I have a flat head sitting just looking pretty (no make up at all on it ) . It has merc heads on it and I was wondering if there is a way to tell if it is a real merc motor or one with just merc heads on it with out checking out the crank ? Also I know that there are many books on them and was wondering what is the best book to buy ?

 

Get a wooden dowel (or something similar) and a pencil or sharpie. Take a plug out and rotate the crank until the cylinder is at top dead center. Stick the dowel in and mark it even with the top of the spark plug hole. Now rotate the crank to bottom dead center and do it again. If the marks measure 3.75" apart it has a Ford crank, if they measure 4" apart it has a Merc crank.

I'm not sure about the books, I have a couple good ones at home but I've learned more from talking to the old builders around me. They're getting to be fewer every day and they're taking a lot of knowledge with them.

-Drew