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Original Message
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| RE: Lou 352HP engine? |
| By McQ - 06/18/2006 6:50:57 PM; IP 4.255.78.248 |
Okay my turn to offer my opinion. I'm one who has always thought the '60 Ford was one of Ford's greatest styling ideas. I can still remember the first '60 Starliner I saw driving down the street and I was literally stunned by its unique beauty. It's true it was a controversial style but Ford sold a lot of them and they remain popular with those who like 'em. Remember the old adage about beauty.
Now as for the one year only, there were no '61 Fords sold with factory 352 HP's. Thre were no -Y- code '61 Fords. None. Never offered. I will concur with Lou that a true 352HP engine is very rare. They were built on a PAO 9060 basis - only built if the production line was caught up and time was available. Many unique/special parts were installed on a 352HP powered car. A brief list off the top of my head:
HD axle which meant 4 pinion instead of 2.
3/8" fuel line from tank to pump and then 3/8" through the unique fuel filter to the 540 cfm Holley carb bolted onto the first FE factory aluminum intake manifold. The fuel filter and 3/8" lines were the same used on 390HP, 406, 427's through '67.
3" front brakes with 2.5" rears.
Higher rated springs rear and front.
HD U-joints. And there are other special chassis items. But the point is the production line was not set-up or ready to build the HP cars of '60 and '61. It took a little more walking, reaching and lifting.
The 352HP itself used a B9AE block that was a hydraulic block but the lifter oil passages were factory blocked. The cam of course was the solid lifter that saw continuing usage to the '63 427. The crank was selected and slightyly modified to handle higher RPMs. The 352HP would easily rev to 6,500 stock. The rods/pistons were nothing special but they were unique vs. standard 4V/2V rods/pistons. As I've mentioned the harmonic balancer was larger/thicker accomodating higher RPM. levels.
To summarize, the 352HP is much rarer than a 427 or 428 CJ. But does that make it more valuable or even as valuable? I don't think so. It's good old simple econ - what will the market bare? There's much broader interest in the CJ and '27 powered cars. Twelve years ago I sold a complete intake to pan and exhaust manifolds '69 428 CJ engine for $3,000 locally to a guy needing one for his Mustang. I ran a classified local ad for one weekend and it sold by Sunday. I personally don't believe a complete 352HP would bring near that even now. Not much market for one. But if you're patient and run ads in enough places you might find a weirdo like me who might part with a chunk-o-change for the real thing.
But please don't offer me one. I've got enough going on in my shop as it is. |
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