1967 Mercury Cougar OM617 engine - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lietuviai · #31 03-30-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechmagcn

I like it. While no MB purist or even enthusiast will ever see it as a worthwhile project, I like the thought and effort that he went through to make it happen. He could have taken a little more time to make some things neater, like the wiring, but the conversion looks like it was done well. I am in the stage of finally putting my 617 powered 53 F100 on the road, but am reluctant to even mention it or post pics because of the negative attitudes that show in this post. Some people just like to be different, and I guess I fit into that minority.
I don't think the car can live up to the claim of 35 MPGs, but it certainly should get into the high 20s.

It depends if it still has it's stock axle which is either a 2.80 or 3.00. The Cougar does have a 500# advantage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevo

The key part of your statement is the "100K life expectancy", thats true and says it all. the styling was wonderful but a 57 Cheby was usually ready for the crusher at not much over 100K, sad but true.

Most cars of that era had that life expectancy, even carburetted MB's.

lutzTD · #32 03-30-2008, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I'm not sure how old you are, but I remember owning and driving 60s vintage fords. These cars had a life expectancy of about 100K miles as a daily driver. Slam the doors and they sounded like a bucket of loose bolts. The handling, suspension, and braking was "primitive," to be kind. They also had an annoying habit of rusting away right in front of your eyes. How many do you still see on the road as daily drivers?

tired arguements about design intent. put it this way, for the same money as the MB you could have bought 5 cougars and still have 2 in the garage never touched

BTW, I still have a rust free 70 mustang. its a lot to do in how they are maintained also

#33 03-30-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lietuviai

I grew up driving such cars and older ones. I liked them for their simplicity. Sure they were supposed to last for 100K but could be rebuilt cheaply. The doors rattled but it happened if you slammed the doors with the windows open. They handled as well as they needed to for the roads and driving conditions that existed then. They rusted like any other car of the day but I bet took longer to rust away than foreign cars since having more heavier and thicker metal.
Foreign cars were left for those who had deep pockets. They were/are hard to work on and parts were hard to get or expensive.
You can still occasionally see them on the roads as DD's unless they've beome collectible ones. You must admit that there are more collectible American car models than any other cars in the world.
I'm sorry but I have a special warm place in my heart for old (pre '70's) Detroit iron.

That sounds accurate, but I certainly don't miss them. I didn't know anything else existed when I was a kid, no-one owned a foreign car in my little jerk water town. As soon as I got to college and bought my first rusty VW bug, I knew I was done with domestics. Even the worlds crappiest VW was an obvious step up from my '69 ford. I've driven enough rental cars since to know I'm still not missing anything. I suspect there are only more collectable american cars in america, primarily do to the generation before me that actually kept driving them after they could afford not to. By the time I was 25, I don't think I even know anyone who owned a non-euro car (except my parents), back then it was all saabs, bmws, and used porsches because that was all we could afford. A benz was considered an old guy car (when we thought 30 was old).

t walgamuth · #34 03-30-2008, 11:46 PM

IIRC, my 62 190c cost $4,000 new. The mustang introduced in 64.5 cost 2,399 IIRC and was a big deal because it was so cheap.

So I am not sure what you are thinking you could buy five of for the price of a mb in those days....a Vespa maybe, or one of those sears allstate mopeds!

Tom W

lietuviai · #35 03-31-2008, 12:13 AM

I never owned a VW bug and never will. My parents bought a VW bug new in '68. It replaced my mom's '63 Comet. I remember that day. I thought it looked and smelled funny and sounded like a lawn mower. My dad learned how to cuss in German because of the all headaches he had with it. It was however the first car I ever drove. He replaced it with another Ford in '72. He tried another VW in '80, a diesel Caddy. That only lasted a 1-1/2 years. He vowed never to buy another VW.
My first car was a 69-1/2 Maverick. I actually loved that car. I could not kill it. I learned how to work on cars with it. I never needed to take it to a mechanic since it was so easy to maintain. I sold it to a friend of mine who soon after proved he could kill any car.

#36 03-31-2008, 05:21 PM

Some more.

Interior
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oznebPLsvM

SirNik84 · #37 03-31-2008, 05:47 PM

Hey Forced, thanks for posting this!

seems most people here hate this car. that puts a Huge smile on my face... i love it when people have a hate for something different. I can think of three people who would jump at owning that car. and the funny thing is those three people (me included) got a free 1968 cougar a few years back and have been talking of a diesel transplant. the only question left really is. put a 7.3L power stroke in it... for power, or a 617 for economy.

I love old cars. and i love Mechanics of all kinds, especially old mechanics, from the old school push mower i use to cut my grass to the engine of a car. its all interesting. and i love old style. the cougar is a beautiful car and i love the 617. i think they make a nice combination. all in all that is a nice car.

my sister has a 1970 Plymouth Duster she wants to do a diesel transplant to. She is the only female diesel head i know she is in love with her TDI. Honestly would love to see all your faces if some chick driving a diesel powered Duster were to be sitting next to you at a stop light.

I've always wanted an SEC with a power stroke in it. 730SDC always sounded cool to me... and i hope that makes most of you all angry!

pawoSD · #38 03-31-2008, 05:47 PM

Depending on how it drives...it may not be a bad vehicle....however, I'd never want it.

#39 03-31-2008, 05:55 PM

Why would you want a rattlejoke in there for power? Put in a Cummins like somebody did with this 70 MonteCarlo.

mechmagcn · #40 03-31-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Why would you want a rattlejoke in there for power? Put in a Cummins like somebody did with this 70 MonteCarlo.

The only problem that I see there is the weight of the 6BT Cummins. That car probably handles like a POS. Way too much weight sitting on the front end.

SirNik84 · #41 03-31-2008, 06:14 PM

bet that cummins doesn't weigh that much more then the 440 in my charger... HMMM. i have parts car for my charger. i always wanted to install a 440 in my friends 98 Ram 1500. and install an cummins in my parts charger. get on the cover of mopar muscle with the title "Ram Powered Charger, Charger Powered Ram"

mechmagcn · #42 03-31-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirNik84

bet that cummins doesn't weigh that much more then the 440 in my charger... HMMM. i have parts car for my charger. i always wanted to install a 440 in my friends 98 Ram 1500. and install an cummins in my parts charger. get on the cover of mopar muscle with the title "Ram Powered Charger, Charger Powered Ram"

You're a little off in your estimate, the 440 only weighs about 675lbs. The 6BT/5.9 turbo, fully dressed ready to install tips the scales at a little under 1200lbs.