Ford GAA engine

Immediately proceeding World War II, Ford developed an aircraft engine similar to that of the Rolls Royce/Merlin and Allison engines of that era. It was a 60 degree V-12, all aluminum (block & heads), dual over cam, 4 valve engine. The intention of this design was to break into the anticipated large market for fighter engines. This engine was built to typical aircraft standards: Light as possible with total reliability and performance in mind. Everything is safety wired or staked with incredible attention to detail on every part. Available information suggests that this design performed well.

However, this engine never went into production as an aircraft engine due to the fact that the US Navy had decided to only use radial engines and all the Army contracts were already tied up by existing engine manufacturers.

With the approach of war increasing orders for the Sherman tanks were causing supply issues with the existing engine. The US Army decided they needed to source an engine supplier. So Ford removed 4 cylinders from the design and it went into production as a V-8.

Infobox Automobile engine


name = Ford GAA
aka =
manufacturer = Ford Motor Company
type = V8
production = 1940 - 1950
predecessor =
successor =
bore = 5.4
stroke = 6
displacement = 1100
length =
diameter =
width =
height =
weight =
block =
head =
valvetrain = OHC
supercharger =
turbocharger =
fuelsystem = Normally aspirated
fueltype = Petrol
oilsystem =
coolingsystem =
power = Convert|450|hp|kW|0|abbr=on @ 2600 RPM
specpower =
torque =
compression = 7.5
fuelcon =
specfuelcon =
oilcon =

Design

The Ford GAA engine is an all aluminum, 32 valve, DOHC, 60 degree V8 engine produced by the Ford Motor Company during World War II. The engine was used to power several models and derivatives of the M4A3 Sherman tank. The engine displaces 1100 cubic inches, and puts out over 1000 ft lbs of torque from idle to 2600 rpm. Maximum rated horsepower was 525@2800 rpm though most models were rated at 450HP.

Production

* The Ford GAA was used in the M4A3 (1,690), M4A3(75)W (3,071), M4A3(76)W (1,400), M4A3 (105) (500), M4A3E5 (254), M4A3(76)W (3,142), M4A3(105) HVSS (2,539), M10A1 (1,413), and M7B1 (826).

* The Ford GAF powered the M26 (2,222), M26A1, and M45 (185).

* The Ford GAN, powered the T23 (248) and M4A3E5 (254).

* In order to meet the need for a larger engine, Ford resurrected the V-12 as the GAC, which produced 770 hp and powered the T29 (6).

References

* Sprowl, Bob. " [http://home.alltel.net/bsprowl/Sherman.html Ford's First Dual Over Head Cam V-8] ".
* Aircraft Engine Historical Society. [http://www.enginehistory.org/featured_engines.htm Aircraft Engines in Armored Vehicles]
*Hunnicutt, R. P. "Firepower: A History of the American Heavy Tank". Novato, California: Presidio Press, 1988. ISBN 0-89141-3044-9