Ford Lady

Hi, I'm a new member here.

I have an individual way of looking at Ford engines. For a long while, it was voodoo that made any vehicle go. I put gas in the tank, I sat in it, and turned the key. If it didn't start, I called Daddy.

Eventually, I married, and would call my husband if it didn't start.

Then, I tired of being ignorant, and decided to learn more about the engine.

I have my own words for various parts. There are "big bumpity-bumps" and "little bumpity-bumps" (I think that one is the "cam shaft") and lungers (something to do with air-intake: … high-performsnce modification) and breathers (Another high-perf. mod.) And "pushy uppy downy things"(not the "rods" but the parts the rods push)

I do (sort of, sometimes) understand some "real" words for engine pieces. I know what a cylinder is, and a straight or "V" engine is. I understand where a "block" is (I think)

I don't understand the numbers my husband often talks about.

The one I would like initial explanation of is the 306. (It has something to do with my '96 F-150 engine. He says it's a "three hundred six": I nod my head when he says it, even though I have little comprehension of what it means)

So, what is a "three hundred six"? What part(s) does it refer to? Where on the engine is it located?

Thank you, in advance, for your assistance.
Ford Lady

danthurs

That's the size of the engine. How much displacement there is. a 306 is the cubic inches. Also known as a 5.0 liter.

Ford Lady

Oh-h-h. Okay.

(Goto I-pod: bring up converter app. Enter #s.)

So: translating 306 "cubic inches" to "cubic centimeters" equals 5,014.422.

Hmm. Why would the company go with an unusual number like 306? Why not 300, or 350?

(Or, did I miss something, somewhere?)

KLC

Yes, that number refers to engine displacement, otherwise refered to as cubic inches or CID. A 302 is a 5.0 liter, a 350 a 5.7 liter, etc.

You figure that by the number of cubic inches in a liter.

Here is a link that further explains engine displacement:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_displacement

danthurs

It's what ever they decide to make for the engine. You can have a 302, a 306, a 350, a 351, a 383, a 455. Just about everything you can think of.

Ford Lady

M'Kay, I haven't clicked on the link KLC left, but I think I have it.

The numbers refer to the amount of fuel that is capable of being inside of the cylinders when the ... pushy-uppy-downy things are down? Does it refer to the entire amount of fuel capable of being in the entire engine, or just the 4 (or 3) cylinders available when vehicle is running? Or, am I headed entirely in the wrong direction?

(What is the the correct label for the "Pushy-uppy-downy things"? Not the rod thingies that push it up and down, but the top parts of it?)

Thank you all for the assistance offered so far. I hope I'm not trying anyone's patience.

Ford Lady

danthurs

It's how much air is displaced with one full cycle of the pistons. And is the total off all pistons. This is why a V8 has lets say 5.0L, and a V6 would be a 3.8L, and a 4 cylinder is a 2.5L

The part that goes up and down are the pistons.

Ford Lady

The … air? … not the fuel?

M'kay … I hafta think about that one a bit.

Next question: what is the correct label for the part I call the "big bumpity-bump".it is the piece that pushes the push-rods that push the pistons up and down.

Thank you guys so much for your patient assistance.

danthurs

Crank shaft.

Ford Lady

M'kay … the Crank shaft is connected to the … gimme a sec … the-e-e [little-bumpity-bump which is…] the cam shaft by the … timer belt (or is it the tuner belt?)

The difference between carbonated and fuel-directed engines is the lack of a carbonater in the fuel directed. The fuel directed is run by computer and has an exact measure of air and fuel directly into the cylinder. The carbonated engines have carbonating … thingies that mix air and fuel before directing it into the cylinders. (Sorry: I was going so well, then lost my mental directory of engine words)

Thank you for all your patience