Ford 255ci V8
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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I remember them. IIRC they had nylon timing gears. Generally underpowered for thier application. No performance part available for them. And the most telling thing, Ford dropped them in favor of the 302 after a very short run.
Probably ok if low miles/ well maintained for a grocery getter. Dump it if you want performance.
Probably ok if low miles/ well maintained for a grocery getter. Dump it if you want performance.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Wichita, KS
I don't think a 4-barrel would help it anyway. Not enough engine to start with. It was tuned for economy and emissions. The only reason it moved at all was because the car was much smaller and lighter.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
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From: The hills of No. Calif.
I was talking with the guy at the Post Office the other day, he said he had a Falcon that he'd put a 255 into (I didn't ask why he'd bothered.) He said he'd put 302 heads on it, which really woke it up. Okaaaayy....what occurs to me is that 302s are much more plentiful than 255s anyway. He must have just happened on to one for a good price. I've never messed with one personally. Years ago I knew a guy who had put a 221 into a Jeep. First one of those I ever saw, I think they are even more rare than the 255. -TD
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A 255 is in the same family as the 221/260/289/302/351. The only difference between it and the 302 is that the 302 has a 4" bore, and the 255 has a 3.68" bore. So the heads and intake will swap between the two, but why you'd bother with such a swap is beyond me. The only 255 I can recall seeing was in a 1980 Mustang that someone had restored and preserved the original motor just so it would be concours correct. I imagine anyone else with half a brain probably pulled those 130 hp turds out along time ago.
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Didn't they get the idea of a 255ci V8 from Chevrolet's 267 ci V8 which was used from the late 70's to the early 80's?
Originally Posted by Bart99GT
A 255 is in the same family as the 221/260/289/302/351. The only difference between it and the 302 is that the 302 has a 4" bore, and the 255 has a 3.68" bore. So the heads and intake will swap between the two, but why you'd bother with such a swap is beyond me. The only 255 I can recall seeing was in a 1980 Mustang that someone had restored and preserved the original motor just so it would be concours correct. I imagine anyone else with half a brain probably pulled those 130 hp turds out along time ago.
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Laughing Gas
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Possibly. I think it was just an attempt to use what was on hand to create a more fuel efficient V8. By using the basic SBF design it allowed them to keep costs down because just about everything but the pistons and rings could be borrowed from the 302 and 351 which Ford continued to use in the larger cars (Grand Marquis, Lincolns, etc) and in the trucks.
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Originally Posted by Dariand1
Didn't they get the idea of a 255ci V8 from Chevrolet's 267 ci V8 which was used from the late 70's to the early 80's?
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From: Willow River B.C.
The 255 isnt worth anything unless you are doing a full resto of a car that was unfortunatre enough to be built with one.
255 Thread here
255 Thread here
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From: Cypress, CA
We had some Fairmonts with that engine that had been converted to Natural Gas.
I personally think that a Studebaker V8 had better performance and they are frequently referred to as a boat anchor...
Russ
I personally think that a Studebaker V8 had better performance and they are frequently referred to as a boat anchor...
Russ
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