Lincoln-Zephyr V12 engine
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| Lincoln-Zephyr V12 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Production: | 1936–1948 |
| Predecessor: | Lincoln L-head V12 |
| Successor: | InVincible 8 |
Ford Motor Company's Lincoln division produced two other L-head V12 engines from 1932, but required a more compact unit for their new streamlined Lincoln-Zephyr line. As Ford had just introduced their inexpensive Flathead V8, this was the logical starting point for a new Lincoln V12 line. The Lincoln-Zephyr V12 would quickly replace the previous-generation V12, just as the Lincoln-Zephyr car replaced the rest of the Lincoln line, and would be the company's primary engine through 1948.
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[edit] Overview
The 90° Flathead V8 was revised with a narrower 75° between cylinder banks and four more cylinders were added. It used aluminum-alloy heads and cast-steel pistons.
Although it was low and compact, the narrow angle compounded the problems already apparent in the Flathead. Since hot exhaust gasses passed out of the cylinder into the confined space between the banks, the engine was prone to overheating and required an extensive water cooling system. Also, the lower bearings and crankshaft were not sufficiently strong and bottom-end failures were common. The V12 was eventually replaced by the InVincible 8, simply a version of the Flathead V8 found on Ford's truck line.
The Zephyr V12 was also used by Allard, Atalanta, and Brough Superior in England.
[edit] 267
The first Lincoln-Zephyr models of 1936 used a 267 in³ (4.4 L) engine which produced 110 hp (82 kW). This engine was upgraded with hydraulic lifters in 1938 and produced for one further year.
[edit] 292
The engine was enlarged for 1940 and 1941 to 292 in³ (4.8 L). This engine was reused from late 1946 through 1948 and was the last of the line produced.
[edit] 306
The single month of 1942 production used a 306 in³ (5.0 L) version of the engine, and this was resurrected after the war in 1946 for a short time before reverting to the 292 size for the rest of 1946 through 1948.
[edit] References
- David L. Lewis (2005). 100 Years of Ford. Publications International. ISBN 0-7853-7988-6.
- Weiss, H Eugene. Chrysler, Ford, Durant and Sloan: Founding Giants of the American Automotive Industry, 62. ISBN 0-7864-1611-4.
- Lincoln Anonymous. Retrieved on August 22, 2006.
