What does FE stand for?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Friggin' Expensive, Ford's Elite,.... Ford-Edsel
The FE series is not designed for horsepower... FEs are designed for torque. Note the fully skirted block.. meaning, the centerline of the crank is above the oil pan rail. Compare that with the Windsors or 351M/400-460 block design. Uh-huh.
The FE series is not designed for horsepower... FEs are designed for torque. Note the fully skirted block.. meaning, the centerline of the crank is above the oil pan rail. Compare that with the Windsors or 351M/400-460 block design. Uh-huh.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: DAHLONEGA, GA
My second choice was Fuel Efficient. This old worn out 360 can get me up to 4.2 mpg now after the tune up. However I think Mr. Silver's insight on the Centerline Oil Pain Rail thingy might be the real answer.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,186
Likes: 18
From: St. Charles, Missouri.
FE does indeed stand for Ford Edsel.
The FE was first introduced in 1958 for the Edsel as a 332ci.
The FE was first available in Ford trucks as a 352ci in 1965. And as we all know the last year for FE's is 1976.
(Also the first year for Twin I-Beam)
Also, on a side note, you know Ranger is a trim package on our trucks, the name comes from, you guessed it, the Ranger.
The Ranger Trim Package was first available in trucks in '64/65 it included bucket seats and a center console.
But enough about that.
In my opinion, FE's and the 300ci Inline 6 are two of the best engines Ford ever built. They are very reliable, and produce great power. I have never had big issues with either of mine.
The FE was first introduced in 1958 for the Edsel as a 332ci.
The FE was first available in Ford trucks as a 352ci in 1965. And as we all know the last year for FE's is 1976.
(Also the first year for Twin I-Beam)
Also, on a side note, you know Ranger is a trim package on our trucks, the name comes from, you guessed it, the Ranger.
The Ranger Trim Package was first available in trucks in '64/65 it included bucket seats and a center console.
But enough about that.
In my opinion, FE's and the 300ci Inline 6 are two of the best engines Ford ever built. They are very reliable, and produce great power. I have never had big issues with either of mine.
Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,321
Likes: 13
From: Cave Spring Georgia
I agree with NOT fuel efficient and Friggin' Expensive. I think I use 5 gallons opening and closing the drivers door.
All the stuff I plan on doing is going to be alot of money. But thet do not build them like this anymore. 33 years and still rolling, my great great grand kids will be driving this thing.
Might have to make a mini 79 truck out of a smart car one day...
So if I have a 351M, what is it? just a 351M?
All the stuff I plan on doing is going to be alot of money. But thet do not build them like this anymore. 33 years and still rolling, my great great grand kids will be driving this thing.
Might have to make a mini 79 truck out of a smart car one day...
So if I have a 351M, what is it? just a 351M?
Trending Topics
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2012
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I wish I got five miles to the gallon. I drove twenty miles and used half of a 20 gallon tank. 
Thank you of powerful 460 Big Block 
Thank you of powerful 460 Big Block
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,051
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From: Douglas, Georgia
chief, swing on by, I'll show ya thing or two about FE's.
Yeah yeah, I get 7mpg. Really tho they *are* built for horsepower. (ever heard of a gt40 or an AC cobra?) Sadly most people here have only ever seen them in truck form (ie crap compression, and whatnot). With a little work they are very reliable in the 400hp range, much moreso than the windsors and modifieds.
I'll say this about a 390 vs a 302. Sure for about the same money you could get 400hp, but if you've ever driven a 400hp 390 and a 400hp 302 in traffic there is NO comparison. a 390 in that range idles at 600 and has power right off the line. A comparable 302 idles at 1000 and has to rev to start moving a heavy load.
Onto the 460's and that series, sure they can make better power cheaper, but they are freakin huge, and they just don't look right in anything pre-76 if ya ask me. The fe's have a sound that scream 60's muscle.
Yeah yeah, I get 7mpg. Really tho they *are* built for horsepower. (ever heard of a gt40 or an AC cobra?) Sadly most people here have only ever seen them in truck form (ie crap compression, and whatnot). With a little work they are very reliable in the 400hp range, much moreso than the windsors and modifieds.
I'll say this about a 390 vs a 302. Sure for about the same money you could get 400hp, but if you've ever driven a 400hp 390 and a 400hp 302 in traffic there is NO comparison. a 390 in that range idles at 600 and has power right off the line. A comparable 302 idles at 1000 and has to rev to start moving a heavy load.
Onto the 460's and that series, sure they can make better power cheaper, but they are freakin huge, and they just don't look right in anything pre-76 if ya ask me. The fe's have a sound that scream 60's muscle.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 31
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Honestly if I could, I would find another 460 and try to drop it in a shell of a 69 Mustang. Connect it to a four speed manual tranny and tear up and down the streets all day. Later on I would add on a rocker hood or even possibly blow it. Mmmmm American Muscle and burnouts
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
From the FAQ sticky from the FE forum here:
"What does FE stand for?
A: This is a highly debated topic but ford was called and they said it means "Ford Edsel". There are many gurus out there that claim it means "Fairlane Engine" or "Ford Engine"."
"What does FE stand for?
A: This is a highly debated topic but ford was called and they said it means "Ford Edsel". There are many gurus out there that claim it means "Fairlane Engine" or "Ford Engine"."
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
351M the "M" is for modified somehow it was derived from the 351 Cleveland, I have heard that they put a 400 crank in a 351 Cleveland for some reason thus the need for anouther designation "351M"
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,104
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From: Virginia Beach, VA
Don't think that is correct. It is a totally new engine using some of the parts from a 351c.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
chief, swing on by, I'll show ya thing or two about FE's.
Really tho they *are* built for horsepower. (ever heard of a gt40 or an AC cobra?) Sadly most people here have only ever seen them in truck form (ie crap compression, and whatnot). With a little work they are very reliable in the 400hp range, much moreso than the windsors and modifieds.
I'll say this about a 390 vs a 302. Sure for about the same money you could get 400hp, but if you've ever driven a 400hp 390 and a 400hp 302 in traffic there is NO comparison. a 390 in that range idles at 600 and has power right off the line. A comparable 302 idles at 1000 and has to rev to start moving a heavy load.
Really tho they *are* built for horsepower. (ever heard of a gt40 or an AC cobra?) Sadly most people here have only ever seen them in truck form (ie crap compression, and whatnot). With a little work they are very reliable in the 400hp range, much moreso than the windsors and modifieds.
I'll say this about a 390 vs a 302. Sure for about the same money you could get 400hp, but if you've ever driven a 400hp 390 and a 400hp 302 in traffic there is NO comparison. a 390 in that range idles at 600 and has power right off the line. A comparable 302 idles at 1000 and has to rev to start moving a heavy load.
There's a saying out there about typical FEs is that in the power range they run with "Four quarts in the engine and one quart in the pan". Hence the tip to install #70 Holley carb jets under the rocker stands to keep the mains fed.
Power right off the line? That's torque at work. Your Windsor comparo above needs to rev so that the HP equivocates a high torque rating.
Windsors, MELs, FEs.....It's all good....
