The smallest engine ever fitted to a Ford Superduty/Western

Ford Superduty trucks, also badged as Western in Malaysia, were reintroduced this year in Brazil where they had been phased out in late 2011 due to emission regulations.

Well, Ford managed that matter by changing the previous entirely mechanical Cummins B3.9 with turbocharger and aftercooler de-rated to 120hp and 450nm for a common-rail ISF2.8 rated at 150hp and 360nm in the F-350 and a regional version of the F-450 labelled F-4000, with SCR and DPF for aftertreatment but no EGR.

The older versions were enough surprising by using a 4 cylinder engine, but now it's not just 4 cylinder but also the first diesel below 3 litre to be fitted into a F-series Ford, smaller even than the Perkins 4-203 used in the F-100 and local derivatives of the F-250 in Argentina until early 90s.

Checked the info in Ford of Brazil trucks operation official webpage, and the engine is listed right there, always backed by a 5 speed manual transmission. There are not other cabin options but the regular, and 4WD is only available for the F-4000 It is still surprising that Ford sticked to this engine that is smaller than the 3.2 from the Ranger even in the F-4000 that has a GVW rating more than the double of the Ranger.
http://www.fordcaminhoes.com.br/serie-f/f-350
http://www.fordcaminhoes.com.br/serie-f/f-4000
http://www.fordcaminhoes.com.br/serie-f/f-4000-4x4

As a sidenote, their North American counterparts are only available with automatic transmission, and the 6.7 Powerstroke V8 that is heavily taxed in export markets because of its displacement is the only diesel option at a higher premium cost compared to the ISF2.8 used in the Brazilian version. It would not be so unrealistic to expect the trucks assembled in Brazil to be sold in such places instead.


These news were brought to me by a French Guyanese resident in Brazil. Merci beaucoup, monsieur Daniel Girald.

The old twin-cylinder Bolinder hot bulb still got the job done. In a crew of 8 we could keep it running for about 19 days and just shut it off about 3 or 4 times. Restarting required some pre heating with a kerosene lamp for about 15 to 30 minutes at each round. That was my first experience with a hot bulb engine, not sure if that is going to be the only one since they are getting quickly phased out. I knew there were some NGOs seeking to reintroduce them on the mainstream market for stationary operations in the so-called "developing world", but it doesn't sound so promising as it was supposed to be.

on a boat again

Time to go fishing. This time in a boat powered by a Swedish Bolinder hot bulb engine.

It's a pain in the neck to cold-start a late-80s Toyota Hilux without the glowplugs hooked up properly. WD-40 and a cigarette lighter did the trick.

The aftersales support for that batch of F250 bakkies imported in the early 2000s with that odd 6-cyl MWM engine doesn't really satisfy most of its owners. With the 2WD short-cab it's easier to drop it away and fit another engine inside and often also the gearbox for one matched to the newer engine. If it was in the Philippines it would be with an Isuzu 4JB1-TC, but in South Africa bigger engines are prefered. It's still kinda surprising when I see one with engine and gearbox of the Iveco Daily.

Travelling in a rusty Kia Pregio in South Africa always reminds me previous experiences. This one had the exhaust replaced after the manifold with beer cans tied together, front passenger door fell after a bump in a pothole because its hinge was totally worn out, crash marks all around, scratches, dents in the wheel wells, electrical failures, but the old J2 engine still runs like a champ.

Riding in a 2004 Ford Ranger (petrol) still fitted from factory with a carburettor gives me quite an odd feeling. Things that we only see in South Africa...

Petrol engines are not my favorite ones, but I like some 2-stroke outboard motors for small boats. The absence of valves makes it simpler and lighter. Testing fish liver oil as lube in one that was going to be scrapped anyways, so at least it's gonna worth something as a guinea pig for research.

It was about time for an oven-roasted fillet of fish with potatoes and steamed corn. Fish has the best organic matter to protein ratio among animal protein sources. Fish liver oil can also be used to make biodiesel, but it's better to be used in blends, not pure.

All I could get by cold-pressing some livers from fish captured yesterday were 10 litre of oil. Well, better than nothing, and already mixed in the fuel tank. That livers were chopped to be used as bait. Hmmm let's wait to see if I'm going to get lucky enought to catch a shark...