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THE 1948 MERCURY TRUCK LINE Published March 1948. Thanks to Mr. Greg Sundby of Brights Grove, ON. Canada for sending me this article. The new Mercury trucks, introduced by the Mercury and Lincoln division of Ford Motor Corp. of Canada, incorporate many postwar advancements in styling and design, with special emphasis on the achievement of passenger car comfort for the operator. This emphasis on comfort and ease of operation centres in a newly designed cab of greater over-all dimensions than in previous models, attached to the chassis by a special, level action suspension which insulates it against noise, vibration and frame weave. Added measures of insulation and weatherproofing further this end.
The doors of the cab have been made wider and are set further forward for easier entry and exit. Foot room, elbowroom and headroom have been substantially enlarged. There is a full, three-man width, coach type seat which, in addition to the usual two-way adjustment, rises as it is moved forward, to accommodate the driver of shorter stature. The seat back is independently adjustable. The front bumper of heavy channel steel has an additional function in the new models. Bolted directly to the frame, it serves as an added cross beam providing greater rigidity while attaining greater impact strength.
SAFETY FEATURES Greater glass area is also a feature. The windshield is in one piece, eliminating the centre post blind spot, and it is two inches higher so that tall drivers may see forward without stooping. Angle and height of the windshield has been gauged to reduce eye fatigue from glare and reflection in night time driving. Corner pillars of the new cab are stronger yet more slender and are six inches further apart, thus contributing to greater visibility. A three-way air control system, incorporating adjustable window ventilator panes and an extra-width cowl ventilator, provides maximum cab ventilation. Consideration for the driver is also indicated by the positioning of the full 18-inch steering wheel with the three spokes so placed as to give maximum instrument visibility, and in the adoption of a passenger car, treadle-type accelerator pedal. A sturdy tool box is standard equipment atop the gas tank which has been placed behind the seat instead of under it. There is ample room for jack and flares at either end of the tank. The suspension of the cab consists of rubber pads and rubber-insulated bolts at each front corner, and level action links in torsion-type rubber bearings at the rear corners.
ENGINES Two improved V-8 engines are being manufactured for the new Mercury trucks. One, known as the “180” is for high-speed service on light and medium trucking operations, developing 180 pounds foot torque at 1,850 rpm. The other, the Mercury “188,” is especially designed for heavy duty hauling and develops 188 pounds foot torque at 1,400 rpm. Both engines have a 3.1875-inch bore and a 3.75-inch stroke. However, the 188 model has a special camshaft providing a higher torque at lower rpm. A replaceable cartridge filter is standard along with a heavy duty oil-bath air cleaner. The crank case capacity is 10½ Imp. Pints, while the oil pan features a large cleanout plate. The oil pump is of the gear type. The four-ring aluminum alloy pistons are tin plated. Cylinder heads are aluminum and have a 7.2 to 1 compression ratio. Rated according to their gross vehicle weights, the 1948 Mercury truck line ranges from the lighter M-47 (4,700 pounds gross vehicle weight) to the M-155 (15,500 pounds GVW) on wheelbases running from 114 in., in the case of the M-47, to 176 in. on the M-135 and M-155. In the M-155 series, there is also a 194-inch wb school bus chassis. All series feature the new wide rims with five degree tapered head seats for better tire performance. All are equipped with the new demountable brake drums. These drums are of composite design, a cast iron ring fused to steel back, for greater durability. The drums are easily detached from the hubs by removal of the retaining screws from the hub. This feature permits quick and inexpensive brake servicing. A brake inspection hole is provided in the demountable drums on the series M-105, M-l35 and M-155, permitting feeler gauge checking of brake shoe clearance. The I-beam front axle of the M-47 has been designed for fore and aft type steering and the attachment of new direct, double-acting shock absorbers. The rear axle on the M-47 features semi floating, integral type housing, hypoid drive. The differential pinion and side gears are backed up with special lubricized steel thrust washers which eliminate the possibility of seized or damaged gears. Servicing is facilitated by the larger rear inspection plate in the axle housing which fully exposes the differential assembly for inspection and maintenance. The axle shafts are easily removed through the outer end of the housings. The pinion and differential assembly are adjusted by the use of shims while a breather in the housing prevents air pressure from building up, causing grease to leak onto the brakes All other series of the Mercury truck have full-floating rear axles. A two-speed, quadrax axle will be standard equipment on the heavy duty M-155. On the M-105, M-l35 and M-155 series, both the front and rear axles have been increased in width, the wider front axle permitting shorter turns and greater vehicle stability, while the wide track rear axle increases frame to tire clearance. The series M-47 and M-68 trucks are equipped with direct, double-acting telescopic completely sealed, shock absorbers with rubber insulated attachments. In the case of M-47, shock absorbers are mounted on the rear as well as the front. |
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