'58 Edsel's 361 (303 HP) Factory Claim Vs. Real Dyno Results

[Shelby#18]

A big thanks to Dane LaFortune (My restorer) for finding this, and scanning for us. I have the next issue on order for Chapter 2, and will post when received.

[Shelby#18]

As promised the conclusion of the article.

[KULTULZ]

You realize the 361 (1958-1959) was an EDSEL specific (E-400) FE? It was a 390 bore size with a 352 stroke (same as later 360 FE light truck engine.

Interesting article though.

[Theo]

That's right. I didn't realize it too because I had no time yet to take a look at it. Viewing the pics the cylinder head chambers are typical FE chambers. It looks like a very interesting article though. I'd love to read it when time allows within the next few days. Rick, I'd vote for renaming the topic and keeping it in the MEL forum though.

[Shelby#18]

The reason for the post was so that others could see the Hp results not being what was stated from the factory literature. (And I'm fine with the title change.)

[Theo]

Rick, I changed the topic title to "1958 Edsel's 361 HP Factory Literature Vs. Real Dyno Resuls" if you don't mind. Just change it if you feel you have s.th. more adequate to the topic. I'm only suggesting.

[Theo]

That's much better. Thanx for correcting.

[KULTULZ]

This now gets one wondering as to whether the first release 58 352 (solid lifters-machined combustion chambers) did meet factory HP ratings and this engine (361) and the later modified 352 (hydraulic lifters) were actually detuned to meet the racing ban of the period and the factory did not change the claimed HP ratings.