Editing Ford small block engine (section)

==255==
In the late 1970s, an urgent need to meet [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] [[Corporate Average Fuel Economy|CAFE]] standards led to the creation of the {{cvt|255|cuin|L|1}} version for the 1980 model year, essentially a 302 with the cylinder bores reduced to {{cvt|3.68|in|mm|1}}. The 302 was to be phased out and the 255 was to be an interim engine which would remain until the [[Ford Essex V6 engine (Canadian)|new V6]] was in production. Rated power (SAE net) was {{cvt|115|–|122|hp|kW}}, depending on year and application. Cylinder heads, which were specific to this engine, used smaller combustion chambers and valves, and the intake ports were oval whereas the others were all rectangular. The only externally visible clue was the use of an open-runner intake manifold with a stamped-steel lifter valley cover attached to its underside, reminiscent of previous-generation V8 engines, such as the Y-block and the [[Ford MEL engine|MEL]].

It was optional in [[Ford Fox platform|Fox-chassis]] cars including the Mustang and Mercury Capri, Thunderbird, and Fairmont, and was standard equipment in the Ford LTD. Some variants, such as the one used in the [[Mercury Grand Marquis]], were fitted with a variable-venturi carburetor and were capable of highway fuel economy in excess of {{cvt|27|mpgus|km/L mpgimp}}. Due to its dismal overall performance, the 255 was dropped at the end the 1982 model year with 253,000 units manufactured. 302 production continued and the plans to phase it out were dropped.

Applications:
*1980–1981 [[Ford Fairmont]]
*1981–1982 [[Ford F-Series (seventh generation)|Ford F-100]]
*1981–1982 [[Ford Granada (North America)|Ford Granada]]
*1981–1982 [[Ford LTD (Americas)#Third|Ford LTD]]
*1980–1982 [[Ford Mustang (third generation)|Ford Mustang]]
*1980–1982 [[Ford Thunderbird (eighth generation)|Ford Thunderbird]]
*1980–1982 [[Mercury Capri#Second generation (1979–1986)|Mercury Capri]]
*1980–1982 [[Mercury Cougar#Fifth generation (1980–1982)|Mercury Cougar]]
*1981–1982 [[Mercury Marquis#Third generation (1979–1982)|Mercury Marquis]]
*1980–1981 [[Mercury Zephyr]]