Posted on 03/11/2010 8:03:09 PM PST by smokingfrog
Ford Motor Co. is hoping to keep its product revolution rolling by introducing for the first time its own diesel engine into the heavy-duty pickup truck segment.
The new diesel engine, powering the new F-Series Super Duty truck, resulted from a development program that began as Ford’s longtime relationship with Navistar broke down amid recriminations and lawsuits over pricing, specifications, quality standards and warranty costs.
Navistar had supplied Ford with the big-diesel engines used in the heavy-duty pickup trucks for more than two decades.
Ford elected almost three years ago to build its own diesel engine for its North American trucks, which are used extensively in construction, farming and ranching. Ford has declined to say how much it spent on the new heavy-duty F-150 and the new engines.
“It was a real gamble for us,” said one Ford official who was familiar with the project.
It was also in keeping with Ford’s ongoing effort to develop vehicles that will stand up to the best cars and trucks in each segment in which the company competes.
Ford already owned the rights to the “Power Stroke” name used on the Navistar engine, and it brought in engineers from its European operations to work on the project alongside engineers in the U.S. familiar with diesel engines.
Chris Brewer, the chief engineer for the heavy-duty truck, said the changes are already paying dividends. By bringing the production of the diesel engine inhouse, Ford was able to hold the line on prices.
In addition, the new Ford-built diesel engine delivers best-in-class fuel economy and towing capability. Indeed, recent tests showed heavy-duty trucks carrying 1,000 pounds, getting better than 26 miles per gallon in fuel-economy-challenges staged by Ford, with some drivers getting 34 miles per gallon, Ford officials said.
(Excerpt) Read more at theoaklandpress.com ...
This was announced many, many, many months ago.
diesel ping
When they gonna build a nice diesel for the average car/SUV?
Yes, it was. I’ll give the Ford engine a couple of years of real world testing before I pass judgment. From what I have read, the 7.3L was a great workhorse and the 6.0L that replaced it showed promise but has been plagued by electronic problems and bad fuel injectors.
Yes, it was. I’ll give the Ford engine a couple of years of real world testing before I pass judgment. From what I have read, the 7.3L was a great workhorse and the 6.0L that replaced it showed promise but has been plagued by electronic problems and bad fuel injectors.
Well, it’s news to me!
Dear Ford.....
Produce a Ford 350 with a compound turbo cummins 5.9L and a allison transmission and I will buy one !
If you don’t I will build one for myself........:o)
They’re illegal in CA and sales numbers for diesel cars just don’t really add up in the US, despite people claiming they’d pay any price for one.
Strangely, the state that buys the most diesel cars is... Texas.
Inline sixes are better.
I own a (German made) diesel that's legal in all 50 states.If the Germans can do it,Ford and GM can.And while it's true that diesel sales here are weak that could very well change (gradually,perhaps) when Americans discover that diesels are no longer slow,noisy of smokey...and that it's easy to find one (even sporty ones) that get 40+ mpg on the highway.
Why strange? Makes perfect sense to me.
The 7.3, 6.0 and 6.5 were all sourced from International. The 7.3 was just installed straight up with little to no Ford-specific mods, and it was a great motor.
The 6.0 is where it all went wrong. In order to compete with the then-new 600lb/ft 5.9L Cummins engine, Ford took the 6.0, stripped most of the International engine controls and injectors off it, fitted their own equivalents, tuned the hell out of it, and kicked it out the door with similar power numbers.
Unfortunately, they didn’t do their homework and all the Ford-sourced bits ended up being pretty much a nightmare. Ford blamed International, who pointed the finger (properly) back at Ford. The same 6.0 engine, when used in box trucks and similar vehicles with the International controls and fuelling, didn’t have any problems. The 6.5 was a similar story, though not nearly as bad.
slow,noisy of smokey = slow,noisy or smokey
What year is it? Because it was only very recently that that became legal again.
Also, the California-legal current diesels require you to replace the Bluetec fluid at regular intervals - in other words, you have to refill your car with very expensive sheep urine or your car becomes illegal.
'09
Also, the California-legal current diesels require you to replace the Bluetec fluid at regular intervals..
Not entirely true.Several of the diesels currently being sold here require diesel exhaust fluid but both VW and Audi sell at least one model (same engine,I believe) that doesn't require it.
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