1951 Mercury Specifications
Engine: The 1951, 8-cylinder, V-type, L-head engine, developed and built exclusively for Mercury, develops 112 horsepower at 3,600 rpm. Maximum torque: 206 foot pounds at 2,000 rpm. Taxable horsepower: 32.5. Bore and stroke: 3 3/16 inches x 4 inches. Total displacement: 255.4 cubic inches. Three point rubber mounting. Compression ratio:6.8:1. Counter-balanced crankshaft with 3 wide bearings. Heat-treated aluminum alloy pistons with steel struts. Two compression and two oil rings. Alloy steel exhaust valve inserts for long life. One piece valve guides.
Lubrication: Gear-type oil pump. Force feed to all crankshaft and camshaft bearings. Heavy duty oil filter. Sludge traps in crankshaft. Positive crankcase ventilation to reduce moisture condensation. Oil capacity: 5 quarts.
Cooling System: Full-flow system circulates all coolant all the way through block and cylinder heads, for uniform cooling and longer engine life. Two high-velocity water pumps. Long water jacket warms oil in cold weather - cools oil on long drives. Advanced dsign silent fan. Coolant capacity: 22 quarts.
Fuel System: Fuel tank capacity: 19 1/2 gallons. Camshaft-driven, diaphragm-type fuel pump. Automatic choke. Oil-bath air cleaner. New dual-down-draft carburetor concentric type, checks vapor lock, saves fuel.
Electrical system: Battery: 17-plate, 100-ampere hour. High-capacity generator with automatic voltage control. Single breaker distributor.
Frame: Heavy steel, cold riveted and welded, X-member frame with K reinforced bracing. Wheelbase: 118 inches. Over-all length: 206.8 inches - station wagon: 213.5 inches.
Body: All steel, heavily reinforced, with welded steel floor. Insulated against noise and heat.
Wheel suspension: Front, independent coil springs, with hydraulic shock absorbers inside. Linkless stabilizer bar to reduce roll. Rear, semi-elliptic leaf springs, with full-length liners which require no lubrication. Telescopic shock absorbers mounted "sea leg" fashion to reduce vertical shocks and sidesway.
Drive: Single dry-plate clutch with low pedal pressure. Standard 3-speed silent transmission with synchronizers to provide quiet shifting. Hotchkiss rear drive with semi-floating rear axle and hypoid-type ring gear and pinion. Gear ratio: 3.9:1. Integral hub and axle. Wheel bearings permanently lubricated. Touch-O-Matic Overdrive: axle ratio for Overdrive is 4.27:1
Automatic Transmission: 3-element single stage torque converter combined with 3-speed planetary gear set. Torque multiplication of converter is 2.1 to 1 maximum; of gear set 1.48 to 1, 2.44 to 1, and 2 to 1 for reverse. Fully automatic, all driving through fluid. Air-cooled. Fluid capacity 9.5 quarts.
Brakes: "Duo-servo" type, four-wheel hydraulic brakes. Cable-type parking brakes.
Tires: Super-balloon 7.10 x 15 tires are mounted on pressure-steel wheels with extra-wide rims for safety and riding comfort.
