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Ford cars: V-8 FE (1958-1976) and 385 (1968-1998) manuals
A repair manual for your Ford V-8 FE (1958-1976) or Series 385 (1968-1998)? Here are manuals for DIY repairs and rebuilds of engines in Ford cars.
They offer clear instructions for maintenance, troubleshooting, and parts replacement.
Are you also looking for parts or accessories for your Ford? Then try our Parts Finder.
Ford V8 Engine Overhaul Manual (1961-1993) | Chilton Repair Manual
Chilton Repair Manual for maintenance, repair and overhaul of American Ford V8 gasoline engines: 90° V Small Block, 335 Series Small Block, FE Series Big Block and 385 Series Big Block.
Covered types:
Small Block: 255 (4.2 litre, 1979-1982), 260 (4.3 litre, 1962-1964), 289 (4.7 litre, 1963-1968), 302 (4.9 litre, since 1968), 302 Boss (4.9 litre, 1969-1970), 351W (5.7 litre, since 1969), 351C (5.7 litre, 1970-1974), 351 Boss (5.7 litre, 1970-1974), 351M (5.7 litre, 1975-1985) and 400 (6.5 litre, 1971-1981).
Big Block: 352 (5.7 litre, 1960-1966), 390 (6.4 litre, 1961-1971), 406 (6.6 litre, 1962-1963), 410 (6.7 litre, 1966-1967), 427 (7.0 litre, 1963-1968), 428 (7.0 litre, 1966-1970), 429 STD (7.0 litre, 1968-1973), 429 CJ (7.0 litre, 1969-1970), 429 SCJ (7.0 litre, 1969-1970), 429 Boss (S) (7.0 litre, 1969), 429 Boss (T) (7.0 litre, 1969-1970) and 460 (7.5 litre, since 1969).
This Chilton manual for North American Ford V8 gasoline engines covers maintenance and repair of the complete engine (distribution, camshaft, inlet and outlet valves, cylinder head, crankshaft, lubricating system, and gaskets).
It also addresses the cooling and the fuel system.
Step-by-step instructions for removing and mounting the engine and the overhaul of the cylinder head and the engine block.- Covers both U.S. and Canadian models.
- Includes technical specifications, adjustment data and torque wrench settings.
Product details
| Details: | 272 pages, 27.5 x 20.5 x 2.2 cm / 10.8 x 8.1 x 0.87 in, paperback |
| Illustrations: | numerous photos and drawings |
| Publisher: | Chilton Automotive Books (USA, 2001) |
| Series: | Chilton Auto Repair Manual (8793) |
| ISBN: | 9780801987939 |
More information on the Chilton Repair Manuals
Ford FE Engines - How to Rebuild: Complete Step-by-Step Instruction for 330- to 428-ci Engines
Ford FE engines, which were manufactured from the late 1950s all the way through the mid-1970s, were designated as the large-displacement engines in the Ford lineup. FE means Ford Edsel and reflects an era when Ford sought to promote the Edsel name. The design of these engines was implemented to increase displacement over its predecessor, the Y-Block engines of the previous decade.
This book shows you how to rebuild one of these legendary engines. CarTech's unique Workbench series format takes you step-by-step through the entire rebuilding process.
Covered are engine identification and selection, disassembly, cleaning, parts analysis and assessment, machine shop processes, replacement parts selection, reassembly and start-up/break-in techniques. Along the way are helpful tips on performance upgrades, trouble spots to look for, special tools required, and professional builder's tips.
Product details
| Author: | Barry Rabotnick |
| Details: | 144 pages, 28 x 21.5 x 1 cm / 11 x 8.5 x 0.39 in, paperback |
| Illustrations: | 388 colour photos |
| Publisher: | CarTech Inc (USA, 2016) |
| Series: | S-A Design Workbench (SA352) |
| ISBN: | 9781613252444 |
More information on the CarTech Workbench books
Ford 429 / 460 Engines - How to Rebuild (Revised Edition)
Ford was unique in having two very different big-block engine designs during the muscle car era. The original FE engine, developed in the late 1950s, replaced the Y-block design and became a high-performance engine, winning Le Mans and drag racing championships in the 1960s.
By the late 1960s, the FE engine was outdated and was replaced by the 385 series, which came in 429 and 460 cubic inch versions. While it didn't have the same racing legacy as the FE, the new design was an improvement in almost every way and is still part of Ford's motorsport offerings today.
Starting in 1971, the 429 engine powered Mustangs and Torinos in high-performance versions like the Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet, making it one of Ford's most powerful engines.
In "Ford 429/460 Engines: How to Rebuild, " Ford expert Charles Morris provides a complete guide to rebuilding these engines. This step-by-step manual covers everything from engine inspection and disassembly to reassembly, tuning, and even building the special Boss 429 engines. Also included is a bonus chapter on the Ford 351 Cleveland engine.
Product details
| Author: | Charles Morris |
| Details: | 144 pages, 28 x 21.5 cm / 11 x 8.5 in, paperback |
| Illustrations: | 599 colour photos |
| Publisher: | CarTech Inc (USA, 2019) |
| Series: | S-A Design Workbench (SA162P) |
| ISBN: | 9781613254929 |
More information on the CarTech Workbench books
Ford Big Block (Musclecar & Hi Po Engines)
Brooklands Portfolio book about the Ford 352, 385, 390, 406, 427, 428, 429 and 460 Big Block V8 engines.
The articles, published at the time in the American magazine 'Hot Rod Magazine', provide a lot of information about blueprinting, tuning, changing cylinder heads, overhaul and restoration.
Product details
| Details: | 100 pages, 27 x 20.5 x 0.7 cm / 10.6 x 8.1 x 0.28 in, paperback |
| Illustrations: | 200 photos and drawings |
| Publisher: | Brooklands Books (GB, 1992) |
| Series: | Musclecar & Hi Po |
| ISBN: | 9781855201064 |
More information on the Brooklands Portfolio books
How to Build Max Performance Ford FE Engines
The Ford FE (Ford Edsel) engine is one of the most popular engines Ford ever produced, and it powered most Ford and Mercury cars and trucks from the late 1950s to the mid-1970s. For many of the later years, FE engines were used primarily in truck applications.
However, the FE engine is experiencing a renaissance; it is now popular in high-performance street, strip, muscle cars, and even high-performance trucks. While high-performance build-up principles and techniques are discussed for all engines, author Barry Rabotnick focuses on the max-performance build-up for the most popular engines: the 390 and 428.
With the high-performance revival for FE engines, a variety of builds are being performed from stock blocks with mild head and cam work to complete aftermarket engines with aluminum blocks, high-flow heads, and aggressive roller cams.
This book shows you how to select the ideal pistons, connecting rods, and crankshafts to achieve horsepower requirements for all applications. The chapter on blocks discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each particular block considered.
The book also examines head, valvetrain, and cam options that are best suited for individual performance goals. Also covered are the best-flowing heads, rocker-arm options, lifters, and pushrods. In addition, this volume covers port sizing, cam lift, and the best rocker-arm geometry.
Covers 332, 352, 361, 390, 406, 410, 427 and 428 cu in FE engines.
Product details
| Author: | Barry Robotnick |
| Details: | 144 pages, 27.5 x 21.5 x 1 cm / 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.39 in, paperback |
| Illustrations: | 400 colour photos |
| Publisher: | CarTech Inc (USA, 2010) |
| Series: | S-A Design (SA183) |
| ISBN: | 9781934709153 |
More information on the CarTech S-A Design books
How to Rebuild Big-Block Ford Engines - FE and FT Series
From racing to heavy-duty hauling, the big-block Ford engine has been used successfully in Ford Motor Co. vehicles ranging from full-size trucks and passenger cars to the LeMans-winning GT40. This book details how you can rebuild your FE or FT engine to perfect running condition using factory stock components.
All rebuilding steps are covered with easy-to-understand text, illustrated with over 500 photos, charts, drawings and diagrams.
You'll find tips on engine removal, disassembly, parts reconditioning, assembly and installation. You'll be able to do either a complete overhaul or a simple parts swap. As an added bonus, a complete section on parts identification and swapping is also included, along with the most complete and correct listing of specifications and casting numbers available on big-block Ford engines.
Don't put off your project any longer. Rebuild your big-block Ford engine today!
Covers all years and models of FE and FT engines used in Ford and Mercury passenger cars and Ford trucks:
- 332, 352, 352 HP, 360, 361, 390, 390HP, 410, 427, 428, 428 CJ, 428 SCJ
- 330 HD, 330 MD, 359, 361, 389, 391 cid.
Product details
| Author: | Steve Christ |
| Details: | 160 pages, 28 x 21.5 x 1 cm / 11 x 8.5 x 0.39 in, paperback |
| Illustrations: | 500+ photos and drawings |
| Publisher: | HP Books (USA, 1983) |
| ISBN: | 9780895860705 |
Ford Big-Block Parts Interchange - Covers all FE, MEL & 385 Series Engines
The FE engine was a design pioneered in the late 1950s, primarily as a more powerful replacement for the dated Y-block design because cars were becoming bigger and heavier, and therefore, necessitated more power to move.
What started as torquey engines meant to move heavyweight sedans morphed into screaming high-performance mills that won Le Mans and drag racing championships through the 1960s.
By the late 1960s, the design was dated, so Ford replaced the FE design with the "385" series, also known as the "Lima" design, which was more similar to the canted-valve Cleveland design being pioneered at the same time.
It didn't share the 1960s pedigree of racing success, but the new design was better in almost every way; it exists via Ford motorsports offerings to this day.
In this book Ford expert and historian George Reid covers these engines completely. Interchange and availability for all engine components are covered including cranks, rods, pistons, camshafts, engine blocks, intake and exhaust manifolds, carburetors, distributors, and more.
Expanding from the previous edition of High-Performance Ford Parts Interchange that covered both small- and big-block engines in one volume, this book cuts out the small-block information and devotes every page to the MEL, FE and 385 series big-blocks from Ford, which allows for more complete and extensive coverage.
Product details
| Author: | George Reid |
| Details: | 144 pages, 28 x 21.5 cm / 11 x 8.5 in, paperback |
| Illustrations: | 400 colour photos |
| Publisher: | CarTech Inc (USA, 2018) |
| Series: | S-A Design (SA397) |
| ISBN: | 9781613253441 |
More information on the CarTech S-A Design books
Related titles:

How to Build Max-Performance 4.6- & 5.4-Liter Ford Engines
Sean Hyland | English | paperback | 146 p. | 2004

How to Rebuild 4.6L & 5.4L Ford Engines
George Reid | English | paperback | 144 p. | 2015

Building 4.6/5.4L Ford Horsepower On The Dyno - 4.6- and 5.6-Liter Modular Engines (2-, 3- & 4-Valve)
Richard Holdener | English | paperback | 208 p. | 2006

Ford 5.0L Coyote Engines (2011 to present): How to Build Max Performance
Jim Smart | English | paperback | 144 p. | 2017
Years: 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998