Worst Ford Engine Ever Made?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
Originally Posted by 3rdshiftzombie
Funny nobody mentions the 462 from the 60's.My grandfather had a couple Lincolns with them.Major problem with them was they carried way to much compression which caused them to blow headgaskets on a regular basis...
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: South Texas
Any Lincoln engine ghurus remember the 430 they used from 58- early 60's? It had flat bottom heads and a wedge combustion chamber. I had a 58 Capri with one that would literally tear the rear end supports appart. If i remember right, it had 10.5:1 compression pistons and was rated at 375HP out of the box. I think Edsel made a variation of this engine that was around 410 CI.
I always thought it would be a gas to drop one of those beasts into a pickup. Shouldn't be too hard to hook it up as the tranny pattern was same as the FE blocks.
Dialtone
I always thought it would be a gas to drop one of those beasts into a pickup. Shouldn't be too hard to hook it up as the tranny pattern was same as the FE blocks.
Dialtone
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: duluth
I'll agree the 2.8 / 2.9 V6 was a major turd. I had 4 of them all with various milage and none of em were any good. the one left me strandid many times. i think the 302 never should of been put in a truck, imho its a car engine
Super Moderator
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Originally Posted by termyt00
the 2.9 is a throw back to the '70's capri, the 4.0 is all Mazda and probably the only good part of a '92 Exploder...
These are called "Cologne" series, as the 2.6 has it's origins in Germany.
No one has mentioned the gas hog Super Duty 401 477 534 monsters of the '60s.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Iowa
Originally Posted by srhigh mechs
I think that all of the fe series were a bad build with where the lifters had come through the intake, that can make it a pain to work on
They're really not a bad motor to work on. Quite easy, as a matter of fact. You just have to know what you're doing. I have no problem working on mine. I'd rather take that thing apart 5 times than mess with all the junk surrounding the 4.0L in my '92 Explorer!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Northeast Ohio
The worst engine Ford ever built was the 4 cylinder 2.3 or 2.4 L.I had two 75's, a 78 and a 79 Pinto throughout the years.They all had the same size engine.It was either a 2.3 or 2.4 l.I cannot remember the exact size but one thing I can remember for sure is that they all LEAKED OIL at the rear main bearing seal area.They usually started leaking around 50,000 miles or so.The amazing thing is that they ran great.Good Luck!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Iowa
Hrm, they must have changed 'em since then. My brother has a early '90's ranger with the 2.3L. Over 220,000 miles IIRC, no leaks and runs like a top. The manual transmission behind it, on the other hand... ugh.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: NJ where fun comes to die
Didn't the Edsel have some odd engine? I can't remember right, but a neighbor of mine had one and always complained about it. I never owned one or even worked on one so I am going by hear-say.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by 85e150six4mtod
2.6 Capri motor became the 2.8 solid lifter Bronco II/Ranger Motor became the 2.9 hydraulic lifter Ranger motor became the 4.0 pushrod and eventually was cobbed up into the unreliable cam-drive eating 4.0 SOHC with miles of hoses for the cooling system and noise and a thirst for gas on top of it. 4.0 is not a Mazda motor although it is in the rebadged Rangers/Explorers sold as Mazdas.
These are called "Cologne" series, as the 2.6 has it's origins in Germany.
These are called "Cologne" series, as the 2.6 has it's origins in Germany.
Here's some further confirmation of that: http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ar/ar40123.htm
I was under the impression that the 2.9L engine was a good one, except of course for the head-cracking issue. Most of the BII and older Ranger owners seem to swear by them once they are re-equipped with the better World heads.
Posting Guru
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From: Destin/Ft. Walton Beach,
I was under the impression that Edsel engines were the same as any other Ford. Hence the engine code FE, which means Ford/Edsel. lol 
Anyhow, the worst Ford engine I ever had, was a 3.8 SC V-6. It hauled butt, but the head gaskets blew at about 90,000 miles. Then I sold the 3.8 and installed a 347. I only like V-8's when it comes down to it. I hated every 300 I ever had, too. It seems that any bad Ford engine for some, was a good engine for others.
Anyhow, the worst Ford engine I ever had, was a 3.8 SC V-6. It hauled butt, but the head gaskets blew at about 90,000 miles. Then I sold the 3.8 and installed a 347. I only like V-8's when it comes down to it. I hated every 300 I ever had, too. It seems that any bad Ford engine for some, was a good engine for others.
Last edited by stevef100s; Jun 19, 2005 at 08:04 PM.
Posting Guru
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From: Northeast Ohio
Ford had so many head gasket problems with the 3.8 V6 I feel they should have had a recall or at least repaired all under 100,000 miles with problems.I know my 92 Continental with the 3.8 had the head gasket blow around 92,000 miles.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: NJ where fun comes to die
According to carfolio.com Edsel had 4 v8 engines. Listed in cubic inches - 411.554, 360.223, 332.03, and 292.06. I had a truck with a 360, and I remember the 292/312, and I think I remember the 332, but never heard of the 411. That is the odd one I was thinking of.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Northeast Ohio
trike, Do you think maybe the 411 was the police interceptor motor Ford used during those years?Next time I call my dad I will ask him.He had a 58 Ford with the police interceptor motor.He still talks about how fast that car was and how it would burn rubber.He retired from Ford so maybe he remembers this engine.I'll let you know what I find out.