiator was all plugged up and the water pumps had wear and play in the bushing area. that's why we got the radiator re-cord and ordered the new water pumps with the bearings from speedway to reduce leaking problems that stock water pumps seem to have that lead to the over heating issues. we are also wondering why the previous owner was running an electric fan versus the stock mechanical fan? anyone know why ...is it much better? once we have all that stuff replaced we'll get the carburator and the timing dialed in ... then we are ready to put some miles on that baby thanks guys, CAB
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