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Mercury B-code specs: 332 ci (5.4L) 8-cylinder, 4.00 x 3.299 in (101.6 x 83.8 mm) bore and stroke. Rated 225-240 hp, 1958–1959. Used in the Ford Fairlane.
The Mercury B-code is oversquare — the 4" bore exceeds the 3.2992" stroke by 21.2% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.2992" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 7,250 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. Each of the 8 cylinders displaces 41.5 ci (680 cc).
It is one of 34 engines in the FE family, the smallest at 332 ci. 2 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 225 to 240 hp across 1958–1959.
| Displacement | 332 ci / 5.4 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 4" |
| Stroke | 3.2992" |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Configuration | V8 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.212 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | cast iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 225–240 hp |
| Years | 1958–1959 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.212 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,299 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 41.5 ci |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1958 | 240 hp | B-code |
| 1959 | 225 hp | B-code |