mackinaw Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Interesting article today in "Autoline Detroit." "The Ford Ranger has reached the end of the line, but it’s not the only thing that’s motoring off into the sunset. Tomorrow, the final Cologne V-6 will be installed into the last of these trucks. The engine has served the company well for nearly five decades! This workhorse has been on active duty in a variety of products ranging from the Mercury Capri and Bobcat, to the Ford Pinto, Mustang II and Aerostar van. It’s been offered in overhead-valve and overhead-cam configurations, and in numerous sizes. Some 25 million have been made! It was built in Germany – that’s where it gets its name from – but during the Explorer craze of the mid ‘90s demand was so high blocks were cast in Ford’s Windsor plant, shipped to Deutschland for machining and assembly, then sent back to America! Bob Fascetti, Ford’s Director, Global Engine Engineering had this to say about the venerable engine, “When you think of classic Ford engines of the last 50 years, the 289, the 427 and 5.0-liter probably come to mind first. But the Cologne V6 deserves to be right up there with the very best of the best engines we’ve ever built. That engine has done everything we’ve asked it to." More here: http://www.autoline.tv/daily/?p=19330#more-19330 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 "........ That engine has done everything we’ve asked it to." Except run quietly.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Interesting article today in "Autoline Detroit." "The Ford Ranger has reached the end of the line, but it’s not the only thing that’s motoring off into the sunset. Tomorrow, the final Cologne V-6 will be installed into the last of these trucks. The engine has served the company well for nearly five decades! This workhorse has been on active duty in a variety of products ranging from the Mercury Capri and Bobcat, to the Ford Pinto, Mustang II and Aerostar van. It’s been offered in overhead-valve and overhead-cam configurations, and in numerous sizes. Some 25 million have been made! It was built in Germany – that’s where it gets its name from – but during the Explorer craze of the mid ‘90s demand was so high blocks were cast in Ford’s Windsor plant, shipped to Deutschland for machining and assembly, then sent back to America! Bob Fascetti, Ford’s Director, Global Engine Engineering had this to say about the venerable engine, “When you think of classic Ford engines of the last 50 years, the 289, the 427 and 5.0-liter probably come to mind first. But the Cologne V6 deserves to be right up there with the very best of the best engines we’ve ever built. That engine has done everything we’ve asked it to." More here: http://www.autoline.tv/daily/?p=19330#more-19330 I owned three Cologne V6's over the years....1971 Mercury Capri 2.8L V6, 1975 Mercury Capri 2.8L V6, and 1985 Bronco ll 2.8L V6. Had no issues with any of them, and put 225,000 miles on the Bronco ll before selling it. Both Capris had 4 speed manuals and Bronco ll had three speed auto and an overdrive gear (4th) to use above 45mph if not towing anything. Both Capris were peppy, fun, sporty coupes for that era, and Bronco ll was a slug and underpowered, but good in snow and very fair tower. I don't think I ever even got 20mpg highway, but then gas was under $1/gallon back then or not much higher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT-Keith Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 OLD ASS ENGINE! But damn was it reliable! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 I think this is the only Ford engine sold in the last 3 decades that I didn't own a copy of. Can't say I will miss it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinaw Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share Posted December 16, 2011 While relatively unsophisticated, it was a good, reliable engine. I put over 200,000+ miles on a few Cologne V-6's. Interesting to note that an earlier version of this engine design was a V-4. That engine was for the european Ford Taunus and also ended up in a few Saab models back in the late 1960's. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 I think this is the only Ford engine sold in the last 3 decades that I didn't own a copy of. Can't say I will miss it. Can't miss something you never owned. I also owned a 5.0L Ford V8 in my Mustang of 80's fame, and while a blast to drive and great V8 burble sound, the engine ran out of breath above 3,000 RPM even with high performance headers and big Holley 4 barrel mods. Below 3,000 RPM it pulled like crazy and had long legs though. Then came the dual overhead cam 4.6L V8 that loved to rev like hell, but in low RPM's was kind of a slug unlike my 5.0 pushrod V8. Now with Ford's modern V8, we have an engine that has low RPM grunt, and doesn't run out of breath so quickly in higher RPM ranges. So I would say I don't miss the engines of yore even when I owned them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 (edited) When Mulally arrived, the 4.0 Cologne V6 was one of eight six cylinder engine families Ford was making at the same time. Fourteen years ago, the Falcon 4.0 I-6 and Cologne V6 had similar power and torque. the difference is that FoA continued to develop the I-6 while the Cologne V6 stagnated, D35 and D37 have everything the Cologne needed to be a better V6. Ford Australia's I-6 is now the longest continuing engine in the Ford empire, some day it will be retired, but not today. Edited December 16, 2011 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinaw Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share Posted December 16, 2011 (edited) ......Ford Australia's I-6 is now the longest continuing engine in the Ford empire, some day it will be retired, but not today. Never had the chance to drive the Aussie I6, which is too bad (for me). Any inline 6 cylinder is inherently better balanced (hence smoother) than a V6. One bad thing about the move to universal FWD is that packaging has just about done away with I6 engines. Just can't fit them in the engine bay. Edited December 16, 2011 by mackinaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 (edited) Never had the chance to drive the Aussie I6, which is too bad (for me). Any inline 6 cylinder is inherently better balanced (hence smoother) than a V6. One bad thing about the move to universal FWD is that packaging has just about done away with I6 engines. Just can't fit them in the engine bay. Think about it a different way, like Transit RWD and Transit FWd: The Falcon's engine bay is copious and because the I-6 is so long, there's plenty of room forward of the front axle for a transverse engine. That way the north-South I-6 could be kept along with V8 while other markets could use transversely mounted EB I-4 and V6 engines. That was the hallmark of GRWD and combining Falcon and Taurus... Note the dog leg on the radiator support panel, it kicks forward another five inches to make clearance for the I-6, without it, a V6 falcon would be the same length as a Fusion.... Edited December 16, 2011 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordowner Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 This is what's in my 2007 Mustang. I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTwannabe Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Good riddance. Should have died 15 years ago. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 The early versions were NOT reliable! Through the years, it was developed into a decent engine. Never understood the reasoning behind the design of the 4.0L OHC. Was that all done just to use the same head on both sides? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerM Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Can't speak for the current OHC version, but the OHV in my '93 is a good, torquey motor. Runs out of breath above 3500-4000 rpm, but cruising on the highway, you never have to come out of 5th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 While relatively unsophisticated, it was a good, reliable engine. I put over 200,000+ miles on a few Cologne V-6's. Interesting to note that an earlier version of this engine design was a V-4. That engine was for the european Ford Taunus and also ended up in a few Saab models back in the late 1960's. And I would bet there are a few welding machines, air compressors etc. that are still earning a living with their Ford V-4's! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papilgee4evaeva Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 (edited) Think about it a different way, like Transit RWD and Transit FWd: The Falcon's engine bay is copious and because the I-6 is so long, there's plenty of room forward of the front axle for a transverse engine. That way the north-South I-6 could be kept along with V8 while other markets could use transversely mounted EB I-4 and V6 engines. That was the hallmark of GRWD and combining Falcon and Taurus... Note the dog leg on the radiator support panel, it kicks forward another five inches to make clearance for the I-6, without it, a V6 falcon would be the same length as a Fusion.... Wouldn't that technically make it no longer GRWD if other markets got a transverse FWD version? Edited December 17, 2011 by papilgee4evaeva Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Wouldn't that technically make it no longer GRWD if other markets got a transverse FWD version? That would make it GFRAWD but then some would complain because there's no mid engined version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 In tribute to the Taunus V4/Cologne V6, I'm posting pics of all the vehicles that have used this engine. 1962 Taunus 1963 Taunus 1964 Taunus 1965 Taunus Transit 1966 Taunus Transit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 1967 Ford Taunus Ford Transit Matra 530 Saab 95 Saab 96 Saab Sonnet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 (edited) 1968 Ford Taunus Ford Transit Matra 530 Saab 95 Saab 96 Saab Sonnet Edited December 17, 2011 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 (edited) 1969 Ford Capri Ford Taunus Ford Transit Matra 530 Saab 95 Saab 96 Saab Sonnet Edited December 17, 2011 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 (edited) 1970 Ford Capri Ford Taunus Ford Transit Matra 530 Saab 95 Saab 96 Saab Sonnet Edited December 17, 2011 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 (edited) 1971 Ford Capri Ford Taunus Ford Transit Matra 530 Saab 95 Saab 96 Saab Sonnet Edited December 17, 2011 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 1972 Ford Capri Ford Consul/Granada Ford Taunus Ford Transit Matra 530 Saab 95 Saab 96 Saab Sonnet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 1973 Ford Capri Ford Consul/Granada Ford Taunus Ford Transit Saab 95 Saab 96 Saab Sonnet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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