Register now to get rid of these ads!

Mercury 260 V8 & 2-speed ford-O-matic????

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 65standard, Aug 18, 2013.

  1. 65standard
    Joined: Jun 14, 2011
    Posts: 1,090

    65standard
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. COE's (Cab Over Engine)

    I found a decent running 1963 Mercury 260 small block with 2-speed auto. I want to use this in my 1938 Ford COE. Any reason not to use this motor. The rear in the truck has 4.10 gears with 29.5" tall tires.

    Truck will have a 7' vintage Holmes wrecker bed, but without the boom.


    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2013
  2. SMOG_GUY
    Joined: Jun 28, 2011
    Posts: 388

    SMOG_GUY
    Member
    from Dinuba

    Do you hope to keep up with modern traffic?
     
  3. 65standard
    Joined: Jun 14, 2011
    Posts: 1,090

    65standard
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. COE's (Cab Over Engine)

    Not looking to cruise at 80mph. But would hope to be able to drive around like any old car without overdrive.
     
  4. That's a lot of truck for that little motor nowadays, but if you have patience....
    It would probably be more motor than it had to start with.
     
  5. snaptwo
    Joined: Apr 25, 2011
    Posts: 696

    snaptwo
    Member

    260 is little but would be usable motor for a DD. I'd can the 2 speed fordo though , C4 is a better trans. Thinking that a 4.00 gear would be pretty short although it would help move that heavy wrecker moving.
     
  6. Barn Find
    Joined: Feb 2, 2013
    Posts: 2,312

    Barn Find
    Member
    from Missouri

    If you end up thinking about swapping a different trans, keep in mind only an early C4 will have the same bolt pattern as the 260.
     
  7. SMOG_GUY
    Joined: Jun 28, 2011
    Posts: 388

    SMOG_GUY
    Member
    from Dinuba

    I have 260 v8/ trans from 1962 Mercury Wagon. How do I tell if trans is two speed or three
    auto?
     
  8. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    At one time I had a 63 Falcon Ranchero with the same 260/2 speed automatic. It had a Holley 2 barrel carburetor on it and dual exhaust; otherwise it was completely stock. That little engine was snappy, even with the 2 speed! The Falcon body was a typical, rusted out, POS, and I parted it out. I was going to drop the engine/trans into my 82 Chevette (my college car I bought new), but lost interest, sold the car, and sold the engine/trans to a local Falcon/Comet Restoration Group. Curb as much weight on the COE as possible, use some smaller diameter tires, and it should get the job done. Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
  9. 65standard
    Joined: Jun 14, 2011
    Posts: 1,090

    65standard
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. COE's (Cab Over Engine)

    Is the 2-speed trans the biggest issue? Not looking for a fast truck, but not looking to build a pig either. I just like the idea of using a Mercury motor over the ever so common 302 or 5.0 Ford engine. My other choice would be a 289/C4 combo.

    Thanks everyone for the info.
     
  10. plym_46
    Joined: Sep 8, 2005
    Posts: 4,018

    plym_46
    Member
    from central NY

    Well Studebaker powered trucks, and Semi's, and House trailer toters with 259 and 289 V8's for years. With truck's it all about the gearing. Thnik about how the truck was originally powered. Probably a 95 HP 6 or a 110 HP Flathead. It would have had a 4 speed with a granny low gear. So the 260 will definitely put out more than that, and with the torque converter will out twist the original set up also. If you are not going to actually haul or tow things regularly, using what you have makes sense to me. I believe the ford o matic is actually a three speed, that starts in second in Drive, but low is there and use able. The 4.10's and tall tires will probably have it spinning at about 3000 at 60, but that doable. You can always power up later if you find it lacking.
     
  11. JeffB2
    Joined: Dec 18, 2006
    Posts: 9,605

    JeffB2
    Member
    from Phoenix,AZ

    You are going to be pulling a fair amount of weight,it is easy enough to make a 302/5.0 look like a 260-289 and the extra cubes = more torque, also if you use a later 5.0 and AOD (1988-93 AOD's are non-computer) you can highway cruise at about 2300 RPM @70 mph with your 4.10's. The AOD also has a lower 1st gear than the C4 to help you get moving,win,win all around.
     
  12. Hnstray
    Joined: Aug 23, 2009
    Posts: 12,355

    Hnstray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Quincy, IL


    Which Mercury.......full size or Meteor?

    If it's the latter and the original trans , it's likely a 2 speed Fordomatic.....the C4 didn't arrive until '64 as I recall.

    If full size Merc.........maybe the three speed that start's in second, as posted above.
     
  13. rotorwrench
    Joined: Apr 21, 2006
    Posts: 633

    rotorwrench
    Member

    It originally had a 221 CID 85 HP flathead V8 engine so a 260 OHV V8 would power it OK. The only problems you might encounter is the length issue with the small block Ford V8 and the early small blocks were more limited on what would bolt up to the bell. They changed the bolt pattern in 66 I believe.

    A warmed up 255 Merc flathead with the bell adapter and clutch would bolt right in that old truck if you still have the OEM radiator and running gear.
     
  14. SMOG_GUY
    Joined: Jun 28, 2011
    Posts: 388

    SMOG_GUY
    Member
    from Dinuba

    Thanks, Hnstray
     
  15. 65standard
    Joined: Jun 14, 2011
    Posts: 1,090

    65standard
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. COE's (Cab Over Engine)

    Okay, I took your advice. Picked up a 1973 Ford 302 with a C5 or C6 with 49k original miles and an extra AOD trans. Not sure what gears are in the AOD? I believe Ford made two versions? Close and wide ratio versions?

    Here is the donor vehicle, 1973 Econoline 300 motor home.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    And the odometer reading of 49,523 miles. I believe this maybe the actual miles being a motor home.
    [​IMG]

    Can anyone tell by the vin tag if the econoline has a C5 or C6 trans?
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.