Time for a change
 

i`m considering pulling the belly button motor out of my `37 coupe, I`ve located a 52/53 mercury flathead EAC Motor, with trans, what is this motor from can anybody give me a clue I`m new at flatheads...what to look for....?

Re: Time for a change
 

what is a belly button motor!

Re: Time for a change
 

Good move!! Brian

Re: Time for a change
 

Chevy small block.....

Re: Time for a change
 

oh, ok i was going to ask you if you wont to sell it, i already have two in my shop.
i think that would be a good idea to put the merc motor in!

Re: Time for a change
 

thank you, you are a fine person.

Re: Time for a change
 

Rich
Essentially what you have is the last of the flatheads for the US. The last Mercs were rated at 112-125 HP. If what you have is truly a Merc engine (many flatheads had parts interchanged), and it's in good shape, you've got a great engine.
Jim

Re: Time for a change
 

Oh, Man! There is a flathead god!.
Good man!...slim

Re: Time for a change
 

I agree, good move. The only drawback to that engine is that it probably won't have hard seats in the exhaust.

Re: Time for a change
 

Oh man!! That's good news :), I'm sure that '37 will be much happier with a new FH heart transplant! Put that SBC back in a Chuby. I'm not that familiar with the Merc engines, but I would see if it has a four inch stroke crank, bore it a little over, and maybe install hardened valve seats. Keep us posted on the conversion process with some pics, etc. Good luck! JM

Re: Time for a change
 

look for a 4" stroke, cam marked 1CM, 4 bolt mount for carb. good luck! glad your getting rid of the "belly button"

Re: Time for a change
 

Thanks guys, the engine is complete and together, with trans all parts there except gen/starter, been in a garage covered up for 30 years per the owner, are there any stampings on the block to verify.....? I`m trying to gather all the info I can so when I go to look it over I have a educated guess, I know that it is a crap shoot as far as being a cracked block..!:eek:

Re: Time for a change
 

There's been a lot of talk about the engine. You didn't say too much about the transmission. Is it contemporary with the engine? I'm not too sure that a '49 and up transmission will work in the '37, especially if you want the traditional closed driveline.

Re: Time for a change
 

This is where it will get sticky, I`m going to keep the ford eight inch under it with open drive line, not sure yet on trans, still looking for options, any recomendations at this point....

Re: Time for a change
 

If the trans is from a 52 merc it will be for the open driveshaft and side shift linkage good luck.

Re: Time for a change
 

Hey Rich, we must live close by, I saw that ad a few days ago myself.

Re: Time for a change
 

Do you want an automatic or a stick? Modern or vintage?

Re: Time for a change
 

You can keep the 8 inch. Use a 48-50 F-1 three speed floor shift. It's open drive and will look like a stock trans with the floor shift. You will need to use the pickup bell housing also, as I think the Merc bellhousing is different. If the block has been sitting for a long time I would pull the heads and check for cracks. Hopefully it was not removed from a car due to a cracked block. I had exactly the same setup in my 37 coupe.

Re: Time for a change
 

There is a flathead god after all!!

Re: Time for a change
 

You have a bunch of guys here that will do what ever we can to help you get that Chevy boat anchor out of your Ford. Your car will never be normal, it must have emotional and self esteem issues. It's like somebody cutoff its penis at one time and now your considering putting back on.

Your going to loose half your power for twice the money but once you go Flathead you'll never go back. You will find that Flathead people are the nicest people on the planet. All my very best friends own flatheads, the billet Chevy guys just seem to be a little to bitchen for me. I’m serious, it’s like they are from two different planets.

Jerry