Ford MEL engine: Mercury (automobile), Lincoln Y-block V8 engine, Lincoln (automobile), Lima Engine, Chevrolet Big-Block engine

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Ford developed the MEL ("Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln") engine series for use in their line of Mercury models from 1958 through 1967. The MEL also replaced Lincoln's unique Y-block design. These engines were produced in Lima, Ohio at Ford's Lima Engine plant. They were replaced by the 385 series engines. All MEL engines had wedge shaped combustion chambers formed between a flat head surface and an angle milled block deck (10 degrees off square with the bore axis), with the piston top determining the compression ratio and combustion chamber shape, similar to the Chevrolet Big-Block 348 combustion chamber, also introduced in 1958, and the later 409. Unlike the Chevrolet, which had staggered valves and scalloped or M shaped valve covers, the MEL valves were inline with shaft mounted rocker arms like the FE model Ford engines which were introduced at the same time. As with the previous generation V8's, an open runner intake manifold was used, requiring the use of a stamped steel lifter valley cover similar to that of the Pontiac V8 engines.