What does FE stand for?

[Ron61]

Jamo,

Isn't that new Corvette of yours going to have a small block in it?

Ron

Mike,

Since you don't agree with Ford engine, how about Frigging Expensive, Fantastistic Engineering, Frantic Experiment, or Future Explosion.

Ron

[speed220mph]

Mike H: You're right, it was the Fairlane V8. Jamo really cares. By the way, anyone know what Ford engine was the 335 Series?

[Bob In Ct]

You guys are killing me, Fairlane Engine, please.

It's "Ford Edsel" and I believe "90 degree V" was the small block.
The 335 was the 351 Cleveland I think.

Bob

[Ron61]

Bob,

Good guess on the 335 series. According to the Ford Performance Chronology of Ford Engines, the 335 series was the 351C in 1971,72, & 73. It then became the 400 in 74, and was the 351M and 400 in 75 up. The 90 degree V family was the 221,260,289,302,Boss 302, and 351 Windsor engines.

Quote from book. " The oldest of the modern Ford engines and the most varied is the big block, or the FE family, which began production back in 1958 with two sizes, 332 and 352 cubic inches."

I had a 58 Ford with the 332 PI and it was a great engine.

I think the original Edsel Engine should have been designated EF. EF = Entire Flop.

Ron

[LwCwb]

Ron, why must you hate big blocks?

[SFfiredog]

Actually the Y block came out before the Cheverolet V-8.

The small block Ford was named the Challenger V-8 in 1962 when it was first introduced at 221ci.

Later, Ford engines were named after the plants they were manufactured in hense
Windsor - 351 and eventually the 302
Cleveland (actually the 335 series)- 351 351M (for modified) 400
Lima (385 series)- 370, 429, 460
Kent 1.6 liter
etc.

More trivia what was the real first year for the small block chevy?
ps it's not what you think!

Originally posted by speed220mph


Good try, Mike. The Y block was Ford's answer to the SB Chevy. Not too good of an answer, I might say, even though it did have some successes. The Y block got its name from the deep-skirt design, much like the FE's, whose pan rails extend below the crank center. The small block's pan rails are essentially even with the crank main centers.

Again, what was the original name of the small block?

[Ron61]

Mike,

I don't hate Big Blocks. Every car I have ever had except my 65 Comet and the replica have had big blocks and my 69 T. Cobra has a gas eater in it that would make Ernies look like an econmy engine. But I do like the small block and the stroker will run circles around my Big Block on a road track.

I stand by me FE statements that it stands for Frigging Expensive. If I had the money that thing has cost me I could buy half of Texas and retire there after we left the Unites States and became our own country.

Ron

[LwCwb]

Yeah, they are pretty expensive boat anchors, espically the aluminum ones

[Excaliber]

I would think the 1955 Vette had the first Chev small block, 265 cid. I was not aware that Ford had it's Y block any sooner than 1955 either. I guess were talking "months" or even "weeks" here as to who was first?

And,,,, first year offered in a production car (1955) or first year ran in an experimental (research) car?

272-292-312 Y blocks, what a disaster of an engine!

[speed220mph]

Excaliber: The Y-block Ford was first used in 1954. But being first sure didn't make the Y block better than the SB Chevy.

Even the worst engines have had their successes, though. We used a 292 with a log manifold and four Stromberg 97s in a super modified on dirt in 1958. It was better than the 312 because the 292 used a forged crank.

Everyone was switching over from flatheads, so everything from Jimmys to hemis were being run. We were season champs because the guys running hi-revving SB Chevies hadn't figured out how to keep them together. They were faster, but couldn't finished races. We finished most of our races up front, consequently got the most points.

Then there was the '57 blown Ford Y-block that blew by the injected '57 Chevy at Pikes Peak. Even a SB Chevy can't make power without air.

Those were the few successes of the Y block over the SB Chevies. But there is one place the Y-block always exceeds . . . it makes a great boat anchor. Thank heavens Ford saw the light and introduced the SB Ford. But in the heavy-iron department, the FE 390s, 427s, 428 CJs and SCJs held (hold) their own.

[BILT4ord TUF]

In 1958 ford came along with a car called the Edsel. Two series used the Ford chassis while the other two used Mercury. The FE (332 c.i.) was developed at that time for use by Fords and Edsels. So therefore they called it the FE - Ford Edsel engine series! Hope this helps. Not sure why they never had an ME engine? David

[SFfiredog]

[quote]Originally posted by BILT4ord TUF


[ Not sure why they never had an ME engine?

They did. The MEL for Mercury/Edsel/Lincoln 430ci

--Mike