1981 F100 w/255 V8 (is the 255 rare?)

[Rembrant]

I'm only posting this because I never ever see Bullnose trucks for sale with the 255 V8. In fact, I think this is the first one I've ever come across online, and I've never seen one in the flesh.

70,700 original kms (45k original miles).

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1397566376&requestSource=b

 

[grumpin]

I haven't even heard of a 255 V8 let alone see one! Cool!

[Gary Lewis]

I haven't even heard of a 255 V8 let alone see one! Cool!

I've not seen one either, but they were an option in '81 and '82 in the 49-state F100's, only, as shown on the Engine & Driveline tab in Year To Year Differences. The engine is the bottom end of the Windsor clan and had a 3.68" bore and 3.00" stroke, as opposed to the 4" x 3" stroke of the 302.

[PetesPonies]

I've not seen one either, but they were an option in '81 and '82 in the 49-state F100's, only, as shown on the Engine & Driveline tab in Year To Year Differences. The engine is the bottom end of the Windsor clan and had a 3.68" bore and 3.00" stroke, as opposed to the 4" x 3" stroke of the 302.

They were a horrible engine. Not a good decision. A lot of people think they have a 302, when in fact it is a 255. They were used in cars as well, as a matter of fact , were the only V8 option in many lines.

[Rembrant]

I haven't even heard of a 255 V8 let alone see one! Cool!

I was aware that it existed, but that's all I knew.

From Wiki below.

255

In the late 1970s an urgent need to meet EPA CAFE standards led to the creation of the 255 cu in (4.2 L) version for the 1980 car model-year, essentially a 302ci with the cylinder bores reduced to 3.68 in (93.5 mm). The 302 /5.0 L was to be phased out and the 255/4.2 L was to be an interim 'new' engine which would remain until the new V6 was in production - the 255/4.2 L was a quick fix. Rated power (SAE net) was 115-122 hp (86-91 kW), depending on year and application. Cylinder heads, which were specific to this engine, used smaller combustion chambers and valves, and the intake ports were oval whereas the others were all rectangular. The only externally visible clue was the use of an open-runner intake manifold with a stamped-steel lifter valley cover attached to its underside, reminiscent of previous-generation V8 engines, such as the Y-block and the MEL. It was optional in Fox-chassis cars including the Mustang and corporate cousin Mercury Capri, Thunderbird, Fairmont, and standard equipment in the Ford LTD. Some variants (i.e. Mercury Grand Marquis) were fitted with a variable-venturi carburetor which were capable of highway fuel economy in excess of 27 MPG. Due to its dismal overall performance the 255 was dropped at the end the 1982 car model-year with 253,000 units manufactured - 302/5.0 L V8 engine production continued and the plans to phase it out were dropped.

[Gary Lewis]

I haven't even heard of a 255 V8 let alone see one! Cool!

I was aware that it existed, but that's all I knew.

From Wiki below.

255

In the late 1970s an urgent need to meet EPA CAFE standards led to the creation of the 255 cu in (4.2 L) version for the 1980 car model-year, essentially a 302ci with the cylinder bores reduced to 3.68 in (93.5 mm). The 302 /5.0 L was to be phased out and the 255/4.2 L was to be an interim 'new' engine which would remain until the new V6 was in production - the 255/4.2 L was a quick fix. Rated power (SAE net) was 115-122 hp (86-91 kW), depending on year and application. Cylinder heads, which were specific to this engine, used smaller combustion chambers and valves, and the intake ports were oval whereas the others were all rectangular. The only externally visible clue was the use of an open-runner intake manifold with a stamped-steel lifter valley cover attached to its underside, reminiscent of previous-generation V8 engines, such as the Y-block and the MEL. It was optional in Fox-chassis cars including the Mustang and corporate cousin Mercury Capri, Thunderbird, Fairmont, and standard equipment in the Ford LTD. Some variants (i.e. Mercury Grand Marquis) were fitted with a variable-venturi carburetor which were capable of highway fuel economy in excess of 27 MPG. Due to its dismal overall performance the 255 was dropped at the end the 1982 car model-year with 253,000 units manufactured - 302/5.0 L V8 engine production continued and the plans to phase it out were dropped.

As you can see on the Specifications tab, the HP number for the truck came in right in the middle of the range quoted - 118. And the torque was 206 lb-ft. Compared to the 302's 132 and 232 #'s, it was anemic.