Ford Essex V6 engine (Canadian)
Encyclopedia
The Ford Essex V6 engine was a 90° V6 engine family built by Ford Motor Company
at the Essex Engine Plant in Windsor, Ontario
, Canada
. Unlike the British
Essex V6
, the Canadian Essex used a 90° V configuration, in addition to having different displacements and valvetrains. With Ford's Essex Engine Plant idled as of November 2007, this engine was succeeded by the Ford Duratec 35.
The Canadian Essex is an overhead valve
(OHV, or pushrod) design featuring aluminum heads, which reduced its weight considerably and made it a very powerful engine for its size. The engine was initially offered in only a 3.8 liter displacement, being used in a variety of subcompact through large cars, minivan
s, and some pickup truck
s. A 4.2 liter version was introduced in the mid-1990s for use in the F-150
and Ford E-Series
, later, the Freestar and Monterey
. The 3.8 L V6 was replaced by a 3.9 L version in 2004, though changes were minimal. The Essex and the smaller Vulcan V6
were the last traditional overhead valve engines built by Ford.
The Canadian Essex's origins are somewhat controversial. A common, but erroneous, belief is that the Essex was based on the 5.0 L Windsor V8 engine
, because they both have a 90° vee configuration, are OHV, and that a 5.0 L V8 less two cylinders would make a V6 displacing around 3.8 liters. Though the practice of deriving a V6 from a V8 was not unheard of (auto manufacturers have derived V6s from V8 designs before, such as GM making the 1978-‘79 Chevrolet 200 cid (3.3 L) V6/90º from the lowly 267 cid (4.4L) SBC V8, the 1980-'84 Chevrolet 229 cid (3.8L) V6/90º from the 305 cid (5.0L) SBC V8 and the 1985-up Chevrolet 262 cid (4.3L) V6/90º Vortec 4300 from the SBC Vortec 5700 and Chrysler making the Magnum 3.9 from the 5.2), several important differences between the Windsor's design and the Essex's, such as their considerably different bore and stroke, made a common design lineage implausible.
One source states that the Essex is instead a reverse engineered
Buick V6 engine
. Toward the end of the 1970s, Ford needed a new six cylinder engine that was powerful and compact enough to be used in a mid-size car while meeting increasingly stricter emissions and fuel efficiency standards. Since Ford did not have an engine available that could be readily made to meet these requirements, one needed to be developed. The quickest and least expensive approach in accomplishing this was to copy an existing engine from a competitor, which ended up being the Buick V6 from General Motors. Ford's resulting V6 was very similar to that of the original Buick engine — down to an unusual external oil pump design that was common in Buick engines and without precedent in modern Fords — and had a nearly identical displacement. In fact, one of the only major differences between the two engines early on was Ford's use of aluminum heads as opposed to the cast-iron ones used in the original Buick design. However, in the years since the Essex V6's debut, design revisions from both Ford and GM to their respective V6 designs have differentiated their engines from each other to a point that any relationship between the two designs is not as obvious as it once was.
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The first version of the Essex V6, a 3.8 L (3797 cc/232 cu in) engine, was introduced for the 1982 model year, appearing as an option on the Ford Granada
.
Bore was 3.81 in (96.8 mm) and stroke was 3.39 in (86.1 mm). Output was 112 hp at 4200 rpm and 175 lbft of torque at 2800 rpm. It initially had a 2-barrel Motorcraft 2150 carburetor. Central Fuel Injection was made available in 1984. Output was 120 hp at 3600 rpm and 205 lbft of torque at 1600 rpm in these models.
Multi-point fuel injection (single port) became standard on the 3.8 L V6 in 1988. All applications where the engine was used initially put out 140 hp at 3800 rpm and 215 lbft of torque at 2400 rpm. Engines upgraded with Ford's EEC-V Powertrain Control Module
(PCM) received a small increase in output to 145 hp, if they didn't have other enhancements to increase output beyond this already. The 1991–1995 Police Package Taurus
, 1991–1994 Lincoln Continental
and 1995 Ford Windstar
had a high-output version of the 3.8 with better cylinder heads and other modifications. It produced 155–160 hp (116–119 kW) and 220–225 lb·ft (298–305 N·m) of torque depending on application and model year.
A supercharged version of the 3.8 L V6 was used in the 1989-1995 Thunderbird Super Coupe
and 1989–90 Cougar XR-7
. Initial output of the engine was 210 hp at 4000 rpm and 315 lbft of torque at 2600 rpm under an 8.2:1 compression ratio. The Super Coupe was the sole user of this engine after the beginning of the 1991 model year when it was replaced by a V8 in the Cougar XR-7. Output of the supercharged V6 was increased to 230 hp at 4400 rpm and 330 lbft of torque at 2500 rpm for the 1994 and 1995 Super Coupe. To accomplish this, the engine's Eaton
M90 roots-type supercharger was given a larger, square-style inlet, a larger attaching inlet plenum, and Teflon coated rotors. Additionally, the engine received larger fuel injectors and an increase in compression to 8.6:1.
A 3.8 L V6 with split port cylinder heads was introduced in the 1996 Ford Windstar
along with a variable length intake manifold
and intake manifold runner control (IMRC) in the six shorter runners. This engine was rated at 200 hp at 5000 rpm and 230 lbft of torque @ 3000 rpm.
The Mustang version of the 3.8 L V6 was updated for 1999 to use the split port cylinder heads originally introduced on the Windstar. However the 1999-2000 Mustang did not use IMRC, instead leaving all 12 intake runners open at all times. Output of the V6 in these Mustangs was 190 hp at 5250 rpm and 220 lbft of torque @ 2750 rpm, With the addition of IMRC to Mustang in 2001, engine output increased slightly to 193 hp @ 5500 RPM and 225 lbft (305 N·m) of torque @ 2800 RPM.
A nine-digit serial number appears on a label on the right side (front) valve cover. It also appears on a barcode label on the transmission side of the right side head.
Applications:
minivan (successor to the Windstar) for a few years until production of the engine was discontinued in 2007.
Applications:
A 4.2 L (/4195 cc) version of the Essex V6 appeared in the 1997 model year as a replacement for the durable, but aging, Ford 300 straight six in the F-150
. Like the 3.8 it had 12 valves and pushrods, but the 4.2 featured a longer, 3.74 in (95.0 mm) stroke. Bore diameter was the same at 3.81 in (96.8 mm). Initial output of the 4.2 L V6 in the F-150 was 202 hp at 4800 rpm and torque of 252 lbft at 3400 rpm. Ford Power Products sells this engine as the ESG-642.
Ford experienced problems with this engine in the 1997 and 1998 model years. These included issuing all 1997 engines made at the Essex plant with a bad front cover gasket. The lower intake manifold has a bad reputation for cracking at relatively low mileage. Ford ended production of the 4.2 L V6 after the 2008 model year, marking the end of the Essex V6. The engine's final recipient, the F-150, was only available with V8 engines starting with the 2009 model year until the 2011 model year, when the 3.7L Duratec was made standard.
Applications:
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
at the Essex Engine Plant in Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Unlike the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Essex V6
Ford Essex V6 engine (UK)
The Ford Essex V6 engine was a 60° V6 engine built between 1966 and 1981 by the Ford Motor Company in the United Kingdom at their engine plant in Dagenham, Essex, which gave the engine its name. It was produced in two main capacities, 2.5 L and 3.0 L, and was fitted to a wide range of...
, the Canadian Essex used a 90° V configuration, in addition to having different displacements and valvetrains. With Ford's Essex Engine Plant idled as of November 2007, this engine was succeeded by the Ford Duratec 35.
The Canadian Essex is an overhead valve
Overhead valve
An overhead valve engine, also informally called pushrod engine or I-head engine, is a type of piston engine that places the camshaft within the cylinder block , and uses pushrods or rods to actuate rocker arms above the cylinder...
(OHV, or pushrod) design featuring aluminum heads, which reduced its weight considerably and made it a very powerful engine for its size. The engine was initially offered in only a 3.8 liter displacement, being used in a variety of subcompact through large cars, minivan
Minivan
Minivan is a type of van designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume – and are taller than a sedan, hatchback, or a station wagon....
s, and some pickup truck
Pickup truck
A pickup truck is a light motor vehicle with an open-top rear cargo area .-Definition:...
s. A 4.2 liter version was introduced in the mid-1990s for use in the F-150
Ford F-Series
The F-Series is a series of full-size pickup trucks from Ford Motor Company which has been sold continuously for over six decades. The most popular variant of the F-Series is the F-150...
and Ford E-Series
Ford E-Series
The Ford E-Series, formerly known as the Econoline or Club Wagon, is a line of full-size vans and truck chassis from the Ford Motor Company. The E-Series is related to the Ford F-Series line of pickup trucks. The line was introduced in 1961 as a compact van and its descendants are still produced...
, later, the Freestar and Monterey
Ford Freestar
The Ford Freestar is a minivan that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company from 2004 until November 2006. It replaced the Ford Windstar for the 2004 model year. The name change accommodated Ford's strategy to rename all their cars to words beginning in F...
. The 3.8 L V6 was replaced by a 3.9 L version in 2004, though changes were minimal. The Essex and the smaller Vulcan V6
Ford Vulcan engine
The Ford Vulcan V6 is a 3.0 L , 60° V6 engine with an iron block and iron heads, used in some of Ford Motor Company's vehicles from model years 1986 through 2008. It was originally designed to be the optional engine in the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. In 1992, it became the standard engine for...
were the last traditional overhead valve engines built by Ford.
The Canadian Essex's origins are somewhat controversial. A common, but erroneous, belief is that the Essex was based on the 5.0 L Windsor V8 engine
Ford Windsor engine
The Windsor is a 90-degree small-block V8 engine from Ford Motor Company. It was introduced in 1962, replacing the previous Ford Y-block engine. Though not all of the engines in this family were produced at the Windsor, Ontario engine plant , the name stuck...
, because they both have a 90° vee configuration, are OHV, and that a 5.0 L V8 less two cylinders would make a V6 displacing around 3.8 liters. Though the practice of deriving a V6 from a V8 was not unheard of (auto manufacturers have derived V6s from V8 designs before, such as GM making the 1978-‘79 Chevrolet 200 cid (3.3 L) V6/90º from the lowly 267 cid (4.4L) SBC V8, the 1980-'84 Chevrolet 229 cid (3.8L) V6/90º from the 305 cid (5.0L) SBC V8 and the 1985-up Chevrolet 262 cid (4.3L) V6/90º Vortec 4300 from the SBC Vortec 5700 and Chrysler making the Magnum 3.9 from the 5.2), several important differences between the Windsor's design and the Essex's, such as their considerably different bore and stroke, made a common design lineage implausible.
One source states that the Essex is instead a reverse engineered
Reverse engineering
Reverse engineering is the process of discovering the technological principles of a device, object, or system through analysis of its structure, function, and operation...
Buick V6 engine
Buick V6 engine
The Buick V6, initially marketed as Fireball at its introduction in 1962, was a large V6 engine used by General Motors. The block is made of cast iron and all use two-valve-per-cylinder iron heads, actuated by pushrods....
. Toward the end of the 1970s, Ford needed a new six cylinder engine that was powerful and compact enough to be used in a mid-size car while meeting increasingly stricter emissions and fuel efficiency standards. Since Ford did not have an engine available that could be readily made to meet these requirements, one needed to be developed. The quickest and least expensive approach in accomplishing this was to copy an existing engine from a competitor, which ended up being the Buick V6 from General Motors. Ford's resulting V6 was very similar to that of the original Buick engine — down to an unusual external oil pump design that was common in Buick engines and without precedent in modern Fords — and had a nearly identical displacement. In fact, one of the only major differences between the two engines early on was Ford's use of aluminum heads as opposed to the cast-iron ones used in the original Buick design. However, in the years since the Essex V6's debut, design revisions from both Ford and GM to their respective V6 designs have differentiated their engines from each other to a point that any relationship between the two designs is not as obvious as it once was.
3.8
Ford Granada (North America)
The Ford Granada was a mid-size car built and marketed by Ford Motor Company in North America from 1975–1982, along with its sister models, the Mercury Monarch, and Lincoln Versailles. The Granada was touted by Ford as a rival to the similarly sized Mercedes-Benz 280 of the time. The Granada and...
.
Bore was 3.81 in (96.8 mm) and stroke was 3.39 in (86.1 mm). Output was 112 hp at 4200 rpm and 175 lbft of torque at 2800 rpm. It initially had a 2-barrel Motorcraft 2150 carburetor. Central Fuel Injection was made available in 1984. Output was 120 hp at 3600 rpm and 205 lbft of torque at 1600 rpm in these models.
Multi-point fuel injection (single port) became standard on the 3.8 L V6 in 1988. All applications where the engine was used initially put out 140 hp at 3800 rpm and 215 lbft of torque at 2400 rpm. Engines upgraded with Ford's EEC-V Powertrain Control Module
Powertrain Control Module
A Powertrain Control Module, abbreviated PCM, is an automotive component, an electronic control unit , used on motor vehicles. It is generally a combined control unit, consisting of the engine control unit and the transmission control unit. It commonly controls more than 5 factors in the car or...
(PCM) received a small increase in output to 145 hp, if they didn't have other enhancements to increase output beyond this already. The 1991–1995 Police Package Taurus
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States. Originally introduced in the 1986 model year, it has remained in near-continuous production for more than two decades, making it the fourth oldest nameplate that is currently sold in the North American...
, 1991–1994 Lincoln Continental
Lincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental is an automobile which was produced by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 1939 to 1948 and again from 1956 to 2002...
and 1995 Ford Windstar
Ford Windstar
The Ford Windstar is a minivan that was produced and sold by the Ford Motor Company from the 1995 to 2003 model years. This front-wheel drive minivan was the second minivan designed by the company, serving as a replacement for the rear-wheel drive Aerostar minivan. The two were sold concurrently...
had a high-output version of the 3.8 with better cylinder heads and other modifications. It produced 155–160 hp (116–119 kW) and 220–225 lb·ft (298–305 N·m) of torque depending on application and model year.
A supercharged version of the 3.8 L V6 was used in the 1989-1995 Thunderbird Super Coupe
Ford Thunderbird
The Thunderbird , is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States over eleven model generations from 1955 through 2005...
and 1989–90 Cougar XR-7
Mercury Cougar
The Mercury Cougar is an automobile which was sold under the Mercury brand of the Ford Motor Company's Lincoln-Mercury Division from 1967 to 2002. The name was first used in 1967 and was carried by a diverse series of cars over the next three decades. As is common with Mercury vehicles, the Cougar...
. Initial output of the engine was 210 hp at 4000 rpm and 315 lbft of torque at 2600 rpm under an 8.2:1 compression ratio. The Super Coupe was the sole user of this engine after the beginning of the 1991 model year when it was replaced by a V8 in the Cougar XR-7. Output of the supercharged V6 was increased to 230 hp at 4400 rpm and 330 lbft of torque at 2500 rpm for the 1994 and 1995 Super Coupe. To accomplish this, the engine's Eaton
Eaton Corporation
Eaton Corporation is a global diversified power management company with 2010 sales of $13.7 billion. The company is a leading provider of electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment;...
M90 roots-type supercharger was given a larger, square-style inlet, a larger attaching inlet plenum, and Teflon coated rotors. Additionally, the engine received larger fuel injectors and an increase in compression to 8.6:1.
A 3.8 L V6 with split port cylinder heads was introduced in the 1996 Ford Windstar
Ford Windstar
The Ford Windstar is a minivan that was produced and sold by the Ford Motor Company from the 1995 to 2003 model years. This front-wheel drive minivan was the second minivan designed by the company, serving as a replacement for the rear-wheel drive Aerostar minivan. The two were sold concurrently...
along with a variable length intake manifold
Variable Length Intake Manifold
In internal combustion engines, a variable length intake manifold , or variable intake manifold is an automobile internal combustion engine manifold technology...
and intake manifold runner control (IMRC) in the six shorter runners. This engine was rated at 200 hp at 5000 rpm and 230 lbft of torque @ 3000 rpm.
The Mustang version of the 3.8 L V6 was updated for 1999 to use the split port cylinder heads originally introduced on the Windstar. However the 1999-2000 Mustang did not use IMRC, instead leaving all 12 intake runners open at all times. Output of the V6 in these Mustangs was 190 hp at 5250 rpm and 220 lbft of torque @ 2750 rpm, With the addition of IMRC to Mustang in 2001, engine output increased slightly to 193 hp @ 5500 RPM and 225 lbft (305 N·m) of torque @ 2800 RPM.
A nine-digit serial number appears on a label on the right side (front) valve cover. It also appears on a barcode label on the transmission side of the right side head.
Applications:
- 1982 Ford GranadaFord Granada (North America)The Ford Granada was a mid-size car built and marketed by Ford Motor Company in North America from 1975–1982, along with its sister models, the Mercury Monarch, and Lincoln Versailles. The Granada was touted by Ford as a rival to the similarly sized Mercedes-Benz 280 of the time. The Granada and...
- 1982–1983 Ford F-seriesFord F-SeriesThe F-Series is a series of full-size pickup trucks from Ford Motor Company which has been sold continuously for over six decades. The most popular variant of the F-Series is the F-150...
- 1982–1997 Ford ThunderbirdFord ThunderbirdThe Thunderbird , is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States over eleven model generations from 1955 through 2005...
and Mercury CougarMercury CougarThe Mercury Cougar is an automobile which was sold under the Mercury brand of the Ford Motor Company's Lincoln-Mercury Division from 1967 to 2002. The name was first used in 1967 and was carried by a diverse series of cars over the next three decades. As is common with Mercury vehicles, the Cougar... - 1982–1986, 1994–2004 Ford MustangFord MustangThe Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
- 1982–1986 Mercury CapriMercury Capri-First Generation :See also Ford CapriThe Mercury Capri was built in Cologne, Germany, and was sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers in North America. The European Capri was first sold in the US in April 1970 and carried the Mercury marque identification as Ford already had a Mustang for the same...
- 1983–1986 Ford LTD and Mercury MarquisMercury MarquisThese were known as the "Continental Styling" years, as Mercury was trying to market itself as an affordable Lincoln, rather than a more expensive Ford...
- 1988–1995 Ford TaurusFord TaurusThe Ford Taurus is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States. Originally introduced in the 1986 model year, it has remained in near-continuous production for more than two decades, making it the fourth oldest nameplate that is currently sold in the North American...
and Mercury SableMercury SableThe Sable was a very important sedan for both Mercury and the American auto industry.Ford had lagged in introducing mid-size front wheel drive cars to compete against General Motors' Chevrolet Citation and its best-selling Chevrolet Celebrity/Pontiac 6000/Oldsmobile Cutlass/Buick Century quartet as... - 1988–1994 Lincoln ContinentalLincoln ContinentalThe Lincoln Continental is an automobile which was produced by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 1939 to 1948 and again from 1956 to 2002...
- 1995–2003 Ford WindstarFord WindstarThe Ford Windstar is a minivan that was produced and sold by the Ford Motor Company from the 1995 to 2003 model years. This front-wheel drive minivan was the second minivan designed by the company, serving as a replacement for the rear-wheel drive Aerostar minivan. The two were sold concurrently...
3.9
A 3.9 L version of the Essex V6 was introduced in 2004. It used the same 3.810 in bore diameter as the 3.8 L Essex, but had a slightly longer 3.464 in (88.0 mm) stroke. It was installed in a running change on later production 2004 Mustangs (starting October 7, 2003), though overall engine output was identical. Ford marketing information says that the bore is 3.8 inches and that the displacement is 3802 cc . The bore and stroke, however, work out to 3883 cc . Use of the 3.9 was short-lived in the Mustang though as it was replaced by Ford's 4.0 L Cologne OHC V6 when the Mustang was redesigned for 2005. The 3.9 continued on in the Ford FreestarFord Freestar
The Ford Freestar is a minivan that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company from 2004 until November 2006. It replaced the Ford Windstar for the 2004 model year. The name change accommodated Ford's strategy to rename all their cars to words beginning in F...
minivan (successor to the Windstar) for a few years until production of the engine was discontinued in 2007.
Applications:
- 2004 Ford MustangFord MustangThe Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
- 2004–2007 Ford FreestarFord FreestarThe Ford Freestar is a minivan that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company from 2004 until November 2006. It replaced the Ford Windstar for the 2004 model year. The name change accommodated Ford's strategy to rename all their cars to words beginning in F...
4.2
Ford F-Series
The F-Series is a series of full-size pickup trucks from Ford Motor Company which has been sold continuously for over six decades. The most popular variant of the F-Series is the F-150...
. Like the 3.8 it had 12 valves and pushrods, but the 4.2 featured a longer, 3.74 in (95.0 mm) stroke. Bore diameter was the same at 3.81 in (96.8 mm). Initial output of the 4.2 L V6 in the F-150 was 202 hp at 4800 rpm and torque of 252 lbft at 3400 rpm. Ford Power Products sells this engine as the ESG-642.
Ford experienced problems with this engine in the 1997 and 1998 model years. These included issuing all 1997 engines made at the Essex plant with a bad front cover gasket. The lower intake manifold has a bad reputation for cracking at relatively low mileage. Ford ended production of the 4.2 L V6 after the 2008 model year, marking the end of the Essex V6. The engine's final recipient, the F-150, was only available with V8 engines starting with the 2009 model year until the 2011 model year, when the 3.7L Duratec was made standard.
Applications:
- 1997–2008 Ford F-150
- 1997–2005 Ford E-150
- 1997–2005 Ford E-250
- 2004–2007 Ford FreestarFord FreestarThe Ford Freestar is a minivan that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company from 2004 until November 2006. It replaced the Ford Windstar for the 2004 model year. The name change accommodated Ford's strategy to rename all their cars to words beginning in F...
- 2004–2007 Mercury MontereyFord FreestarThe Ford Freestar is a minivan that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company from 2004 until November 2006. It replaced the Ford Windstar for the 2004 model year. The name change accommodated Ford's strategy to rename all their cars to words beginning in F...