The Kent Engine

Introduction

Fords Kent Engine first appeared in 1959 in the equally new Anglia 105E. The Kent engine was a completely new and advanced, short stroke, overhead valve engine with 997cc and 38 PS. Over the years Ford have continued to develop the Kent engine and have produced it in a huge range of sizes and types. It is one of the most successful engines ever made with around ten million being produced around the world.

The Kent was designed only to be efficient, cheap, and light utilitarian engine, but matured to become probably the most raced and developed motorsport engine in modern times. It is the most popular engine for use in Lotus 7 replicas and also the engine that powered the victorious Ford Mexico’s in the World Cup rally. The Kent also formed the basis of the Formula Ford revolution, which in turn formed the cornerstone of modern single seater racing.

In 1971, Ford improved the engine by introducing a beefier crank with heavier counterbalances, bigger valves, and a truly chamberless, flush cylinder head.

In 1977, the Kent was extensively changed for the mark one Fiesta and what were considered “nearly impossible” emissions regulations. It had small valves, a flush head, low compression pistons and according to one of my sources, “the worst excuse for an inlet manifold ever seen.” The crank was shortened on both ends to fit in the Fiesta chassis and the engine was produced in 0·95, 1·1 and 1·3 sizes. Later the Kent was enlarged to 1·6 litres for the XR2.

The Kent engine lays claim to being one of Ford’s most influential engine designs inasmuch as it has spawned a large number of derivatives and new lines, including the Valencia, HCS and Endura-E. This is open to debate, but the design has been modified and improved throughout the years and derivatives are still in production today. The 60 PS Duratec 8v as sold in various European markets is in reality a renamed Endura-E!

Variants

As detailed above, there are a great many derivatives based on the Kent engine. Some examples include the Lotus Twin Cam unit and the Crossflow.