Mercury or Ford?
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,462
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From: Dedham, MA
Mercury or Ford?
Aside from the obvious differences (eblems, steering wheel, etc.) and location (Canada vs. U.S.), what are the differences between a 50 Mercury Pickup and a 50 Ford F-1? I heard tell there was a difference in flathead V8 performance or specs? I'm assuming the parts from these trucks can be interchanged, no problem, being that it's the same basic design.
Also, should I focus more on the F-1/F-2, as it may be easier to find parts for the Ford models over the Mercury? Thanks alot guys.
Also, should I focus more on the F-1/F-2, as it may be easier to find parts for the Ford models over the Mercury? Thanks alot guys.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Mercury specific trim and body parts will be significantly more difficult to find if you don't live in Canada or Austrailia. I don't know a whole lot about the differences between Ford and Merc flatheads.
My suggestion would be to concentrating on getting the most solid sheetmetal you can find no matter what label is on the truck. Good fitting F1 repair panels are difficult to find and reproduction fenders etc are non existent in metal.
My suggestion would be to concentrating on getting the most solid sheetmetal you can find no matter what label is on the truck. Good fitting F1 repair panels are difficult to find and reproduction fenders etc are non existent in metal.
Last edited by AXracer; Dec 4, 2006 at 11:59 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 167
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From: St. Thomas, Ontario
Only two main differences between ford and mercury trucks from 48-52.
1. Trim
2. Engine - The mercury Flathead V8 had a 4" stroke while the ford had a 3-3/4" stroke. Because of this the mercury also used different pistons (the wrist pin is higher on the piston that the ford. Both engines used the same connecting rods. I think the mercury cylinder heads were different as well (larger combustion chamber). Both engines had a 3-3/16" bore size.
Since all other parts are interchangeable the only thing that makes restoring the mercury more difficult is finding good mercury trim peices if you do not get them with the truck. Nobody, as far as I know, is reproducing any of the mercury trim pieces, and good used ones are hard to find.
1. Trim
2. Engine - The mercury Flathead V8 had a 4" stroke while the ford had a 3-3/4" stroke. Because of this the mercury also used different pistons (the wrist pin is higher on the piston that the ford. Both engines used the same connecting rods. I think the mercury cylinder heads were different as well (larger combustion chamber). Both engines had a 3-3/16" bore size.
Since all other parts are interchangeable the only thing that makes restoring the mercury more difficult is finding good mercury trim peices if you do not get them with the truck. Nobody, as far as I know, is reproducing any of the mercury trim pieces, and good used ones are hard to find.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,882
Likes: 3,126
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
The front fenders are slightly different. I didn't know this until a couple of weeks ago with Don McKay posted pictures of his Merc. Theres' a stamped area in the front fenders for the parking likes:
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 185
From: Dedham, MA
Thanks for the info again. I found a local mercury truck and just wanted to know what I might be getting into should I decide to go that route.
BTW, that picture above is awesome. I love seeing works in progress.
BTW, that picture above is awesome. I love seeing works in progress.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 800
Likes: 6
From: Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Actually there is no difference in the engines. the Mercury trucks used the Ford engines as basically they were just re-badged Ford trucks. They were built at the same factory in Ontario, so they used the Canadian made Ford engine.
another interesting fact is that the flathead V8 was the only engine choice in Ford/Merc trucks until 56(I think cars also, but not 100% sure), when a 6cyl was first offered (the 223). also the Y-block was not introduced in Canada (cars and trucks) till mid 56 when it was an option. the flathead was phased out in 57 completely.
I am not sure if the Canadian flathead was the same as the US Ford flathead or the US Merc flathead.
Canada had a lot of unique vehicles specifically made for our market that were not available in the US, not just Ford/Merc, but GM's and Chrysler products also.
rgds
Mike
another interesting fact is that the flathead V8 was the only engine choice in Ford/Merc trucks until 56(I think cars also, but not 100% sure), when a 6cyl was first offered (the 223). also the Y-block was not introduced in Canada (cars and trucks) till mid 56 when it was an option. the flathead was phased out in 57 completely.
I am not sure if the Canadian flathead was the same as the US Ford flathead or the US Merc flathead.
Canada had a lot of unique vehicles specifically made for our market that were not available in the US, not just Ford/Merc, but GM's and Chrysler products also.
rgds
Mike
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Durham NC
Growing up on the Canadian border I was very aware of the Canadian variants of the US makes. Some of the different trim pieces were popular bolt on "customizing" for the Us cars of the day. In the mid fifties, the Canadian Pontiacs were built on the shorter WB Chevy chassis rather than the US Pontiac chassis. Ford went OHV for the V-8s in the states in 54.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Saskatoon SK Canada
The flathead V-8's last year was 1954 in Canada. We got the 272 in 1955 and the 223 in late 56. I heard we got a small LD Y-block but it was like only used one year because it broke cranks. I haven't seen a Mercury truck with a Mercury engine (I have two 51's). The only thing different between the US and CAN flathead's was the Canadian blocks had an extra oil plug on the back of the block for a full flow oil filter that was only used 48-49 on the Mercury cars.
The 50 Mercury will have a different grill than the Ford and they are hard to find in good conditions.
We have Fargo trucks which were rebadged Dodges.
The 50 Mercury will have a different grill than the Ford and they are hard to find in good conditions.
We have Fargo trucks which were rebadged Dodges.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 334
Likes: 1
From: Airdrie Ab. Canada
Bob, Where did you find that Merc? It is absolutley gorgeous. I only hope that mine looks that good soon.
ReForder, If all the fender chrome and the grille are in decent shape then I wouldn't be afraid of getting it.
There are a few guys around that can do wonders with dented stainless trim pieces's and hubcaps.
http://https://www.ford-trucks.com/f...d-fenders.html
Let us know what you decide with it. I will attache some of the grille pictures, I was going to add some with the grille in the truck but it won't let me as I have them in an other post, so that is where the link is to.
Don
ReForder, If all the fender chrome and the grille are in decent shape then I wouldn't be afraid of getting it.
There are a few guys around that can do wonders with dented stainless trim pieces's and hubcaps.
http://https://www.ford-trucks.com/f...d-fenders.html
Let us know what you decide with it. I will attache some of the grille pictures, I was going to add some with the grille in the truck but it won't let me as I have them in an other post, so that is where the link is to.
Don
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,882
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Don,
A friend of mine sent me that picture along with some other he took of someone's private collection. I wouldn't mind having that truck either.
I was playing around with this and thought you might like it:
A friend of mine sent me that picture along with some other he took of someone's private collection. I wouldn't mind having that truck either.
I was playing around with this and thought you might like it:
