Ford Model T engine
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| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
|---|---|
| Production | 1908-1941 |
| Displacement | 177 cu in (2.90 L) |
| Cylinder bore | 33⁄4 inches (95.25 mm) |
| Piston stroke | 4 inches (101.6 mm) |
| Valvetrain | side |
| Cooling system | water |
| Power output | 20 hp (15 kW) |
The Ford Model T used a 177-cubic-inch (2.9 L) inline 4-cylinder engine. It was primarily a petrol engine, but it had multifuel ability and could also burn kerosene or ethanol. It produced 20 hp (15 kW) for a top speed of 45 mph (72 km/h). The engine had side valves and 3 main bearings and was built in-unit with the Model T's novel transmission (a planetary design), sharing the same lubricating oil. The engine bore was 33⁄4 inches (95.25 mm) and its stroke was 4 inches (101.6 mm) even, for a total displacement of 177 cu in (2,900 cc). Casting all four cylinders in one block was an uncommon practice when T production started in 1908.
The spark plugs were powered by a magneto (as typical of the time), and the ignition system included a manual advance/retard control. Starting was via a hand crank.
The Model T engine was produced continuously from September 27, 1908 through August 4, 1941, exactly 12,000 days. This makes it one of the longest engines in series production, especially considering that the specifications remained mostly unchanged for this entire duration. Its production run for the U.S. consumer market for passenger cars and pickups was shorter, being the 19 years' production run of the Model T itself for that market (1908 to 1927). But the engine continued to be produced and sold to various consumer, industrial, military, and marine markets throughout the world until 1941.
The following major changes were made (listed by year):
- 1909 — Water pump was discontinued; subsequent Model T engines used thermosyphoning to circulate the coolant.
- 1911 — Valve covers were added
- 1917 — Higher head with larger water jacket
- 1919 — Engine starter introduced as an option
- 1920 — Lighter-weight rods and pistons
- 1922 — The cylinder casting was changed so a single valve cover could be used
- 1926 — An extra boss was added at the rear for two additional bolts stiffening the transmission,
- 1927 — The carburetor throttle rod was re-routed over the engine
The Model T engine is on the Ward's 10 Best Engines of the 20th Century list.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- "Model T Ford Engine". http://www.modelt.ca/specifications-fs.html. Retrieved July 17, 2006.
- "Model T Ford Engine Blocks". Archived from the original on April 25, 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20060425180157/http://www.modelt.org/Renblock.html. Retrieved July 17, 2006.
- "General Model T engine specifications". http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/E.htm. Retrieved July 17, 2006.
