by Wild About Cars Staff – reprint with permission only

The 361 CID was primarily used in the1958-59 Edsel and later in 1968-75-6 Ford Trucks. It has a bore of 4.046″ and the 352 CID stroke of 3.500″.

1958 – 1959: The 361 V8  was called the E-400 in reference to its torque rating. It was standard equipment in the 1958-59 Edsel Ranger, Pacer, Villager, Roundup and Bermuda and available in 1959. 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. 

The 361 CID engine was only available in four-barrel form and had 10.5:1 compression. It was rated at 303 HP @ 4600 RPM and 409 ft. lbs. of torque @ 2900 rpm.

Edsel 361 V8s were also available in 1958 Ford models to U.S. law enforcement agencies and state and municipal emergency services as the “Police Power Pack.”

The 361 CID 4V FE engine was also available in 1958 and 1959 in the Ford and (Mercury) Meteor brand automobiles in Canada.

Later, it would be used in medium and heavy-duty Ford Trucks from 1968-1976. It differed from the Edsel version in that it used stronger connecting rods and a forged steel crankshaft.