Just wondering...
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Colonial Heights USA-CSA
Just wondering...
I probably got too much time on my hands but what does "FE" stand for. I mean the letters themselves.My dad thought they might mean "first edition", nobody can give me a definite answer,figured maybe one of yall could.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 8
From: Brea CA
Just wondering...
Don’t know the date or origin of the FE term. When these engines first came out Ford called them all “Interceptors”. Only later did they call them FEs. This question has been around a long time and discussed on many boards with no definitive answer. My dad worked for Ford from the 50’s through the 70’s and I’ve scoured all the internal books and publications that he had to no avail. Everybody loves a mystery, someday something’s gotta turn up though
FE’s were introduced in ’58 for the Ford and Edsel. Edsel got the 361 but according to Ford, the 361 was a power option and also used in the police vehicles.
Barry
FE’s were introduced in ’58 for the Ford and Edsel. Edsel got the 361 but according to Ford, the 361 was a power option and also used in the police vehicles.
Barry
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Just wondering...
I've got a book somewhere that says that FE stands for "Ford Engine" and the "Ford/Edsel" thing is a myth. I'll try and find it tonite when I get home.
ksd
69 F100 Explorer lwb 2wd FE 360 C6. WANTED: straight/clean styleside long box w/aux fuel tank for 67-69 F series.
ksd
69 F100 Explorer lwb 2wd FE 360 C6. WANTED: straight/clean styleside long box w/aux fuel tank for 67-69 F series.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 0
From: yes
Just wondering...
there are books or magazines or "experts" which say it's both ways anymore they are just 'F'reakin' 'E'xpensive
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 12
From: SW Michigan
Just wondering...
I'm shocked that everyone doesn't already know this, it has two meanings, first they are Fine and Excellent engines and they run For Ever. Come on this is too easy........DF
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Certified Thread Hijacker
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,441
Likes: 60
Just wondering...
More fuel to the fire...
One rumor has FE stands for Ford Experimental. As in the FX drag wars of the 60s. Ford and the other Big 2 were constantly experimenting with different engines, bodies etc. Hence the term.
One has Ford Engine. It was THE engine of the 60s for Ford, when the term became known.
Another and actually the most current is Ford/Edsel. I haven't been around forever, but I have never heard this term even used until within the last 5 years or so. Colorado has a huge Ford following too (Ford Fest and All Ford Swap Meet)
It seemed to really catch on in the 70s when Ford was producing two different big blocks and initials were called for to distinguish the two. FE and Lima (or 385 or DOVE)
Just my $.02
Josh
One rumor has FE stands for Ford Experimental. As in the FX drag wars of the 60s. Ford and the other Big 2 were constantly experimenting with different engines, bodies etc. Hence the term.
One has Ford Engine. It was THE engine of the 60s for Ford, when the term became known.
Another and actually the most current is Ford/Edsel. I haven't been around forever, but I have never heard this term even used until within the last 5 years or so. Colorado has a huge Ford following too (Ford Fest and All Ford Swap Meet)
It seemed to really catch on in the 70s when Ford was producing two different big blocks and initials were called for to distinguish the two. FE and Lima (or 385 or DOVE)
Just my $.02
Josh
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 380
Likes: 3
From: Denver, PA
Just wondering...
I posted above that FE is for Ford/Edsel and I knew this subject would go on a tanget as it always does, no matter which FE forum you look at. Here is one that my grandfather told me about FE but with some iffy documentation. He started at the local Ford dealership as a dealer in 1957 and through the years understood FE to mean Fairlane Engine, it first went into the Fords back then that received the Fairlane option package. He even has a copy of a preprinted order slip with check boxes from a customers '61 Sunliner and the engine option description list the engine as "Fairlane Engine Option" behind the check box. This is not followed by "FE" but it sure makes you wonder.
Doug
1995 F-150 4x4 5.0 5/spd
1966 Fairlane 500 428 2-4v MR 4/spd
http://fairlaniac.freeservers.com/
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/fordfever
Doug
1995 F-150 4x4 5.0 5/spd
1966 Fairlane 500 428 2-4v MR 4/spd
http://fairlaniac.freeservers.com/
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/fordfever
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post