1951 MERCURY Fuel pump pressure?

[KM/ROADSTERS]

I have a 1951 Mercury with the original carburetor. The car has been converted to 12 volts and has an electric fuel pump. What is the recommended fuel pressure for this kind of carburetor? Thanks.

 

[51 MERC-CT]

Last I remember it's 2-4 psi.

 

[scicala]

That is a teapot style carb on the engine (if original), so 4 psi is pretty ideal. don't want much more than 5 psi. 6 psi is getting to the edge of trouble (flooding).
I would say a minimum of 2 1/2 or 3 psi.

Sal

 

[WestCoast]

3 1/2# to 4 1/2#, I would stay closer to the lower figure to start with, unless your pulling hard on steep grades use the lower figures less chance of flooding

 

[Alaska Jim]

Isn't the carb on the '51 Merc. a Holley 885? I am sure mine is. are they considered a teapot? did not ever hear that term for that carb. always thought it was the later ones on the 55-56 fords.

 

[Kens 36]

Jim,

You are correct - the '51 Merc carb is a Holley 885. The so-called teapot carb was used on 52-54 Mercs.

Ken

 

[Vic Piano]

Keith, I would start by setting the fuel pressure at 2.5 lbs, and increase it if performance is lacking. The good thing about electric fuel pumps is, they will provide steady pressure. Here in the heat, that is necessary to prevent things like the dreaded Vapor Lock...

Are you going to be playing at your garage tomorrow???

 

[scicala]

Jim,

You are correct - the '51 Merc carb is a Holley 885. The so-called teapot carb was used on 52-54 Mercs.

Ken

The Holley 885 was actually the first teapot design. If you take out the 5 screws that hold the big cover on and remove the cover, you will see the basic same carb that was used on '52 and '53 Mercury. It evolved into a 4 barrel in '53 on the Lincoln and '54 on Mercury. Then in '55 was on all Ford products with a 4 barrel.

Sal

 

[51 MERC-CT]

This is what manual says about fuel pump pressure.