Interesting bore dimensions
- Thread starter GB SISSON
- Start date
petehoovie
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38 coupe
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Looks like a helpful collection of parts. Hopefully you can find a matching left side water pump.
Do you have a road draft tube setup?
Also, show us a picture of the distributor you are going to run. There are two different timing cover and distributor types for in the 8BA era and there is one combination that doesn't work.
Do you have a road draft tube setup?
Also, show us a picture of the distributor you are going to run. There are two different timing cover and distributor types for in the 8BA era and there is one combination that doesn't work.
pistonbroke
Well-known member
Hi Gary. I'm glad to hear you still have a shop near you that knows older stuff. When I left Olympia last April I had to go to Portland to find someone that knew and welcomed a 53 mercury block into their shop. If you run the ford crank I have a set of EAB heads that someone milled to far to clear a four inch stroke so they wont work for me. Tim
GB SISSON
Well-known member
Hmmmm, I see! The distributors are clearly not the same... And Tim, the guy doing the machining is mostly retired. I heard his son runs the auto parts store in front and the dad works part time and told me he just does it now as a hobby. Some big shoes to fill when all these guys retire for good! I will be running that merc crank in this one.
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petehoovie
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GB SISSON
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Thanks again Pete... And Hmmmmm, maybe the one on the left has an H on it because it's for a six? I'll count the cam lobes and I'm sure I have a couple more 8ba types kicking around.
GB SISSON
Well-known member
The red H tag distributor does have 8 lobes, so it's the other V8 style. My block passed pressure test with no bubbles on any block surface at 20 psi, and I magnafluxed the entire block twice, just for practice. No cracks anywhere, not even water jacket to bolt holes. Because I had everything out I then magged the 8ba block on the base of the stand and did indeed find a crack from a valve pocket over to the cylinder. It was a pretty fine crack, but showed up clearly with the bright yellow powder. I bolted some cedar 3x4s to the pan rails for transport and to protect the bearing caps. I have some work to do at an ongoing project on the mainland, then stop at the machine shop and next day a n appointment with the cardiologist. Thanks all for the nudge to visit the machine shop. I'm pretty excited about it, as if you couldn't tell....Big adventure.
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petehoovie
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GB SISSON
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Nope, not a Ford. Until I can find a used Ford excursion 3/4 ton 4wd with 150,000 miles at a government auction for 1800.00, I'll keep running these suburbans. I like the gov't ones, vinyl bench seat, vinyl floors, crank up windows, AC delete and plain steel wheels. My previous one even had an SM465 granny low 4 speed.
The machinest told me my block was in remarkably good condition. He asked if I wanted him to magnaflux it or trust my job? I decided to have him check my work. I also told him it didn't have hard seats and was that ok with so much of the use at 40 mph and below? His answer was that he always does seats and maybe the next owner or heirs would want to run it on the freeways. I asked how much and was pleasantly surprised. I said yes. He likes doing the 1/8" over bore. He will also install cam bearings. I left him a flywheel to surface and a couple sets of rods. When I walked into the old shop he was polishing crank journals on a big red lathe and I felt like I was stepping back in time. He will order the +.125 pistons so he has them in hand. A great trip all in all.
The machinest told me my block was in remarkably good condition. He asked if I wanted him to magnaflux it or trust my job? I decided to have him check my work. I also told him it didn't have hard seats and was that ok with so much of the use at 40 mph and below? His answer was that he always does seats and maybe the next owner or heirs would want to run it on the freeways. I asked how much and was pleasantly surprised. I said yes. He likes doing the 1/8" over bore. He will also install cam bearings. I left him a flywheel to surface and a couple sets of rods. When I walked into the old shop he was polishing crank journals on a big red lathe and I felt like I was stepping back in time. He will order the +.125 pistons so he has them in hand. A great trip all in all.
Hey GB,
Sounds like a great buy on the Gov Surplus Suburban. I bid on a few vehicles years ago when I worked at the government fuel plant, really wanted that almost cherry 3-yr old chevy C10 which had a bad engine. I was a few bucks short on that one I was of course, kidding about the Chevy/GMC. I've owned most every brand over the years. My '48 is a hodgepodge of parts much like your "Foyota". Olds engine, GTO trans, Firebird Bellhousing, Chevy truck clutch, Jeep clutch master cylinder, Chevy rearend, BMW seats and the list goes on.
Stay with it on your Mercury motor, I'm loving it. By the way, I've got a Merc engine behind the barn that I keep thinking I'll pull out and tear into. It hasn't even turned over in almost 50 years. Probably a hopeless case.
Al Hook
Sounds like a great buy on the Gov Surplus Suburban. I bid on a few vehicles years ago when I worked at the government fuel plant, really wanted that almost cherry 3-yr old chevy C10 which had a bad engine. I was a few bucks short on that one I was of course, kidding about the Chevy/GMC. I've owned most every brand over the years. My '48 is a hodgepodge of parts much like your "Foyota". Olds engine, GTO trans, Firebird Bellhousing, Chevy truck clutch, Jeep clutch master cylinder, Chevy rearend, BMW seats and the list goes on.
Stay with it on your Mercury motor, I'm loving it. By the way, I've got a Merc engine behind the barn that I keep thinking I'll pull out and tear into. It hasn't even turned over in almost 50 years. Probably a hopeless case.
Al Hook
GB SISSON
Well-known member
I did not discuss sonic testing with Les. He seemed to be very knowledgeable about our V8s, but I will bring it up with him. And Al, we speak the same language for sure! Your merc, if the late style is worth tearing into just for the 4" crank, and you never know where you might be able to use some of the other parts.
Bored&Stroked
Well-known member
Make sure your machine shop knows you're running a 4" crank - as the compression height of the pistons has to match the stroke. If you can, get pistons with metric rings - they are so much better than the ole Grant or Hastings stuff we used to run. They're available (pistons and rings) from Ross - but they may be a bit pricier than you'd like.
Best of luck - this will be a fun project.
Lastlly: You should have him balance the whole reciprocating assembly . . .
Best of luck - this will be a fun project.
Lastlly: You should have him balance the whole reciprocating assembly . . .
GB SISSON
Well-known member
Yes, he knows all about the 4" crank. He got a big smile when I told him I was using it and had it already ground. He said he would order the merc pistons from his supplier and fit them along with the rings. Like many of you experts here on the 'barn, he urged me to use high quality parts and not cut corners (such as my thoughts of not adding hard seats) at this stage of the game. He quoted me 250.00 for 16 seats installed. Then it was ME smiling. I will have him balance it for sure.
GB SISSON
Well-known member
I think ol Woodie will like its new powerplant too. Keep in mind that if the transmission hadn't developed issues, we'd still be rolling along with my overhauled 221 replacement block engine. Like you can see, I did not have the flywheel surfaced and that, along with used motor mounts made the rig shake and shudder when trying to ease into forward motion on my hill. With the added torque, good flywheel and new mounts I would think that rebuilding the standard 3 speed will be adequate. However, a T-5 should be pretty straightforward with this open driveline 
