I finally got around to tearing down my 312. I bought this last year from a gentleman who told me it came out of his `56 Mercury, had 65000 miles on it, and only removed it because it smoked badly and he had another low mileage running 312 to go in. Wehn i got the heads off today, I verified the smoking, as the pistons were pretty carbon coated, like from burned oil. Rings and valve seals toast. Any way, this 312 is likely that low mileage, as it is standard bore, factory ECZ pistons. The original FoMoCo head gaskets, steel shim type, still in place, the original FoMoCo timing gear, chain and counterweight still in place, original FoMoCo standard main and rod bearings still in place. The only thing I could see that was not original, was the thermostat housing gasket had some old Indian Head looking sealer on it. I think I did alright with the $500 purchase price. The bore has a slight lip, would probably be ok to go back standard with, but I am boring it .030 and getting a set of Mummert's forged flattops and rods for it. This will be the starting point for my F-Code build. My 471 heads will be on the way when I pay Pat for them, but until I get all the parts for the Paxton that I am still missing, I will run it naturally aspirated with a set of modified "G" heads. Once I have everything I need to get the Paxton installed, I will put on the 471's and get it ready to go. Seriously, I am glad this turned out to be a good 312, I had put off tearing it down, afraid of what I'd find. The crank looks like a new one, and for the most part, it is clean inside, so I am happy with it.

James Potter
`57 Fords International



`57 Custom Tudor

`57 Fords International National Director

Pass Christian, MS (near Gulfport/Biloxi)