My '51 Merc (some pics)
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 45,354
Likes: 1,786
From: Chicago, IL
My '51 Merc (some pics) I bought this '51 Merc a few months ago, and all I've been able to do due to the weather is remove the lake pipes and the dummy spots.
I'm giving some thought to swapping in an LS-based engine into the car... What do you guys think? Right now it's a crate SBC and a automatic valve body TH350.
Removing the old paint, and layers of bondo:
Yikes:
Primer:
EDIT 12 4 11 -----
I did end up repainting the car in 2010, looks like this now:
I'm giving some thought to swapping in an LS-based engine into the car... What do you guys think? Right now it's a crate SBC and a automatic valve body TH350.
Removing the old paint, and layers of bondo:
Yikes:
Primer:
EDIT 12 4 11 -----
I did end up repainting the car in 2010, looks like this now:
Last edited by Pro Stock John; Mar 27, 2012 at 03:04 PM.
John
I thought we all voted for you to do a swap ! I have been waiting for some threads from you on starting ! LOL..
I would go with a carb setup to keep the old school look ! or go with with the EFI and fab up a cover over the coils and intake!...
And even if it was only a mild stocker. It would be a great cruising car and good mpg'!
IMO.. I would keep it as must as possible to the old school classic / Lead Sled look..!
I thought we all voted for you to do a swap ! I have been waiting for some threads from you on starting ! LOL..
I would go with a carb setup to keep the old school look ! or go with with the EFI and fab up a cover over the coils and intake!...
And even if it was only a mild stocker. It would be a great cruising car and good mpg'!
IMO.. I would keep it as must as possible to the old school classic / Lead Sled look..!
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 45,354
Likes: 1,786
From: Chicago, IL
Car is also getting repainted, grill will be stripped or replaced, and the bumpers are being replaced with a '50 front and a '51 rear.
McMerc could use some weight reduction, if I found a good deal on a LS1 or LS2 that was stock I'd probably just swap in a good sounding cam and do that.
McMerc could use some weight reduction, if I found a good deal on a LS1 or LS2 that was stock I'd probably just swap in a good sounding cam and do that.
+1 on the cruising and just the mild Cam for the sound, This is a classic and great car that should be kept and treated with good intentions. Not Hot Rodded around any more..! but a little bit more speed never hurt anything 
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Meh, I was never big on led sleds. The McDonald's theme has to go though. They should be flat black and flames are optional. Personally, I think of them the same way I do "pro-street"... They're way overdone and their time has passed. I'm trying to figure out what you could do to be different but I'm not coming up with anything. The body looks pretty straight. The door handles are already shaved, so what is there to do other than paint and trim? Do it all flat black with flat black steel wheels, no whitewalls. I don't think it matters whether or not you go LSx, as long as it has a big bumping cam.
TECH Addict
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Mefis
John, I saw you're over on the HAMB getting what looks like good help and suggestions for the car.
I think a stock LS2, LQ4 or LQ9 would do just fine in there. You could add a 200-4R if you wanted an OD trans as well. It's overall length is identical to the short tailshaft TH350, if thats what you have in there. Set it up to turn 2000rpm at 70-75mph and you'll have a sweet looking Merc that will go like stink and still cruise very well.
I think a stock LS2, LQ4 or LQ9 would do just fine in there. You could add a 200-4R if you wanted an OD trans as well. It's overall length is identical to the short tailshaft TH350, if thats what you have in there. Set it up to turn 2000rpm at 70-75mph and you'll have a sweet looking Merc that will go like stink and still cruise very well.
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 97
Likes: 1
From: binghamton, ny
sweet! Cobra is the first thing I thought of. It was my dreamcar for quite awhile till I got a current version of a lead sled, a 94 caprice.
+1 on flat black. Those mooncaps would look sweet ont he wheels maybe with a brushed alum finish
+1 on flat black. Those mooncaps would look sweet ont he wheels maybe with a brushed alum finish
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 45,354
Likes: 1,786
From: Chicago, IL
I'll do flat black if 6,000 members each send me a dollar. 
It's gonna cost a lot to strip the car to bare metal, it's really at this point a 10 footer. So gloss black or red is the plan, having some folks do some photoshops for me.
This one is not going to be a drag car, I might get a 60's car and make that a drag car, it's already lighter and it's already a low 10 second car with a 250 shot (the other car).
It's gonna cost a lot to strip the car to bare metal, it's really at this point a 10 footer. So gloss black or red is the plan, having some folks do some photoshops for me.
This one is not going to be a drag car, I might get a 60's car and make that a drag car, it's already lighter and it's already a low 10 second car with a 250 shot (the other car).
I'll do flat black if 6,000 members each send me a dollar.
It's gonna cost a lot to strip the car to bare metal, it's really at this point a 10 footer. So gloss black or red is the plan, having some folks do some photoshops for me.
This one is not going to be a drag car, I might get a 60's car and make that a drag car, it's already lighter and it's already a low 10 second car with a 250 shot (the other car).
It's gonna cost a lot to strip the car to bare metal, it's really at this point a 10 footer. So gloss black or red is the plan, having some folks do some photoshops for me.
This one is not going to be a drag car, I might get a 60's car and make that a drag car, it's already lighter and it's already a low 10 second car with a 250 shot (the other car).
Im sure you made enough off this site..
4 valve carb'd motor, build i to drive, I love the lsx, but keep it fomoco.. they look neat, it doesnt have to be the fastest thing does it?