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Discussion Topic:
1946 Mercury
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Peder D |
01-02-2013 @ 12:39 PM
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Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Oct 2009
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Still contemplating buying a Mitch*ll overdrive. Question: My Mercury has the 118" wheelbase...and the Ford 114"? Do they share the same "length" with regards to the torque tube? Just to be sure that I get the correct overdrive unit for my car...thanks...
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Peder D |
11-27-2012 @ 12:24 PM
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Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Oct 2009
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Thanks to everyone for all the good advice. As far as the overdrive goes, are there any other well known overdrives that are offered for the early Ford V8's other than Mitch*ll in the United States?
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supereal |
11-12-2012 @ 2:02 PM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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Again, my friend Tom (my Mercury go-to), is correct. Many assume, since to correct fuel line looks like copper tubing, that it is. The proper tubing is, in fact, copper coated steel. Copper tubing will crack due to vibration., causing a fire hazard. Buy ikt pre-bent from a good vendor.
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TomO |
11-12-2012 @ 8:23 AM
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Senior
Posts: 7250
Joined: Oct 2009
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Peder, do not use a copper line for gasoline. The fuel line from the tank to the firewall is steel with a copper coating on the inside and outside to protect the line from rusting. The line from the firewall to the fuel pump is a flexible line made of gasoline resistant rubber and the line from the fuel pump to the carburetor is a copper coated steel line like the one from the tank. As to your lugging problem, is your idle speed correct? Is your gasoline mixture right(check the plugs to determine this)? Has your distributor been timed on a distributor machine? Has your vacuum brake been correctly adjusted?
Tom
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supereal |
11-10-2012 @ 8:50 PM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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The 3-54 is a "flat land " ratio. The better all around gearing is 3-78. That is why Ford supplied most cars with it. The flathead engines don't produce maximum torque until they get above 2,000 rpm. The low ratio prevents getting enough "grunt" to get off the line. Your new engine may improve when it gets some hours on it, but I wouldn't expect a whole lot. Hilly country called for a 4-11.
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Peder D |
11-10-2012 @ 3:01 PM
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Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Oct 2009
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Hi again! Have you had any success in dealing with lugging? What have you tried? Have a brand new engine and everything that goes with that...don't know what else to do? I do have a rubber hose in the line from the fuel pump, thinking about changing to a whole copper line...maybe help somewhat? Have checked and tighted down all nuts and screws...all else is good...what else...thanks...Peder
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TomO |
10-31-2012 @ 7:44 AM
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Senior
Posts: 7250
Joined: Oct 2009
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Lugging at lower speeds can due to idle speed adjustment. The engine should idle at 450-500 rpm and have at least 18 inches of vacuum. Some of the things that can affect the idle speed are: carburetor leaking gas or vacuum, timing of when the points open, point dwell, vacuum leak or poor compression. Check your spark plugs for a nice tan color with no deposits as in the normal photo in the chart. http://www.verrill.com/moto/sellingguide/sparkplugs/plugcolorchart.htm Check for vacuum leaks around the intake manifold and distributor housing vacuum connectio.
Tom
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Peder D |
10-30-2012 @ 12:27 PM
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Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Oct 2009
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Thanks for the input. Mitch*ll saying a 26% reduction with the unit they offer. Interesting you mention lugging. My car does that even with the 3:54 at lower speeds. Mechanic says "it's an old car". Thinking carb. or ignition? Don't like this situation and hoping still there is a solution to lugging. Everything under the hood upgraded. Any suggestions? Thanks again..Peder
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supereal |
10-28-2012 @ 8:25 PM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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Have an overdrive in my '47. It isn't a Mitch*ll, but operates the same. I chose a 33 percent reduction with my 3-78 rear gears. If i did it again, I'd go for a 30 percent, as it lugs down below 40 mph in OD. With a 3-54 gearing, I wouldn't go for anything more than 25 percent. Overdrive is great for highway cruising, but a bit pricey if you don't need it.
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Peder D |
10-28-2012 @ 11:14 AM
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Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Oct 2009
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Hi again! The suggestion was to look for a Columbia or an overdrive...I see Mitch*ll Manufacturing is advertising in V8-Times a model 1000 overdrive...any experience with this unit...a good buy? Thanks....Peder
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