I really having a tough time deciding on the poer train for my 58 ranger, the stock 361 engine hasnt been ran since 1969 and is presently froze (marvel mystry oil should solve that) the car was parked becuase of the ****** (which is normal, so I'll be running a C-6), I am thinking of rebuilding the 361 for a couple reasons 1: a freind owes me money and well rebuild it (probably the only $$ I'll get out of him) 2: Larry said he used to get 18mpg back in the sixties (with good gas) 3: It was rated at 303hp and 400 ft lbs of torq. wow thats about equivelent to a modern lightning supercharged PU. The same buddy that would build the 361 also owns a Ford junk yard and would trade me an early 90's 5.0/AOD combo with all wiring and processor ect. for what he owes me but I'm not real sure I want to get involved in another EFI install (I'm already doing TPI on my 55 chevy) plus it might be alittle sluggish as the edsel is about 4,000lbs. My next option and the one I'm sorta leaning too is a 1972 427/C-6 combo another buddy pulled out of a 1972 LTD, he claimed it was really running strong but the car was a rust bucket so he s****ped it, but this one well cost me $400 (very fair price I think) but that is still $$ out of my own pocket and doesnt settle any depts. but would be alot quicker to get the car on the road. Choices! Choices! Choices! How about a little H.A.M.B. pole? what do you guys think I should do ??? ( Without selling the Edsel!!)
Go the 427 route and get your buddy who owes you to facilitate the installation of the new motor and trans. That'll get you what you want and get the debt paid.
I would wonder how a 427 got into a 72 LTD!! It's probably something else...and if so, it could be a pain to swap, or a dog of an engine. I think you should see if you can scrounge up a 410. Try to avoid the late model little efi engine if at all possible.
I suggest a good 390 FE. They are real cheap,easy to score and darn near bullit proof. Aftermarket stuff is everwhere and OE parts are at every corner parts store. I have one in my 64 F100 and its killer. Gobs of torque to get that Edsel movin.
1. Have buddy who owes go to work on the original motor. 2. Get the 427 - find out just what it is for sure. 3. install 427/C6. Drive car. 4. Get rebuilt original motor back, swap out 427. 5. Sell 427 in Hamb Cl***ified. Ask $500, take $400. That way, you can enjoy your car while the motor is rebuilt, then have basically a new motor. If the car's forever away from driving, there's no point - I'd go with a rebuilt if the guy's work is good and your engine doesnt have any expensive problems, though. Any other motor you get is going to be basically another set of unknowns to worry about. FWIW, I thought the issue with these was the push-****on shift works, not the trans? I know a guy with an Edsel and he had a T-bird floor shift and a '57 Ford column/wheel in it so he could drive it. Know where there's a rough as all hell Edsel convert I need to find someone who can't live without. There an Edsel club or anything?
Might be a 429 in that old LTD (much more likely than a 427, but ya never know!). If it's a 427, it's a steal at $400. If it's a 429, it's a pretty fair deal. Lots of parts available, ton of torque (you'll need it for the Edsel), & should run well enough...
For now, definitely go with the 361 rebuild, it will save you lots of headaches. Later on, build a 428 (I'd rather have the long stroke in a big car like an Edsel) and just swap it under the aircleaner and valvecovers from the 361. I seriously doubt that the '72 LTD has a 427 in it. Maybe a 429, though. Still, do you really want to mess around with swapping in a Lima-series engine when you could just bolt in an FE? The 5.0 is rather a lame engine in a big car. If you were building a Falcon or a '32 or something, I'd say go for it, but I really don't think it's got the torque to make a good powerplant for an Edsel. Detroit-style EFI is for dweebs, especially on a retro-style car. If you do that, leave the hood down all the time.
NO WAY it's a 427 bro'.... 429 without a doubt ... easiest way to tell is if the intake manifold is PART OF the heads ( manifold actually extends into AND is part of the head).... then it's an FE ( 427/390 type) .....If the intake sits ON TOP of the heads ( like a "normal" mainfold) then it's NOT an FE motor) the 429/C6 combo would be a good choice for the car any how ...LOTS of torque , parts are easy to find ...etc........ Jersey Skip
Coming from another Edsel owner I'd say go for the 361. However if it is froze you will have to be prepared to shell out some dough to get it going. Our 361 was froze and we had it bored 30 over . . . to get pistons for a 30 over 361 (not to mention they are flattop) cost close to $1000. Dad had them custom made in CA because he couldn't find them anywhere on the shelf . . . he checked all of his connections from working in a machine shop for 18 years. So he ran out of money after that and the car has been sitting for 3 years waiting for me to get a job. So if I get mine done before you I'll let ya know how I like the 361, we are planning on running the stock ****** though because we are planning on keeping the "teletouch" transmission. Keep me posted on the project man!!!!
Unless you can find a good big block FE (like a 427 or 428) a 429 would work great. Stock they have enough horsepower and more torque than you need, and the potential for much more. There also pretty simple to put in. Good luck! -Dean
Ya squirrel I'm a bumb ***, I know its a "429" yet I keep calling it a 427 I really am leaning toward rebuilding the 361, a machine shop I send stuff to through work says that FE stands for Ford/Edsel and it was the first FE engine, he also says it was the only one to have machined heads insted of cast, he also thinks I should build the 361 as I guess it was a real tire burner. As for the trans, the guy I bought it from owned it from new and says he never had a problem shifting it (as most did) but he did rebuild the trans 3 times and on the 4th time he just parked her out in the field until I bought it. so I think I'm going to change to the C-6 (my fishing partner well rebuild for cost of parts) with a floor shift, then change the column out (and sell the old one to a purist). Thanks guys little_E I'll keep you updated, it well be awhile as I'm only fitting in a day here and there for the Edsel, that money monster of a 55 chevy is taking most of my time, as is the yard work !! (wish I had a concrete company).
The 361 is a good engine and those are pretty good heads. If you have your heart set on a 360 ford had a 360 FE in the pickups (390 bore with a 352 stroke) Myself I would use the 361 if it is rebuildable.
The 361 is a good engine and those are pretty good heads. If you have your heart set on a 360 ford had a 360 FE in the pickups (390 bore with a 352 stroke) Myself I would use the 361 if it is rebuildable. While doing the work go with an Aluminum intake you will save 75 Lbs on the front. Sounds like a cool project. I like FEs Dawg
Egge Machine has the pistons on their website for about 400 bucks, 50 more for rings. If it was me, since the block is the same I'd get a Crank kit for a 390 from PAW, unfortunately I don't have their catalog right now but they have an ad in most hotrod mags, and do a nice rebuild on your heads, I remember hearing that the Edsel heads with the machined chambers were good stuff. Depending what you want performance wise something like the Comp CAms 268 extreme would probably work out well. If you want to keep it stock a kit for a 360 Ford should work, likely be lower compression. If you can't free it up I'd just get a rebuileable 390 core and do it up. Good Luck! Randy
Well I finally broke away from yard work and the 55 chevy today long enough to do alittle work on the Edsel, I was told by the previuos owner that the engine was seized but hadnt check myself until today, I pulled the plugs, squirted in some Mistry oil, pulled the radiator, put a socket on the crank pully bolt and what do ya know it turned over nice and easy. I think at my next chance (in about 3 weeks - fishing tournament and the portland swap meet) I'll try putting in new spark plugs, a good carb and new gas (temp tank) and see if I can get her to fire up ? Anyone know if a modern 390 aluminum intake well work (water jackets line up and all) on the 361 ? what about the exhaust ? any headers that would fit ? if they work on a 57-59 ford they should work on the Edsel.
A standard performer should work I think those are low riserheads. These guys on this message board breathe FEs, Just dont ask why they are called FE engines. http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182 Dawg
if the 361 block is still good put a 390 crank in it and bore it to the 390 bore size. I think that you have to go .055 overbore. I have a friend who is into Edsels and this is his way of getting around the cost of pistons for the 361. The down side is that 390 pistons are getting expensive too.
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