ive got a chance to get a FREE (after i drive almost 3 hours to get it) shortblock 1958 f/e the guy says its a 332 ? ive never heard of a 332 my question is is there anything there worth the drive? other then scrap weight
The smallest big-block Ford was the 332 of 331.8 cu in (5.4 L) actual engine displacement, with a 4.0 inches (101.60 mm) bore and 3.3 inches (83.82 mm) stroke. It was used in Ford-brand cars in 1958 and 1959, domestically-marketed U.S. and Canadian-built Edsel-brand cars in 1959, and in export-configured 1958 and 1959 Edsels.<sup id="cite_ref-1959_Edsel_SDB_16-1" class="reference">[16]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-1958_Ford_Brochure_17-0" class="reference">[17]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-1959_Ford_Brochure_18-0" class="reference">[18]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-1958_Edsel_SDB_19-0" class="reference">[19]</sup> A two-barrel version produced 240 bhp (179.0 kW), while a Holley or Autolite four-barrel version produced 265 bhp (197.6 kW) Wikipedia - it's gotta be true... Sounds like something that may be hard to find parts for if they're specific...
A lot of people like the heads with the machined combustion chambers and the adjustable rocker arms for the mechanical cams and the smooth "baldy" valve covers. But if its just a short block, I can't think of anything special about it other than a stamped steel timing cover with a cam button on it.
A 332 is a great FE core to start with. Those early heads generally flowed pretty good. a 428 crank will drop right in with absolutely no modifications to make a 410 with a 0.050" overbore. Even the 332 in its stock configuration was a good, strong running motor. Wikipedia agrees with my 1960 Motor's Auto Repair Manual which lists the 4 bbl 332 at 265 Hp and 360 ft-lbs of torque. If the shortblock is in ready to run fashion, throw a set of Edelbrock heads and Intake on it, and you will have a good strong 275+ hp motor that will be a ton of fun in a early Ford. Go get it.
Total BS. They work great on my 0.030" over 352. There are 2 FE heads offered by Edelbrock. For a 332/352, you want to get the base Peformer RPM heads with 2.09" Intake and 1.66" Exhaust valves. The higher performance heads machined to accept 2.19" Intake and 1.73" Exhaust valves won't work on a 352 or 332. Hell, they will barely work on a 4.05" Bore 390 or 410 (valve shrouding hurts the flow). They are designed for the larger bores of the 406, 427, and 428.
Edelbrock must have hired an Autozone or O'Reilly's reject on the Tech Counter too bad this mis-information was posted on a FE site it will be costing them some lost sales.I'll post a link to your engine.
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