'51 merc upgrade

[51merc]

i know what everyone's gonna say, but..........
after 18 years of keeping Bertha orignial, flathead, OD ******, etc. it's finally time to upgrade the entire drive-train; motor, transmission, rear-end, etc.
looking for suggestions and info on what will fit, what won't, engines, transmissions, rear-ends, etc. will most likely include a fat man Mustang II front clip, power steering, etc.
any one with ideas, suggestions, web sites, vendors, and mercs that have been done this way, i'd be truly greatful. i don't really want to start cutting the firewall, floorpans etc, unless just absolutely necessary.
thanks in advance.

 

[Ol' Ron]

God, that's one of my favorite cars. I'd buy a 296 stroker kit, L-100 cam, 4bl carb. Chevy ign. Bolt this to an AOD 3.80 real, 2-3" lowering blocks skirts. Then paint it crimson and black and go cruzin. AHA Memories. They don't make em like that any more.

 

[Karl Wolf]

You can't get it back...
Wish I still had all of the parts (I was gonna save) for my Harley Pan...

 

[31chevy]

Opinions are like you know what every body has one. Mine is don't do it, take Ol Rons advice.
Gary.

 

[krackerjack1951]

photo of my merc in mid 50s,ran a flattie,enjoyed the smitties.

if i can load it .photo of my merc today..new rebuilt flattie.OD,392 rear,Ac. stereo. cokers.T bird front buckets.bow tie console without the shifter hole....there are those who have and those who wish they had to enjoy..

 

[19Fordy]

i know what everyone's gonna say, but..........
after 18 years of keeping Bertha orignial, flathead, OD ******, etc. it's finally time to upgrade the entire drive-train; motor, transmission, rear-end, etc.
looking for suggestions and info on what will fit, what won't, engines, transmissions, rear-ends, etc. will most likely include a fat man Mustang II front clip, power steering, etc.
any one with ideas, suggestions, web sites, vendors, and mercs that have been done this way, i'd be truly greatful. i don't really want to start cutting the firewall, floorpans etc, unless just absolutely necessary.
thanks in advance.

The 1971-73 Ford Mustang rear is exactly the same width ( 61 1/4 inches WMS to WMS) as the stock Merc. However, the BP is different.You might also want to consider rebuilding your stock front end and then use a Fatman dics brake kit. There are also other disc brake kits available that are direct bolt-ons. Fatman's requires machining your Merc spindles. I may be wrong, but i have always wondered how long a Mustang II front clip will last considering the weight of a Mercury.

 

[rotorwrench]

There are a bunch of Merc owners on the HAMB that changed there cars from stock so they may be the ones to get your answers from. Most of the guys on this board gravitate towards improving the old stuff or just maintaining the stock stuff.

Kerby

 

[Ol' Ron]

I guess my eyesight is getting worse, I thought it was a 53 Merc. I don't think the AOD will fit? Maybe someone on the HAMB would know? Anyway cubic inches and compression builds torque and you'd need this to pull a heavy car around in this traffic. And yes we're getting good mileage.

 

[Strick]

Ol' Ron - well it's a 4-door, but it's a 53 Merc, painted maroon and black, lowered 3 inches in the rear, my 1st car and been in my possession for the last 25 years

...

 

[Ol' Ron]

That'll do.

 

[Strick]

feel like I know you from Bart and Brett Caliaro....

 

[Brendan]

i hate to say this, but a 302 and a c 4 will fit good, i have a friend that has a 53 merc wagon with the same combo. who ever put the motor in put it in two far forward, so he cant run a good stock fan . but if it where my car i would build a good flathead and a overdrive trans

 

[Ol' Ron]

Say Brendan, like your new hair do.

 

[Brendan]

Thanks!