The engine was produced in 427 and 428 cu in high-performance versions, and famously powered Ford GT40 MkIIs to endurance racing domination in the 24 hours of Le Mans during the mid-1960s.

FE engines came in a wide variety of configurations, including: The low-rise intake, designed to fit under a low hoodline, was the first.

Low-rise intakes have the carburetor placed relatively low; the air-fuel mix must follow a more convoluted path to the combustion chambers.

[6] The Edsel 361 was the very first FE block engine to be offered for sale in any market, having been introduced to the public in the U.S. on September 4, 1957, almost two months before any 1958 Fords were sold.

Many of these cars came with an aluminum 3x2bbl intake manifold in the trunk that was meant to be installed by the dealer and raised the engine's output to 401 horsepower (299 kW).

This design prevented the main bearing caps from "walking" under extreme racing conditions, and can be found today in many of the most powerful and modern engines from many manufacturers.

The engine was available with low-rise, medium-rise, or high-rise manifolds, and either single or double four-barrel carburetors on an aluminum intake.matched to corresponding head design[clarify] Ford never released an official power rating.

The idler shaft in the block in place of the camshaft was driven by the timing chain and drove the distributor and oil pump in conventional fashion.

Nevertheless, the SOHC 427 found its niche in non-stock drag racing, powering many altered-wheelbase A/FX Mustangs,[25] and becoming the basis for a handful of supercharged Top Fuel dragsters, including those of Connie Kalitta, Pete Robinson, and Lou Baney (driven by Don "the Snake" Prudhomme).

In 1967 Connie Kalitta's SOHC-powered "Bounty Hunter" slingshot dragster won Top Fuel honors at AHRA, NHRA and NASCAR winter meets, becoming the only "triple crown" winner in drag racing history.

Launched in April 1968, it was built on a regular production line using a variety of cylinder heads[30] combined with a 735 CFM Holley four-barrel carburetor.

A Holman and Moody specially prepared "stripper", which carried no sound deadener, undercoating, or any optional factory equipment, was used as the introductory press car in 1968.

[32] Period road tests revealed quarter mile performance in the low 14-second to very high 13-second range, with trap speeds around 101 to 103 mph (163 to 166 km/h):[33] The 428 Cobra Jet engine (modified to the NHRA Stock and Super Stock technical specifications) made its drag racing debut at 1968 NHRA Winternationals, held from February 2–4, 1968, at the Auto Club Raceway at Los Angeles County Fairgrounds, in Pomona, California.

Ford Motor Company sponsored five drivers (Gas Ronda, Jerry Harvey, Hubert Platt, "Dyno Don" Nicholson, Kenneth McLellan, and Al Joniec) to race six 428 CJ-equipped Mustangs.

A nodular iron crankshaft casting #1UA was used as well as heavier 427 "Le Mans" connecting rods with capscrews instead of bolts for greater durability.

A 428 Super Cobra Jet engine with oil cooler was standard equipment when the "Drag Pack" option (which came when selecting either a 3.91 or 4.30 rear end gear ratio) was ordered with cars manufactured from 13 November 1968.

Ford regularly made updates to the design of the FE which appear as engineering codes or variations in casting numbers of parts.

The use of the FE by Ford itself as the powerplant in many of its racing programs and performance vehicles resulted in constant improvements and engineering changes over the course of its life.

The Plymouths earned all their victories on the short tracks while Ford dominated the super speedways, Chevrolet finished with eight wins and Pontiac had four.

Also in 1965, Ford and Carroll Shelby began production of a new and improved Cobra using a 427 cubic inches (7 L) FE side-oiler in place of the original's 289 cu in (4.7 L) Windsor small-block.

[44] In 1966, the 427 cubic inch Ford GT40 Mk II dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, with a one-two-three result.

Beginning in 1962 and continuing through 1964, Ford made lightweight versions of its popular Galaxie model using aluminum, fiberglass and specially chosen components emphasizing light weight over comfort or style.

Many parts were simply not put on the vehicle, such as a passenger side windshield wiper, sound deadening, armrests, heater, and radio.

In late 1964, Ford contracted Holman & Moody to prepare ten 427-powered Mustangs to contest the National Hot Rod Association's (NHRA) A/Factory Experimental Class in the 1965 drag racing season.

Modified to accept a 427 high-riser engine, it featured a teardrop-shaped bubble hood to clear the induction system and drivetrain components from the larger Galaxie model.

The Shelby Super Snake top fuel dragster, powered by a 427 supercharged SOHC, became the first car in NHRA competition to break the six-second quarter-mile time barrier.

The FE-powered vehicle beat the official British wheel-driven record over the flying 500 and kilometer distances, until then held by Sir Malcolm Campbell, of 174.883 mph[53] The FE engine is used extensively in custom installations.

One dragstrip version was equipped with a Holman-Moody prepped 427 FE with dual quads, which would be launched in second gear and spin its tires the entire quarter-mile length of the track.

[54] In 1968 Carroll Shelby created a custom Mustang using a California Special model and an experimental Ford 428 FE (known as a CJX, precursor to the 428 Cobra Jet).

This "Green Hornet"[55][better source needed] had a custom independent rear suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and a Conelec electronically controlled port fuel injection system.