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Original Message
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| The "FE" designation first surfaced in 1970. |
| By Dave Shoe - 02/01/2002 1:00:56 AM; IP 216.243.158.36 |
Confusion created by the introduction of the Cleveland engine family in 1970 created the need inside Ford to create "family names" for thir vast selection of V-8 engines, so the consumer wouldn't become confused and frustrated by all the choices.
In 1958 the FE engine was being pushed as the "Interceptor V-8" - a name that would be a tough sell because the engine was fairly mellow, with no police-specific engine being available until 1961.
The term "M-E-L" was quite common back 1958, as that was the symbol for the Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln Division. This is what you'd have seen. Note that the "MEL" engine family lacks the dashes, but that's no reason to believe it means anything other than the three car lines it was available in back in 1958. The MEL engine designation was also introduced in 1970.
Edelbrock created the first aftermarket intake for the FE just months after it's introduction. It was a six-carb log-type manifold which was available in two models, drilled with either three or four carb studs to fit a Stromberg or two types of Holley carbs. These intakes are still common today, but are not considered racing items anymore. Edelbrock identified it in advertising as a "Ford-Edsel intake". This designation was dropped when the Edsel was discontinued, and no other manufacturers seemed to pick it up.
Here's a link to my "Ford Engine Engine" claim:
http://www.gessford.com/images/fordsup-28.gif
Note that This 1970 supplement is the publication which introduced the terms FE and FT to the world. It states the phrase "FE Engine" in numerous places. This would suggest Ford was saying "Ford Engine Engine". Not likely. I agree, the meaning was intended to be Ford-Edsel, though Ford didn't spell it out at the time.
Shoe.
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