Ford Straight-6 engine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ford's first straight-6 engine was introduced in 1906 in the Model K. Production ended in 1907. Henry Ford did not like this car, which had a habit of tearing its transmission up. The next Ford six was introduced in the 1941 Ford. The company continued producing straight 6 engines until they were replaced in the mid-1990s by more compact V6 designs, However Ford's Australian Branch manufactures these engines for their Falcon range to this day.
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[edit] FIRST GENERATION
[edit] 226
Introduced in 1941 the first Ford six displaced 226 in³ (3.7 L) and produced 90 hp (67 kW) - the same as the Flathead V8 that year. The 226 was used in the full-size Ford cars and trucks to replace the smaller 136 in³ (2.2 L) Flathead V8 that was introduced in 1937.
[edit] 254
A 254 cu. in. version was used from 1948-53 in F-6 series Ford trucks and school buses. They were also used in industrial applications.
[edit] Second Generation
The second generation was produced from 1952 through 1964.
[edit] 215
A completely new OHV six was offered for the 1951 F-series. It displaced 215 in³ (3.5 L) and produced 101 hp (75 kW). It was also used in the 1952 full-size Ford cars.
[edit] 223
The 215 grew to 223 in³ (3.7 L) for the 1954 F-series. Output was now 115 hp (85 kW) (as the "Mileage Maker" in the trucks) and 120 hp (89 kW) in the 1955 cars. Power was up to 137 hp (102 kW) in the 1956 trucks.
[edit] 262
A 262 in³ (4.3 L) version was also produced. The 262 was built from 1961-64 for use in Heavy Duty Ford Trucks. This engine was also used for industrial applications.
[edit] Third Generation "Falcon Six"
The third generation was produced in Lima, Ohio from 1960 through 1984. Officially dubbed the "Thriftpower Six", this engine line is sometimes referred to as the Falcon Six. Note: Car companies including Ford, switched from gross ratings to net horsepower and torque ratings in 1972 (more realistic in real world). Changes in engine compression and emissions controls make it difficult to compare engines from various production years (especially pre-1972).
[edit] 144
The 144 in³ (2.4 L) engine was first introduced in the 1960 Ford Falcon. The 144 was made from 1960 through 1964 and averaged 90 hp (67 kW) during the production run. While not known for being powerful or a stout engine, it proved to be economical and could get fairly good gas mileage for the time (up to 25-30mpg). This small six was the basis for all the Ford "Falcon" straight six engines. The intake manifold on this series of engine was cast integrally with the cylinder head (this design was also used by Chevrolet with their third generation inline six); as a result, they could not be easily modified for greater power.
[edit] 170
In 1961 the 170 became an option for the Falcon line. The original 1964.5 Ford Mustang used a 170 in³ (2.8 L), 101 hp (75 kW) version. The Econoline van and Ford Bronco received a heavier duty version with mechanical valve lifters. The 170 was dropped from production in 1972.
[edit] 200
The 200 in³ (3.3 L) was introduced in the middle of 1963. The 1965 Mustang came standard with a 200 in³ (3.3 L) that produced 120 hp (89 kW). The Mustang continued to use the 200 as its base engine until it was dropped in 1971. The 200 reappeared as the middle engine in the 1979 Mustang, now producing 94 hp (70 kW). This was the base engine again on the 1980 pony, but was dumped in 1983. The last year of production for the 200 was 1984.
The 4-cylinder Ford HSC engine was based on (and generally replaced) the 200.
[edit] 250
The 250 in³ (4.1 L) straight six was an engine option offered in 1969 in the Mustang and 1970 in medium sized Ford cars. Output was 155 hp (115 kW) in the Mustang, and became the base engine in 1971. Power was down to 98 hp (73 kW) for 1972 and just 88 hp (65 kW) the next year. The last year of production for the 250 was 1984.
[edit] Australia
In Australia these engines (250 Crossflow) were continued as the 4.1 L (both carb. and fuel injected), 4.0 L (fuel injected), and a 3.9 L (fuel injected), and are, in its 4.0 L form, still used in base model Ford Falcons to this day (and some higher models such as the BA Falcon XR6 and XR6 Turbo.). This engine used a SOHC cylinder head in the EA-AU models (from 1988, all 3.9s and pre-BA 4.0s), and switched to a 24-valve DOHC renamed "Barra" in the BA model in 2002.
In the EF model Falcon the standard engine employed a high-energy coil-pack ignition system. However, the EL falcon used a distributor/coil ignition setup, as in falcon models prior to EF.
| Falcon model | Capacity | Induction | Valvetrain | Fuel | Power | Torque | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XY, XA, XB | 4.1 L | Carburettor | OHV | Leaded | 116 kW | 325 Nm | |
| XC | 4.1 L | Carburettor | OHV | Leaded | 92 kW | 289 Nm | Crossflow cylinder head |
| XD | 4.1 L | Carburettor | OHV | Leaded | 94 kW | 305 Nm | |
| XE | 4.1 L | Carburettor | OHV | Leaded | 105 kW | 310 Nm | |
| XE | 4.1 L | EFI | OHV | Leaded | 111 kW | 325 Nm | Bosch LE II Jetronic fuel injection |
| XF | 4.1 L | Carburettor | OHV | Unleaded | 97.5 kW | 316 Nm | |
| XF | 4.1 L | EFI | OHV | Unleaded | 121 kW | 325 Nm | EEC-IV Single-point injection |
| EA, EB | 3.9 L | EFI | SOHC | Unleaded | 120 kW | 311 Nm | |
| EA, EB | 3.9 L | EFI | SOHC | Unleaded | 139 kW | 388 Nm | EEC-IV Multi-point injection |
| EB series II, ED | 4.0 L | EFI | SOHC | Unleaded | 148 kW | 348 Nm | |
| XR6 ED, EF, EL | 4.0 L | EFI | SOHC | Unleaded | 164 kW | 366 Nm | |
| EF, EL, AU | 4.0 L | EFI | SOHC | Unleaded | 157 kW | 357 Nm | Coil-pack ignition system (EF only) |
| AU series II & III | 4.0 L | EFI | SOHC | LPG | 143 kW | 362 Nm | Dedicated LPG |
| AU XR6 | 4.0 L | EFI | SOHC | Unleaded | 172 kW | 374 Nm | VCT Variable Valve Timing |
| BA | 4.0 L | EFI | DOHC | Unleaded | 182 kW | 380 Nm | |
| BA | 4.0 L | EFI | DOHC | LPG | 156 kW | ||
| BA XR6 Turbo | 4.0 L | EFI | DOHC | Unleaded | 240 kW | 450 Nm | Garrett GT40 turbocharger |
| BF | 4.0 L | EFI | DOHC | Unleaded | 190 kW | 383 Nm | |
| BF XR6 Turbo | 4.0 L | EFI | DOHC | Unleaded | 245 kW | 480 Nm | Garrett GT3540 turbocharger |
[edit] Fourth Generation (Truck Six)
Produced in Cleveland, Ohio from 1964 through 1996 in Cleveland Engine Plant #1.
[edit] 240
The 240 in³ (3.9 L) six for 1965 cars and trucks produced 150 hp (111 kW).
[edit] 300
A big 300 in³ (4.9 L) six was added for the F-series in 1965. It produced 170 hp (126 kW). The 300 became the base F-series engine in 1978 at 114 hp (85 kW). This became the primary engine of the line, eclipsing the 240. Unlike the falcon engine, it featured a separate intake manifold which could be easily replaced with aftermarket manifolds offering the promise of even more power, through the installation of larger carburetors.
This engine is also used by Stewart and Stevenson in the MA Baggage Tow Tractor (pdf), as well as a multitude of other pieces of equipment and tractors.
[edit] 4.9
Engine sizes were converted to metric for 1983, causing the 300 to become the "4.9". Fuel injection and other changes in 1987 pushed output up to 150 hp (111 kW). This engine was gradually phased out, ending production in 1996 and replaced by the Essex V6 in the F-series trucks with their 1997 redesign. However, it was renowned for its durability, often going for more than 300,000 mi (480,000 km) before rebuilds, and many continue in service.
