Motor recommendations for 58 merc wagon???

Ummm..... I was just kidding guys...

 

390's are all over in trucks and big 60's and 70's cars. Alot of trucks came with 360's same as a 390 but tad smaller. they should bolt right in

 

Right! ^^ I'm not sure if '76 was the last year for the FE motors, but the '75 360? truck heads have the hardened seats for unleaded gas.

 

Here is another issue with going FE in pre 1960 ch***is. If you go cast iron manifolds you must find 1958/1959 ones. They have a beveled end to clear the steering box. The 60 and latter ones nearly make contact with the steering gear. They will cook the grease out of the steering gear. It also seriously chokes the exhaust port on the rear cyl. I happen to have 2 sets of those but don't like them. Headers are out there but none of them actually fit without some modifycation to them, that's not an easy task. Of course you could do what I just did to my 57 Hardtop with a FE and build a set. By the time I was done I was seriously questioning my Sanity.
The Wizzard

 

Yikes!!!!!!

 

FPA makes a "Shorty" Header.

http://www.fordpowertrain.com/FPAindex/headers2.htm

 

You might check out Crites, they have all manner of motor mounts and headers for swapping in newer Ford engines. Or go for the penultimate of different: 6.8L V10 with five two barrells atop it.

 

[QUOTE
AOD's are a 3rd and 4th gear lock-up trans. Mostly on heavier cars you will notice this problem. Picture you are cruising down the highway at around 55 or 60mph and you hammer on it. (65 is a bad spot for my AOD w/ 2:79's). You've smashed on the gas but you are going to fast for it to downshift to second (non-lockup gear). The torque converter is locked up in 3rd or 4th so you have to wait on whatever power you got under the hood at 1500 RPM or so to get you there. Hens AOD dead zone.[/QUOTE]


Man........2.79's with an OD.?? Not surprised you would have a 'dead zone'. Even Ford, to the best of my knowledge, didn't put anything taller than a 3.08 behind an AOD and most were 3.27 or higher. And if your running tires of any size, .......well, that's a load to pull.

Ray

 

Man........2.79's with an OD.?? Not surprised you would have a 'dead zone'. Even Ford, to the best of my knowledge, didn't put anything taller than a 3.08 behind an AOD and most were 3.27 or higher. And if your running tires of any size, .......well, that's a load to pull.

Ray[/QUOTE]

I was thinking the same thing when I read it. Motor has to be way below performance range at 60. Would probably get even better gas mileage with shorter gears and getting the motor up on the cam a little. I've never had to wait for p***ing gear.
The Wizzard

 

I run a .060" over 1970 Lincoln 460 in my '58 Ford with a C-6 automatic and 3.70 gears. With a 235X70X15" tire it will do 15 mpg and pulls like a freight train.

Your wagon should have about a 3.10 gear and be a little more highway friendly. I like the MEL 383-430-410-462 but you can't ignore the cost of rebuilding one when a whole '70s Lincoln can supply a torquey 460 and C-6 trans for near peanuts.

I used Crites headers and motor mounts for the swap with no difficulties.

Happy to help with more info if you need it.

Larry

 

Maybe thats why those of us with average or lesser intelligence go with SBC To many damn variables with Fords

Next thought, how hard would putting powersteering into the wagon be? That could overcome the steering issues with the weight of some of these motors.

 

I suppose there are some kits out there. The stock stuff was power ***ist on the tie rods. I used a Dodge dakota box on the Vert. It works fine but had to modify the pit man arm. I tend to stay away from Kits until someone else shows me how well they work. This was clean and simple at the time.
The Wizzard