Mustang Engine History: 1979-1995 Ford Small-Blocks - Mustang 360
Ford Motor Company has led the industry in V-8 engine development since it introduced the flathead back in 1932. The mass-produced flathead gave customers excellent power and reliability (for the era). The flathead was produced until 1953, when it was succeeded by the Y-Block V-8. The Y-block came during a time when both gasoline and steel were very inexpensive, so vehicle size and engine displacement grew rapidly. Ford also developed the 385-series big-block engines, such as the 429 and 460. Still, there remained a need for smaller V-8s that were powerful and efficient. So engineers developed the Windsor small-block Ford, which lasted 40 years. The Windsor was introduced in 1962 as a 221ci V-8, originally produced by Ford’s Windsor Engine Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. There are of course other small-blocks, such as the 351 Cleveland, but here in Part 1 of this series we focus on the Windsor family of engines—specifically those installed in 1979-1995 Mustangs. Designed for midsize Ford and Mercury vehicles, the 221 V-8 produced 145 hp and was a lightweight engine that incorporated a thin-wall block casting, wedge-style heads with inline valves, and a two-barrel carb. Later, Ford engineered a tall-deck block (9. 2 inches) to accept a larger stroke. Source: www.mustangandfords.com
