The HCS Engine

Introduction

The HCS (High Compression Swirl) engine was introduced in 1989 with the launch of the mark three Fiesta and it is a derivative of the Kent engine. Ford changed many aspects of the HCS during its lifetime and not all HCS engines of an identical capacity are the same!

Variants

It is basically a modified version of the OHV engine as used in the mark two Fiesta. The modifications were designed to improve refinement, reduce emissions and increase torque. The 957cc engine was increased to 999cc and the 1117cc was enlarged to 1119cc. A 1297cc version was introduced, which would subsequently evolve into the Endura-E in 1995.

The 1·0 litre engine was only fitted to the poverty specification Fiesta and never benefited from a five speed transmission. Many have suffered from a combination of hard use (especially when cold) and missed services: there are relatively few 1·0 Fiestas left... All of the ones I have experienced have sounded desperately in need of condemning. The 1·0 was dropped from the Fiesta range in 1992.

The 1·1 became the mainstay of the early mark three Fiesta range and is a little bit pokier, offering at least 50 PS and 61 lbsft of torque. Whilst not an especially refined donk per se, Ford’s widespread introduction of the five speed gearbox helped reduce fuel consumption and hushed refinement at a cruise. There are still a large number of 1·1s about.

Ford introduced the 1·3 version in around 1992, which offered 60 PS and 78 lbsft, almost identical outputs to the 1·3 Endura-E.

Later versions added a catalytic converter and single point fuel injection, and are known as either CFI or HCS CFI engines.

Mechanical Reliability

The HCS has a reputation for not having the greatest longevity of Ford’s engines with some websites citing that most engines require a rebuild around the eighty thousand mile point; they can suffer camshaft problems with high mileage, but regular oil changes will defer this. When worn, the HCS sounds very rattly with a diesel-like chatter. However, despite engine wear, many HCS seem to go on for year after year with only the most basic of servicing.

The 1·0 and 1·1 litre are notable for having three main bearings whereas the 1·3 litre variant uses five.

Tuning

The HCS can take a variety of conventional tuning parts such as manifolds, camshafts, gas flowed heads and similar. Low compression pistons are also available should you wish to turbocharge the engine (or should you want a low compression naturally aspirated HCS).