SOHC V6 and V8 engines, which are designed with cylinders in two banks, have a total of two cams, one for each cylinder head. The one cam in each head operates the intake and exhaust valves, resulting in improved performance and fuel efficiency.
All engines using the overhead cam design offer the potential for greater power output and higher engine speeds (rpm) when compared with overhead valve designs. SIRIUS. Generally, road holding is measured as the highest speed a vehicle can maintain without losing adhesion while maintaining the given diameter of a large circle (e. Skid plate. Deflector plate under a vehicle that helps provide protection from off- road debris. Transfer case and fuel tank skid plates are common on Ford 4x. Slack Adjusters (automatic/manual).
All Ford air brake trucks come equipped with automatic slack adjusters. When properly maintained, slack adjusters retain accurate shoe- to- drum clearances (slack)This promotes even brake wear, reducing brake downtime and expense. Properly adjusted brakes are a plus factor for vehicle safety. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The organization that sets American automotive standards for automotive measurements, including horsepower, torque and lubricants.
Split- port Induction (SPI). Most split- port induction systems have a dual- runner engine intake design promoting high- volume/high- velocity airflow to increase engine performance.
Dual- runner design features long, small- diameter runners tuned for low engine rpm torque and short, large- diameter runners tuned for high rpm horsepower. Runner usage is controlled by the electronic engine controls and integral throttle- body valves. SPI engines use a cylinder head with two runners per cylinder. These runners carry the air charge to the intake side of the combustion chamber. At lower engine speeds, the air charge is directed through a narrow pathway that results in a higher air velocity, quickening engine response.
As engine speed increases above 3. Spring Rating. Any one of several methods of describing spring ratings currently used in the light truck industry, including: Rating at Pad — The amount of weight above the pad that can actually be supported by the springs, including the chassis, body and payload weights. Rating at Ground — Includes the Rating at Pad plus the weight of components between the spring and ground (axle, brakes, tires and wheels)Sprung Weight — The weight of those components supported by the spring, such as the frame, engine, body, payload, etc. Unsprung Weight — The portion of the weight of the chassis (i. Stabilizer Bar. Bar or tube that provides added support for suspension members to minimize body lean or roll. The stabilizer is transversely mounted and used at the front and/or rear suspension to resist unequal vertical motion across the width of the vehicle.
Steering Systems. Rack- and- pinion. Essentially, a rack- and- pinion system as described previously with a power- assist feature reducing steering effort.
Major design features include: – Rack- and- pinion gears that are engineered for low turning effort, good return ability and handling– Lightweight power steering pump– Power assist. Speed- sensitive, Variable- assist Steering. Major design features include: – A microprocessor- controlled system that electronically varies the assist based on signals received from vehicle speed sensors. This sophisticated system provides improved maneuverability with maximum assist at low speeds, such as when parking– Decreases assist at highway speeds to provide improved road feel. Manual Recirculating Ball- and- nut. Uses a worm gear surrounded by ball bearings that travel in a recirculating track. Performs well in isolating the driver from the feedback of uneven road surfaces.
Power Recirculating Ball- and- nut. Major design features include: – Linkage steering gear forward of the front wheel axis that combines with a lightweight steering pump for maximum assist when turning the wheel– Power assist for low- speed turning and parking. Stroke. Maximum distance traveled by a piston between bottom- dead- center (BDC) and top- dead- center (TDC).
If the stroke is increased, the displacement increases and vice versa. Strut. Suspension element that uses a reinforced shock absorber as one of the wheel’s locating members, typically by solidly connecting the wheel hub to the bottom of the strut. Sub frame. Partial frame that connects the vehicle’s power train and front suspension or rear components to its underbody. Sub frame, Isolated. Attaches to the front or rear structure of some Ford vehicles.
Provides support for the engine, transmission and often the suspension. Provides added strength and rigidity to the vehicle’s construction. Uses rubber mounts to reduce levels of noise, vibration and harshness. Supercharger. Supercharger is a large air pump that is normally mounted on the engine intake manifold and belt- driven by the crankshaft. Most superchargers contain two impellers that compress the incoming air charge.