> Question on 472 Lincoln engines. I think you mean 462. The 462 was the largest of the Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln)
MEL engine family which were available in 383, 410, 430, and 462 cubic inch
displacements, with growth potential to go even larger. They were big bore,
short stroke, engines:
Disp Bore x Stroke
383 4.30 x 3.30
410 4.20 X 3.70
430 4.29 x 3.70
462 4.38 x 3.83
The main bearing diameter was 2.90" and the rods were 2.60". The large rod
journals and bores meant they could be offset ground for a big increase in
displacement and there were 504 cubic inch stroker packages available back
in their day.
Like a 348-409 Chevy, MEL block faces were cut at less than 45 degrees
and form the combustion chamber. When the piston is at TDC there is a
wedged shape space between head and the deck. The head is completely
flat with squish area determined by the piston shape. Ford claimed this
arrangement offered better breathing (less shrouding of the valves) and
was cheaper to produce (no complex head castings). The MEL's had a 1.8:1
rocker arm ratio and relatively large ports and valves for the day.
I believe the power steering pump was integral with the engine as well.
Special wedge plates must be used when reboring block. The MEL's shared
some design features with FE's (exhaust bolt pattern, valves stem diameter,
and oil system layout, IIRC). According to Dave Williams' Engine Weight
FYI, they weighed a bit more than 460's (720 lbs for the 460, 740 lbs for
the 430) but I'm not sure if that's an apples-to-apples comparison.
> A generous donation has been made to my new 56 Ford street/strip project.
> I buddy of my has donated a 1966 Lincoln continental drive train to me.
Hang onto the transmission and related bits. Your 462 likely came with a
C6 transmission. Beware there is some variation in the bellhousing pattern
over the years. The '58 to '61 (or is it '62 blocks?) use the same bellhousing
pattern as an FE. The '63 to '65 blocks have a lower starter mount and
different dowl pin and are not a direct bolt-on to an FE bellhousing.
The '66 to '67 462 blocks have a C6 that is yet another pattern. The '66/'67
462 came with a C6 from the factory, but the block had a dual bolting pattern
and that C6 case was unique. But, the dual bolt pattern will still take the
earlier trans bellhousing. Just one hole and a separate mounting bracket is
not used. I think an FE flywheel will bolt to the crank flange. Dunno about
the flexplate, convertor hub size and depth of the hub into the crank flange
pilot.
> I would like to know if this engine is worth my time?
Absolutely. They are a big inch engine with lots of potential. Plus,
they are different from your run-of-the-mill mill. That's always a good
thing when it comes to street rods. I know a stroker engine builder who
would love to gets his hands on one to build. They were eventually
replaced by the ever larger FE and 385 series big blocks in FoMoCo's
line-up. Still, there were some neat performance parts available,
including roller cams, aluminum rods, and supercharger kits (axial-flow
Latham, centrifugal Paxton, and positive displacement Roots).
> What HP were these engines rated?
The highest horsepower version was the 1958 430 Super Marauder which came
with three two barrel carbs and was rated at 400 horsepower and nearly 500
foot-pounds of torque. The 462's were rated at 340 HP and 485 ft-lbs.
> Is the 472 lincoln engine the same as a 472 caddy engine?
They are completely different engines.
> And mostly will this engine fit my application?
You'll have to take a tape measure to it but it would be a neat street
rod engine, especially if you could find a 3x2 bbl intake for it.
Dan Jones
Mustangsandmore Forums
posted 12-02-2004 02:25 PM
