"Ford Kent Engine Back In Production"

[pamitchell]

According to Hot Rod magazine (Feb. 10 issue), Ford Racing Performance Parts USA will remanufacture the
Kent block using modern techniques to improve its durability. Ford estimates there are 5000-7000 Kent powered cars still competing worldwide and engine parts are becoming scarce.
Sales are scheduled to start sometime in 2010.

[rgh0]

Did the magasine say whether they will make in both 1500 and 1600 versions ?

cheers Rohan

[pamitchell]

No.

Keep an eye on this web site for future announcements.
http://www.fordracingparts.com/2010-catalog/default.asp

[garyeanderson]

My friend Ken Anderson over on the Cortina list posted this earlier today. I think its great news especially the part about there being a second block that will fix part of that problem of decking a perfectly good Tall block to make some displacement. It would appear that we might be able to get that displacement though just boring out this block.

Check this out - A short deck version with big bore capability
Optional 2.0 liter block, Part # M-6010-20K, with 7.750" deck height and 3.225" cylinder bore will also be available

I don't like the look of the water passages in the deck but that might not be the block deck that is going to be used on Part # M-6010-20K

Hopefully good things come to those folk that are patient

http://www.fordracingparts.com/announcements/news102.asp

[garyeanderson]

Not that most care much but there is some discussion going on over on the Apexspeed site

http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?p=261113

The info below is quoted from the above link and posted by the topic originator "FordRacingParts" for the M-6010-16K block I believe. Not the low deck block (Part # M-6010-20K) that those of us would like to see in our Elan's

"MSRP for the new 1.6 Liter Kent block is $1,299.00."

"The final machined weight of the new Kent block is 91 pounds. That includes main caps and bolts."

[CBUEB1771]

Check this out - A short deck version with big bore capability
Optional 2.0 liter block, Part # M-6010-20K, with 7.750" deck height and 3.225" cylinder bore will also be available

Gary,
Thanks for posting this. I noticed the boss for external oil feed to the exhaust side gallery. A nice feature. I noticed the Forte Parts Connection in Framingham is listed as a Ford Racing Parts dealer.

[rgh0]

It looks promising and at a price comparable to finding, cleaning, testing and machining up acceptable second hand blocks. A real blessing to racers who have started to struggle with replacement block supply. Unfortunately it will put a cap on the value of the stock of 1500 blocks I have collected in the past few years as my life time supply

A few comments / questions

1. I dont see anywhere details on the short block version engine mount width ( will it be to the original 1500 block?)
2. No Details on the casting bore O/D which will set the maximum bore the new blocks can be taken to will, need info on this but I presume they will have maximised whats possible without siamiesing the bores?
3. I presume the blocks will be able to be ordered with or without the cross block oil feed drilling which will be required for big bore such as 2 litre versions.
4. I dont understand them advertising a short block 2 litre version as normally 2 litre motors are based on the tall block height.
5. I presume they will be supplied line bored with the later square style main caps for the price quoted

cheers
Rohan

[CBUEB1771]

4. I dont understand them advertising a short block 2 litre version as normally 2 litre motors are based on the tall block height.
5. I presume they will be supplied line bored with the later square style main caps for the price quoted

cheers
Rohan

All good questions and comments. I am scratching my head now about the 2.0 liter version. As Rohan points out this has the 1500 deck height but the cylinder bore is listed at 3.225 inches (81.91 mm). Assuming a 77.65 mm stroke crankshaft that gets you to 1637 cc swept volume. You need 90.55 mm bore to get to 2000 cc with the 1600 stroke crankshaft. I assume that the basic crankcase dimensions are the same for the two versions so that the 1500 deck height version should be able to swing a 77.65 mm crankshaft without have to relieve the insides with a die grinder. That would be nice. The Ford Racing website states that the cylinder bores will be semi-finished and finished cam bearings will be an option. I assume this means that the main bearings will be full line bored with, hopefully, good parallelism to the deck.

[garyeanderson]

It looks promising and at a price comparable to finding, cleaning, testing and machining up acceptable second hand blocks. A real blessing to racers who have started to struggle with replacement block supply. Unfortunately it will put a cap on the value of the stock of 1500 blocks I have collected in the past few years as my life time supply

A few comments / questions

1. I dont see anywhere details on the short block version engine mount width ( will it be to the original 1500 block?)
2. No Details on the casting bore O/D which will set the maximum bore the new blocks can be taken to will, need info on this but I presume they will have maximised whats possible without siamiesing the bores?
3. I presume the blocks will be able to be ordered with or without the cross block oil feed drilling which will be required for big bore such as 2 litre versions.
4. I dont understand them advertising a short block 2 litre version as normally 2 litre motors are based on the tall block height.
5. I presume they will be supplied line bored with the later square style main caps for the price quoted

cheers
Rohan

Hi Rohan

I don't know the answers, when I heard of the project I did some looking on the internet and found a email address for the person at Ford that owned the project at that time (Andy Slankard) and emailed him with some of my concerns and wishes. I am a nobody but I have bought blocks before so I guess I have been a customer in the past and if I were to be a customer again I wanted to express the things that I wanted to see with this new block. I got a email back from Mose Knowland who was the then current project leader asking about some of my questions. He stated at that time he was aware of my concerns and that they (Ford Racing) was trying to get the job done with one block. My guess is that it wasn't possible to do the Formula Ford block (tall deck) with big bores and still meet the rules of current SCCA FF replacement block. I don't think the block width between the mounts is a big problem, half an hour with a bridgeport will fix that. IF they are calling it a 20k, I would think that it will go larger than 85mm, my guess is that it will go to damn near 90mm and a 77.62 mm stroke crank will fit. If it doesn't it may be close. I think we know that the 77.62 stroke crank fits in the stock 1500 deck height blocks we have been using all along so I don't see that as a problem. I asked about the crossfeed issue to Mose Knowland and the response was they were going to drop the passage down where the bores would not interfere with it. whether or not that is the way that they went I don't know. Looking at the photos, it looks to be in the same place but that is only one block and that appears to be the tall deck version.
I don't think ford has round cap patterns since the 711 block came out in 1971. you have to read between the lines alot with all of this stuff and we will really only know when someone forks over the money and receives one of the new M-6010-20K and then shares that info, whether its here or else where. Sharing is a great thing, sometimes it even happens!

Below is the email from Mose Knowland that I got on Oct, 23rd 2009, not all of it is what you see in the finished product and I am sure the reasons are due to the fact that they needed to be 2 block to satisfy two different customer?s

Hi Gary, Our current block design assumption does make provisions for one casting to satisfy both engine styles. I'm aware of the larger bore requirements and increased deck height to accomplish getting both blocks. Larger bore diameters are easily accomplished by siamesing bore walls providing this engine does not have a history of running hot. This I'm not aware of or have learned yet. You mentioned the cross feed oil passage. I'm not sure I understand the passage you are referring to. The block I have here and accompanying drawings shows one longitudinal oil galley running front to rear. The only cross drillings present are to cam bearings that feed a short distance from main bearing bores. Can you help me with more information on this feature? BTW, Siamesing the bores and increasing deck height should not increase the weight of the block substantially as we plan to cast in CGI iron where we will have much greater overall strength and be able to thin other areas not stressed. I'm looking forward to hearing more from you. Thanks for your interest in this project
Mose R. Nowland
Ford Racing Technologies

[Mk1Escort]

HI there,

My name is Dave from http://www.oldskoolford.co.uk, we are a forum of old british performance Fords e.g Mk1/2 Escorts, Cortinas & Anglias.

I seen the 2.0L kent block on Fords website and e-mailed the uk dealer.

They told me this:

Dave,

The M-6010-20K has been replaced by M-6010-16L (for Lotus)

Details below

Cost would be ?1045.00+VAT

Ford Racing currently has an estimated delivery date of November 2010

Regards



M-6010-16K at 8.32"(Kent)

M-6010-16L at 7.90 (Lotus)

* Semi-finished bore diameters, 3.186" (Kent) and 3.260 (Lotus) respectfully.

* Block cast from 40,000 PSI grey iron

* Lower clutch housing bolt bosses reinforced

* Select areas around main bearing webs strengthened

* Center main will accept upper and lower crankshaft thrust bearing inserts

* Lifter bore diameters of 0.565"

* Includes precision cam bearing inserts installed.

So I don't know whats happened to the 2litre version. Could someone in the states find out for us?

Thanks

Dave

[twincamman]

This may be a little late ---here the FF class has accepted the Honda Fit motor . I think around 14000 dollars gets the motor and the adapter kit . The whole package nestles in the fords like it was built for FF and no freshen up for a longer period and 110 hp from every package . Quick silver supplies the unit I believe --soo Formula Ford is now Formula Fit - [ the press release also notes the 2000 liter block is to be avaiable] ed

[CBUEB1771]

soo Formula Ford is now Formula Fit - [ the press release also notes the 2000 liter block is to be avaiable] ed

Ed,
That is the whole point, late or not Ford got tired of FF now meaning Formula Fit. I think Ford is banking on a healthy historic FF market. I must say that if I wanted to go modern FF racing today I would definitely choose the Fit approach. And the 2000 liter block? Probably best used in large marine applications, supertankers and the like.

[twincamman]

good point Russ ---- agreed -- If I was going racing again I would choose the fit engine too [ although the Ford motor is still recognized ] if only for the cost and reliability factor - ---fewer freshen ups -and I dont buy Pacific rim cars at all --it may be noted ford was approached a few years ago to do this very thing and refused -------- ed

[garyeanderson]

I was checking the status of the thread on apexspeed and there have been a few posts since I was there last time. One is from J Ivey engines.

http://www.iveyengines.com/FordRacing.htm

They have the first new 1600 tall deck block that Ford Racing cast and machined. There are several photos and a video over on the site. I thought that people may be interested in the main caps with the new thrust washer arangment.



All of the caps except for the center look the same but the center cap may use a new core pattern for the 360 degree thrust washers used.

[garyeanderson]

http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/pa ... ield=12181

$1369.00 U.S.



The legendary Lotus block is reborn with an all new grey iron casting that is stronger than the original!

* Standard 7.900" deck height with extra material for decking
* Cylinder bores semi-finished to 3.260" diameter to allow the engine to be built to desired clearances
* Lifter bore diameter .565"
* Block cast from 40,000 PSI grey iron
* Lower clutch housing bolt bosses reinforced
* Select areas around main bearing webs strengthened
* Center main will accept upper and lower crankshaft thrust bearing inserts
* Includes cam bearings