Dana's Patented PCF-380 Diesel Piston Ring Technology Provides Enhanced Durability for Ford's 6.0L Power Stroke V-8

TOLEDO, Ohio, Jan. 20, 2003; Dana Corporation's Engine and Fluid Management Group announced today that it has been selected to supply a host of products for the new Ford Power Stroke® V-8 turbo diesel engine, which is used to power Ford Super-Duty pick-ups and Excursion SUVs.

The new 6.0-Liter Power Stroke diesel engine, with its advanced technology, offers 325 horsepower and 560 lb.-ft of torque while delivering improved fuel economy and lowered nitrogen oxide emissions due to cooled exhaust gas re-circulation (EGR).

One of Dana's more novel technologies found in the heart of the Power Stroke diesel engine is the PCF-380(TM) coated piston rings. Specifically designed for EGR diesel engines to reduce wear, oil consumption, and emissions, Dana's Perfect Circle Division developed the PCF-380(TM) piston ring technology to deliver unmatched performance and durability.

The EGR engine environment is more abrasive than previous designs, and tests with standard ring coatings produced accelerated high-wear in the power cylinder system. The PCF-380 coating is thermally applied to the face of the ring, creating an extremely dense coating with low porosity. Engine power cylinders using the new PCF-380 coating technology wear up to 75 percent less than the current next-best thermal spray technology.

"Dana was selected as the preferred supplier for the Power Stroke, based on the capabilities and performance of our diesel technology," said Mike Laisure, president of Dana's Engine and Fluid Management Group. "Our experience with high-performance European diesel manufacturers provided us with a vast amount of knowledge to support the potential growth of diesel- powered light- and medium-duty vehicles in North America."

In addition to the piston rings, Dana's Sealing Products Group supplies an innovative dual-durometer blow-molded air duct for the Power Stroke diesel engine.

Dual-durometer blow molding offers two materials extruded simultaneously. With this process, the rigidity and flexibility can vary throughout the component, offering softer regions for sealing flexibility and rigid regions for vacuum resistance and support. For the Power Stroke engine, this recyclable plastic air duct module is less complex over the old design, has an integrated breather hose, contains a bolted-on bracket for stabilization, and offers a weight savings.

Dana seals virtually the entire Power Stroke engine, providing the following gaskets: front cover, oil pan, intake manifold, valve cover, five- layer MLS head, EGR cooler, exhaust, and various other seals (including valve stem, oil supply tube gasket, rear gear cover gasket, hydraulic pump cover gasket, reservoir cover gasket, and oil filter base gasket).

Dana also assembles the entire valve cover module for this engine, which includes the gasket, baffle, grommets, and fasteners.

Additionally, Dana provides under-hood thermal acoustical protective shields for the turbo and the intake and exhaust manifolds, engine bearings, fuel lines, and automatic transmission oil coolers.

The Dana Engine and Fluid Management Group produces a full line of sealing, bearings, fluid system and power cylinder products that help automakers achieve their goals in key areas such as durability, noise vibration and harshness (NVH), fuel economy, emissions reduction, and the management of essential operating fluids.