See other engines in this family
Mercury 385 (1972–1976) specs: 460 ci (7.5L) 8-cylinder, 4.36 x 3.85 in (110.7 x 97.8 mm) bore and stroke. Built 1972–1976. Used in the Mercury Marquis. OHV.
The Mercury 385 (1972–1976) is oversquare — the 4.36" bore exceeds the 3.85" stroke by 13.2% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.85" stroke puts mean piston speed at 4,000 ft/min around 6,250 RPM, which is where a production bottom end is generally considered at its limit. A rod ratio of 1.716 is in the range most production engines fall in. Each of the 8 cylinders displaces 57.5 ci (942 cc).
It is one of 9 engines in the 385 family, the largest at 460 ci. 5 factory variants share these dimensions across 1972–1976.
| Displacement | 460 ci / 7.5 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 4.36" |
| Stroke | 3.85" |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Configuration | V8 |
| Compression ratio | 8–8.5:1 (published figures vary) |
| Rod length | 6.605" |
| Rod ratio | 1.716 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.132 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | cast iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Firing order | 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 |
| Years | 1972–1976 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.132 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,850 ft/min — in the range typical of performance street engines |
| Rod ratio | 1.716 — moderate — the range most production V8s fall in |
| Displacement per cylinder | 57.5 ci |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | — | — |
| 1973 | — | — |
| 1974 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1976 | — | — |
3 factory vehicles, 1972–1976. Each year opens that model's engine table.