Ford’s family of big-block engines encompasses a wide variety of cylinder heads and applications. Ford engineers stayed busy focusing on engineering changes that drive enthusiasts crazy. Most of these engineering changes are hard to see on the surface, but each had a purpose. Few of these changes have any effect on power. Port size variation […]

Let’s assume that the break-in process and tuning are being done on an engine dynamometer. A dyno test on a new engine build is highly recommended, although not absolutely necessary. Beyond the obvious benefit of identifying the actual powerband of the engine, the dyno allows full access to the engine. This makes spotting any problems, […]

This chapter is not just a basic step-by-step section for “how to assemble your engine.” I assume that you already have a basic understanding of engine building and assembly procedures and will focus on those things that make an Ford FE project unique, along with procedures that will improve your engine’s performance. The information is […]

With any engine project, a large collection of external components takes up a fair portion of the engine build time and budget, yet many are not considered parts of the basic engine package. Among these are the bolt-on items, such as valve covers, motor mounts, water pumps, and breather systems. This chapter gives an outline […]

The exhaust system for the average high-performance and street driven Ford FE engine consists of a set of tubular headers, running through a couple of mufflers, and perhaps tailpipes out to the rear of the vehicle— pretty common stuff. But there are plenty of available options within that simple description, and a few things to […]

The fuel system used on the Ford FE engines was generally conventional throughout its years of production. An eccentric bolted to the front of the camshaft actuates a mechanical fuel pump, which is mounted to the driver side of the timing cover, and this supplies fuel to the carb. The vast majority of FE engines […]

Ford FE engines have several viable performance options for ignition. They are good ones that are equal to those available for any other engines. All FE-equipped vehicles (with rare exception) had a traditional points-style distributor and ignition system from 1958 until 1974. That rare exception was a short-lived transistorized system for race 427 engines. You […]

With the basic cam selection information defined, let’s move forward with the next piece of the puzzle—the timing set. FE engines use a timing assembly very similar to other Ford engines, with the aforementioned cam thrust plate, an offset positioned dowel pin for locating, and a single central cam bolt for retention. The factory cam […]

Camshaft selection for the FE engine is similar to other cam-inblock pushrod engines. You need to decide exactly what you intend to do with the engine, what you are expecting out of it, what vehicle you are installing it in, and then have a “heart-to-heart” talk with your checkbook. Among the crowd at the average […]