Some engines were made to keep up. Others were built to lead. Ford’s biggest V8s showed that strength could come in many forms, as long as it delivered when it counted. They lived in vehicles that shaped work, speed, and long-distance power. This listicle looks at the most influential large V8 engines Ford put on the road. Read on to see what made them legendary.

The 460 V8

Some engines whisper; this one thundered. Built in 1968 with a massive 7.5L displacement, the 460 V8 cranked out 365 horsepower and a ground-shaking 485 lb-ft of torque. For decades, it anchored everything from Lincoln Continentals to F-Series haulers with unmatched brute force and longevity.

The 427 SOHC Cammer

Ford built the 427 SOHC to shut down Chrysler’s reign on the strip. Its overhead camshaft design and hemispherical chambers churned out 657 horsepower at 7,500 rpm. Though NASCAR banned it, drag strips nationwide couldn’t resist its intoxicating combination of speed and savagery.

The 6.7L Power Stroke V8

Ford’s modern 6.7L Power Stroke rewrote the diesel V8 playbook. With a compacted graphite iron block and inboard exhaust design, it quietly reached 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Its torque and cooling efficiency made it a workhorse favorite for demanding towing jobs.

The 7.3L Godzilla

What happens when Ford channels its muscle car heritage into a work truck engine? You get the 7.3L Godzilla, a pushrod V8 that has 475 lb-ft of torque and 430 horsepower. It’s where simplicity meets exceptional strength. That makes it a popular swap choice beyond Super Duty pickups.

The 429 Super Cobra Jet

Born from Ford’s 385 engine series, the 429 SCJ was a beast in the 1971 Mustang Mach 1 and Torino Cobra. This engine produced over 370 horsepower but was widely known to deliver even more with drag strip tuning. Ram-air induction and forged internals sealed its legend.

The 6.2L Boss V8

In 2010, Ford dropped the 6.2L Boss V8 into the spotlight with 411 horsepower and serious muscle. Designed with a SOHC layout and known for rugged performance, it delivered under pressure. The engine became a trusted heart for trail-ripping Raptors and hardworking Super Duty trucks.

The 7.0L FE 427 Side-Oiler

Endurance racing didn’t call for subtlety—Ford’s 427 FE Side-Oiler answered with brute engineering. Built to survive 24 hours at high RPM, it used a revised oiling system and heavy-duty internals. That same engine drove the GT40 Mk II to a complete podium takeover at Le Mans in 1966.

The MEL 462 V8

The 462 cu in (7.6L) MEL V8 was Ford’s largest car engine ever. It delivered effortless torque for premium Lincolns in the mid-60s, as it provided silent strength under the hood. While not a muscle hero, it defined upscale power with dignified confidence.

The 534 Super Duty V8

If size alone crowned champions, the 534 cu in (8.8L) Super Duty V8 would wear it proudly. It was introduced in 1958 for utility-grade trucks. With industrial-strength torque and iron-clad durability, this massive V8 powered fire trucks, dump trucks, and commercial haulers for years.

Ford GAA V8 (18.0L)

This all-aluminum, 32-valve DOHC engine was a pioneering feat of engineering, combining innovation with raw size. Although it never graced a streetcar, the GAA remains unmatched in Ford’s V8 lineage for sheer cubic inches. Its role in armored warfare also makes it unique.