1961 MERCURY COMET

1961 MERCURY COMET

Model Designations:

Mercury Comet, 6 Cylinder

Mercury Comet, 6 Cylinder, Body Styles:

4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body # 54A

Factory Price: $2,053; Shipping Weight: 2,411 Pounds

Production Total: 85,332

2 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body # 62A

Factory Price: $1,998; Shipping Weight: 2,376 Pounds

Production Total: 71,563

4 Door Station Wagon, 8 Passenger, Body # 71A

Factory Price: $2,353; Shipping Weight: 2,581 Pounds

Production Total: 22,165

2 Door Station Wagon, 6 Passenger, Body # 59A

Factory Price: $2,310; Shipping Weight: 2,548 Pounds

Production Total: 4,199

Mercury Comet S-22, 6 Cylinder, Body Styles:

2 Door Sedan, 5 Passenger, Body # 62C

Factory Price: $2,282; Shipping Weight: 2,432 Pounds

Production Total: 14,004

Chassis:

Wheelbase:

Station Wagon: 109.5"

Other Models: 114"

Tire Sizes:

Passenger Cars: 6.00 X 13"

Station Wagons: 6.50 X 13"

Engine Availability by Model:

I-6 144 Cubic Inches 85 H.P. Standard Engine, all models

I-6 170 Cubic Inches 101 H.P. Optional Engine, all models

General Engine Specifications:

6 Cylinder, 85 H.P. Engine:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve, Inline 6

Bore & Stroke: 3.50" x 2.50"

Engine Displacement: 144 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 8.70:1

Taxable Horsepower: 29.40

Horsepower: 85 @ 4,200 RPM

Torque: 138 Ft. Lbs @ 2,000 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 35-55 PSI

Carburetor: 1 Barrel

6 Cylinder, 101 H.P. Engine:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve, Inline 6

Bore & Stroke: 3.50" x 2.93"

Engine Displacement: 170 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 8.70:1

Taxable Horsepower: 29.40

Horsepower: 101 @ 4,400 RPM

Torque: 156 Ft. Lbs @ 2,400 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 35-55 PSI

Carburetor: 1 Barrel

Tune Up Specifications - All Series:

6 Cylinder Engine, with Standard Transmission:

Spark Plug Type: Champion F14Y, or Equivalent

Spark Plug: Gap .034"

Point Gap: .025"

Distributor Cam Angle: 37-42 Degrees

Firing Order: 1-5-3-6-2-4

Ignition Timing: 4 Degrees BTDC

Engine Idle Speed: 500 RPM

Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 170 PSI (Minimum)

Fuel Pump Pressure: 3-1/2 to 5-1/2 PSI

6 Cylinder Engine, with Automatic Transmission:

Spark Plug Type: Champion F14Y, or Equivalent

Spark Plug: Gap .034"

Point Gap: .025"

Distributor Cam Angle: 37-42 Degrees

Firing Order: 1-5-3-6-2-4

Ignition Timing: 10 Degrees BTDC

Engine Idle Speed: 500 RPM in Drive

Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 170 PSI (Minimum)

Fuel Pump Pressure: 3-1/2 to 5-1/2 PSI

Valve Specifications:

6 Cylinder Engine:

Valve Lash, Hot:

Intake .016";

Exhaust .016"

Valve Angles:

Seat: 45 Degrees

Face: 45 Degrees

Valve Spring Height, Installed: 1-19/32"

Valve Spring Pressure: 117 Lbs @ 1-7/32"

Valve Stem Clearance:

Intake .0008"-.0025"

Exhaust .0018"-.0035"

Valve Stem Diameter:

Intake: .3100"-.3107"

Exhaust: .3090"-.3097"

Piston, Rings, Pins, Crankshaft & Bearing Data:

6 Cylinder Engine:

Piston Clearance: .0007"-.0023"

Ring End Gap:

Compression: .010"

Oil: .015"

Wrist Pin Diameter: .912"

Rod Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.1232"-2.1240"

Bearing Clearance: .0008"-.0023"

Main Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.2482"-2.2490"

Bearing Clearance: .0007"-.0025"

Thrust on Bearing #3

Crankshaft End Play: .004"-.008"

Engine Tightening Specifications:

6 Cylinder Engine:

Spark Plugs: 15-20 Ft. Lbs.

Cylinder Head Bolts: 65-75 Ft. Lbs.

Exhaust Manifold: 13-18 Ft. Lbs.

Rocker Arm Shaft Bracket: 30-35 Ft. Lbs.

Rocker Arm Cover: 3-5 Ft. Lbs.

Connecting Rod Cap Bolts: 19-24 Ft. Lbs.

Main Bearing Cap Bolts: 60-70 Ft. Lbs.

Flywheel to Crankshaft: 75-85 Ft. Lbs.

Vibration Damper or Pulley: 45-55 Ft. Lbs.

Capacities-All Series:

With 6 Cylinder Engine:

Cooling System:

Without Heater: 8-1/2 Quarts

With Heater: 9-1/2 Quarts

With Air Conditioning: 9-1/2 Quarts

Radiator Cap Pressure:

With Air Conditioning: 12-15 PSI

Without Air Conditioning: 12-15 PSI

Thermostat Opening: 180 Degrees

Fuel Tank: 14 Gallons

Engine Oil Refill: 3-1/2 Quarts*

Manual Transmission:

Three Speed: 2-1/2 Pints

Four Speed: 4-1/2 Pints

Automatic Transmission: 6-1/2 Quarts

Rear Axle: 2-1/2Pints

* Add 1 Quart For Oil Filter

Starting Motor Specifications:

6 Cylinder:

Part #C0DF-11001A

Brush Spring Tension: 45 Ounces

No Load Test: 70 Amperes, 12 Volts, @ 9,500 RPM

Torque Test: 670 Amperes, 6.0 Volts, @ 15.5 Ft. Lbs.

Ford Generator Specifications:

Generator: CODF-10000C

Rated Capacity: 25 Amperes

Field Ground Location: Internal

Brush Spring Tension: 34-40 Ounces

Field Current Draw @ 12 Volts: 1.2-1.8 Ampres

Regulator: #CODF-10505A

Cut Out Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 12.8 Volts

Voltage Regulator Setting: 15.0 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 25 Amperes

Generator: CODF-10000D

Rated Capacity: 30 Amperes

Field Ground Location: Internal

Brush Spring Tension: 34-40 Ounces

Field Current Draw @ 12 Volts: 1.2-1.8 Ampres

Regulator: #B7A-10505B

Cut Out Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 12.8 Volts

Voltage Regulator Setting: 15.0 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 30 Amperes

Distributor Specifications:

6 Cylinder Engine, 144 Cubic Inch, with Standard Transmission:

Part #COAF-12127A

Rotation: Clockwise

Breaker Point Gap: .025"

Cam Angle: 37-42 Degrees

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17 to 20 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance: None

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ .33" Vacuum

Full Advance: 14 Degrees @ 5.35" Vacuum

6 Cylinder Engine, 144 Cubic Inch, with Automatic Transmission:

Part #COAF-12127B

Rotation: Clockwise

Breaker Point Gap: .025"

Cam Angle: 37-42 Degrees

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17 to 20 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance: None

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ .65" Vacuum

Full Advance: 7 Degrees @ 3.94" Vacuum

6 Cylinder Engine, 170 Cubic Inch, with Standard Transmission:

Part #CIDF-12127B

Rotation: Clockwise

Breaker Point Gap: .025"

Cam Angle: 37-42 Degrees

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17 to 20 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance: None

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ .43" Vacuum

Full Advance: 12 Degrees @ 3.00" Vacuum

6 Cylinder Engine, 170 Cubic Inch, with Automatic Transmission:

Part #CIDF-12127C

Rotation: Clockwise

Breaker Point Gap: .025"

Cam Angle: 37-42 Degrees

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17 to 20 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance: None

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ .43" Vacuum

Full Advance: 10 Degrees @ 3.00" Vacuum

Rear Axle & Brake Specifications-Passenger Cars, All Series:

Carrier Type: Integral

Differential Bearing Preload:

Method: Threaded adjusters .

Adjustment: 2-1/2 to 3 notches tight

Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash:

Method: Threaded adjusters

Adjustment: .006"-.010"

Pinion Bearing Preload:

Method: Spacer

Adjustment:

New Bearings: 13-17 Inch Lbs.

Used Bearings: 8-12 Inch Lbs.

Brake Drum Diameter: 9"

Wheel Cylinder Bore:

Front: 1-1/16"

Rear: 13/16"

Master Cylinder Bore: 1"

Wheel Alignment Specifications:

All Models:

Caster: + 1/2 Degree

Camber:

Left: + 1/2 Degree

Right: + 1/2 Degree

Toe-In: 1/4" to 5/16"

Toe-Out on Turns:

Outer Wheel: 20 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 20-3/4 Degrees

Holley Carburetor Adjustments, 6 Cylinder:

Model #1908

1 Barrel

Idle Fuel Screw: 1-1/4 Turn

Fast Idle Speed: 1,600 RPM

Throttle Return Dashpot: .135"

Dry Float Level: 11/64"

Wet Float Level: 23/32"

Choke Unloader: 1/4"

Automatic Choke Setting: Index

Pump Stroke:

Summer: Hole A

Winter: Hole B

Popular Options:

Push Button Radio & Antenna; Fresh Air Heater & Defroster; Automatic Transmission; Power Windows; Tinted Glass; Air Conditioning; Heavy Duty Battery; Two Tone Paint; DeLuxe Trim Package; White Wall Tires; Wheel Covers; Back Up Lamps; Electric Tailgate Window for Station Wagons; Padded Dash & Visors; Front Seat Belts, & More.

1961 Mercury Historical Data:

Introduction date of the 1961 Mercury line was September 29, 1960.

Total Mercury Production for the1961 model year was 317,351 including 120,088 Comets.

1961 Mercury Comet Colors &Codes:

A Presidential Black

D Blue Haze

E Saxon Green

H Empress Blue

J Signal Red

K Golden Bronze

M Sultana White

Q Sheffield Gray

R Columbia Blue Haze

S Green Frost

W Regency Turquoise

Promotional Models Available:

Plastic: Comet 2 Door Sedan; Monterrey 2 Door Hardtop; Monterrey Convertible.