The MEL (for Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln) began as the replacement for the Lincoln Y-block V8 engine for use in large passenger cars.
As with the previous generation V8s, 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.
Also, the intake manifold provided no exhaust crossover passage to warm the air-fuel mixture.
The connecting rod beam had a unique triangular shape with the shoulders for the bolts sitting low toward the cap mating surface 1⁄2 in (13 mm).
Further several new Lincoln vehicles, such as the Continental luxury sedan and coupe, as well as the all-new four-seat Thunderbird of the same year, were brought to market with the new engines.
It was not an option on the Pacer, Ranger or station wagon models, which exclusively used the FE 361 engine.
The 1958 Super Marauder version used three Holley 2300 two-barrel carburetors to generate 400 hp (298 kW), the first American production car to reach this figure.
New pistons and a four-barrel carburetor were added for 1963; the 10.1:1 compression brought output back to 345 hp (257 kW).
Bore and stroke were entirely different at 4.38 and 3.83 inches (111.3 and 97.3 mm) and the 462 MEL engine produced 340 hp (254 kW) and as much as 485 lb⋅ft (658 N⋅m) of torque.
This large, torquey engine was used only in Lincoln Continentals, from 1966 until mid-year in 1968 when it was replaced by the new lighter weight Ford 385-series 460 V8.