The 500,000th 6.7-litre Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel
engine has just been installed into a new 2014 Ford Super Duty F-350 Lariat at the
company’s Louisville Truck Assembly Plant in Kentucky.
Introduced in 2011, the
6.7-litre Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel delivers 400 bhp and 800 lbft torque
with best-in-class fuel economy. The V8 has a compacted graphite iron (CGI)
cylinder block cast by Tupy SA in Joinville, Brazil; the engine is machined and
assembled at Ford’s Chihuahua Engine Plant (CEP), Mexico.
"This is a significant
milestone for an engine that was introduced just a few years ago," said
Doug Scott, Ford Truck group marketing manager. "Demand for the engine has
outpaced our expectations; our customers love the combination of performance,
towing capability, and fuel economy."
The 6.7-litre Power Stroke
V8 diesel engine delivers 400 horsepower at 2,800 rev/min and 800 lbft of
torque at 1,600 rev/min. Ford claim the F-350 truck “easily meets” stringent emissions
requirements. The turbocharged diesel shares Super Duty's legendary reliability
and durability while enabling up to 24,700 lb towing capability for F-450
pickup and up to 26,600 pounds for F-550 chassis cab.
Ford claims it is the only
heavy-duty pickup truck manufacturer that designs and builds its own diesel
engine and transmission combination from concept to driveaway, ensuring the
powertrain will work “seamlessly” with all chassis components and vehicle
calibrations. Ford notes this approach enables its engineers to optimize the
vehicle's performance across the entire line-up.
Ford claims the benefits of
this V8 Power Stroke diesel engine are its compacted graphite iron engine block.
Ford notes that CGI is stronger than cast iron, while the block structure is
optimized for reduced weight and maximum strength to meet the demands of higher
horsepower and torque.
There is also an advanced
inboard exhaust and outboard intake architecture – an automotive-industry first
for a modern production pickup truck diesel engine – which reduces overall
exhaust system volume and leads to better throttle and turbo response for
customers. Additionally, there is reduced exhaust system surface area to
minimize heat transfer to the engine compartment and improve noise, vibration
and harshness (NVH) performance.
This engine architecture enables easier service
work for all major engine components, potentially reducing downtime. Ford adds
that the turbocharger is uniquely centre-mounted on a pedestal low in the back
of the valley for improved NVH control. The high-pressure fuel system injects
fuel at over 2,000 bar. The system delivers up to five injection events per
cylinder per cycle, using eight-hole piezo injectors to spray fuel into the
piston bowl.
The direct-injection system
is calibrated and phased for optimum power, fuel efficiency and NVH performance.
Aluminium cylinder heads further help reduce weight, while the mid-deck
construction with dual water jackets provides increased strength and optimal
cooling.
There are six-head bolts,
instead of four as found on other engines, and help improve sealing and
maintain cylinder integrity.
The engine is compatible up
to B20 biodiesel, allowing greener fuelling options of up to 20 per cent
biodiesel and 80 per cent petroleum diesel
"Our Super Duty
customers are no-nonsense, no-compromise individuals," said Joe Bakaj,
vice president of powertrain engineering. "Those are the attributes our
team took to heart when engineering this diesel engine so we can deliver Built
Ford Tough capability, reliability and enhanced productivity." ∎
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