Ford has just announced it will offer a new clean diesel engine with the F-550 chassis cab lineup. This 6.4-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel is quieter, more powerful and capable of towing heavier loads. Output amounts to 350 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and a whopping 650 foot-pounds of torque starting at 2,000 rpm. Also, a special particle filter helps reduce emissions by 97 percent compared to the 6.0-liter engine.
Other technical upgrades that make up this highly advanced powertrain include a tough, cast iron block, a new cylinder head design, redesigned forged-steel pistons to handle the high pressure (26,000 psi) of the fuel injection system as well as two sequential turbochargers (a small turbo for low-rpm operation and a large one for high-rpm duties). Fuel is injected into the cylinders through Piezo-electric injectors, which can deliver up to five injections per combustion cycle for improved response and instantaneous cold starts down to -30°C. Meanwhile, Ford increased the capacity of both the radiator and water pump in order to optimize engine cooling.
photo: Ford