Mercury Marauder run

[TimG]

Over the weekend, PaulD pulled out his 427 dual quad Mercury Marauder that he picked up at Barrett Jackson. I had no idea how powerful and fast a car weighing nearly 4,000 pounds could be. We went for a nice long highway ride to look at a friends '70 Z28 and Paul didn't hesitate to wind the big 427 up. In fourth gear at about 4,500 rpm to 6,000 rpm, the car goes crazy. He also did a second gear pull in the same rpm range and the front end feels like it's coming off the ground. The good thing is that it never takes much prodding to get Paul to wind up his cars from time to time. Another member of this site received a new '69 Z28 on Sunday, nice original car with headers and traction bars, the same way it roamed the streets in the 70's. The little 302 thinks it's a big block at 5,000 rpm. The shakedown run was fun, Pat. Thanks.

[Paul D]

Some of you may be familiar with R-Code Fords and Merc's, but I'm just learning. I believe this car had the "high rpm kit" installed when it was rebuilt 4 or 5 years ago. It consists of sodium filled exhaust valves and hollow intake valves along with a generally lightened valve train. This was developed for NASCAR which Ford and Mercury dominated in '63 and '64.

Supposed to be good for 7500 rpm with reported output of 560 to 600 horse. Once it hits 4000 rpms it launches and goes past 6000 with no indication of peaking. I'm going to do a little more research on the specifics of the engine rebuild before it sees 7000 rpms.

It's definitely a fun barge to drive. That engine just doesn't know the car weighs 4000 lbs. Ford didn't allow PS or PB on the R-Code model, but this one has the Monclair trim as well as brake, suspension, rear end, driveshaft and transmission beef ups that all R-Codes had.

Paul

[mockingbird812]

Two words.... Member's + Rides. When is the last time we had a FoMoCo on there! Yo Bruce - you got yr ears on!!!!!!

[Chevy454]

I've seen Brian Stefina's '64 R-code Maruader lay waste to folks in the Pure Stock class for a couple years now...it's no joke, for sure! He's gone 13.0s @ 108+ on the skinnies, and I'm pretty confident the car will go 12s before it's all said and done...I believe his weighs in at something stupid like 4200+ with him at the helm? The engine specs of his R-code 427 and my L72 are strikingly similar, as is our HP numbers in Pure Stock trim.

PaulD: did you get my PM with Stefina's #? I told him again yesterday you may be hollerin' at him...

[Paul D]

Yes I did, Rob. I'm planning to connect up with him sometime this week. I saw a picture of his '58 Merc 400 horse Marauder in a recent Musclecar Review. Very cool and very fast.....I understand Mercury had the highest HP optional engine of any car available in the fifties.
Paul

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]
Two words.... Member's + Rides. When is the last time we had a FoMoCo on there! Yo Bruce - you got yr ears on!!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]


Yep...It definitely needs to be members rides material! I saw it at BJ...so cool!

BTW, congrats go to Paul and his daughter Kristin..she came in SECOND for the Doritos Super Bowl Commercial competition!

[PATRICKJOINER]

paul hope to see the new additions soon, they sound great! tim's been bragging on both cars..

i want to publicly thank ken p. for selling me the DY Z.. a really great driver car that was sold new by Ammon Smith.. has the original POP, motor, tranny & body panels. ken was very honest with his description & did his best to make sure i was happy, which i most certinally am.. this is a great car with "attitude".. thanks again ken!

can post some pics but i need help from the experts here..

[TimG]

Attitude it has, and lots of it.....
I got to take it for a "shake down" run on Sunday and it screams. Traction bars and headers are true 70's vintage.
The car is a wolf. Lots of original components and nice options and colors from the factory.

[KENNY_PASCOE]

THANKS FOR THE KIND WORDS. NOW GO BURN SOME WUBBA !!

[TimG]

As you command.......