Loading

What engines did Ford have in 1963?

Ford’s 1963 engine lineup spanned inline-sixes and V8s, including the 144, 170 and 200 cubic inch sixes and the 260, 289, 390 and 427 cubic inch V8s, with Lincoln using a 430 cubic inch V8 in its lineup.


That year, Ford offered engines across its main brands—Ford, Mercury and Lincoln—across a range of body styles from compact Falcons to full-size Galaxies. The new 427 FE V8 arrived as Ford's top performance option in 1963, while smaller blocks powered everyday cars. The following breakdown highlights the engines most commonly found in the 1963 Ford product lineup.


Inline-Six engines


The six-cylinder options for 1963 covered three straightforward displacements and powered economy and mid-size models.



  • 144 cubic inch inline-six (I6)

  • 170 cubic inch inline-six (I6)

  • 200 cubic inch inline-six (I6)


The inline-six family typically powered the Falcon and other entry-level models, offering reliable performance for daily driving.


V8 engines


The V8 lineup was broader, spanning mid-size to premium applications with several displacements depending on model and option level.



  • 260 cubic inch V8

  • 289 cubic inch V8

  • 390 cubic inch V8

  • 427 cubic inch V8 (FE)


V8 engines powered most mid- and full-size Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln models, with the 427 FE serving as Ford's flagship performance option in 1963.


Notable model connections


Inline-sixes mainly appear in the economical Ford and Falcon lines; 260/289 V8s commonly found in mid-size Fairlane and Mercury models; larger 390 and 427 FE engines installed in Galaxie, Custom, Thunderbird, and premium Lincoln Continentals for customers seeking higher performance.


Summary: In 1963 Ford's engine lineup included three inline-sixes (144, 170, 200 cu in) and four V8s (260, 289, 390, 427 FE), with Lincoln using a 430 cu in V8 for luxury models and the 427 FE marking the era's performance focus.

Did Ford make a 427 in 1963?


So this is a pretty rare car from the total performance era follow along as Jim tells us all about this sweet Ford. And watch the ride along video and more now let's go for a. Ride.



What was the engine specs of the 1963 Ford 390?


The 1963 Ford 390 engine was a 390 cubic inch, overhead-valve V8 with a cast iron block and five main bearings. Key specifications include a bore of 4.054.054.05 inches, a stroke of 3.783.783.78 inches, and a 9.6∶19.6 colon 19.6∶1 compression ratio. Standard versions produced 300300300 horsepower at 460046004600 RPM, with a higher-performance 330330330 horsepower version also available. 
Engine specifications

  • Displacement: 390390390 cubic inches (6.46.46.4 L)
  • Configuration: 90∘90 raised to the composed with power90∘ overhead-valve V8
  • Block: Cast iron
  • Main bearings: Five
  • Bore: 4.054.054.05 inches (103103103 mm)
  • Stroke: 3.783.783.78 inches (969696 mm)
  • Compression Ratio: 9.6∶19.6 colon 19.6∶1
  • Horsepower:
    • Standard: 300300300 hp @ 460046004600 RPM
    • High Performance: 330330330 hp @ 500050005000 RPM
  • Torque:
    • Standard: 427427427 ft.-lbs. @ 280028002800 RPM
    • High Performance: 427427427 ft.-lbs. @ 320032003200 RPM
  • Carburetor: Ford 4-barrel (standard) or other configurations on high-performance models
  • Lifters: Hydraulic (standard) 

You can watch this video to learn about the Ford 390 FE engine's architecture: 1mEngine LegendsYouTube · Jun 10, 2025



What engines were available in a 1963 Ford Galaxie?


One of the standout features of the 1963 Ford Galaxie was its availability with various V8 engines, including the 221 cubic inch (3.6L) V8 and the legendary 352 cubic inch (5.8L) V8.



What engines did Ford make in the 60s?


Ford raced into 1962 with essentially the 1961 lineup of engines: A 223-cubic-inch six, 292 V-8, 352 V-8, 300- and 330-horsepower 390s, and, at the beginning of the year, beefed-up 390s producing 375 or 401 horses. The 352 and 390s (save for the 401-horsepower plant) utilized single four-barrel carburetors.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.