Ford's Cleveland Engine Plant Closes Today (and: How Cool is This?!)

[1969XR7Vert]

http://www.mercurycougar.net/forums/...225#post502225

[towcat]

What other engines were built in that plant, other than the Cleveland?

[Cougrrcj]

302, 4.9L (300-I6), 351M/400, and a bunch of newer stuff like the 3.0 Duratech V-6,...

[woodsnake]

That's POOPY! Why is Ford shutting down another manufacturing plant?? New construction else where? America can't afford much more of this...

[wonderwrench]

Looks like there was two Cleveland engine plants and only number 2 is closing. Plant 1 is building EcoBoost engines. http://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/268

Bill

[ken68cat]

Sad thing, but cool Cougar exposure Bob, nice job.

[Cougrrcj]

Looks like there was two Cleveland engine plants and only number 2 is closing. Plant 1 is building EcoBoost engines. http://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/268

Bill

AND the foundry where they actually made the cast iron for the blocks is already torn down.

[1969XR7Vert]

Anyone have a copy of today's "The Plain Dealer" newspaper (Cleveland area)?? I would like to obtain a printed copy of the article under discussion.

Thanks,

Bob

[mo2872]

The I-6 never should have gone away, IMO.....great engine.....had an F150 4x4 with that......somehow managed to torque the u-joints off the rear driveshaft. Dunno how THAT happened.......LMAO.

[ragtop69xr7]

Wife drives a 2010 Flex with the Ecoboost...... I LOVE that engine. It will put you back in the seat when flooring it at 70MPH. Very quick! And the flex is a heavy fat pig!

[Bad69cat]

Yeah - that ecoboost is a ton of fun. VERY impressive torque in mid to upper range. I drove a flex when they first came out and passing cars on 2 lanes was not a worry at all - it was a blast. (Even if it is an ugly shoebox). I had that thing stuffed with about 15 computer boxes and a bunch of tools, and my suitcase. A ton of room in it! If I were loooking to own a family truckster - that is a good candidate IMO (the two tone black/silver looks decent)

[wonderwrench]

The I-6 never should have gone away, IMO.....great engine.....had an F150 4x4 with that......somehow managed to torque the u-joints off the rear driveshaft. Dunno how THAT happened.......LMAO.

I think tightening emission standards and the length of the engine killed the 300 six. Sure was a great engine, all torque all the time. Back in the day I watched a 300 six in a bronco out pull all other trucks in the stock class. Also watched a short rail dragster turn low 9's running a 300 six with custom cylinder head made out of two BBC heads. The only weak points were the timing gears and they did not take well to thick oil in cold climates. I think the oil passages were on the small side and 10w30/10w40 starved the rod and main bearings.

Bill

[Local Hero]

Yeah - that ecoboost is a ton of fun. VERY impressive torque in mid to upper range. I drove a flex when they first came out and passing cars on 2 lanes was not a worry at all - it was a blast. (Even if it is an ugly shoebox). I had that thing stuffed with about 15 computer boxes and a bunch of tools, and my suitcase. A ton of room in it! If I were loooking to own a family truckster - that is a good candidate IMO (the two tone black/silver looks decent)

My Bro bought the black and silver Flex with the ecoboost 6, 22" wheels and the whole works. It does look pretty slick although not for me.

[ClawIt]

Here is a composite of the three main Cleveland engine plant buildings I used for our Club's calendar. Two weeks before the casting plant became dust. The local story is Ford payed around $15mil for the tear down but should get $19mil for all the scrap.
Boss 302s were also built there. For some reason there was a lot of Boss inline carbs always popping up in the Cleveland area????
Ford does not cast any blocks or parts anymore, outsourced to warmer weather!

[mo2872]

I think tightening emission standards and the length of the engine killed the 300 six. Sure was a great engine, all torque all the time. Back in the day I watched a 300 six in a bronco out pull all other trucks in the stock class. Also watched a short rail dragster turn low 9's running a 300 six with custom cylinder head made out of two BBC heads. The only weak points were the timing gears and they did not take well to thick oil in cold climates. I think the oil passages were on the small side and 10w30/10w40 starved the rod and main bearings.

Bill

As far back in the bay as they cram the 5.4 in the half-tons now, they could have easily kept the I6 for the base model. Emissions, well, I don't know about that, so....you're probably right on. Though they have(or had, Leon will have to verify) a turbo I6 for the Aussies....That would have been a fun motor!