52 Merc Missing Plate

RalphG

RalphG

Well-known member
I think it was a week or so ago there was a discussion here on the inspection plate on the bottom of the Mercomatic torque converter housing. About them falling off and finding replacements. I finally got under to check mine on the 52 Merc today and sure enough, its gone. I'm betting it has been gone for a long time.
 

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I was happy living in blissful ignorance, but now will have to crawl under all 3 of my '53's. Doubt I will be able to sleep until I know.
 
EAC said:
I was happy living in blissful ignorance, but now will have to crawl under all 3 of my '53's. Doubt I will be able to sleep until I know.
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3 Mercs? Lucky guy! I won't lose any sleep over mine but will probably try and come up with some Macgyvered type cover eventually. I wonder if it affects the air flow to the converter with the cover plate missing?
 
itsa52 said:
Be a man, drive a stick, no problem.. LOL I jest
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I have no problem with 3 on the tree, and there is that spare in my 53 parts car. But given a choice the automatic is just so smooth and nice for cruising the streets.
Merc cruzer, thanks for the links. I found the article and lots of good info there. The fact that they are for sale and available makes me wonder if it was a poor design and the plates were easy to lose. I'd hate to spend that much money on one only to lose it again after a few miles.
 
It would have an affect on the cooling air flow for the converter but I have no idea whether it would be detrimental or not. A person would have to monitor the transmission oil temp both with and without the cover to tell but a gauge like that would have to be a modern add on.
 
RalphG said:
I have no problem with 3 on the tree, and there is that spare in my 53 parts car. But given a choice the automatic is just so smooth and nice for cruising the streets.
Merc cruzer, thanks for the links. I found the article and lots of good info there. The fact that they are for sale and available makes me wonder if it was a poor design and the plates were easy to lose. I'd hate to spend that much money on one only to lose it again after a few miles.
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Before I bought the correct cover I made one out of scrap. Drill a couple of holes at each end and tap the holes for the screws and you are ready to go. The new one seems to hold on firmly. My guess is that people took them off and forgot to put them back on....maybe when the trans was being serviced. With the car parked in the garage or barn a mouse could crawl up there........
 

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Merc Cruzer said:
Before I bought the correct cover I made one out of scrap. Drill a couple of holes at each end and tap the holes for the screws and you are ready to go. The new one seems to hold on firmly. My guess is that people took them off and forgot to put them back on....maybe when the trans was being serviced. With the car parked in the garage or barn a mouse could crawl up there........
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Yes, that mouse problem was one of the first things I thought of when putting the Merc back in service almost 4 years ago. I blew out both air openings with the long air compressor wand and it was good.
But look what I found in the trunk of the Merc this morning!!!!
 

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JSeery said:
Now that is funny! :)
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Yes, its getting to the stage where I can hide my own Easter eggs! The plate was likely stored there when the engine was out of the car for rebuild about 1980. It was barely driven after the engine was re-installed and I guess a few little details got left out. Like the missing lower crankcase vent pipe.
The plate cleaned up pretty well. Only a little light surface rust and a few dents along the edge. Nice to see the arrow is there to indicate the front.
 

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51 MERC-CT said:
Just an observation from the one I have. They are not plated and were painted/dipped in black paint.
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Yes, this one is just bare metal with no plating or paint. I don't think rust will be a problem in that location though. This car won't see salt or rain and mud. Plus it has a built in oiler! :D
 
RalphG said:
Yes, this one is just bare metal with no plating or paint. I don't think rust will be a problem in that location though. This car won't see salt or rain and mud. Plus it has a built in oiler! :D
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51 MERC-CT said:
Just an observation from the one I have. They are not plated and were painted/dipped in black paint.
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51 MERC-CT,

Good observation and you are correct in that when I got mine it was NOS and had a thin cote of black paint on it. It was scratched through the paint in places due to years of storage and handling. I wire wheeled mine off then hit it with a buffer just to clean it up. I then put a heavy coat of wax on it for water protection in the event I get caught in the rain. I fully acknowledge that this was a gross case of overkill but in the event I take it off it will be easy to see and remind me to put it back on. Also when I check to see if it just fell off, it is easier to see with the flashlight. Ralph is also right in that they have a built in system to cover the bottom of the engine, transmission and frame with oil...it is called the breather......and it does a fine job!
 
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