Is this engine new, better, improved etc compared
with the zetec? Apparantly it is only 2 valves per
cylinder and due to be used in the trendy new StreetKa.
Surely its not the old Fiesta pushrod block?
Meldrew
(I just do not believe it!)
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Surely its not the old Fiesta pushrod block?
The 1.3 endura-e is the old OHV engine. Basically the Valencia engine in all but name.
Surely they wouldn't pull a fast one with the 1.6 StreetKa as well!
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These are my own opinions, and not necessarily those of all Toads.
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Oh yes they would. I remember when the Sierra came out with antique engines because Ford didn't want to spend the money tooling up to make a modern engine.
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Here's some good news (Ford press release):
"As befits its status as the style flagship of the Ka range, Streetka is powered by a new 1.6-litre Duratec engine that develops a lusty 95PS at 5,500 rpm and 135 Nm at 4,250 rpm. Built in South Africa, the 8-valve engine has been designed to deliver muscular mid-range response, imbuing Streetka with exceptional urban agility and motorway overtaking capability. Nearly 90 per cent of maximum torque is available between 1500-4500rpm.
"Developed specifically for the European market, the 8-valve engine complies with stringent Euro IV emissions legislations. It features a low-friction overhead cam valvetrain operating valves opposed at 16°. On the combined cycle the electronically fuel-injected unit delivers 34.7mpg and has a CO2 emissions rating of 190g/km. It powers the front wheels through a close-ratio five speed manual gearbox and exhales through an exhaust system acoustically tuned to deliver a sporty note at idle and under acceleration."
Of course, it could just be a lightly reworked version of the old CVH Escort motor, but at least if it's got an overhead cam, it isn't a Kent/Valencia/Endura derivative.
Richard Hall
bangernomics.tripod.com
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IIRC the Ka was originally designed to take an all-new 2stroke engine which was very small but which didn't work smoothly enough. Hence the low bonnet line. They couldn't fit any of the then current ohc engines under the bonnet so that's why you get the clattery old lump. Mind you, at least it's reasonably reliable.
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Thanks for all that. My daughter is best described
as "gutted". Having been brought up in a car loving
household she demands the latest technology although
had to by a Ka for insurance purposes a few years ago.
Meldrew
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"imbuing".........acoustically tuned"............buz words going upmarket now, eh?
How's the "sounds reight good" brigade going to cope with that?
I'm easily confused................
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It is the bored out OHV block that Ford have used since the mid 70's. It harks back to the old Mk 2 Escort when young lads use to bore them out and take them banger racing.
Still, I had a 1.1 Escort many years ago and that was quite torquey for it's size, so it may not be all bad.
Ford's reason for not using the Zetec SE engine in the Ka was that this engine would not fit under the bonnet,a lame excuse I think.
If they are boring out antiquated pushrod engines, surely they can design a bulge in the bonnet. Why not go the whole hog and have a scoop fitted with dogdy filling around the joins?
Cheers - Jon (Very tongue in cheek) S
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It's highly unlikely that Ford's decision to use the antiquated old pushrod engine whould have been based on saving money.
HJ
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Oh I don't know HJ, the Sierra was launched with a range of antique engines because the bean counters wouldn't sanction a new engine. In the case of the Ka,it was designed round the compact Orbital 2 stroke engine which Ford had an option on. The Orbital engine didn't work out and Ford said the old Valencia was the only engine that would fit in the space. Now I see they are fitting old design engines in the new model Fiesta. Why on earth they have to go backwards from the much acclaimed, Suzuki designed, 1.25 litre engine beats me.
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Ford dropped the Orbital years before the Ka was even thought of;it was useless on emissions and fuel consumption and very expensive to make.The KA old cast-iron engine meets ST.IV emissions easily-not a legal requirement till 2005 and could probably meet ST. V (2010) which is a lot more than you can say for some of your hi-tech engines.
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I think it says more about Ford not wanting to spend the money to make a modern engine to meet the new emmision regs. I can't see Honda and Toyota reverting to an antique push-rod engine.
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It's highly unlikely that Ford's decision to use the antiquated old pushrod engine whould have been based on saving money.
Are you thinking that they've got a massive factory in Spain they can't close for political reasons?
Or is there something I'm missing?
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These are my own opinions, and not necessarily those of all Toads.
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Globalisation. Ford globaly is in the red, hence the bean counters have an even tighter grip than usual. Tooling up to produce a new engine costs a vast amount of money.
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Globalisation. Ford globaly is in the red, hence the bean counters have an even tighter grip than usual. Tooling up to produce a new engine costs a vast amount of money.
But they don't have to tool up. Just make more of the Zetecs. Surely they must be just as cheap to make...
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These are my own opinions, and not necessarily those of all Toads.
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Thats the bit I don't understand.
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For a moment I thought you guys were American. (No sense of irony.)
HJ
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For a moment I thought you guys were American. (No sense of irony.)
Erm, no. I got it. I was triple bluffing you... ;-)
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These are my own opinions, and not necessarily those of all Toads.
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Fair enough, except the old Endura pushrod motor probably isn't all that cheap to make. Too many components, too much metal where it isn't needed, and very little scope for robotised assembly. Compare it to something like a Fiat FIRE motor and you'll see what I mean. The only thing it's got going for it is a very low profile due to a short stroke crankshaft and a camshaft buried inside the engine block rather than sitting up above the valves. So the story about it being the only engine that would fit in the Ka, after the two stroke was abandoned, makes a lot of sense.
Richard Hall
bangernomics.tripod.com
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Still doesn't explain why the engine is found in the base model Fiestas though does it? After all, if it did cost more than the Zetec, or even a similar amount, surely they would just fit the Zetecs in all Fiestas and give the range a better image. After all, the 1.3 engine is probably the biggest thorn in the Fiesta's side...
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That's probably where the beancounters come in. IIRC the 1.25 engine is made by Yamaha - it must be cheaper to make your own engines than buy them in, at least if you are doing big enough volumes.
Saw a Mazda 121 the other day - the rebadged Mk4 Fiesta version. Weird concept - a Mazda, made by Ford, with a Yamaha engine. Globalisation is having some strange effects....
Richard Hall
bangernomics.tripod.com
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IIRC the 1.25 engine is made by
Is it the old FJ1200 engine that I believe may go's in the old spice legends racers?
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These are my own opinions, and not necessarily those of all Toads.
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I understand the key reason for not fiting the 1.25 Zetec in the Ka was that it wouldn't meet upcoming emissions legislation. I don't believe fitting would have ben a big problem.
Sounds odd, but remember the Fiesta has just been replaced and what's missing from the engine range? - the 1.25 Zetec engine.
Ford may well have kept the 1.3 Valencia in both models to keep production levels of it acceptable. Now the latest Ka version takes a Zetec, can we expect to see the end of this engine at last?
Regards
John S
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95 HP
Wow, what a lusty total
What will they do with it all
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I read somewhere that Ford didn't put the 1.25 engine in the Ka because they didn't want it to steal sales from the (old) Fiesta.
Seen as they still aren't putting it in Ka then i would go with the emissions theory. Wasn't the Puma's 1.7 made by Yamaha as well??
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