The future wife wants a 55 for her self so I am thinking about a 55 2 door sedan done up as a early 60s hotrod with a early FE and 4 speed,I have heard about the 1960 police interceptor 352 that had over 300 HP that I would like to duplicate for this project if it would ever happen. I would like to build one for my sunliner but too far along in getting all the parts to put a Y block back in to change directions so if I build her a 55 I will go in that direction, So what I need to know is did all the pre 61 FEs come with solid lifters or did certain models get those motors.

Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

I cant speak about the 352s but the 58 Edsel used a 361 engine.This was also an FE series same style as the 352s.

The Edsel 361 used hydraulic lifters and was 303 H.P. The heads are still desirable since the combustion chambers were machined.

I understand that the first year F.E.s had some unusual oiling system componets.

Not problomatic just goofy since it was the first year for these engines.Perhaps someone else knows of these issues.

Oldmics

Well, I've been chastised before for going off topic. And I'm far from an expert on FE's. If (big if) I were to do that, I'd be looking at the '61 dealer option of the 401hp 390 tri power, the 406 tri power (if memory serves correct, base was the T-85 with the R-11, BW T-10 optional), or a 427. Oh, and power steering, unless your wife is a lot stronger than mine, or for that matter, me.



These Fords were good motors, suffering from more weight in the base cars, so my memories from the drag scene aren't as good as those from longer tracks. They'd run hard in an earlier, lighter car. How about finding her a 58-60 T bird, a good auto, and letting her blow you off in comfort. Like mine does in brand x.



I'm sure some others will have other opinions that are more informed, but my first car was a 352FE, and I wish I'd known what to do then. 40+ years ago


miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

While many of the early ’58 FE engines did come with solid lifters, putting solids in any of the later model FE’s is easily done.  The ’58 thru ’62 FE engines relies solely did on a spring against the timing cover to keep the camshaft in place in lieu of a thrust plate that was eventually used starting in 1963.  That early cam retention setup requires a camshaft specific for that which are getting difficult to get from the cam manufacturers.  If you do end up using a early block, drilling and tapping the holes for the later model cam thurst plate is doable in a backyard garage which allows the use of 1963 and newer camshafts.  Building a ‘true’ 360HP 352 also requires a set of butterfly combustion chamber heads which are also getting difficult to obtain for reasonable money.  The cylinder heads being used will dictate the level of performance you ultimately achieve.  Many of the 1961 thru 1964 390 heads will make as much if not more power than the 1960-1961 hi-po heads and still keep the final compression ratio manageable.  Lots of intakes to choose from but factory three deuce setups on those cars are definitely period correct.

 

Because the later model FE’s are still reasonably plentiful as they were used in pickups thru 1976, I’d suggest building a 390 based engine and simply dressing it out like an older engine.  If you can find a 428 worth the money, by all means use it.  With the right valve covers, any late model FE will look just like any early 352.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

TED, i couldnt add another thing to your advice, took the words from me !, going more common 390 is more practicle than trying to recreate something that parts are scarce and expensive, keep in mind pre 65 blocks have 2 hole mount bosses and the y block engine mount can be used. As a young guy and trying everything in the day, i had 390, put early 6 cyl falcon solid lifters, zephyr long pushrods and bored out 272 rocker arms to achieve solid lifter engine, balanced and nitrided crank, dual point dissy plus other little mods which i cant accuratley remember now. Coupled with tripower, 4 speed top loader in my 56 customline, spun out to 7000.rpm. Reason it was made up of odd parts is that we had nothing over here then , eventually i found at swap meet a set of Isky adjustable rockers and and aluminum flywheel. They might be big and heavy but you can do so much with them. look forward to results.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

Don't be afraid of a 428 if you find one. They make torque, OMG do they make torque!!

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

I will most likely go with a 65 or 66 car 352 for this project if it ever happens as I like the way they rev,the 352 I took out of my 65 custom 500 would rev much quicker then the 390 I had in my 65 country squire,I better start looking for the early FE valve covers now as a local junkyard has a few and by the time I get around to finding a 55 for the future wife it might be gone.

Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

If you're interested in going the 428 direction I have a 428 irrigation engine in excellent condition with only 874 hours on it for $700.  I'm in SE Wis.  Dave

SE Wis

jyj: If you can find a copy, Muscle Car Review, of Spring 2005 had a complete review on F.E. engines by Jim Smart. I think the same info may have been printed elsewhere also, but not sure?..

Paul