Ford Windsor Plant Produces The Millionth 3-valve V-8 Engine

October 6, 2005 - Windsor Engine Plant (WEP) has earned the distinction of building Ford Motor Company's One Millionth 3-valve V-8 – engines that power two of Ford's most popular models.

Plant manager Adrian Vido put the milestone in an historic perspective: "Nearly one quarter of all Ford V-8s were made in Windsor , so it's fitting that Windsor Engine Plant is producing the millionth 3-valve version, a 5.4-litre Triton Ô V-8. The hallmarks of this engine are quality, efficiency and strength, the same qualities that exist in the men and women who build it," he said.

Windsor-area production of the 5.4-litre 3-valve Triton Ô V-8 began at nearby Essex Engine Plant (EEP) in November 2002. Since then, WEP and Michigan 's Romeo Engine Plant took on full-scale production of 3-valve V8s, including the Romeo-built 4.6-litre used in the Ford Mustang GT. The 5.4-litre 3-valve Triton Ô V-8 powers the Ford F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator.

Linda Miller, Director of Manufacturing, Engine Operations, in Ford's Powertrain organization, oversees six North American engine and casting plants, including WEP, EEP and Romeo Engine Plant. She described the plants involved in producing one million 3-valve V-8s as "world-class facilities".

"We are an integrated, highly productive North American organization that provides engines and engine components for some of our company's most important products. In this role, our employees share a desire to produce engines of exceptional quality and durability for our customers. This is a proud day for our teams in Windsor and Romeo," she added.

Mike Vince, CAW Local 200 chairperson, concurred: "Our Windsor workforce has made a significant contribution to Ford's one million 3-valve V-8 engines. Our Local 200 members have been involved in many important milestones for the past 64 years; each milestone helps us to build a strong base for future production," he said.

The roots of 3-valve production go back to November 2002 when the first shipment of Canadian-made Triton Ô V-8s were exported to Australia to power the Ford Falcon sedan. The following spring, production was expanded in preparation for the launch of the all-new 2004 Ford F-Series pickup.

The 5.4-litre 3-valve Triton Ô V-8 engine is designed with three valves per cylinder, variable cam timing and a host of other features. It produces 300 peak horsepower and 365 foot-pounds of torque. The aluminum cylinder head – with two intake valves and one exhaust valve per cylinder for 24 valves in total – and an improved cast iron block balance impressive power with better fuel efficiency and quieter operation.

Mustang's new 4.6-litre, 3-valve V-8 has its roots in Ford's modular engine family that spawned the Triton Ô V-8 engine. The new V-8 pumps the Mustang GT to an impressive 300 horsepower and 315 foot-pounds of torque; it optimizes horsepower, torque, fuel economy and sound quality.

Ford of Canada’s operations include a national headquarters, six regional offices, five vehicle assembly and engine manufacturing plants, two parts distribution centres, and affiliates including Ford Credit, Jaguar, Volvo, Land Rover and Hertz. Ford employs approximately 14,000 people in Canada , while an additional 19,000 people are employed in the more than 470 Ford and Ford-Lincoln dealerships across the country. Since 1990, Ford has invested more than $10 billion in its Canadian operations. For more information, please visit www.ford.ca.