What were V4s Like?
Discussion
I'm familiar with most engine configurations and how they work, their advantages, disadvantages, power strokes and balance.
I've been fortunate to use single cylinder engines, inline 3's, 4's ,5's and 6'es. I've also driven some V6's and one V8.
My thread is to ask if anyone had experience of what V4's where like such as those in old Ford's, I know the technical details but I wondered what they were actually like to drive, how the sounded and how they respond to the go pedal?
I've been fortunate to use single cylinder engines, inline 3's, 4's ,5's and 6'es. I've also driven some V6's and one V8.
My thread is to ask if anyone had experience of what V4's where like such as those in old Ford's, I know the technical details but I wondered what they were actually like to drive, how the sounded and how they respond to the go pedal?
Sound fab.
I've driven a few, mainly Fulvias and Saab 96s.
Both are small capacity though so not rockets, they love to be revved though which is no chore whatsoever in a Fulvia 1.3S Rallye.
Would like to try the hot Lancia V4 (the 1.6), that can easily be breathed up to about 140-150bhp shich wouldn't be bad in a stripped 850kg Fulvia coupe.
I've driven a few, mainly Fulvias and Saab 96s.
Both are small capacity though so not rockets, they love to be revved though which is no chore whatsoever in a Fulvia 1.3S Rallye.
Would like to try the hot Lancia V4 (the 1.6), that can easily be breathed up to about 140-150bhp shich wouldn't be bad in a stripped 850kg Fulvia coupe.
d to work on. One of Fords works engines.I remember as a kid, my dad had a MK1 Capri and as an avid spotter I spotted a few 3 litre ones that he wistfully would say he aspired to, then one day I spotted a 2000 GT (Rare sight) and told him and he said it was the work of the devil and not as good as his 1600 GT, the V4 only offered another 4 bhp or so, meant to be a bit of an old wheezer.
Mastodon2 said:
A bloke I work with sometimes comes to work on a Honda RC45, with a 400cc V4. It's one of the greatest sounds I've ever heard.
I wonder why he removed by the 750? 
They do sound good though. There's different crank and firing order V4s out there. There's 'big bang' engines that sound like a twin, 180 or 360 degree cranks, screamers. Seems they're seldom used in cars though, not sure why.
J4CKO said:
I remember as a kid, my dad had a MK1 Capri and as an avid spotter I spotted a few 3 litre ones that he wistfully would say he aspired to, then one day I spotted a 2000 GT (Rare sight) and told him and he said it was the work of the devil and not as good as his 1600 GT, the V4 only offered another 4 bhp or so, meant to be a bit of an old wheezer.
The description was absolute dog not old wheezer.Old wheezer would have been too much of an undeserved compliment.lol
Bit rattly and clunky is the old ford v4 but come on it sounds great with a decent carb on it.
http://youtu.be/K6bjUI-KQbg - how can you not love that!
The works saab ones can be made to push 140bhp which was pretty good for its capacity in its day!!
http://youtu.be/K6bjUI-KQbg - how can you not love that!
The works saab ones can be made to push 140bhp which was pretty good for its capacity in its day!!
ukzz4iroc said:
Very very agricultural. Had a Ford Corsair V4 in my NSU Ro80
Given the Ford V4's dismal reputation, I always thought that the fact that it was considered to be an improvement on the NSU wankel told you everything you needed to know about the rotary engine (at that time). 
benjj said:
Sound fab.
I've driven a few, mainly Fulvias and Saab 96s.
Both are small capacity though so not rockets, they love to be revved though which is no chore whatsoever in a Fulvia 1.3S Rallye.
Would like to try the hot Lancia V4 (the 1.6), that can easily be breathed up to about 140-150bhp, which wouldn't be bad in a stripped 850kg Fulvia coupe.
Isn't the Lancia such a a narrow angle V that it's almost a straight 4?I've driven a few, mainly Fulvias and Saab 96s.
Both are small capacity though so not rockets, they love to be revved though which is no chore whatsoever in a Fulvia 1.3S Rallye.
Would like to try the hot Lancia V4 (the 1.6), that can easily be breathed up to about 140-150bhp, which wouldn't be bad in a stripped 850kg Fulvia coupe.
The SAAB was a Ford unit, but Cologne rather than Essex IIRC. Perhaps the German ones were better.
I seem to remember that the old Ford V4's were so rough because they were a Kent V6 with 2 cylinders chopped off: a 90° cylinder bank angle is good for a V6, but dreadfull for a V4 (should be 60° I think?)
Back then I ran a Corsair with the 2L V4, was a bag of nails. Got shut of it after 3 months or so
Back then I ran a Corsair with the 2L V4, was a bag of nails. Got shut of it after 3 months or so
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