Projects Bought a Mercury on purpose

Our mechanics instructor was out today.
I had his students last class.

 

Those youngsters did a nice job with the polisher.

 

Just out of curiosity, I’ve read several threads on camber issues when flipping uprights. Could the upper control arm mount be moved inward to address that?

Remove rivets and relocate inward?

 

Got the flathead home.
Will get it in the stand tomorrow. Need to get some bolts.
Yanked off the heads. Looks great. Cleanest FH ive torn down.

Here’s a pic measuring the piston all the way down

ford or merc engine?

 

If it’s ford that solves the engine choice question.
I’ll pull the pan and look at the crank.
Put it back together for a future hot rod maybe.
I’ve got a 2nd flatty I pulled out of a Merc last week.
Probably look at its crank as well.

 

Time for a SBC….

 

283 on the stand now

 

I'd still drive it with a SBC but a flathead would be my first choice. But that's JMO.

 

I plan on driving the crap out of it.
I’d rather wear out SBCs than flattys.
Since this one appears to be a 239, I’d have to hope the other one I have has a Merc crank. Then I’m building a flatty.
The 283 is close to done.

 

Regardless, I'm along for the ride.

 

That’s the plan so far.
with 2 vintage intake choices.
Got some rams horns hiding somewhere
Got my drum brake spring kit yesterday

 

Finished up the damaged frame horn

 

Working on a MC mount. 63ish AMC master cyl
Will probably fit the engine before finalizing.

students made a pattern then heated a 4 inch piece of 1/4 plate. Bent 90* Drilled for the MC and tacked a gusset. Once fit we’ll trim the front to fit the large hole in the frame the rear brake line passes through.
The pedal might need heated and bent about 3/8 towards the inside.
Will make that decision after fitting the engine.

 

It's Never too late for a Flathead ___

 

The ford flatty we pulled out of this Merc will run again. But in something else.

 

Gonna start fitting the 283. The flatty was mounted at the water pumps and tail shaft.
What’s the opinions of the HAMB-o- sphere on mounting the 283 in a similar fashion. Trans tail shaft and old style sbc front mounts.
Just wondering.

the ole front mount vs side mount

 

Pretty sure all the front mount SBC’s I have messed with used bellhousing mounts for the transmission. Seems like a pretty good span from front to back, but I have no actual experience with it either as far as if it might cause any issues.

 

If you're going to use the trans mount at the tail shaft you need to do side motor mounts.

 

I’ve seen several with front and tail mounts running around without any problems. Measure the distance from a side mount to the front of the block, it isn’t that much distance. Doubt it would make any difference unless you were running high hp or dumping the clutch all the time. Even a aluminum automatic should be strong enough to not flex. Lincoln V12’s we’re mounted front and back, and they are a long motor, much longer than a V8. Now if you were talking about an in-line 6, that might present a problem…

 

A 283 can be built with some good power and sound really sweet with the right cam and exhaust!!

 

Ran my 39 Ford for years with a 283, 3 speed, Hurst front mount, and a tail mount. Wasn't a high horsepower car, but I ran the shit out of it all the time. Never a problem.

 

There's a reason why Chevy used rear mounts off the sides of the bell housing when they used front motor mounts and then went to side mounts when they used the mounts on the transmission tail shaft housing. They don't do those things just for shits and giggles, that costs money and they are very cost conscious!

 

That's similar to the way the engine is mounted in my 57 T-Bird. It has one mount at the very front of the engine just under the damper and one on the transmission tail shaft. However, it does have 2 "steady rests" at the center of the engine. They look a little like sway bar links with rubber cushion washers at each end. They do not hold any weight, just steady the engine from rocking. They are adjusted so that they have a bit of tension so I guess they support a small amount of weight. See 6960 on the drawing.

 

How did I miss this!? Looks good on you, buddy.

 

Did you look at the CE Mercury front mount adapter kit? I was looking at doing one in my 46 mordor.

 

Not yet.
But Ive used their stuff before.
we plan to fab this set up

 

I always take those adjusters apart, super clean them and then put back together with that opaque blue caliper grease . They adjust pure easy, forever.