1955 Mercury 292 V8 Engine Specs

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model Designation: Custom V8, Monterey V8, Montclair V8: BV

Wheel base: 119

Valve Location: In head

Bore and Stroke: 3.75 x 3.30

Piston displacement, Cubic Inches: 292

Compression ratio: Custom & Monterey: 7.6; Montclair: 8.5

Maximum Brake Horsepower: Custom & Monterey: 188 @ 4400 RPM; Montclair 198 @ 4400 RPM

Maximum Torque Lbs.Ft. @ RPM: Custom & Monterey: 272 @ 2500 RPM; Montclair 282 @ 2500 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure Pounds: 40

TUNE UP SPECIFICATIONS

Spark Plug Make: Champion 870

Spark Plug Gap, Inch: .032-.036

Firing Order: 15486372 (front to rear: Right bank 1-2-3-4, left bank 5-6-7-8)

Timing Mark: Standard or Overdrive Trans.: 3 degree mark; Merc-O-Matic: 6 degrees on Vib. Damp.

Engine Idle Speed, RPM: Standard trans: 475-500; w/automatic: 425-450 (in drive)

Cylinder Head Torque Lbs.Ft.: 65-75

Compression Pressure & Cranking Speed: 115 Min.

Voltage & Polarity: 6 volts, positive ground

PISTON AND RING SPECIFICATIONS

Fitting Pistons with Scale: Pistons removed from above. Shim thickness: .002; Pounds on a Pull Scale: 5 to 10

Ring End Gap: In tapered bores, fit rings in tightest portion of ring travel
Compression: .010
Oil: .010

Clearance in Groove: Compression: Upper ring: .002-.0035; Lower ring: .0015-.003; Oil: .0015-.003

Wristpin Diameter, Inch: .9120-.9123

VALVE SPECIFICATIONS

Operating Clearance:
Intake: .019 Hot Exhaust: .019 Hot

Valve Seat Angle, degrees: 45

Valve Timing: (BTDC = before top dead center; ATDC = after top dead center)
Intake opens: 12 BTDC
Exhaust Closes: 8 ATDC

Valve Spring Pressure Pounds at Inches Length:
Inner Spring: 54 @ 1.82

Valve Stem Clearance: Intake: .001-.002; Exhaust: .002-.003

ENGINE BEARING SPECIFICATIONS

Connecting Rod Bearings:
    Journal Diameter, Inches: 2.1880-2.1888
    Bearing Clearance, Inch: .0021-.003
    Rod End Play, Inch: .006-.016
    Rod Bolt Tension: Lbs.Ft.: 45-50

Main Bearings:
    Journal Diameter, Inches: 2.4980-2,4988
    Bearing clearance: .002-.005
    Shaft End Play: .002-.006    (Thrust on Center Bearing)
    Main Bolt Tension: Lbs.Ft.: 80-90

CAPACITY DATA

Cooling System:
Without heater: 19 quarts
With heater: 20 quarts

Fuel Tank: 18 gallons

Engine Oil: 5 quarts

Transmission: w/out overdrive: 3-1/2 pints; w/overdrive: 5 pints; Automatic: 10-1/4 quarts

Rear Axle: 3-1/2 pints

LOADAMATIC DISTRIBUTOR SPECIFICATIONS

Distributor part number: FEC-12127A (distributor rotates counter-clockwise)

Cam Angle, degrees: 28

Breaker Point opening, Inch: .014-.016

Condenser Capacity: .21-.25 Mfds.

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17-20 Oz.

Vacuum Advance: (degrees at RPM of distributor)
    At 300 RPM: 1/2 - 1-1/2 Degrees advance; .19 Inches Vacuum
    At 1000 RPM: 8-1/2 - 9-1/2 Degrees advance; .1.36 Inches Vacuum
    At 1400 RPM: 12-1/2 - 13-3/4 Degrees advance; 1.59 Inches Vacuum
    At 2000 RPM: 14-1/4 - 15-1/2 Degrees advance; 1.95 Inches Vacuum

GENERATOR SPECIFICATIONS

Generator Number: B5C-10002A (generator rotates clockwise, 6 volts, Positive Ground)

Generator output: 40 @ 1750 RPM

Brush Spring Tension: 30 oz.

Field Current @ 6 volts: 2.5-2.8

REGULATOR SPECIFICATIONS

Regulator Number: FAD-10505

Cutout Relay:
Voltage to close points: 6.3
Reverse current to open points: 8

Voltage Regulator Setting: 7.4 volts

Current Regulator Setting: 40 amps

STARTING MOTOR SPECIFICATIONS

Part number: FAC-11002G

Bush Spring Tension, Ounces: 48-56

No Load Test: 70 amps, 6 volts @ 3200 RPM

Torque Test: 700 Amps, 3.5 volts, Torque, Lbs.Ft.: 14

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS

Caster, Degrees
Limits: -1-1/2 to 0
Desired: -3/4

Camber, Degrees
Limits: 0 to +3/4
Desired: +3/8

Toe-In, Inches: 3/32 to 5/32

Toe-Out on Turns, Degrees: (If toe-out is incorrect, when other adjustments are correct, look for bent steering arms.)
Outer wheel: 20
Inner Wheel: 24°9'

Kingpin Angle, or Steering Axis Degrees: (If king pin or spindle support angle are incorrect, but camber is correct, look for bent suspension arms or steering knuckle support)
7 @ 3/4 Camber