Correct carburetor for 1956 Mercury 312

Correct carburetor for 1956 Mercury 312

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By Fairlane62 - 18 Years Ago

Hi,

I am considering buying a 1956 Mercury. The engine has the small base intake, but it has a Carter WCFB rather than a Holley hightop. Did the Mercury's use a Carter rather than a Holley? Was the Mercury HP rating the same as Ford?

Thanks,

James

By Ted - 18 Years Ago

I'm familiar with some of the Mercs having the Carter carb so your particular carb could very well be correct. Horsepower ratings for the Mercs were typically higher than the Fords but wasn't necessarily due to just a carb difference but a higher compression ratio and other engine variables.

By paul2748 - 18 Years Ago

I bought a 56 merc (engine only). From all indications it was stock and had a Carter on it.

By speedpro56 - 18 Years Ago

I owned a beautiful custom 56 merc 2dr HT with the factory holley tea pot carb and three on the tree and several with the carter and they were automatics. I recently purchased a somewhat rough but restorable 56 merc montclare convertible with the carter and fordomatic. The carter is rated with alittle more HP and I believe the cam has a little more lift. Cool

By speedpro56 - 18 Years Ago

sorry about the misspell of Montclair w00t

By Fairlane62 - 18 Years Ago

Thanks for the replies.

I have seen varying HP ratings for a 56 312. The automatic vs manual may explain that. Was the automatic rated at 215 or 225 HP?

By Hoosier Hurricane - 18 Years Ago

Fairlane:

In Fords, the automatic was rated 225, but that would be with a T-pot. I remember seeing a bulletin of some kind stating that the Merc had a different cam, as Gary said, and was rated 235 horse. The color of the block and valve covers was the identification method for the 235 vs the 225. Wish I knew where I read that. But back to your original question, yes, the Carter is likely the original carb.

John

By Oldmics - 18 Years Ago

The correct Carter carb for the 56 Merc 312 was a Carter WCFB (Will Carter Four Barrell) and had a 2361 identification marking both cast on the top of the carb and also as the carb tag number.

Hoosier,your memory is excellent.

It was Mercury Service Letter #20.Dated March 19,1956

It was part of the identification for the M260 setup.Apparently the Merc used this hotter cam as a part of the M260 setup. This 235 H.P. camshaft along with the distributor,heads and springs and the dual quad setup made up the M260 option.

This "Service Letter" identifies the visual differences between engines containing the earlier milder cam and this hotter 235 H.P. camshaft.

I can send you a copy if you like,but I"ll bet you got it stashed in your files somewhere.You may have orginally seen this info in "Y Blocker"Magazine.

Oldmics

By Hoosier Hurricane - 18 Years Ago

Oldmics:

Thanks for the compliment about my memory. You're right, I probably have a copy of that bulletin, and it is probably in one of my Y Block Magazines. I've just forgotten where. See my memory is probably typical of most 66 year old car nuts.

John

By pcmenten - 18 Years Ago

I'd be curious to know what the specs on the 235 HP cam were

Interesting that the automatic Mercs had the Carter WCFB carbs.

By Oldmics - 18 Years Ago

The specs for the 235 H.P. camshaft are listed in Eickmans book on page 111.

Its a .273 lift on both intake and exhaust.Merc part# EDB-6250-B

Now I need to clarify and correct my previous statement about the use of this 235 H.P. cam in the M260 setup.

This 235 H.P. camshaft is NOT the basis for the M260 setup as I thought.

The M260 camshaft is part#ECZ-6250-B.This was an Isky E2 grind and is still availiable today as a special order.

Sorry for offering the incorrect information and I wanted to set the facts straight.Theres already enough bad information on the internet and this rare old stuff is tough enough to get any info on.

Oldmics