The Ford Barn

updraught · 11-07-2021, 06:28 AM

An interesting article. Makes you wonder why Ford didn't like them.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...Q8g7QZ_3PUBEJ0

Bob Bidonde · 11-07-2021, 07:18 AM

Henry Ford did not like 6 cylinder engines because Chevrolet beat him to it. So when Chevrolet came out with their 6 cylinder in 1929, Ford responded in 1932 with is V8.

Mister Moose · 11-07-2021, 09:20 AM

From wikipedia:

In 1906–1907, Ford's first straight-six engine was introduced in the Model K. Henry Ford did not like the car because the engine could overpower its transmission. The next Ford six was introduced in the 1941 Ford. The Ford Motor Company of America continued producing straight-six engines until 1996, when they were discontinued in favor of more compact V6 designs.

So Ford had tried a 6 cylinder prior to 1929.

ronn · 11-07-2021, 10:48 AM

Mister Moose has it right. the K was a big flop............ as were many high end cars.

today a model K sells for 200-250k............ very few left.

eagle · 11-07-2021, 02:35 PM

The model K engine was flexible. It was mounted solid to the frame, so if one wheel was on a little hump the twist of the frame would lock up the engine. Always have to find a flat spot to park on or you can't crank them. Also lots of trouble with broken crankshaft. I'd love to have one, I've ridden in one. BUT, lets just say it wasn't exactly a marvel of engineering.

Mister Moose · 11-07-2021, 05:23 PM

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Quite the beast. 2 plugs per cylinder. Plywood firewall.

CWPASADENA · 11-07-2021, 11:08 PM

The early investors in Ford Motor Company wanted a higher priced, upscale car and Henry wanted to produce a lower priced more affordable car. Henry gave in and produced the Model K. This was the only "upscale" car Henry made. He finally was able to buy out all his investors and run the company as he wanted to without outside influence.

Chris W.

Ernie Vitucci · 11-09-2021, 10:36 AM

Good morning...Invertors don't have a great track record in knowing what to invest in...at least in my mind. They frequently go off the track without professional help. They only look at profit quarter by quarter...and rarely at what the customer might desire...Ernie in Arizona

nkaminar · 11-10-2021, 08:29 AM

The lower cost cars are still 4 cylinder. Henry was intent on producing a car that was affordable. A Ford able. 4 cylinders made sense. By 1932 the market had changed and people were looking for style and performance.

SHEC · 11-13-2021, 12:28 AM

I read that Mr. Ford found the six cylinder engine cantankerous and unruly. Reading the previous accounts he may well have been cantankerous after competitors had the six cylinder market in the bag.
Somehow it all worked out .

11-07-2021, 06:28 AM	#1
updraught Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 1,969	6 cylinders An interesting article. Makes you wonder why Ford didn't like them. https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...Q8g7QZ_3PUBEJ0

11-07-2021, 07:18 AM	#2
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,464	Re: 6 cylinders Henry Ford did not like 6 cylinder engines because Chevrolet beat him to it. So when Chevrolet came out with their 6 cylinder in 1929, Ford responded in 1932 with is V8. __________________ Bob Bidonde

11-07-2021, 09:20 AM	#3
Mister Moose Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Hartford area, CT Posts: 374	Re: 6 cylinders From wikipedia: In 1906–1907, Ford's first straight-six engine was introduced in the Model K. Henry Ford did not like the car because the engine could overpower its transmission. The next Ford six was introduced in the 1941 Ford. The Ford Motor Company of America continued producing straight-six engines until 1996, when they were discontinued in favor of more compact V6 designs. So Ford had tried a 6 cylinder prior to 1929.

11-07-2021, 10:48 AM	#4
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,784	Re: 6 cylinders Mister Moose has it right. the K was a big flop............ as were many high end cars. today a model K sells for 200-250k............ very few left.

11-07-2021, 02:35 PM	#5
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: 6 cylinders The model K engine was flexible. It was mounted solid to the frame, so if one wheel was on a little hump the twist of the frame would lock up the engine. Always have to find a flat spot to park on or you can't crank them. Also lots of trouble with broken crankshaft. I'd love to have one, I've ridden in one. BUT, lets just say it wasn't exactly a marvel of engineering. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

11-07-2021, 11:08 PM	#7
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,882	Re: 6 cylinders The early investors in Ford Motor Company wanted a higher priced, upscale car and Henry wanted to produce a lower priced more affordable car. Henry gave in and produced the Model K. This was the only "upscale" car Henry made. He finally was able to buy out all his investors and run the company as he wanted to without outside influence. Chris W.

11-09-2021, 10:36 AM	#8
Ernie Vitucci Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 611	Re: 6 cylinders Good morning...Invertors don't have a great track record in knowing what to invest in...at least in my mind. They frequently go off the track without professional help. They only look at profit quarter by quarter...and rarely at what the customer might desire...Ernie in Arizona

11-10-2021, 08:29 AM	#9
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,899	Re: 6 cylinders The lower cost cars are still 4 cylinder. Henry was intent on producing a car that was affordable. A Ford able. 4 cylinders made sense. By 1932 the market had changed and people were looking for style and performance. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

11-13-2021, 12:28 AM	#10
SHEC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 278	Re: 6 cylinders I read that Mr. Ford found the six cylinder engine cantankerous and unruly. Reading the previous accounts he may well have been cantankerous after competitors had the six cylinder market in the bag. Somehow it all worked out .