What Exactly is an FE Engine

[George Snyder]

Please excuse my lack of knowledge, but curiousity is killing me.

What exactly is it in layman's terms? How are they different from other ford Engines?
Thanks,
Bud

[Rick Parker]

Frigin' Expensive!

[frankym]

Heard it said the following ways:
1. Ford Edsil
2. Farm Engine

probably a lot of other explanations also,
while we're at it MG stands for Morris Garage, but there are probably so other good ones.

[wizard]

I had the same question about a year ago. A young kid I know who is studying to be a car designer and wants to work for Ford when he graduates, told me FE stands for Ford Edsel which was a designation for a class of motor relating to its design, Big Block if I recall right. However, I don't recall the other details.

Perhaps some of our gearheads can explain the subtle differences.

[SCOBRAC]

Ford Edsel, circa 1960's mostly 1959-68. Although the 390 lived on in the F series pickups well into the late 70's. Ford's "big block" of the day 331-428 cubic inches. Rumored to also be knicknamed after iron, FE on the periodic table of elements. Although with complete units topping 30k one would have to agree F@#$%^ Expensive is a good definition.

Regards,

[Monster]

The FE (as has been identified as Ford-Edsel) started out in 1958 as the 352 evolving to the 360, 390, 406 & 410. The 427 was introduced in March 1963 and the 390GT & 428 CJ (Cobra Jet) were introduced in April 1968. Big Iron........at 650lb the stock engines with cast iron intake and exhaust were a bit on the heavy side. The 428 Police Interceptor trimmed 55lbs by changing to an aluminum intake.

mike "monster"

[Gordon Claunch]

Go to any large port and you will sometimes see them hanging from the side of ships on large chains

[Mark IV]

...they came in 332-352-383-390-406-410-427-428 for cars, 352-390 for light truck and 361-391-427 for medium truck as well as several marine and industrial versions. In fact more 427s were built for industrial uses than for cars! Lots of generator, pumps and compressors are 427 powered. Some versions are useable in a car, some require modification and of course there are "reverse rotation" marine versions. Start stalking construction companies with older equipment....

The truck 361-391 versions have forged steel cranks but feature a larger diameter front extension and thus require much machining to use with a normal damper.


Yes, they are a big lump 'o iron and are expensive to build....thats why everybody know a small block is better!

Rick

[bmercer]

Yes, they are a big lump o'iron!
Yes, they are expensive to build!
Yes, they were the engines that were put into the original 427 Cobras.

Therefore, when you lift the hood of a real or otherwise "Cobra" and see a mighty FE, you know at least the motor is the "real deal".

The FE was also the NASCAR engine in the 60's.

[mrmustang]

Hey Mike,

Actually, the 390GT was available in July 1966, for the 1967 Model year Mustang............The first 428CJ were available December 30th, 1967 (50 1968 Mustang "R" Code fastbacks were built on that scheduled build date)............


Yours In Clarifying Fords,

Bill S.

[Monster]

Thanks Bill. I pulled the information from the "Engine Shop" web site however, I will defer to your wisdom of Ford engines on the 390GT bit of FE history................hell, you were probably there

Mike "monster"

[Traveller]

1966 was the year of the 'FE'.

That year, it won.....

The NASCAR Championship

The NHRA Championship

And, it placed 1-2-3 in that year's LaMans.

It was also the first full year of production for our venerable 427 Cobra.

Not too shabby for a 'boat anhcor'.

[chopper]

George:

Don't take too much of what the little-motor guys say seriously.

They're mostly just suffering from a case of FE-nis envy.

[mrmustang]

Hey Mike,

I'm only turning the big 40 this summer...Cut me a break............


Bill S.

Originally posted by Monster


Thanks Bill. I pulled the information from the "Engine Shop" web site however, I will defer to your wisdom of Ford engines on the 390GT bit of FE history................hell, you were probably there

Mike "monster"

[cobrashoch]

As a post mortum. Ford FE's were really a medium sized block, not a big block as commonly discussed here on this site. When they came out they were in comp. with other medium sized blocks. I.E.- Chrysler 383's(later the 400's) and 348 Chevys.(Later the 409's) FE blocks themselves have weight characteristics more in common with iron smallblock Chevys, and the Shelby FE block is light,light,light. About 100lbs I've been told.
Another thing unique to FE's is their firing order. A subject for another thread. That firing order is what saved Fords racing ass's through the 60's on a otherwise obsolete engine design even by 60's standards. I know, I was there. Signed-your real oldtimer,,,,,
cobrashock

[Monster]

Bill,

So you we're 4 1/2....................a very impressionable age

Mike "monster"

[ac289cobra]

There is a lot you can do with and to a 390 FE and very reasonable. There are still a lot of them available cheap and not expensive to build. I just did one for my Galaxie!

[KobraKarl]

Ron,

beleive it or not the firing order of the FE has been a puzzler for me , do I need to start another thread to get you to tell me why and how this order was created?

[Traveller]

The firing order is not strange, it's how they numbered the cylinders that's unusual.

[John 550]

The ford preformance , big block books say FE stands for Ford engine , nothing more .