Ford rolls out Super Duty diesel engine

With its relationship with Navistar dissolving at the end of the 2010 model year, Ford Motor Co. needed a diesel engine to power its F-Series Super Duty trucks. The company has chosen to build its own V8 turbocharged diesel using selective catalytic reduction technology to meet 2010 emissions rules.

Among the changes from previous offerings for the 6.7-liter Power Stroke, which will debut in the 2011 Super Duty, is a single turbocharger mounted directly to the block to help reduce noise, the company said. It includes two compressor wheels driven off one turbine impeller to create faster response time without lag. The results are more horsepower and torque.

Ford also identified advantages of the new diesel, including the use of a compacted graphite iron engine block that offers more strength than the traditional regular gray cast iron; inboard exhaust and outboard intake architecture that reduces overall exhaust volume, resulting in better throttle response; easier for technicians to access major engine components, including the turbocharger; and high-pressure Bosch fuel system that injects fuel up to 30,000 psi.

The engine is also about 160 lbs. lighter than previous offerings and is capable of running on biodiesel up to a B20 blend without negative impact.