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April 21 2005 at 7:14 AM
No score for this post gary477 (Login gary477)
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Why did Ford choose the FE over the MEL for medium truck and industrial engines? Compared to the FE, the MEL has more of everything you want in such an engine - more water jacketing, thicker crank, more bearing area. They would have " plankheads " in their medium and heavy trucks if they used the MEL. Consider the history of using Lincoln engines in Ford trucks - the 337 E series flathead and the Lincoln Y-block. Maybe they didnt want to call the engine series MELT.

No score for this post April 24 2005, 3:31 PM
Simple Reason Why...

When the MEL was released FORD was using the FORD Y-BLOCK (272HD/292HD) and the LINCOLN Y-BLOCK (302/332) for medium truck duty. When these designs needed to be upgraded, the MEL had already fallen behind in design progressions. It was easier and cheaper for FORD to go to the FE as a replacement. It (FE) just needed a few changes to power medium truck.