What are the Ford big blocks?

Ford Big Blocks
Ford big blocks refer to a series of large-displacement V8 engines produced by Ford Motor Company. These engines were used in a variety of vehicles, including full-size passenger cars, motor homes, factory muscle cars, trucks, race cars, police cruisers, generators, and boats. The Ford 385 series, which includes the 429 and 460 cubic inch V8 engines, is particularly notable in the context of big block engines. Here are some key points about Ford big blocks:
1. Displacement and Design:
– The Ford 460, part of the 385 series, has a 10.300-inch deck height and 4.900-inch bore spacing, providing ample space for big-bore stroker kits.
– The 460 V8 has a 4.360-inch stock bore, which is larger than some Chrysler 440 blocks can handle with an overbore.
– The 460 V8 has 10 head bolts, which is fewer than some other big block engines, but this design has its advantages.
– The 429 and 460 cubic inch V8 engines are part of the 385 series of engines that hit the scene in the late 1960s.
2. Applications:
– Ford big block motors have been used in sedans, trucks, race cars, police cruisers, generators, and boats.
– The Ford 460 V8, part of the 385 series, is considered one of Ford’s best-kept secrets, offering a lot to project builders seeking something different.
3. Historical Significance:
– Ford big-block crate engines are considered a relic of the 20th century and are celebrated for their role in hot rodding, being used in various vehicles including muscle cars and trucks.
– The Ford 385 engine family, which includes the 429 and 460 cubic inch V8 engines, was the Ford Motor Company’s final big block V8 engine design, replacing the Ford MEL engine and gradually superseding the Ford FE engine family.
4. Specific Models:
– The Ford 427, although not a part of the 385 series, is one of Ford’s most famous big block engines, known for its racing success and impact on the muscle car scene of the 1960s.
– The MEL V8 engines, including the 410, 430, and 462 cubic inch variants, were used in various Ford vehicles from the late 1950s to the late 1960s.
These points provide an overview of the Ford big blocks, their design, historical significance, and specific models within the series.

Is Ford 427 a big block?

Despite this, the massive racing success of the 427, the technical acumen of the Cammer, and the FE engine’s presence powering the GT40, the Cobra, and the Thunderbolt have guaranteed its place in American big block engine history.

What was Ford’s best big block?

Ford’s most popular, longest-lasting big block V8 engine lived an incredibly varied life. The 460 cubic inch eight-cylinder motor debuted all the way back in 1968 but found itself powering cars, trucks, and commercial equipment all the way to the end of the 1990s during its three decade run.

Is a 7.5 Ford engine a 460?

The 460, now marketed in metric as 7.5 L, continued mostly unchanged until 1994 when some minor ECU and compression ratio changes brought another 10 hp and 15 lb·ft, raising output to 245 hp (183 kW) at 4100 rpm and 410 lb⋅ft (556 N⋅m) at 2200 rpm for the last three years of production.

When did Ford stop using the 460 engine?

Ford 460 V8 Through the Years
The engine would stay a staple of the Thunderbird until 1976. It also saw its final year in the Mercury Cougar in 1976, though other Mercury vehicles continued to use the 460 until 1978. That, however, marks the end of the use of the 460 in standard passenger vehicles.

What Ford engines are considered a big block?

Ford made several engines that could be called a “big block.” the 427 and 428 being the most notorious. Ford also produced the 429 and 460, which were called “big blocks” too.

Is a Ford FE 360 a big block?

The FE 360 Big-Block under the hood has never functioned well. It’s a heavy engine, topped off by a bulky, cast-iron intake manifold.

Is the Ford 6.2 L big block?

In the 6.2, that translates into a 4.02-inch bore. We’ve come to think of the 6.2-liter as a big-block modular. Of course, the only modular architecture making it through to the 6.2 is the bellhousing bolt pattern.

Is a Ford 460 a big block?

Introducing The Ford 460 Big Block Engine
The Ford 460 first came out in the 1968 Lincoln Continental and was added to Mercury vehicles in 1972, and the Ford full-size cars along with trucks starting in 1973, making 365 hp and 485 lb. -ft.

Did Ford make a 427 cubic inch engine?

In 1966, the 427 cubic inch Ford GT40 Mk II dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, with a one-two-three result.

Is a Ford 427 a big block?

Despite this, the massive racing success of the 427, the technical acumen of the Cammer, and the FE engine’s presence powering the GT40, the Cobra, and the Thunderbolt have guaranteed its place in American big block engine history.