Falcon V6 News - Wont fit the Engine Bay!

[aquahead2001]

From: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/...6893_news.html

"Ford's engineering flaw shocks union

Kerri-Ann Hobbs

August 6th, 2008

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Digg this Post to del.icio.us Post to Stumble Upon Post to Facebook FORD'S new Falcon, complete with new V6 engine, will be ready by 2010 despite an engineering hiccup that means the motor doesn't fit the vehicle.

The blue circle's flagship vehicle's sizing problem was not unusual and was part of the engineering process, according to Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary.

But unions have questioned whether the set-back will mean some of the 600-odd staff at the company's Geelong engine plant would need to work past the 2010 dismissal date in order to fix the glitch.

"There is nothing outside the usual engineering development process," Ms McAlary said.

"The engine is being developed and there is nothing unusual outside the normal process.

"The program is proceeding as planned."

Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) car division federal secretary Ian Jones said he was shocked to learn the engine was too big for the motor well, preventing the bonnet from closing.

"We haven't been able to confirm what people will be required to stay on.

"As I understand it there is an issue in respect to funding the engineering.

"It may mean that they (Ford) have to hang on to their current engine."

In July 2007, Ford Australia announced its Norlane engine plant was to close in two years, with 600 job cuts, but 60 people from the defunct casting plant could be redeployed to other roles.

Meanwhile Ford Australia is today expected to officially announce that safety regulators have given the new Falcon a five-star rating - the highest safety ranking in the competitive family car market."

I was under the impression that the Durawhatsit 36/37 was a 60 degree V6, so would be narrower than say the Boss Quad Cam Motor. Maybe they're putting in sideways!

[twr7cx]

So the unions are complaining that some of the members might have a job for a bit longer?

Wouldn't it be nice if they just keep using the I6...

[Wretched]

I would say a BS tactic by the unions, making a mountain out of a mole hill as they usually do.

Part of the development of a car I would imagine includes a lot of problems that ironed out during the process. I can imagine a car to be built with not a problem in each stage of the development process.

I hope they continue with the development of the V6, the $$ have already been committed to it. Bringing back the I6 while some may be happier I believe would be a mistake. It would need further $$ spent to bring it up to emissions standards, better LPG system, etc.

[GORDZ]

i'm reading height is the problem "Ian Jones said he was shocked to learn the engine was too big for the motor well, preventing the bonnet from closing." so they got it in, it's just too tall.

bigger powerbuldge

fook that.

keep the I6.

[Falc'man]

So it's bigger than the Boss?!?!

[Bud Bud]

I would of thought that they would have been able to fit this engine using a virtual CAD program a couple of years ago long before a physical attempt!

[TadKa]

'blur circle'?

[King Nothing]

Hmm, weird. I agree with Bud, surely they would have had this in a 3D cad drawing, especially after what happened with the boss? Unless they are trying to jam a twinforce in there or something. And if they are struggling to get the base V6 in, what hope have they got of fitting a TT? And Aquahead the sideways comment is interesting, perhaps they were experimenting with a FWD layout? Or do they still mount V6s north south in FWDs?

[bodes-sh]

^^nope east-west in fwd...i don't think that would have any bearing on not being able to close the bonnet tho..

[The Stylist]

Sounds rubbish to me.

CAD software should have sorted out any issues before the new V6 engine was physically placed in the engine bay, not to mention that Ford have been testing this engine in the Falcon for quite a while now.

[SSbaby]

How could a compact V6 not fit into the same engine bay as the Boss and I6? Impossible.

[WindsorXR]

Id say bullcrap!!It can't be wider than the Boss. Can't be longer than the I6. Shouldn't be taller than the I6. I very much doubt that the falcon will turn into a front wheel drive.So all things point to bullcrap!!!!!

[95falcon]

Originally Posted by BSSXR8

Id say bullcrap!!It can't be wider than the Boss. Can't be longer than the I6. Shouldn't be taller than the I6. I very much doubt that the falcon will turn into a front wheel drive.So all things point to bullcrap!!!!!

+1.

If the mammoth BOSS can fit, a shorter motor should have no problems.
If not, then they might have to lower the motor - lower centre of gravity..... hmmmm

[LOWAU]

There might be a little bit of clearance issues with the intake manifold or some other little thing, I wouldn't worry about it.

[WindsorXR]

Originally Posted by 95falcon

+1.

If the mammoth BOSS can fit, a shorter motor should have no problems.
If not, then they might have to lower the motor - lower centre of gravity..... hmmmm

V6 Bonnet bulge???Hehehe!! Every commodore will want one!!

[95falcon]

Originally Posted by BSSXR8

V6 Bonnet bulge???Hehehe!! Every commodore will want one!!

They already do

[XR4568]

Originally Posted by TadKa

'blur circle'?

Geelong Advertiser journalism at its finest.

[TadKa]

Originally Posted by TadKa

'blur circle'?

uhh 'Blue' rather. still. the 'circle' was the main point.

[aquahead2001]

Yep, its a good one, I'm sure it's all scare mongering from someone, who know's who though. Maybe they're having trouble fitting the Twin Stacked Superchargers under the bonnet...

[Fairlane]

Strange things happen, early in the development cycle for Orion, some crafty aussie engineers might have deliberately designed the engine bay to be a PITA for a v6, no doubt in vain, but hey back in the 1960s, Jaguar deliberately built cars which couldnt take other BMC/Leyland engines in order to maintain the exclusivity and keep the XK inline 6 alive until Jaguar could fund their own I6 replacement the AJ6-

[Nikked]

Sounds wierd, but wou wound think that it would fit, car designers arn't exactly dumb, and the car would have been disinge with the future in mind...

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by twr7cx

Wouldn't it be nice if they just keep using the I6...

Not this again

[XR6_190]

I find this as believable as Santa Clause living in my back shed!

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by LOWAU

There might be a little bit of clearance issues with the intake manifold or some other little thing, I wouldn't worry about it.

Thats it, the inlet manifold is the problem, its quite tall, and i'd assume the engine mounts are incompatible with the current straight 6 ones, but thats just a re designing job that was bound to happen anyway.

The straight 6 cannot be used after July 31 2010 as it will no longer be emission compliant, so saying it may continue is just stupid as legally it can't, Fords exemption only last until that date.

[FPV8U]

As has been said, if the boss can fit in there, anything can fit in there..

[Iggypoppin']

maybe theyve mounted the engine too high, the sumps too big, the engine mounts protrude too high....who knows if its true?
i still cant imagine a V6 falcon....and isnt there going 2 b a turbo version too?

[MoreHPformyXR6]

Any model V6 FG Falcon just needs the FG XR8 bonnet and and any proplems are solved.

[MoreHPformyXR6]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

The straight 6 cannot be used after July 31 2010 as it will no longer be emission compliant, so saying it may continue is just stupid as legally it can't, Fords exemption only last until that date.

What is the current Euro emmision standards for new cars? As I guy I was talking to a couple weeks ago works for the water board in NSW and gets a new company car each year and for years he always has choosen Falcon's but this year Jan 08 he choose a Toyota Aurion as he said the Falcon's didnt meant greens emmisions (he has to choose a green car). Obviously he wasnt able to choose from an FG due to the timing of replacement. After reading the above does that mean the current FG doesnt meat green emission's either?

[mr_superbird]

it might be a like a v6 eco tech (buick) only that they copied a cummins engine? if they have this problem, imagine how less it would cost if they could use cad properly. even i got the tape measure out in the back yard to make the 351 fit in the cortina. maybe a few of em need the sack.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by MoreHPformyXR6

What is the current Euro emmision standards for new cars? As I guy I was talking to a couple weeks ago works for the water board in NSW and gets a new company car each year and for years he always has choosen Falcon's but this year Jan 08 he choose a Toyota Aurion as he said the Falcon's didnt meant greens emmisions (he has to choose a green car). Obviously he wasnt able to choose from an FG due to the timing of replacement. After reading the above does that mean the current FG doesnt meat green emission's either?

At the moment its Euro III compliant, but any new models released after July 31 2008 must be Euro 4 compliant. Releasing the FG before that date meant Ford has an exemption to continue using the staight 6 until July 31 2010 as long as it isn't changed in any way that may effect emisions performance.