The Merc Runs

RalphG

RalphG

Well-known member
I can hardly believe how well the old Merc started and ran today. Still one cylinder that is low on compression, maybe a valve not closing. I finally hooked up a separate 12 volt battery direct to the starter for cranking but kept the six volt in place to supply the ignition and electrical system. The old fuel pump and carb are still up to the job after a 30+ year rest. The only problem now seems to be the automatic transmission. Drop it in drive, reverse, or lo and there is no reaction at all, not even a clunk. Checked the level before starting and it looked ok. Clean too. It worked fine when parked 30 years ago.
http://youtu.be/wO25Y2zgShE
 

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Pretty cool Ralph! Went through a similar experience with my 39 around 12 years ago. It's old flathead is pretty tired but I'm still driving it and have never pulled a head. Hang with it!
 
That's good news ! I hope I have as much luck with the 47 I'm working on now. Been sitting since 67, hope she wakes up after a 48 year sleep.
 
The old Ford/Merc-O-Matics depend on good fluid flow and pressure. There may be an internal seal leak that is losing pressure or the regulator is stuck. It takes a while to get fluid to all the paces it needs to be. Make sure you check the level again. Those have a big torque converter. Those old Borg Warner designs like to stick valves and pistons too so a good warm up might make it start unsticking but you just never know.
 
Thanks for the suggestions and input. In fact this trans was fine when parked years ago. I found out today it was way low on fluid. A cold check showed fine but I guess once it started it was not sufficient. So for better or worse I dropped in a good litre and a half of Dexron . Problem solved. It now moves under it's own power. It even started on six volts this morning. Not too eager and took lots of priming the carb but better than before. Two cylinders are low on compression but the valves seem to be working alright.
 

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APDAVE said:
Don't that trans use type F
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From what I read in the online operators manual for 53 Fordomatics, they recommend Type A. As far as I know this type is no longer available. Dexron was what I have on hand for all my other automatics (GM) so I figured give it a try. Its not like I'm going on a cross Canada trip with it. Just something to get it mobile and move itself around the yard for short term.
What are others using for fluid in their early fifties Merc/Ford-o-matics? This one is all original as far as I know and never rebuilt.
 
You can use what ever you want but the old Fords use type F. Type F has proven to make even Chevy powerglides work better as long as you don't put Dextron in it from overhaul with new seals & clutch packs. "O-Matics" will generally have problems if you use Dextron in them. If you know an old transmission builder, just ask them. You can use some conditioners to keep the valves working better but I would stay away from anything with friction modifiers in it. I've had my own share of problems with the later medium case cast iron cruise-o-matics so I know them better than I like to.

Soft parts are still available for the old FoMoCo/Borg Warner "O-Matic" trannies but finding someone to work on them that knows how to make them work correctly is getting fewer and farther between. If you need hard parts, you have to buy old transmissions and rob the carcass for the parts you need and hope they are still good. If & when you get one working correctly you put a leever on it an leever alone.
 
Warren Oil Co. inc. Makes Type A They are in NC, AL, TX, IL, PA, AR
Hardware store hear in town has it. Made in USA
 
Okay, I think I understand the confusion now. What was formerly type A is now Type F. Even though the 1953 manual specifies Type A. I won't be driving it much at all as it is now so a drain and re-fill with Type F (from a Canadian source) could be in the future. For now the car can at least move itself.
 
My current roadblock is getting the belts tight. I can get the rear belt that runs the gen and left water pump tight but then I can't slide the fan pulley up enough to tighten the front belt that runs the right side pump. Its like it hits something solid and will not slide up high enough to tighten the belt. I know I am missing something obvious here but I've had it apart and found nothing . The gen was never off but I did have the fan off all winter while working on freeing up the valves.
 
Loose belt: did you forget to re-route the fan belt around the smog pump - Oh never mind. How cool to hear it run after so many years. Are you charged enough to go after the body repair?
 
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