I’ve had those MEL block boring plates for a good number of years now.  They have been used several times but are cleaned after each use and put in their wooden cases which helps to explain why they still look good.  These originally came from a machine shop that was shutting down.  Hard to say what they cost new back then but would definitely be pricey today based on what torque plates now cost.


While the aftermarket MEL pistons maintain a zero deck at the upper portion of the piston, the spark plug side of the piston is where the compression ratio can be tailored specifically to the application.  The valve pockets do limit what can be done with the compression ratio if running high lift cams.  Here are some pictures.
 
410 M-E-L – Edsel street engine for pump gasoline
 


 
371 CID M-E-L for Bonneville C/AIR class using racing fuel
 
 
550 CID M-E-L using racing fuel
 

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

these look hardly ever used.did you come across them at a swap meet or something or did you always have them.i wonder what they cost back in the day.

Never knew that, leave it to Ted to have the block plate.  What do the pistons look like, do they have a similar slant on top??

Looks like ti has the "Steam holes" drilled Lol

While the GM ‘W’ series engines (348/409) were machined with 14° decks, the M-E-L engines (383/410/430/462) have decks machined on a 10° angle.  Both these engine families require specific plates bolted to the decks that will permit a deck mounted boring bar to be used.  Here is what that plate looks like for the M-E-L engines.
 

 

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I agree.  I hate it when I see a nice old Ford with a SBC under the hood. I've had my share of GM engines both big and small.  Raced one for years.  They're the cheapest way to go fast.   They don't belong in Fords.

Florida Phil;..re the 302 in a  50's Ford.. I agree with U, but it's even worse, when I see an SBC under the hood, I just walk away or I might get into a confrontation... 


Paul

Interesting discussion on some of the Ford V8's. I realize the LEM engine series isn't a Y-block but this interesting thread brought back some long ago memories of a 383 in good condition. I got my hands on this 383 from a wrecked 58 Mercury.  Once I learned an FE bell housing and flywheel would fit, it was off to the bone yard to pick parts. This was in the late 60s when I put this 383 in my old 62 Galaxy 4dr.  I thought I could play with valve timing by installing solid lifters and adjustable rockers from an FE. They fit, it worked. This thing developed crazy torque. I couldn't come out of the hole with out wiping out the 1st gear slider and cluster. Like, had to get up to about a 40mph roll and then the car would pull super strong. There was different technology used on this engine series like mentioned above.  The cylinder deck was machined at a 10* angle (I think), the heads were flat - no combustion chambers and the power steering pump was integral to the timing chain cover behind the damper pulley. For me, it was and still is very satisfying to sort out any Ford compatibility issues then building something that performs excellent and reliable. The tricks and resources are there, just have to dig for them and it's been worth it.


64F100 57FAIRLANE500

the 430 series had the block cut at an angle as everyone knows.you couldnt use an old type b0ring bar like i have a van norman 777.i understand they had a plate that bolted to the block to level it.anyone ever see one.

Right after we married in 1965, I bought a 56 Ford Victoria off a car lot.  It had a 292 with a three speed on the floor.  It had a bad starter and I didn't have the money to fix it, so I always tried to park it on a hill.  Since there weren't many hills in Miami, I carried jumper cables in my trunk.  I got caught a few times jumping my car from other people's cars without permission.  Those were the days.....

my last y block car was in 1970.was married in 71 and that was the end of old cars for me.all of the y block powered car were gone from here by that time due to rust and none were made after 58 anyway.didnt get another untill 2002.a 56 customline.a long wait.