Editing Ford MEL engine

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{{refimprove|date=October 2014}}
{{original research|date=October 2013}}
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{{Infobox automobile engine
|name=Ford MEL V8
|aka=Marauder V8, E-475

|manufacturer=[[Ford Motor Company]]
|production=1958&ndash;1967
|predecessor=[[Lincoln V8 engine|Lincoln Y-block V8]]
|successor=[[Ford 385 engine|Ford 385 V8]]
|configuration=[[Big-block]] 90° [[V8 engine|V8]]
|fueltype=[[Petrol engine|Gasoline]]
|fuelsystem=[[Holley Performance Products|Holley]], [[Carter Carburetor|Carter AFB]], or Ford Autolite carburetors
|coolingsystem=[[Radiator (engine cooling)|Water-cooled]]
|supercharger=On 1959 Lincoln-powered dragster only
|compression=10.1:1-10.5:1
|displacement={{cvt|383-462|cuin|L|1}}
|bore={{ubl
  | {{cvt|4.20|in|mm|1|disp=flip}}
  | {{cvt|109.2|mm|in|2}}
  | {{cvt|111.3|mm|in|2}}
  }}
|stroke={{ubl
  | {{cvt|83.8|mm|in|2}}
  | {{cvt|94.0|mm|in|2}}
  | {{cvt|97.3|mm|in|2}}
  }}
|power={{cvt|280-400|hp|kW|0}}
|torque={{cvt|475-485|lbft|0}}
|valvetrain=[[Pushrod engine|OHV]] 2 valves x cyl.
}}

'''The Ford MEL''' is a [[Big-block#Size, layout, and classification|big-block]] 90° [[V8 engine|V8]] engine family produced in various configurations by the [[Ford Motor Company]] between 1958 and 1967 in displacements from {{convert|383-462|cuin|L|1}}, and used in Ford, Edsel, Mercury, and Lincoln vehicles.

The MEL (for Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln) began as the replacement for the [[Lincoln Y-block V8 engine]] for use in large passenger cars. These engines were produced in [[Lima, Ohio]] at Ford's [[Lima Engine]] plant. The MEL was in turn replaced by the [[Ford 385 engine|Ford 385 series engine]].

==Overview==
All MEL engines had wedge-shaped [[combustion chamber]]s formed between a flat head surface and an angle milled block deck (10 degrees off square with the bore axis), with the piston top determining the compression ratio and combustion chamber shape, similar to the [[Chevrolet Big-Block engine#348|Chevrolet Big-Block 348]] combustion chamber, also introduced in 1958, and the later [[Chevrolet Big-Block engine#409|409 and 427]]. Unlike the Chevrolet, which had staggered valves and scalloped or M-shaped valve covers, the MEL valves were inline with shaft mounted [[rocker arm]]s like the [[Ford FE engine|FE model Ford engines]] which were introduced at the same time. As with the previous generation V8s, an open runner [[intake manifold]] was used, requiring the use of a stamped steel lifter valley cover similar to that of the [[Pontiac V8 engine]]s. Also, the intake manifold provided no exhaust crossover passage to warm the air-fuel mixture. Further MEL engines employed two individual [[thermostat]]s, aimed to improve the regulation of the engine's coolant temperature. It was introduced the same year Chrysler phased out the [[Chrysler Hemi engine|Hemi V8]] for the [[Chrysler B engine]] which was also a wedge-shaped combustion chamber.

The MEL bore some mechanical similarities with the [[Ford FE engine|Ford FE]], using similar components such as the oiling system, bolt patterns, and [[valve stem]]s; however, the MEL was a Lincoln-specific engine and was even larger in displacement capacity. The [[main bearing]]s were {{cvt|73.66|mm|in}}, while the rod bearings were {{cvt|66.04|mm|in}}. The [[connecting rod]] beam had a unique triangular shape with the shoulders for the bolts sitting low toward the cap mating surface {{cvt|1/2|in}}. There was one major difference between the MEL and FE engines besides their size and weight; the valves on MEL engines were arranged in alternating fashion (I-E-I-E-I-E-I-E) and not in the manner of the FE (E-I-E-I-I-E-I-E) where the ''I'' indicates an intake valve and the ''E'' indicates an exhaust valve.

The MEL was one of three new engine families introduced by Lincoln and Ford in 1958. The others were the FE (Ford Edsel) and SD (super duty), the latter being large and extra powerful, slow-revving engines engineered for heavy-duty work trucks. The FE engine saw its use in the Edsel, a model which was introduced to the vehicle lineup by Ford, described as a car which blended design features of the Ford and Mercury lines combining them with its own individual styling. Further several new [[Lincoln Motor Company|Lincoln]] vehicles, such as the Continental luxury sedan and coupe, as well as the all-new four-seat Thunderbird of the same year, were brought to market with the new engines.

==383==
The {{cvt|6.282|L|cuin L cc|adj=ri1|0|order=out}} ''Marauder'' was the smallest member of the family. Produced from 1958 through 1960, it was only used in Mercury vehicles. It used a {{cvt|4.30x3.30|in|mm|1}} bore and stroke. Output began at {{cvt|312|or|330|hp|kW|0}}, both with a four-barrel [[carburetor]]. The {{cvt|322|hp|kW|0}} was the only output for 1959, and power dropped to {{cvt|280|hp|kW|0}} for the final year.

==410==
The MEL {{cvt|6.720|L|cuin L cc|adj=ri1|0|order=out}} engine was the only engine offered in the 1958 Edsel Citation and Corsair models. It was rated at {{cvt|345|hp|kW|0}} and {{cvt|475|lbft|0}}. Bore and stroke were {{convert|4.20|and|3.70|in|mm|1}} respectively. It was not an option on the Pacer, Ranger or station wagon models, which exclusively used the FE 361 engine. 

There were no other Ford Motor Company applications for this engine such as in Ford and Mercury cars and Ford Trucks. The MEL engine range also included 383 (exclusive to Mercury), 430 (Thunderbird, Mercury, Lincoln, Continental, and Lincoln Continental) and a {{cvt|462|cuin|L|1}} engine that was exclusive to Lincoln Continentals. In 1965, Ford produced a 410 version of the FE engine that was exclusive to Mercury. Other than displacement, there is no relation between the two engines.

==430==
The {{cvt|7.044|L|cuin L cc|adj=ri1|0|order=out}} engine was produced from 1958 through 1965, and used in Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln products. It was the standard engine on all 1958 to 1960 Lincolns and Continentals. Power was {{cvt|375|hp|0}} in 1958, {{cvt|350|hp|0}} in 1959, {{cvt|315|hp|0}} in 1960, {{cvt|325|hp|0}} in 1961 and {{cvt|340|hp|0}} in 1964. It was an optional engine on all Mercurys from 1958 to 1960 but Mercury models horsepower ratings were slightly less than the Lincolns and Continentals. The 430 was also an optional engine in 1959 and 1960 [[Ford Thunderbird (second generation)|Ford Thunderbird]]s. It was commonly referred to as the Thunderbird 430 Special. The 1958 ''Super Marauder'' version used three [[Holley Performance Products|Holley]] 2300 two-barrel carburetors to generate {{cvt|400|hp|0}}, the first American production car to reach this figure. It was an option on all 430 equipped 1958 Mercurys and all 1958 Lincolns and Continentals. The 430 had a {{convert|4.30|in|mm|1}} bore (same as the 383) and shared the {{convert|3.70|in|mm|1}} stroke of the 410.

The compression ratio started at 10.5:1 for {{cvt|360|hp|0}}, {{cvt|375|hp|0}}, and {{cvt|400|hp|0}}, but was reduced to 10.0:1 the following year. These 1959 engines produced {{cvt|345–350|hp|0}}, but power was down to {{cvt|315|hp|0}} for 1960.

Some 1958 Continental Mark IIIs came brand new with the Holley 4150 four-barrel carburetor. New pistons and a four-barrel carburetor were added for 1963; the 10.1:1 compression brought output back to {{cvt|345|hp|0}}.

One of the later installations of the 430 was in the fourth-generation [[Lincoln_Continental#1961–1963|1961-65]] Lincoln Continental.<ref name=1965brochure>{{cite web |url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Lincoln/1965_Lincoln/1965_Lincoln_Continental_Brochure/1965%20Lincoln%20Continental-18.html |title=1965 Lincoln Continental Brochure|website=www.oldcarbrochures.com|publisher=The Old Car Manual Project|access-date=2 September 2023|quote=Engine: 90° OHV V-8, 430 cubic-inch displacement … Advertised horsepower 320 at 4600&nbsp;rpm. Advertised torque 465 lb.-ft. at 2600&nbsp;rpm. Four-barrel carburetor. Premium fuel.}}</ref> The subsequent bored and stroked 462 cu in MEL was installed in 1966-68 Continentals; however, during the 1968 run, Ford’s lighter new {{cvt|460|cid|L|1}} [[Ford 385 engine|385-series "Lima" engine]] was phased-in and replaced the MEL, which was discontinued entirely.

==462==
The 430 was replaced by the {{cvt|7.565|L|cuin L cc|adj=ri1|0|order=out}} engine in 1966. Bore and stroke were entirely different at {{convert|4.38|and|3.83|in|mm|1}} and the 462 MEL engine produced {{cvt|340|hp|kW|0}} and as much as {{cvt|485|lbft|Nm|0}} of torque. This engine was fitted with hydraulic lifters and a four-barrel [[Carter Carburetor|Carter AFB carburetor]]. This large, torquey engine was used only in Lincoln Continentals, from 1966 until mid-year in 1968 when it was replaced by the new lighter weight [[Ford 385 engine#460|Ford 385-series 460 V8]]. Production ended after 1968, and production facilities in Lima were converted to produce the new engine family.

==Applications==

* 1958: all [[Edsel]] Citation and Corsair models as standard equipment (410 only)
* 1958–1960: all [[Lincoln Continental#Third generation (1958–1960)|Continental]] models Marks III, IV, V as standard equipment (430 only)
* 1958–1960: all [[Lincoln Motor Company|Lincoln]] models as standard equipment (430 only)
* 1958–1960: all [[Mercury (automobile)|Mercury]] models as standard or optional equipment (383 and 430 only)
* 1959–1960: all [[Ford Thunderbird]] models as optional equipment (430 only)
* 1961–1965: all [[Lincoln Continental]] models as standard equipment (430 only)
* 1966–1968: all [[Lincoln Continental]] models as standard equipment (462 only)

==See also==

* [[List of Ford engines]]


==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Ford_v8_engines}}


[[Category:Ford engines|MEL]]
[[Category:V8 engines]]
[[Category:Gasoline engines by model]]