1960 Ford Engine 352 CI Specs
by Kenneth V. Oster
The 352-cubic inch V8 engine was used in several Ford Motor Company models in 1960. The engine came in three different horsepower configurations designed to meet the needs of a wide range of consumers. The 352 engine was utilized from 1958 through 1967 in vehicles ranging from police interceptors to family cars and pickups. The 352's 10-year production run was a result of its strength and durability.
Horsepower Ratings
The 1960 two-barrel carburetor 352 engine rates 220 horsepower at 4,300 revolutions per minute (RPM). The torque rating for the 220-horsepower engine is 336 ft.-lbs. at 2,600 RPM. The second engine configuration has a four-barrel carburetor, with 300 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. The torque rating for the 300-horsepower engine is 381 ft.-lbs. at 2,800 RPM. The third engine configuration, used in police interceptor applications, is rated at 360 horsepower at 4600 RPM. The 220-horsepower version of the engine was installed in full-size family cars and pickups. The 300- and 360-horsepower engines were installed in Thunderbirds and were available as an option in the Galaxie.
Engine Specifications
The Ford 352 is considered a big block engine. The bore and stroke are 4.0 by 3.5 inches. The compression ratio for the 220-horsepower engine is 8.9:1. The compression ratio is a measure of how small of an area the piston compresses the fuel air mixture before firing the spark plug. The compression ratio of the 300-horsepower engine is 9.6:1, and the compression ratio of the 360-horsepower engine is 10:1. The estimated operating oil pressure is 43 to 54 pounds. Early versions of the engine had mechanical lifters. In response to consumers' demands to avoid constantly adjusting the mechanical lifters, Ford redesigned the engine heads to facilitate the use of hydraulic lifters.
Tuneup Specifications
The firing order for the 352 V8 engine is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8. The firing order is the sequence the ignition system uses to fire each cylinder. Ignition timing for a vehicle with a standard transmission is five degrees before top dead center, and for a vehicle with an automatic transmission is eight degrees before top dead center. Engines produced in the 1960s were built long before electronic ignition, so the points in the distributor need to be set. The ignition point gap should be set at .015, and the dwell angle should be set from 26 to 28. Finally, the spark plug gap should be set at .034. Those rebuilding a 352 engine for high performance purposes will have custom tuneup specifications.
References
Writer Bio
Kenneth Oster's leadership experience includes an Air Force career, pastoral leadership, and business ownership in the automotive repair industry. He has a MBA from Western Governors University, and is working toward a DBA degree from Northcentral University. Oster authored the book, "The Complete Guide to Preserving Meat, Fish and Game: Step-by-Step Instructions to Freezing, Canning, Curing and Smoking."
