Here are the 7 largest V8 engines by family that Ford ever built. If you think the motors from the ’60s were big, check out the #1 motor from the 1940s.
So here’s what we did. We selected the largest displacement version from each of Ford’s large V8 engine families. They’re all gas engines (no diesels) to avoid confusion. If you scan down the list and don’t see your favorite motor, it’s likely not the largest capacity of that engine’s architecture. But we’ve tried to mention any popular ford engines within the listings that an enthusiast might feel had been overlooked.
7. 379 CID Boss V8
Designed primarily as a light truck engine, the 379 Boss (internal naming only) is a 379 CID (6.2 L) V8 that features a 2-valve per cylinder SOHC valve train with dual-equal variable cam timing, roller-rocker shafts and two spark plugs per cylinder. The engine develops 411 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque. The Boss architecture uses a much wider bore spacing than Ford’s Modular V8. The 6.2 L V8 has lightweight aluminum cylinder heads and pistons but utilizes a cast iron cylinder block for extra durability as its designed primarily for light truck applications, including the 2013 Ford Raptor.
6. 400 CID 335 V8
In need of a large engine to replace the aging, and heavy big block “385” (429/460) engines, Ford increased the capacity of the 351 engine to 400 CID. Introduced in 1970, the 400 was available in Ford’s Custom, Galaxie, and LTD car lines, and in the Mercury Monterey, Marquis, and Brougham car lines. Billed as the 351 Cleveland’s big brother, the 400 was designed to provide brisk acceleration for big, heavy, full-sized cars. The deck height was raised significantly to accommodate the increased displacement, but the long rod length was excellent for producing that Ford and its customers sought. The 400 was only ever a passenger car engine with no sporting aspirations – it was available only with a two-barrel carburetor and a cast-iron exhaust manifold.
5. 428 CID FE V8
A member of the famous FE (Ford Edsel) family that included the famous 427 side oiler and the 427 SOHC “Cammer” engines, the 428 is the largest of all FE motors by one cubic inch. It came into being as the 427 block was expensive to manufacture as the cylinder walls were so thin. As a solution, Ford utilized a narrower 4.135″ bore with a longer 3.985″ stroke, creating an easier-to-manufacture engine with nearly identical displacement. Performance versions of the 428 engine included the Cobra Jet and the Super Cobra Jet.
4. 462 CID MEL V8
The largest of the MEL (Mercury Edsel Lincoln) big blocks, the 462 was brought online in 1966 exclusively for Lincoln Continentals. The 462 MEL engine produced 340 hp and as much as 485 lb-ft of torque. Not intended for hot rodding, the engine was developed to provide a smooth delivery of power. That fact that it was fitted with a Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor says more about the amount of air and furl the engine needed to draw than any performance aspirations. In mid-year 1968 the 462 was replaced by the newer 385-series 460 V8.
3. 514 CID 385 V8
The Ford 385 engine family (the name coming from the 3.85 inch crankshaft stroke of the 460 V8 was the Ford Motor Company’s final big block V8 engine design, replacing the Ford MEL engine and gradually superseding the Ford FE engine family. The engines were in production between 1968 and 1997. Some of the more famous versions of the 385 include the Cobra Jet, Super Cobra Jet, and of course, the Boss 429. However, Ford created a crate motor from the 383 block that displaced 514 CID and developed 625 hp straight out of the box. sadly, that motor has been discontinued but is till the king of the 385s.
2. 534 CID Super Duty V8
Ford’s Super Duty V8 was introduced in 1958 as a replacement for the Lincoln Y-block (with a maximum displacement of only 332 CID in truck applications). The Super Duty was available in displacements of 401, 477 and 534 cubic inches. The Super Duty engines were large, heavy, high torque engines which operated at a relatively low RPM. The 534 produced 363 hp and 490 lb-ft of torque. Never intended for use in an automobile they were most commonly found in medium and heavy duty trucks of the time. There was a Marine version called the Seamaster that featured twin turbochargers.
1. 1100 CID GAA V8
Originally designed as a V12 for aircraft applications, the Ford GAA V8 was created by loping off two cylinders on each bank (and still utilizing the same 60 degree V angle). Intended to power M4 Sherman tanks during WWII, the Ford GAA is very sophisticated for its time. It’s an all-aluminum 32-valve DOHC V8 engine, with dual Stromberg NA-Y5-G carburetors, dual magnetos and twin spark plugs making for a redundant ignition system. The GAA displaces 1,100 CID (18 L) and produces well over 1,000 ft-lb of torque from idle to 2600 rpm. The factory-rated output was 525 hp @ 2800 rpm.
