Ford 200 CID Specifications
by Kenneth V. Oster
Ford 200-cubic-inch engines are part of a six-cylinder engine family that began in 1960 with the 144-cubic-inch engine. Ford Falcons were the first passenger vehicles to use this small economical engine. Demands for more power led to the development of the 170-cubic-inch engine, and eventually the 200 cubic-inch, six cylinder engine. Ford 200 six-cylinder engines were utilized in a wide variety of models from 1963 through 1984.
Engine Block
The brake horsepower rating for the Ford 200 engine is 120 at 4,400 rpm. Brake horsepower is a measure of engine power obtained at the output of the engine before loads such as the transmission are applied. When the engine was introduced in 1963, the initial compression ration was 9.2-to-1. Engine torque is measured as 190 foot-pounds at 2,400rpm. The bore and stroke of this little engine is 3.68 inches and 3.126 inches, respectively. Other specifications include combustion chamber volume, which is 48.3 to 50.3 cubic centimeters. When the engine is cranked for starting, the compression pressure that can be expected is 155 to 195 psi.
Specific Application
Ford 200-cubic-inch engines were used in a wide range of vehicles, including the Falcon, Maverick, Fairmont, early LTDs, Mercury Comet, and the Mustang. Ford 200s were used in Mustangs from 1965 through 1970. From 1965 through 1967, the 200-cubic-inch engines used in Mustangs were rated at 120 brake horsepower with a compression ratio of 9.2-to-1. Reaction to changing emission laws in the United States brought about changes to the output of this engine beginning in 1968. Engines used in 1968 had a brake horsepower rating of 115 with a compression ratio of 8.8-to-1. Engine used in 1969 had a brake horsepower rating of 120 with a compression ratio of 8.1-to-1. The 1970 engine retained the 120 horsepower rating with a compression rating of 8.7-to-1.
Ignition specifications
The engine lifespan stretched into the electronic ignition era, so some of the specifications used for tune-ups in the early years are not needed for later engines. Spark plug gap should be set at .034 inches, and the gap for the points should be .025 inches. The dwell angle for the points should be set at 37 to 42. Later engines will not need the specifications for point gap and dwell angle. Timing specification for vehicles with a manual transmission is 6 degrees before top dead center, and timing specification for vehicles with an automatic transmission is 12 degrees BTDC. Idle settings are 575 to 600 rpm for vehicles with manual transmission, and 500 to 525 rpm for automatic transmission vehicles. Firing order for all models is 1-5-3-6-2-4.
Writer Bio
Kenneth Oster's leadership experience includes an Air Force career, pastoral leadership, and business ownership in the automotive repair industry. He has a MBA from Western Governors University, and is working toward a DBA degree from Northcentral University. Oster authored the book, "The Complete Guide to Preserving Meat, Fish and Game: Step-by-Step Instructions to Freezing, Canning, Curing and Smoking."
