Editing Ford FE engine (section)

====In racing====
[[File:Ford Hemi SOHC Frontengine Rail.jpg|thumb|Ford SOHC Hemi (Cammer) front engine rail dragster]]
[[File:Wiki 7 FED configuration with xram.jpg|thumb|Flopper [[Funny Car]] FE]]
[[File:Wiki 4 TunnelPort crossram efi.jpg|thumb|Factory tunnelport crossram fuel injection used in [[GT40]]s]]
[[File:Wiki 1 427SO webers.jpg|thumb|FE with 4 [[Weber carburetor]]s as installed in competition 427 [[AC Cobra]]s]]
[[File:Ford GT40 (front).jpg|thumb|[[Ford GT40#Mk II|Ford GT40 Mk IIs]] finished 1-2-3 in the [[1966 24 Hours of Le Mans]]; this car finished 2nd]] 
[[File:1964 thunderbolt.jpg|thumb|1964 [[Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt|Fairlane Thunderbolt]]]]
Specific models that used FE engines include the [[AC Cobra]] MKIII, [[Ford GT40|GT40]]s, the [[AC Frua]], as well as various factory racing versions of [[Ford Mustang]]s, [[Ford Galaxie]]s, [[Ford Fairlane (Americas)|Ford Fairlane]]s, and [[Ford Thunderbird]]s.

In the 1960s, most organized racing events required either stock components or components that were readily available to the general public. For [[NASCAR]] racing, rules required that at least 500 vehicles be sold to the general public equipped as raced. Many [[drag racing]] and road racing organizations had similar rules, which contributed to a wide range of performance parts being made available through Ford dealership parts counters. In addition, [[aftermarket (automotive)|aftermarket]] suppliers produced performance parts and accessories.

The use of the FE by Ford itself as the powerplant in many of its racing programs and performance vehicles resulted in constant improvements and engineering changes over the course of its life. Racing-inspired changes to the FE which later made it to production engines included the side-oiler block, which directed oil first to the lower portions of the block.

===== Road and track racing =====
In 1963, the 427 Galaxies dominated NASCAR primarily because in January 1963 G.M. told its divisions to get out of racing. Tiny Lund won the biggest race of the year, the Daytona 500, with 427s finishing first through fifth. Ford won 23 races to Plymouth's 19. The Plymouths earned all their victories on the short tracks while Ford dominated the super speedways, Chevrolet finished with eight wins and Pontiac had four.

In 1964, Ford had their best season ever, with 30 wins. Dodge was second with 14, while Plymouth had 12. Adding the five wins that Mercury had, the 427 had a total of 35 NASCAR Grand National wins for the 1964 season. Fred Lorenzen won the Atlanta 500 and proceeded to beat Dodges and Plymouths, which were using 426 Hemi engines, in six of the next seven races. Ford was using the high-riser intake and matching heads, which were allowed by NASCAR for one season (1964).

In 1965, NASCAR banned Ford's high-riser version of the engine, claiming they did not fit under "stock" hoods. Chrysler's 426 Hemi was banned as well, returning in 1966 after a de-tuned version was installed in a production vehicle that year. For the 1965 season, Ford developed its own version of a hemi-chambered engine, the 427 [[Overhead camshaft#Single overhead camshaft|single overhead cam (SOHC)]]  "Cammer" which used a single chain-driven overhead camshaft per head to operate the valves in its hemi. NASCAR relegated the engine to the fullsize Galaxie. Then Ford developed the medium-riser intake and head, which fit under stock hoods and was accepted by NASCAR. Ned Jarrett, driving for Ford, was the 1965 Grand National champion and Ford won the NASCAR crown.

Also in 1965, Ford and [[Carroll Shelby]] began production of a new and improved [[AC Cobra|Cobra]] using a {{convert|427|cuin|L|0}} FE side-oiler in place of the original's {{cvt|289|cuin|L|1}} [[Ford Windsor engine#289 "HiPo" (K-code)|Windsor small-block]]. A new chassis was built enlarging 3" main tubing to 4", with [[coil spring]]s all around. The new car also had wide fenders and a larger radiator opening. The S/C (for semi-competition) "street" engine was rated at {{cvt|425|bhp|kW|0}}, which provided a top speed of {{cvt|164|mph|km/h|0}}, and the competition version (csx 6000) {{cvt|485|bhp|kW|0}} with a top speed of {{cvt|185|mi/h|km/h}}. Cobra Mark III production began on 1 January 1965, and was used for racing into the 1970s. An original S/C sold in 2011 for US$1.5 million, making it one of the most valuable Cobra variants.<ref name="Supercars.net">{{Cite news|url=http://www.supercars.net/cars/5175.html|title=1966 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C|access-date=2011-02-01|work=Supercars.net}}</ref>

In 1966, the 427 cubic inch [[Ford GT40#Mk II|Ford GT40 Mk II]] dominated the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] race, with a one-two-three result.

In 1967, [[Parnelli Jones]], in a [[Holman Moody|Holman-Moody]] prepped Fairlane, won the season-opening [[Riverside 500]] road race. Then, [[Mario Andretti]] captured the [[Daytona 500]] in a Fairlane, with Fred Lorenzen a close second in his Holman-Moody Ford.  The FE again powered the 24 Hours of Le Mans winner. In 1968, the rules of the race were changed, limiting displacement to 302 cubic inches under certain circumstances. Ford won the following two years using its [[Ford Windsor engine|Ford Windsor]] smallblock in the GT40.

Ford's racing partner, privately owned Holman-Moody, also developed a version of the FE for the [[Can-Am]] racing series. It used factory-supplied tunnel port heads, a mechanical fuel injection system mounted on a crossram intake manifold, and a revised dry sump oiling system, but met with only limited success.

===== Drag racing =====
Organized drag racing (NHRA, AHRA and even NASCAR dabbled in drag racing in the mid-1960s) was a major venue for the FE in its various forms. Many of the most innovative products were developed and used for 1/4 mile drag racing as aftermarket suppliers eagerly supported the engine design with products such as special intakes, camshafts, superchargers, manifolds, cylinder heads, water and fuel pumps, and exhaust headers.  But it was the Ford company itself which developed the most potent products and platforms for the drag-racer.  Beginning in 1962 and continuing through 1964, Ford made lightweight versions of its popular Galaxie model using aluminum, fiberglass and specially chosen components emphasizing light weight over comfort or style.  Many parts were simply not put on the vehicle, such as a passenger side windshield wiper, sound deadening, armrests, heater, and radio.

In late 1964, Ford contracted [[Holman & Moody]] to prepare ten 427-powered Mustangs to contest the [[National Hot Rod Association]]'s (NHRA) A/Factory Experimental Class in the 1965 drag racing season. Five of these special Mustangs made their competition debut at the 1965 NHRA Winternationals, where they qualified in the Factory Stock FX Eliminator Class for (FX cars only). The car driven by Bill Lawton won the class.<ref>Morris, Charlie. [http://www.cartechbooks.com/vstore/showdetl.cfm?st=0&st2=0&st3=0&CATID=21&Product_ID=2553&DID=6 "Ford's 1965 Factory Experimental Mustangs"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911210046/http://www.cartechbooks.com/vstore/showdetl.cfm?st=0&st2=0&st3=0&CATID=21&Product_ID=2553&DID=6 |date=2011-09-11 }}, ''Car Tech Inc.'' website, undated article. Retrieved on August 26, 2008.</ref>

For the 1964 model year, Ford introduced the two-door Fairlane 500 sedan-based [[Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt|Thunderbolt]].  Modified to accept a 427 high-riser engine, it featured a teardrop-shaped bubble hood to clear the induction system and drivetrain components from the larger Galaxie model. The two inner headlights were eliminated and replaced with air inlets ducted directly to the two four-barrel carbs.  It was an industry first, the only time that a turn key drag car was made available to the general public.<ref>Dennis Kolodziej. [http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182/message/1302782821/Thunderbolt+Details. (Ford) Thunderbolt Details.] Fordfe.com. 2011-04-15.Accessed: 2011-04-15. (Archived by WebCite at)</ref> However, the extensive modifications to the car did not meet Ford appearance quality standards.<ref name="Hot Rod disclaimer">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_0001_1964_ford_thunderbolt/index.html |title=Reprint of January 2000 article in ''Hot Rod'' Magazine describing the disclaimer plate on a Thunderbolt used on a road tour |publisher=Hotrod.com |date=2000-01-01 |access-date=2014-02-28}}</ref><ref name="1964 Lightweight">{{cite web |url=http://www.1964ford.com/lightweight.aspx |title=History of the lightweight 1964 Ford drag cars at |publisher=1964ford.com |access-date=2014-02-28 |archive-date=2014-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713162615/http://1964ford.com/lightweight.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<blockquote>
{| border="0"
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|''THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN BUILT SPECIALLY AS A LIGHTWEIGHT COMPETITIVE CAR AND INCLUDES CERTAIN FIBERGLASS AND ALUMINUM COMPONENTS.  BECAUSE OF THE SPECIALIZED PURPOSE FOR WHICH THIS CAR HAS BEEN BUILT AND IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM WEIGHT REDUCTION, NORMAL QUALITY STANDARDS OF THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN TERMS OF EXTERIOR PANEL FIT AND SURFACE APPEARANCE ARE NOT MET ON THIS VEHICLE.''

''THIS INFORMATION IS INCLUDED ON THIS VEHICLE TO ASSURE THAT ALL CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASE THIS CAR ARE AWARE OF THE DEVIATION FROM THE REGULAR HIGH APPEARANCE QUALITY STANDARDS OF THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY.''<ref>[http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_0001_1964_ford_thunderbolt/index.html Reprint of January 2000 article in ''Hot Rod'' Magazine describing the disclaimer plate on a Thunderbolt used on a road tour]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.1964ford.com/lightweight.aspx |title=History of the lightweight 1964 Ford drag cars at 1964ford.com |access-date=2011-04-16 |archive-date=2014-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713162615/http://1964ford.com/lightweight.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|}
</blockquote>

The 1964 [[NHRA]] Super Stock meeting was captured with a Thunderbolt.  However, all three NHRA Top Stock Eliminator titles were won by Chrysler's Race Hemi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/ford-fairlane/ford-fairlane-history-2.shtml |title=History of the Thunderbolt at |publisher=Musclecarclub.com |access-date=2014-02-28}}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=Find a [[WP:RS|reliable source]] (book, magazine, newspaper, etc.)|date=February 2014}} Nearly half a century later, in 2013, a Thunderbolt set a new SS/A record of 8.55 seconds in the quarter mile, with a closing speed of 154&nbsp;mph,<ref>{{cite web|author=The Summit Racing Web Development Team. |url=http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=280128&Filter=100#indextop/ |title=FALL CLASSIC NO - Super Stock Qualifying, Sunday Final Order |publisher=Dragracecentral.com |date=2013-10-21 |access-date=2014-02-28}}</ref>

In 1963, Dick Brannan set the NHRA Super/Stock National record at 12.42 on a hot July day. In the biggest race of the year, the INDY Nationals, Ed Martin's lightweight Galaxie lost the Super Stock trophy run to John Barker's Dodge but at the teardown, the Dodge was found to have an illegal cam. In drag racing, the 427 Ford Galaxie was a winner in three consecutive National Events: the '64 Indy Nationals, the 1965 WinterNationals and the 1965 Indy Nationals.  It was Mike Schmitt driving the Desert Motors Galaxie to the AA/SA Class win at the 1964 Indy Nationals. At the 1965 Winternationals it was a clean sweep as Doug Butler's four-speed took the win in AA/S with a 12.77 at 114.21 and Bill Hanyon won on the automatic side with a 12.24 at 117.95. Additionally, Bud Schellenberger's "Double A Stock" 1964 Galaxie was the 1965 Indy Nationals Top Stock Eliminator with a 12.16 at 114.21. The Shelby Super Snake top fuel dragster, powered by a 427 supercharged SOHC, became the first car in NHRA competition to break the six-second quarter-mile time barrier.  It was the winner of the 1966 NHRA Spring Nationals. In every decade since, the FE has held drag-racing records. In 2011, the new decade opens with the NHRA SS/F (class rules include stock compression ratio, stock valve sizes, stock carb sizing and other [[Original equipment manufacturer|OEM]]-type equipment limitations) national record:  the quartermile in 9.29 seconds, with a closing speed of 143.63&nbsp;mph.

===== Other closed course racing =====
In 1970, an FE-powered vehicle set the land speed record for the U.K.  Tony Densham set the new British land speed record of just over {{cvt|207.6|mi/h|km/h}} over the flying kilometer (the average of two runs in opposite directions within an hour) and then held onto the record for over 30 years.  The FE-powered vehicle beat the official British wheel-driven record over the flying 500 and kilometer distances, until then held by Sir Malcolm Campbell, of 174.883&nbsp;mph<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bluebird-electric.net/tony_densham_commuter.htm |title=Tony Densham & Commuter British L S R 1970 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217033334/http://www.bluebird-electric.net/tony_densham_commuter.htm |archive-date=February 17, 2012 }}</ref>