Ford Kent Engine to resume production...

[swift6]

Read an article this morning that is indicating that Ford will be using 'knowledge of modern techniques to re-manufacture the Kent block and improve its durability.' Ford Racing Engineering Supervisor, Andy Slankard says, "Our aim is not to make performance gains but to strengthen it and to make the unit more reliable."

 

[Deleted member 3577]

Too late...Probably

https://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/scca-approves-honda-fit-based-engine-for-formula-f/

What have they done for Spec Racer Ford recently?

Pretty much nothing

Wish they would throw us a bone and tool-up for some more replacement parts...Heads especially.
I really don't want to drive a Spec racer evil car in the future.

 

[Michael Oritt]

Ford will be using 'knowledge of modern techniques to re-manufacture the Kent block and improve its durability.'
---------------------------------------------------------
So would this block be usable in conjunction with the engines used in Vintage FF's?

 

[swift6]

As long as the bore and stroke don't change I don't see why it wouldn't. I always thought those blocks were pretty stout to begin with though. 5 main bearing 4cyl, fairly square, can spin to the stratosphere. The heads seem to be the shortlived pieces, well, the valves anyway. My experience was that the valves would need to be redone about every 40,000 miles.

 

[Deleted member 3577]

Wait...Maybe not too late..

The general feeling I get from ApexSpeed is that of a wait & see attitude.
A recent poll indicates 25% Honda 25% heck no & 50% fence sitters.

December 10 was the trade show in Orlando where Brian Wolfe said...

"...you'll see our Formula Ford Kent block that we recently announced we would build again for competitors, featuring improved durability and design attributes that will support other applications like the Cosworth DBA and Lotus Twin-Cam".

This was of course AFTER the fit engine was approved.
So they are apparently still commited.

Also...It was reported that a fight almost broke out between 2 FF racers near the Honda booth.

 

[aeronca65t]

I used to have a 1600 Cortina and a 1600 Pinto, so I'd agree that the Kent motor is a strong unit.

So I was surprised when one of the guys at the '09 Jefferson 500 (a former engineering student of mine), showed me the results of this FF. He moonlights as a race mechanic and the driver told him that the car was just cruising along at about 6000 RPM when he heard BANG!

The flywheel was still attached to the back of the crank with the rear main bearing in place. You could still spin the flywheel by hand!