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Old 02-09-2021, 11:45 AM   #1
pistonbroke
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Default 53 merc holly carb.

Does anyone have any experience with the Holley that came on the 53 8 cm Flathead? I am looking at running this engine in my 41 pickup just to be different.
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Old 02-09-2021, 12:19 PM   #2
scicala
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Default Re: 53 merc holly carb.

Hello pistonbroke,

I have experience with the Holley 1901 carbs on '52 and '53 Mercury's, as a I am with all domestic carburetors. Been doing them all my life. If interested, you can send me a PM to discuss it, or call/email me.

(586) 612-1650 [email protected]

Sal
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Old 02-10-2021, 06:11 AM   #3
38 coupe
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Default Re: 53 merc holly carb.

I took two mostly complete carbs to rebuilt one complete unit for my friend's 53 Mercury. It ran fine, but the air cleaner being the upper air horn limits you to some less common mid 50s FoMoCo air cleaners. Also, my memory is the throttle linkage pushes instead of pulls, opposite of Ford linkage.
I'd swap the intake with a Ford unit before install in your pickup.
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Old 02-10-2021, 01:28 PM   #4
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Default Re: 53 merc holly carb.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 38 coupe View Post
I took two mostly complete carbs to rebuilt one complete unit for my friend's 53 Mercury. It ran fine, but the air cleaner being the upper air horn limits you to some less common mid 50s FoMoCo air cleaners. Also, my memory is the throttle linkage pushes instead of pulls, opposite of Ford linkage.
I'd swap the intake with a Ford unit before install in your pickup.
I'm pretty sure the linkage pulls the throttle butterflies to open on my 52 Merc with original Holley "teapot".
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Old 02-10-2021, 01:39 PM   #5
pistonbroke
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Default Re: 53 merc holly carb.

Ralph, Does it have any quercks or anything you dis like about it . I like to be different and the thought of polishing that cover/bell/helmet just trips my trigger but it has to function as I drive my rides a lot. Thanks for the reply, pistonbroke
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Old 02-10-2021, 01:42 PM   #6
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Default Re: 53 merc holly carb.

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I can live with it but mine has a hesitation when I step on the gas and will stall unless I give it two or three quick pumps on the pedal. It also leaks gas out of the float somewhere when left parked for a few days and will need priming to start. A new carb kit might fix all that but I've just learned to live with it and adapt.
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Old 02-10-2021, 01:59 PM   #7
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: 53 merc holly carb.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pistonbroke View Post
Ralph, Does it have any quercks or anything you dis like about it . I like to be different and the thought of polishing that cover/bell/helmet just trips my trigger but it has to function as I drive my rides a lot. Thanks for the reply, pistonbroke
Are you sure that you have a '53 Merc carb. (Holley 1901)??
When you speak of "polishing that cover/bell/helmet" it sounds like you have the '49-'51 Holley 885 back draft carb.
The major differences in the 885's is the location of the automatic choke.
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Old 02-10-2021, 02:09 PM   #8
pistonbroke
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Default Re: 53 merc holly carb.

My Brother and I bought a 53 merc four door back in the 90's It appeared to be all original and unmolested . How ever I know very little about what carb would /should be there. Yes it is a back draft Holley with a four bolt flange Anuone running one? I would like any and all info. Thanks
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Old 02-10-2021, 02:11 PM   #9
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Default Re: 53 merc holly carb.

OOps , trying to eat lunch and type,. Anyone running one?
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Old 02-10-2021, 02:22 PM   #10
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: 53 merc holly carb.

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Originally Posted by pistonbroke View Post
OOps , trying to eat lunch and type,. Anyone running one?
I have driven '51 Merc's starting back in the mid 50's all equipped with the Holley 885 back draft carb. there were never any issues that could not be attributed to normal wear/usage.
It sounds obvious that someone installed the earlier model carb. in the "53.
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Old 02-10-2021, 03:01 PM   #11
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Default Re: 53 merc holly carb.

Thanks 51 MERC-CT. That's music To my ears. This carb looks new inside and out. It would apear the car was parked shortly after the carb was installed. We never tried starting it. We just bought it as a parts car. It had the complete overdrive package and the bigger brakes for my brothers 53 ford. We've hung on to the complete engine looking for the right ride to put it in and I think 41 pickup is it.
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Old 02-10-2021, 04:51 PM   #12
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Default Re: 53 merc holly carb.

If this link will work for you it tells you everything you need to know about fixing a Holley 1901 like the 52-53 Mercs had originally. http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/m...l19011952.html
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Old 02-10-2021, 05:08 PM   #13
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: 53 merc holly carb.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pistonbroke View Post
Thanks 51 MERC-CT. That's music To my ears. This carb looks new inside and out. It would apear the car was parked shortly after the carb was installed. We never tried starting it. We just bought it as a parts car. It had the complete overdrive package and the bigger brakes for my brothers 53 ford. We've hung on to the complete engine looking for the right ride to put it in and I think 41 pickup is it.
This is a Holley 885 on a model A pickup street rod.
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Old 02-10-2021, 06:08 PM   #14
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Default Re: 53 merc holly carb.

This is a Holly 1901 on my 1953 Mercury. It has been there the full 11 years I have owned it. Yes it has it's quarks, but over all it has been reliable, and relative trouble free, considering that it is 1953 engineering and technology.
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Old 02-12-2021, 12:19 PM   #15
pistonbroke
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Default Re: 53 merc holly carb.

Yup, I definitely have a 885 Holley . Man, can you imagine it polished and maybe a little ingraving? Cool factor on the rise!
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Old 02-12-2021, 12:50 PM   #16
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Default Re: 53 merc holly carb.

Go with Sal on any carb rebuild. I can vouch for his excellent workmanship!
Rob

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Old 02-12-2021, 08:35 PM   #17
scicala
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Default Re: 53 merc holly carb.

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Originally Posted by Robz51 View Post
Go with Sal on any carb rebuild. I can vouch for his excellent workmanship!
Rob

Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk
Thank you Rob !

Sal
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