Can this be saved?

[GB SISSON]

Almost anything can be saved. Last year at the well attended Portland OR swapmeet I bought an excellent and clean 8ba block with all the internals in a box for 200 bucks. While trying to decide if the block for sale two booths down was truly a merc block with a 4" crank for 300.00, I let another buyer step in front and pick it up. Compared to MANY here, I'm a rank amature, having owned perhaps 20 flathead engines. Yes, that engine could be saved, but at what cost and why?

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

……. decide if it was truly a merc block.....

There's NO decision to be made. There is NO differentiation between a '49-'53 Ford or Merc block, save for the paint color applied at the assembly plant! The crankshaft, pistons and other bolt-on components determine either Ford, or Mercury engine identity. BLOCKS ARE IDENTICAL! DD

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

There's NO decision to be made. There is NO differentiation between a '49-'53 Ford or Merc block, save for the paint color applied at the assembly plant! The crankshaft, pistons and other bolt-on components determine either Ford, or Mercury engine identity. BLOCKS ARE IDENTICAL! DD

I understand that.... The cardboard sign said 51 merc engine. It was a complete disassembled engine. I tried to judge if the crank was 4" stroke by doing some off the cuff measuring and while I was trying to figure it out, somebody else stepped up to the plate and struck a deal.