TALKING TECH

THE ORIGINAL Ford-Ford-Cosworth DFV engine was fitted with Lucas mechanical fuel injection and produced just on 400 horsepower at 9000rpm, which equates to 133 horsepower per litre, running on pump fuel. By the end of its development, the DFV was belting out nearly twice the power.

Prior to the 1980s turbo era, for many seasons the Ford-Cosworth DFV coupled to a Hewland gearbox became the default for F1 teams, except Ferrari and most teams simply built their own design chassis, to accommodate the combo.

The DFV engine also introduced the ‘supersquare’ or ‘oversquare’ cylinder that was wider than it was higher.

Four valves per cylinder were operated by double overhead camshafts and while many thought so at the time, the DFV wasn’t uncommon from previous engines, it simply took advantage of the potential of four valves per cylinder, rather than just two for optimum breathing and burning efficiency.

A secret to its success was its aluminum construction, meaning it was very light, delivering a better power to weight ratio than the 12-cylinder engines it was competing against. Its other benefit was its rigidity, allowing it to be made a structural part of the car.

Another key to the DFV was its compact packaging, which while common in F1 these days was unheard of in 1967. This in turn helps designers produce a more compact and in turn, nimbler handling car.

A career spanning 24 years, 155 grand prix wins, powering two Australians to F1 world titles a decade apart and still going strong in historic F1 racing. Ford sure got more than bargained for with the Ford-Cosworth DFV.