COMPARISON · THE SHOWDOWN
OPEN LABOR PROJECT
VEHICLE A
1964–1967
Mercury
Caliente
6.4L V8
VS
VEHICLE B
1964–1967
Mercury
Caliente
4.3L V8
Real labor data. Real maintenance costs. Real recall counts. No subscription, no paywall — free for every wrench-turner.
01
Specifications
Year
1964–1967
1964–1967
Engine
6.4L V8
4.3L V8
Drivetrain
RWD
RWD
Transmission
—
—
Fuel
gas
gas
04
Cost of Ownership
★ WINNER
5-Year Maintenance
$7,355
0.12 $/mi
5-Year Maintenance
$7,355
0.12 $/mi
Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.
05
Maintenance Breakdown
Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.
Oil & filter change
0.5 hrs$1,380 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$1,380 / 5yr
Tire rotation
0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr
Front brake pads
1.4 hrs$580 / 5yr
1.4 hrs$580 / 5yr
Rear brake pads
1.4 hrs$560 / 5yr
1.4 hrs$560 / 5yr
Differential fluid
1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr
1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr
Brake fluid flush
1.0 hrs$330 / 5yr
1.0 hrs$330 / 5yr
Wiper blades
0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr
0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr
12V battery
0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr
Fuel filter
0.6 hrs$240 / 5yr
0.6 hrs$240 / 5yr
Spark plugs
1.0 hrs$230 / 5yr
1.0 hrs$230 / 5yr
Coolant flush
1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr
1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr
Water pump
3.0 hrs$200 / 5yr
3.0 hrs$200 / 5yr
Intake manifold gasket
3.6 hrs$189 / 5yr
3.6 hrs$189 / 5yr
Engine air filter
0.4 hrs$180 / 5yr
0.4 hrs$180 / 5yr
Oil pan gasket
4.2 hrs$170 / 5yr
4.2 hrs$170 / 5yr
Alternator
1.8 hrs$143 / 5yr
1.8 hrs$143 / 5yr
Serpentine belt
0.7 hrs$140 / 5yr
0.7 hrs$140 / 5yr
Valve cover gasket
1.8 hrs$132 / 5yr
1.8 hrs$132 / 5yr
Power steering flush
0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr
0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr
PCV valve
0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr
Starter motor
1.8 hrs$94 / 5yr
1.8 hrs$94 / 5yr
Thermostat
1.0 hrs$67 / 5yr
1.0 hrs$67 / 5yr
06
Active Recalls
Open NHTSA Recalls
0
CLEAR
Open NHTSA Recalls
0
CLEAR
✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.
07
Fluid Capacities
Mercury Caliente
ac_refrigerant · R-12
brake0.75 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3
coolant18.00 qt · ASTM D3306
engine_oil5.00 qt · API SN (modern equivalent)
power_steering2.00 qt · Ford Type F
rear_diff3.50 qt · GL-5
transmission_auto12.00 qt · Ford Type F
transmission_manual3.50 qt · GL-4
washer1.50 qt · windshield washer fluid
Mercury Caliente
ac_refrigerant · R-12
brake0.75 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3
coolant16.00 qt · ASTM D3306
engine_oil5.00 qt · API SN (modern equivalent)
power_steering2.00 qt · Ford Type F
rear_diff3.50 qt · GL-5
transmission_auto11.00 qt · Ford Type F
transmission_manual3.50 qt · GL-4
washer1.50 qt · windshield washer fluid
08
The Verdict
TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Across cost of ownership and recall count, neither vehicle pulls decisively ahead. Pick on personal preference — drivetrain, transmission feel, brand loyalty, or the engine that puts a smile on your face.
Open the full dashboard for either truck
Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.