He must have put an electric fuel pump on the truck as the MEL mechanical fuel pump is missing - Now if the engine is a 1962, it will be a low compression 2V. The MEL HP years were 1958/59. After that they were only used as torque monsters in the LINC/MERC line. In 1964, LINC upped the HP including a 4V. Replaced by the 462 MEL in 1966. Are you wanting to pump it up or just use as a driver?
Pump it up !! 4 barrel and headers and as much as I can afford to upgrade. It is for my 64 Galaxie which has a real good running 302 but I want to make the car hotter and more peppy.
I just talked to a guy at Detroit hot rod shop in Plymouth Michigan and he said what most of y'all guys are saying about parts availability. He did say that if this 430 engine has the original power steering pump on the crank it would be worth $1800 just for that power steering pump itself. He said I should buy the motor and flip it if it has that power steering pump on it and he said all 1962 Lincoln's came standard with that. But he did not recommend me putting it in my galaxy as it would not be a straight, easy drop in.
If you are looking for a "straight, easy drop in" I think both the 430 and a 429/460 will present challenges. A FE 352/360/390/406/427/428 is going to be easier since factory parts are available to make the swap.
And even with the FE swap, a new transmission will be required to match the FE bellhousing bolt pattern. This is sounding more and more like a 351W project. Should be a drop in, even with the taller deck.
61-67 mel has unique bolt pattern. Only large case cruiseomatic and 462 mel c6 fit bolt on. 462 c6 trans fit 429/469 block too.because 385 series blocks has dual pattern. 58-60 mel share fe bolt pattern.
You sure about a dual pattern on a 385 series? I know a 351-400m c6 have the same pattern as a big block and Ford did build a c4 with the same big block pattern.
I have two 460 blocks, and they both have it. I have read it was because transition from mel to 385 and ford decided not to change 385 block later. Do a google search your self...
I searched bit more and some say that 58-62 mel is a same as fe.63-65 partial fe with different starter location and 66-67 is combination of 63-65 and 385 series patterns.
If budget is important, I have to agree. Fits right in place using most of the 302 stuff, just have to deal with the exhaust differences. He may have to upgrade the C4 at some point as Ford didn't rate it for use behind the 351 but given the deep parts well for the Windsors he'll have far more choices. Want more grunt? How about one of these? Speedmaster 1-276-014: FORD 351W WINDSOR CAST STEEL CRANKSHAFT 3.850 1PC-SEAL EXTERNAL BAL. - JEGS These use stock 351 rod swinging 302 pistons for 392", will live as long as you keep the revs at a sane level. This would definitely require beefing the C4!
I’ve been wondering when we were going to get back to a budget upgrade on a 302. Even by the standards here, that’s a little less than a 430 or 429.
As nice as it would be to have a big block, I would pull that 302, overhaul it, use a Melling Torque Cam, usually the same as an Edelbrock Performer Cam, add a Performer intake, a 600 Holley, nice dual exhaust with manifolds and cruise the s&@t out of that Galaxie. I’ve got that engine combination in an O/T F-150 with a 5 speed and it runs great and pulls trailers just fine. If I happened to have a 351W, I’d build it the same way as the 302.
Yea, you are correct sir. I had leaned towards getting a big block very cheap and building it over a period of time. It looks like, for the money, my cheapest is to build the 302. Thank you for thoughts
And while you're at it, stroker kits are now commonly available for a 302 (347 ci) and a 351 (408 ci) at moderate cost. Either of those would be good in a large sedan.
The 1958-1960 MEL (MERC-EDSEL-LINC) engine had the FE (FORD-EDSEL) bell pattern. In 1961 when the MEL engine went LINC specific, the bell pattern had to be modified due to starter motor relocation to fit within the new LINC uni-body rails. LINC went with the C6 in the 1966 model run and retained the trapezoid bell pattern introduced in 1961 (HX CRUISE-O-MATIC) to fit in the chassis. ***** EDIT - That statement is incorrect. The 1961-1965 430 shared the modified FE pattern introduced on the 1961 model run. ***** When LINC went with the C6 in 1966, the LINC C6 main case was still specific to fit the within the frame/aprons modified bell pattern (the corporate C6 main case would not fit). LINC then during the 1968 model run began transitioning to the 460 385 SERIES engine. In order to use the remaining LINC specific C6 on the 460, FORD modified the corporate and LINC specific bell patterns on the 460, giving it two patterns, one for corporate main case (385 SERIES) and the other LINC specific. In addition - I believe (if I remember correctly) that the trapezoid pattern was due to the larger HVAC CASE used on the 1966/ LINC.
If one did decide to use the MEL, it would be handy to have the car as a runner while gathering parts. I had a '57 with a 430 and it was basically a drop-in (same as FE conversion). The one problem is that there was never offered an OEM 4V aluminum intake. There was an adapter set offered to use a 385 SERIES intake(s).
If you’re looking at building a 429-469 over a longer time period I would just start with a bare block and pick up parts used or as money allows for new stuff. Quite a bit of the 502 drivetrain in my 57 was bought used.
Pontmerc - I corrected my post above. See if it sounds all right to you. I don't want to post incorrect info.
Sounds right me too. And i agree, dont want post incorrect info. I dont feel i know everything about 55-65 mercury and lincoln powertrain. More like, i know, i feel to know them pretty well.
This is a place to exchange info and learn. You can call me out anytime as I am getting old and do make mistakes. MEL and LYB are very interesting subjects to me personally.
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