1952 Mercury Diff Question

[movinman]

The gears on my 52 convertible need to be replaced. I’d like to run something a little taller than the stock ratio. Does anyone make replacement gears for these cars? Thanks in advance.

[Newc]

Do Mercs and Ford wagons share the same diff? Newc

[scicala]

Pretty sure the Merc in '52 to '54 had the rear axle that was like the Ford pass cars. Merc got the Dana with rear cover in '55 like the Ford Wagons, Thunderbirds and Police interceptor pass cars.

Sal

[RalphG]

There were different axle ratios for the 52 Merc depending on if you had the standard, automatic or overdrive transmission. 3.73 for the standard trans. 4.10 if it had overdrive. 3.31 with the Mercomatic. For 1953 they listed even more options although the "tallest" offered was still the 3.31.

[38 coupe]

What transmission do you have, and what type of area do you drive your car (flat, hilly, high altitude, etc.)?
Ford Motor Co did a good job of matching the factory gearing to the vehicle weight and engine power. I would be cautious before making big changes.

[RalphG]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

My 52 with the Mercomatic has the stock 3.31 axle and its quite comfortable cruising the highway here at 60 mph. I haven't pushed it any higher but have no doubt there is plenty of top end left. Obviously the Mercomatic is no neck snapper off the line with that ratio but I guess you can't have both.

[pistonbroke]

The best road gear for that rear end is 3.22 it came in 56 fords with a four barrel duel exhaust and automatic. Tim

[Ol' Ron]

The reer bolt pattern aso changed around that time My 51 merc rear has 5/5 pattern and the 52 has 4.5 I think might be a year off
Gramps

[rotorwrench]

All regular Ford & Mercury cars went to the Ford precursor to the 9" in 1952. Wagons & police cars kept the Dana 44 if I remember correctly. As was mentioned Mercury went to an odd ball transmission with the 312. It was a Dana 45. Ford changed to the 9-inch in 1957 due to the larger engines coming on line. Thunderbirds & wagons still used the Dana 44 through 56 at least.

[movinman]

Originally Posted by 38 coupe

What transmission do you have, and what type of area do you drive your car (flat, hilly, high altitude, etc.)?
Ford Motor Co did a good job of matching the factory gearing to the vehicle weight and engine power. I would be cautious before making big changes.

It’s a 3 speed on the column. I live in South Florida, so flat roads. Not many hills down here unless it’s an overpass.

[scicala]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

The reer bolt pattern aso changed around that time My 51 merc rear has 5/5 pattern and the 52 has 4.5 I think might be a year off
Gramps

My '55 Mercury had a 5/5" bolt pattern too.

Sal

[tubman]

'49-'51 Mercury's had the 5 on 5 1/2" bolt pattern. We ran lots of 15" later Merc wheels on old Fords back in the day. Sal say '55 has 5 on 5", anybody know what the '52-'54's had? Everything else on those was almost identical to the Fords.

[38 coupe]

52-53 Mercury used the same 5 on 4.5 that Ford used.
Since you have a standard 3 speed and flat ground you probably will like a ratio about 3.5 best. You can search for a NOS ring and pinion set for an automatic transmission car. If you can't find gear we can discuss more drastic measures, but I'm hesitant to start the discussion there.