| Ford FE V8 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Also called | Ford FT V8 |
| Layout | |
| Configuration | OHV V8 |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ford Y-block V8 |
| Successor | Ford 335-series engine Ford 385-series engine |
The Ford FE engine is a V8 engine produced by the Ford Motor Company and used in vehicles sold in the North American market between 1958 and 1976. The FE, derived from 'Ford-Edsel',[1] was introduced to replace the short-lived (in the USA) Ford Y-block engine, which American cars and trucks were outgrowing. It was designed with room to be significantly expanded, and manufactured both as a top-oiler[clarify] and side-oiler[clarify], and in displacements between 332 cu in (5.4 L) and 428 cu in (7.0 L).
Versions of the FE line designed for use in medium and heavy trucks and school buses from 1964 through 1978 were known as "FT," for 'Ford-Truck,'[2] and differed primarily by having steel (instead of nodular iron) crankshafts, larger crank snouts, smaller ports and valves, different distributor shafts, different water pumps and a greater use of iron for its parts.
The FE block was manufactured by using a thinwall casting technique, where Ford engineers determined the required amount of metal and re-engineered the casting process to allow for consistent dimensional results. A Ford FE from the factory weighed 650 lb (295 kg) with all iron components, while similar seven-liter offerings from GM and Chrysler weighed over 700 lb (318 kg). With an aluminum intake and aluminum water pump the FE could be reduced to under 600 lb (272 kg) for racing.
The engine was produced in 427 and 428 cu in high-performance versions, and famously powered Ford GT40 MkIIs to endurance racing domination in the 24 hours of Le Mans during the mid-1960s.
- ^ David W. Temple (2010). "Full-Size Fords: 1955-1970". Car Tech, Inc. p. 32. ISBN 9781934709085.
- ^ Christ, Steve (1983). How To Rebuild Big Block Ford Engines. HP Books, a division of Price Stern Sloan, Inc., 11150 Olympic Blvd., sixth floor, Los Angeles, CA 90064.