1906 Ford six cylinder motor - an “ah ha” moment.

[Rob]

For years I’ve been curious, why did Henry Ford and his designers develop the Model K with individual jugs, when the Model N motor was cast in pairs? It seems that pairs were the natural wave of the future, leading toward the future Model T mono-block.

Then I read this May 1906 “Horseless Age” article.

The article mistakenly reads that only Mercedes produced a 7 main bearing six cylinder motor for 1906. The other six cylinder makers all produced 4 main six cyl. motors.

Except one. Ford also built their motor with 7 mains. That’s in all likelihood why the cylinders are cast as singles. The room required for a main between every cylinder (of substantial size) required singles, or unnecessary cast iron in every double. Maybe 7 mains is one of the reasons so many Model K (23) survive today?

Below, FMC President John Gray and Vice President Henry Ford beside a Ford six cylinder racer crankshaft.

[TXGOAT2]

The early engine builders likes long bearings of relatively small diameter. That made for a very long 7 main, 6 cylinder crankshaft. I suppose the preferred long bearings for lots of surface area and relatively small diameter to reduce surface rubbing speed at the bearings.