| Ford Indy V-8 | |
| Manufacturer: | Ford |
| Production: | 1963–1971 (Ford engine) 1972–1978 (Foyt-badged engine) |
| Configuration: | 90° V-8 |
| Bore: | NaNlk=onNaNlk=on |
| Stroke: | 2.87inches |
| Displacement: | NaNcuin[1] [2] |
| Valvetrain: | 32-valve, DOHC, four-valves per cylinder[3] |
| Power: | NaNhp |
| Torque: | NaNlbft[4] |
| Lubrication: | Dry sump |
| Fuelsystem: | Mechanical fuel injection |
| Compression: | 10.2:1-12.5:1[5] |
| Fueltype: | Gasoline |
| Oilsystem: | Dry sump |
| Successor: | Ford-Cosworth Indy V8 engine |
Ford Indy V8 engine should not be confused with Ford-Cosworth Indy V8 engine.
The Ford Indy V8 engine is a naturally-aspirated, DOHC, V-8, Indy car racing engine, initially specially designed by Ford for use by Team Lotus (but later used by other teams as well), to compete in the Indianapolis 500; from 1963 to 1967.[6] [7] [8] This is the engine that gave Jim Clark the victory in 1965 with his Lotus 38 chassis, Graham Hill victory in 1966 with his Lola T90 chassis, and A. J. Foyt the win at Indianapolis in 1967, in his Coyote 67 chassis.
A smaller Garrett turbocharged engine was introduced in 1968, and gave Mario Andretti the win in his Brawner Hawk chassis at the 1969 Indianapolis 500. This engine was used throughout the 1969 and 1970 seasons, until 1971 (their last season), after which Ford pulled-out and withdrew from the series for 1972. They would not return to Indy car racing until 1976, with the Ford-sponsored Cosworth DFX engine.[9]
IndyCars with Ford engines first competed in 1935 using a production-based Ford V8 in the Miller-Ford racer.[10] [11] A pushrod Ford V8 raced with Lotus in 1963, and Ford's first Indy win was in 1965 with a DOHC V8.[12] [13]
Because the previous 56 had a gas turbine engine, Lotus decided to build a new engine for the 1969 Indianapolis 500. The project was funded by Ford who supplied a V8 turbo engine, and by STP. The biggest difference was the new engine; a 2.65-liter turbocharged Ford engine, making more than 700 horsepower.[14] [15]
| Ford 406 | |
| Manufacturer: | Ford |
| Production: | 1966 |
| Configuration: | 90° V-8 |
| Displacement: | 3L |
| Valvetrain: | 32-valve, DOHC, four-valves per cylinder |
| Power: | 315hp |
| Torque: | 221lbft |
| Lubrication: | Dry sump |
| Fuelsystem: | Mechanical fuel injection |
| Fueltype: | Gasoline |
| Oilsystem: | Dry sump |
The Ford 406 was a Formula One engine, and was essentially a downsized variant of the Ford Indy V8 engine. It was used in the McLaren M2B Formula One car in 1966, prior to the introduction of the highly successful Ford-Cosworth DFV engine in 1967.[16] [17] [18]
Ford Motor Company pulled its factory support out of Indy/Championship car racing after the 1972 USAC season. A. J. Foyt obtained the rights to Ford's turbocharged DOHC V-8 Indy engine, and it was subsequently rebadged and rebranded as the Foyt V-8 engine.
The Foyt team further developed the powerplant, and ran the Foyt V-8 engine from 1973 to 1978. A handful of other teams bought and ran Foyt V-8 engines during that timeframe as well. A. J. Foyt himself won the 1977 Indianapolis 500 in his Coyote chassis and the Foyt-badged engine.[19]