Ford V4 from the 1960's

[crankedup]

Plenty of what are now classic fords run the old V4 engine, now I wonder just how bad these engines actually were/are?
What alternatives could be used in a Mk 1 transit van without too much metal surgery?

[PositronicRay]

V6 essex goes in, but you need to bolt the long diesel nose on.

[crankedup]

Thanks, but I was hoping that something may go in without altering the body style. Is the V4 the dog its reputation suggests?

[347Andy]

Is the V4 the dog its reputation suggests?

Yes

[DrDeAtH]

Kent engine is a straight fit, pinto should go straight in too.

On the transit forum, one guy is fitting the VW 1.9 diesel into a MK1.

Rover V8 fits with the diesel front end, as does the 2.5Di

[tr7v8]

Ran a V4 in a 1966 Transit for 18 months. Warped heads & block, rattly old thing & under powered. Hated it aside from the fact it nearly bankrupted me! Admittedly earning bugger all at the time. Was pretty thirsty as well. I'd probably use a 2L pinto in car spec with its gearbox as the V4 only shares the bellhousing with the V6. Other option would be a modern diesel & box. But would need electrics sorted out & would be further from the original.

[crankedup]

Thanks for all inputs. The transit in question is a 1972 camper van, it's in great condition but is running the original engine. On one hand it would be a shame to change the engine and ruin originality, on the other the engines likely to be a right pain.
Maybe best I look at alternative camper van.

[bmwmike]

Were they in the saab 96? I did a v4 HG in one of those long time ago

[Sardonicus]

Under powered and thirsty other than that they are after all 2/3rds of the Essex but with a balancer shaft not much worse than a lot of motors from back then to be honest never heard of a block warping though its an overweight cast iron block

[phillpot]

I worked at a Ford Main Dealer on these V4's in Transits back in the day, hard to imagine now but even loads of the big twin rear wheel Transits ran petrol engines back then!

Maybe not Fords finest ever engine but solid and reliable, if anything is going to go wrong it will most likely be the inlet manifold gasket failing should it for whatever reason get a bit too hot. only other common issue I can think of is the hexagonal oil pump/distributor drive, it wears, replace as a precaution.


Happy motoring

[tr7v8]

bmwmike said:

Were they in the saab 96? I did a v4 HG in one of those long time ago

That is the Cologne engine the Transit v4 is an Essex. Completely different