I've got a chance to pick up a 58 Edsel for my first car, and I'm looking at options for motors. I have yet to look at it in person, but the price is very good, so I'm doing some research before hand. Per the stock specs, should probably have the E400 motor (361 ci). Motor doesn't run at the moment, but I'm not too worried about that. I'm looking for ideas for what may swap out well, Ford, Edsel, Chevy whatever. Just possibilities. The only thing I've been able to find so far is a 58 Ford motor uses most of the same parts, but I can't find what anybody's put in as a transplant. Thanks for the input!
I have a couple 58 Edsels myself. My first Edsel I was gonna install a 460 into, I had it set in and it was doable, but the biggest obstacle you'll find with any engine in these ch***is's is the steering box... it's a tight fit. A rack would be the best solution. I've known one guy to even relocate his box lower on the ch***is. As far as doing like a Chevy engine, the Edsel/Ford ch***is mandates a front sump pan, which most Chevy's don't have, the only Chevy to have it is the early Chevy II's (I have one of them set aside for the chance that I do that swap). In the end, I just had a 390 rebuilt. A cool setup with the 3x2 intake/carbs that I have.
One of the things I'm weighing out is whether or not a modern plant (390 or 460) would be easier to deal with. No major overhauls for fuel, easier to find and cheaper parts. Great looking sled, btw.
Why swap out an excellent engine. The 361 was a premium high performance engine that produced over 300hp in factory trim. It fits, it's traditional and it is the same engine family that later ruled NASCAR, Top Fuel, and LeMans etc. in the Total Performance years. I would want sum `a that! Rebuild it and have fun! Here are the specs. I'm including the E475 specs as well, which was the optional Edsel engine in `58. 1958 Engines Edsel engines were ***embled in Cleveland, OH, Dearborn, MI and Wayne, MI. E-400 V8 Standard for Ranger, Pacer, Villager, Bermuda, Roundup 361 cid (5.911 litre) 303 hp @4600 rpm 400 ft-lb Torque @2900 rpm 10.5:1 Compression Ratio 4.0469 x 3.500 Bore/Stroke 4-bbl Holley carburetor Pushrod overhead cam Features an angle-wedge combustion chamber (The block is 100 degrees from the cylinder head instead of 90 degrees) Crankshaft: 5 main bearings, end thrust taken by #3 Firing order: 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 Cylinder numbering (front-to-rear): Right 1-2-3-4 Left 5-6-7-8 18mm Champion spark plugs, 0.34 gap Cam Angle (degrees): 26 - 28.5 Breaker Point Arm Spring tension (ounces): 17-20 Centrifugal Spark Advance - Start (degrees): 1 @400 rpm Centrifugal Spark Advance - Full (degrees): 10.5 @2000 rpm Vacuum Spark Advance - Start (inches of vacuum): 1 Vacuum Spark Advance - Full (inches of vacuum): 14 Ignition Timing with standard transmission: 3 deg BTDC Ignition Timing with automatic transmission: 6 deg BTDC Idle speed in Neutral (rpm): 475- 500 Minimum compression pressure at cranking speed (lbs): 180 Oil Pressure (lbs): 45 - 50 Valve Angle - Intake (degrees): 30 Valve Angle - Exhaust (degrees): 45 Valve Spring height - installed (inches): 1-53/64 Valve Spring pressure (lbs @ inches): 250 @ 1-25/64 Valve Lift (inches): 0.399 Valve Stem clearance - Intake (inches): 0.001 - 0.0025 Valve Stem clearance - Exhaust (inches): 0.003 - 0.004 Valve Stem diameter - Intake (inches): 0.3715 Valve Stem diameter - Exhaust (inches): 0.3697 Piston Wrist Pin diameter (inches): 0.975 Rod Bearing Shaft diameter (inches): 2.4380-2.4388 Rod Bearing clearance (inches): 0.0006-0.0024 Main Bearing Shaft diameter (inches): 2.7484-2.7492 Main Bearing clearance (inches): 0.0006-0.0024 Shaft End Play (inches): 0.002-0.006 Engine Bolt Torquing (Always use clean, lubricated threads for accuracy) Spark plug (ft-lbs): 15-20 Cylinder Head (ft-lbs): 75 Intake & Exhaust Manifolds (ft-lbs): 23-38 Rocker Arm Shaft bracket (ft-lbs): 45-50 Valve Cover (ft-lbs): 2-2.5 Connecting Rod Cap (ft-lbs): 45-50 Main Bearing Cap (ft-lbs): 95-105 Flywheel to Crankshaft (ft-lbs): 75-85 Vibration Damper or Pulley (ft-lbs): 130-145 Average miles per gallon: 15.2 Engine Colors Yellow (1972 GM Color code 52, Dupli-Color code DS-GM-167): Block, heads, water pump, intake manifold, oil filler tube, oil pan Off-White (Mix four parts Derusto Gloss White #874/D-23 and one part Derusto Gloss Almond #884/D-34): Air Filter cover, valve covers Reddish-Orange: E-400 Stenciled on embossed letters Gloss Black: Brackets, generator, fan, pulley, starter motor, flywheel cover, inner fender aprons, radiator Semi-gloss Black: Frame, front suspension, core support, etc. Natural: Transmission bell housing, distributor, exhaust manifolds, fender attaching bolts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- E-475 V8 Standard for Citation & Corsair When Ford Motor Company celebrated their 25 millionth V8 engine, it was an E-475! 410 cid (6.7 litre) 345 hp @4600 rpm 475 ft-lb Torque @2600 rpm 10.5:1 Compression Ratio 4.2031 x 3.703 Bore/Stroke 4-bbl Holley carburetor Pushrod overhead cam Features a cylindrical-wedge combustion chamber (The block is at 90 degrees, while the head contains an angled combustion area) Crankshaft: 5 main bearings, end thrust taken by #3 Firing order: 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 Cylinder numbering (front-to-rear): Right 1-2-3-4 Left 5-6-7-8 18mm Champion spark plugs, 0.34 gap Distributor Point gap (inches): 0.015 Distributor Rotation: Counter-clockwise Cam Angle (degrees): 26 - 28.5 Breaker Point Arm Spring tension (ounces): 17-20 Centrifugal Spark Advance - Start (degrees): 1 @400 rpm Centrifugal Spark Advance - Full (degrees): 10.5 @2000 rpm Vacuum Spark Advance - Start (inches of vacuum): 1 Vacuum Spark Advance - Full (inches of vacuum): 14 Ignition Timing with standard transmission: 3 deg BTDC Ignition Timing with automatic transmission: 6 deg BTDC Idle speed in Neutral (rpm): 475- 500 Minimum compression pressure at cranking speed (lbs): 200 Oil Pressure (lbs): 45 - 50 Valve Angle - Intake (degrees): 30 Valve Angle - Exhaust (degrees): 45 Valve Spring height - installed (inches): 1-53/64 Valve Spring pressure (lbs @ inches): 185 @ 1-27/64 Valve Lift (inches): 0.441 Valve Stem clearance - Intake (inches): 0.001 - 0.0025 Valve Stem clearance - Exhaust (inches): 0.003 - 0.004 Valve Stem diameter - Intake (inches): 0.3715 Valve Stem diameter - Exhaust (inches): 0.3697 Piston Wrist Pin diameter (inches): 0.975 Rod Bearing Shaft diameter (inches): 2.5992-2.6000 Rod Bearing clearance (inches): 0.0007-0.0025 Main Bearing Shaft diameter (inches): 2.8994-2.9002 Main Bearing clearance (inches): 0.0008-0.0026 Shaft End Play (inches): 0.004-0.008 Engine Bolt Torquing (Always use clean, lubricated threads for accuracy) Spark plug (ft-lbs): 15-20 Cylinder Head (ft-lbs): 90 Intake & Exhaust Manifolds (ft-lbs): 23-38 Rocker Arm Shaft bracket (ft-lbs): 45-50 Valve Cover (ft-lbs): 2-2.5 Connecting Rod Cap (ft-lbs): 45-50 Main Bearing Cap (ft-lbs): 95-105 Flywheel to Crankshaft (ft-lbs): 75-85 Vibration Damper or Pulley (ft-lbs): 130-145 Engine Colors Green (similar to 1978 Porsche "Fern Green" - DuPont code 273, Porsche code 45639AH): Block, heads, water pump, intake manifold, oil filler tube, oil pan Off-White (Mix four parts Derusto Gloss White #874/D-23 and one part Derusto Gloss Almond #884/D-34): Air filter cover, valve covers Reddish-Orange: E-475 Stenciled on embossed letters Gloss Black: Brackets, generator, fan, pulley, starter motor, flywheel cover, inner fender aprons, radiator Semi-gloss Black: Frame, front suspension, core support, etc. Natural: Transmission bell housing, distributor, exhaust manifolds, fender attaching bolts
The edsel motor pretty much is an FE. My local engine guy told me that FE stands for ford and Edsel. I have both and they pretty much are the same motor. Finding a good running FE is pretty easy in most parts. Ford Trucks,Glaxies, And T-birds
My '59 came factory with a FE, I don't think 58's did though. Smart swap though, FE's were built well into the 70's.
Ask your engine guy what about the FE in Mercs or Lincolns? Are they FMs or FLs? I'd stick with the FE in that Edsel. By the way FE's came out in 1958.
I've never heard of An FL Or FM....hahaha.....58 is what i thought too...seeing as I have a 58 edsel in the backyard with an FE.
thanks for your input. I think I've been convinced to try and salvage the E400. I got confirmation last night that that is the motor.
The 361 is a FE block motor. The E475torque 410cid is a MEL motor. FE= Ford Edsel MEL= Mercury Edsel Lincoln
Wow. I did not pay any attention to the date. Hopefully he stuck with the 361. I am happy with mine. I get people all the time telling me to drop a 302/AOD in my 58. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Glad to see that you want to restore the Edsel motor. If you need help with the teletouch (electric shifter) system, let me know. i rebuilt them daily and also have parts to get yours working. If not, I buy cores and will buy yours if you want to sell. Any edsel help needed, feel free to ask me.
Funny revisiting this. So the story pretty much ended there. The guy selling claimed to have approval from his elderly father. He didn't. As soon as the old man found out, I quickly separated myself from the situation. A little over a decade on, I happened on this fellah. Appreciate everyone's input! Hope all is well for everyone. Sent from my LM-V405 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
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