a Ford F 150.. with prototype engine,, and on the road.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/r...un-at-reality/

 

You have some pretty interesting thoughts Chuck, and I wanted to reply but this really isn't the thread for them.

I'm not a moderator for this forum, so I can't split this off into its own thread. But I'll be happy to discuss this in another thread.

 

Just to note this is not a Ford motor.

Denny

 

Opposed position motors have been around for years but in diesel motors, the only ones I've been around where in ship propulsion and they where big and noisy. Be interesting if it works out, you basically get the performance of 6 cylinders out of 3 with no valves and being 2 cycle should have less vibration.

Denny

 

just trying to offer ideas.. and to stir up more..

the opposed engine .. was first used in Locomotives at the turn of the 20th century .

my understanding

Sorry about the MESS I made.

 

you are 100 percent Correct..

my understanding....

Ford has a small part in this project... interest if nothing else.

world is running low on fuel... maybe...
but to advance the "AUTO". < truck > internal combustion.. drive systems... must evolve ......
fine tuning --100 year old designs are not going to get us there.

front wheel drive cars.. while not new .. were made 100 years ago.. now every small ( good gas mileage ) car is front wheel drive..

 

There's a huge amount of innovation going on right now, but heavy-duty pickups aren't seeing most of it for a couple of reasons. I think the biggest reason is that without established fuel economy metrics, it's virtually impossible to advertise meaningful fuel savings. Likewise, a lot of the ideas that work well on small cars with powertrains that aren't heavily loaded most of the time wouldn't last or be suitable for heavy towing.

The Achates opposed piston engine is an amazing idea, and could be truly revolutionary if it proves to be reliable. There are companies that make it extremely complex powertrains hold up well over time, but when done poorly turn out to be absolute disasters. Think the GM hybrid SUVs of around 10 years ago, or even the Ford 6.0 L power stroke.

A transverse engine with a chain drive would certainly be more efficient than the current layout, but I'm not sure you could package it under the bed of a pickup truck. These engines aren't small, especially when you add all the accessories and electronic wizardry that makes modern engines is clean and efficient as they are. I think a heavy-duty variant of front-wheel-drive with a completely disconnecting rear drivetrain would be most efficient, but I think most pickup buyers would shun such an idea. The Honda Ridgeline never took off, even though by most accounts it's a great truck for those who don't tow heavy things.

 

 

The last time I went through all the propaganda on that motor, the fact that it is in an F150 has nothing to do with Ford Motor Company, it's just a selection the engine maker made. There was and probably is, no plans for that engine in a Ford, F150 or not.