1953 MERCURY
Model Designations:
Custom Series 3M, offered only with the 125 Horsepower V-8 Engine
Monterey Series 3M, offered only with the 125 Horsepower V-8 Engine
CUSTOM SERIES 3M, WITH V-8 ENGINE
2 Door Sport Coupe, 6 Passenger, Model 60E
Base Price: $2,117; Shipping Weight: 3,465 Pounds; Production Total: 39,547
2 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Model 70B
Base Price: $2,004; Shipping Weight: 3,405 Pounds; Production Total: 50,183
4 Door Sport Sedan, 6 Passenger, Model 73B
Base Price: $2,057; Shipping Weight: 3,450 Pounds: Production Total: 59,794
MONTEREY SERIES 3M, WITH V-8 ENGINE
2 Door Hardtop Coupe, 6 Passenger, Model 60B
Base Price: $2,244; Shipping Weight: 3,465 Pounds; Production Total: 76,119
4 Door Sport Sedan, 6 Passenger, Model 73C
Base Price: $2,133; Shipping Weight: 3,425 Pounds: Production Total: 64,038
2 Door Convertible Coupe, 6 Passenger, Model 76B
Base Price: $2,390; Shipping Weight: 3,585 Pounds; Production Total: 8,463
4 Door Station Wagon, 6 Passenger, Model 79B
Base Price: $2,591; Shipping Weight: 3,765 Pounds; Production Total: 7,719
1953 MERCURY
General Specifications
125 Horsepower V-8 Engine
Wheelbase: 118 Inches
Engine Type: L-Head, V-8
Bore & Stroke: 3-3/16" x 4"
Engine Displacement: 255.4 Cu. In.
Compresssion Ratio: 7.20 to 1
Taxable Horsepower: 32.50
Horsepower: 125 @ 3,700 RPM
Maximum Torque: 218 Ft. Lbs. @ 1,700 RPM
Normal Oil Pressure: 57 PSI
Carburetor: Holley Model 1901FFC, 2 Barrel .
Tire Size: 7.10 x 15 inches; Convertible & Station Wagon: 7.60 x 15 inches
Tune Up Specifications:
Spark Plug Type: Champion H-10, or Equivalent
Spark Plug: Gap .030;
Point Gap: .015
Firing Order: 1R, 1L, 4R, 4L, 2L, 3R, 3L, 2R or 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Ignition Timing: In Grove on Pulley
Engine Idle Speed:
Manual Transmission: 475 RPM
Automatic Transmission: 440 RPM (In Drive)
Cylinder Head Torque: 65-70 Ft. Lbs
Comprression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 115 PSI (Minimum)
Valve Specifications:
V-8 Engine
Tappet Clearance, Running Cold: Intake .014; Exhaust .018
Clearance for Timing: Intake: .015
Valve Seat Angle: Intake 45 degrees; Exhaust 45 degrees,
Valve Timing: Intake Opens 5 Degrees Before Dead Center
Exhaust Closes 9 degrees After Top Dead Center
Valve Spring Pressure: 40 Lbs @ 1.89 inches (New Springs)
Valve Stem Clearance: Intake .0015-.003;
Exhaust .002-.004
Piston & Ring Data:
V-8 Engine
Piston Removal: From Above
Fitting Pistons with Spring Scale:
Shim Thickness: .002"
Pounds Pull on Scale: 6 to 12
Ring End Gap (Minimum):
Compression Ring: .007"
Oil Ring: .010
Clearance Between Ring & Grooves:
Compression Ring: .0015-.003
Oil Control Ring: .0015-.003
Wrist Pin Diameter: .7501"-.7504"
Engine Bearing Data:
V-8 Engine
Rod Journal Diameter: 2.1390 Inches
Rod Bearing Clearance: .0005-.003 inches
Rod End Play: .006-.020 inches
Rod Bolt Tension: 45-50 Lbs. Ft.
Main Bearing Journal Diameter: 2.4985"
Main Bearing Clearance: .001 -.0026 inch
Crankshaft End Play: .002-.006 Inch
Main Bolt Tension: 90-105 Lbs. Ft.
Capacities:
V-8 Horsepower Engine
Cooling System:
Without Heater: 21-1/2 Quarts
With Heater: 23 Quarts
Fuel Tank: 19 Gallons;
Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts;
Manual Transmission: 3 Pints
Manual Transmission with Overdrive: 4-1/2 Pints
Automatic Transmission: 9 Quarts
Rear Axle: 3-1/2 Pints
Generator & Regulator Specifications:
Generator #FAA-100020F
Generator Output: 36 Amperes @ 1,700 RPM
Brush Spring Tension: 30 Ounces
Regulator # FAC-10505
Cutout Relay
Voltage to Close Points: 6.3 Volts
Reverse Current to Open Points: 0-8 Amperes
Voltage Regulator Setting: 7.4 Volts
Current Regulator Setting: 34 Amperes
Starting Motor Specifications:
Part #FAF-11001A (Manual Transmission)
Brush Spring Tension: 48 to 56 Ounces
No Load Test: 70 Amperes, 6 Volts, @ 3,000 RPM
Torque Test: 700 Amperes, 3.5 Volts, 16 Ft. Lb. Torque
Part #FAG-11001B (Automatic Transmission)
Brush Spring Tension: 48 to 56 Ounces
No Load Test: 70 Amperes, 6 Volts, @ 3,200 RPM
Torque Test: 700 Amperes, 3.5 Volts, 16 Ft. Lb. Torque
Distributor Specifications:
Part #7RA-12127C
Rotation: Clockwise
Cam Angle: 28 Degrees
Breaker Point Gap: .014" to .016"
Condenser Capacity: .21 to .25 Mfds.
Breaker Arm Tension: 17 to 20 Ounces
Vacuum Advance Data:
@ 500 RPM: 1-1/4 to 2-1/4 Degrees & .4" Vacuum
@ 1,200 RPM: 4-1/2 to 5-1/4 Degrees & 1.7" Vacuum
@ 1,600 RPM: 6-1/4 to 7-1/4 Degrees & 2.8 " Vacuum
@ 2,000 RPM: 7-1/2 to 8-1/2 Degrees & 3.7" Vacuum
Holley Carburetor Adjustments:
Idle Mixture: Turn each screw clockwise to lean the mixture and counter-clockwise to enrich the mixture. Initially, turn each screw in until it seats then back out 1 turn.
Idle Speed: Turn the stop screw in to increase speed and out to decrease speed. Use a tachometer, if available.
Choke Adjustment: Set at "Index" Mark
Pump Stroke:
Average Conditions: Center Hole
Hot Weather: Shortest Stroke
Cold Weather: Longest Stroke
Float Level: 1/2: from top of bowl
Fuel Pump Data:
Maximum Pressure: 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 PSI
Brake Specifications:
Lining Dimensions/Wheel in Inches:
Length, 21
Width, Front Wheel: 2", Rear Wheel: 1-3/4"
Thickness, .212"
Brake Shoe Clearance: .010"
Wheel Cylinder Bore:
Front: 1-1/8"
Rear: 15/16"
Master Cylinder Bore: 1"
Wheel Alignment Specifications:
Caster: - 3/4;
Camber: +3/8;
Toe-In; 3/32" to 5/32"
Toe-Out on Turns:
Outer Wheel: 20 Degrees
Inner Wheel: 23 to 24 Degrees
Kingpin Angle: 5 Degrees @ 3/4 Camber
Beginning Engine & Serial Numbers:
All Models: 53-1001H
Popular Options:
Radio, Heater, Clock, Power Steering, Power Brakes, Power Seat, Seat Covers, Power Windows, Sideview Mirror, Sport Light, Fog Lamps, Locking Gas Cap, Vanity Mirror, White Sidewall Tires, Overdrive, Automatic Transmission, Two-Tone Paint.
1953 Mercury Historical Data:
In April 1953, Power Brakes were offered. In May 1953, Power Steering was offered.
Total production of 1953 Mercury's was 305,863.
Paint Colors & Codes:
Color
Mercury Black
Superior Blue Poly
Mohawk Maroon Poly
Glenwood Gray
Beechwood Brown Poly
Banif Blue
Tahiti Tan
Sherwood Green Poly
Pinehurst Green Gray
Ashville Green
Village Green Poly
Bittersweet
Yosemite Yellow
Siren Red
Promotional Model Cars Produced:
Metal: 4 Door Sedan