The Ford Sidevalve is a side valve from the British arm of the Ford Motor Company, often also referred to as the "English Sidevalve". The engine had its origins in the 1930s Ford Model Y, and were made in two sizes, or "8 HP", and or "10 HP". The early engines did not have a water pump as standard, instead relying on thermosiphon cooling as the Model T engine had. A water pump was added in 1953 for the 100E models when the engine was re-engineered to the point that few specifications are identical between the early and the latter series. The Sidevalve engine was used in many smaller Fords as well as farm vehicles, commercial vehicles and a marine version in boats. Production of the engine was stopped in 1962. Windscreen wipers were often driven by the vacuum generated in the inlet manifold. The Sidevalve Engine was also used in German Fords, starting with the Ford Köln in 1932 and ending with the last rear wheel driveFord Taunus 12M in 1962. Only the 1172cc version originally invented for the english Ford "10 HP" was used in the german Ford lines. Early further research and development was being carried out at the german Ford engine plant in Cologne to improve the engine for ease of use in the Taunus line of cars but this work was finally halted in 1942. It was replaced by the Kent engine in Britain and by the Taunus V4 engine in Germany.
Engine modifications
Many ways were explored to enhance the power output of the standard engine, most notably special exhaust manifolds, twin carburettors, stiffer valve springs, thinner cylinder head gaskets and modified camshafts.
A three speed gearbox was fitted as standard; three forward and one reverse. Several ways of improving the performance through modifications to the gearbox and transmission train were applied; replacement close ratio gears fitted to gearbox, overdrive gears fitted behind the original gearbox and higher ratio crown & pinion gears fitted to the differential unit on the back axle.
Ancillary equipment, designers & other related information
Aquaplane, manufacturer of dedicated exhaust and inlet manifolds for the Ford sidevalve engine, also aluminium alloycylinder heads etc.
Leslie Ballamy, designer of split front suspension used on many Ford "specials"
Buckler Cars manufactured 1172 Formula racing cars using a space frame chassis and the 4 cylinder English Ford Sidevalve engine and other Buckler sporting cars using similar equipment. Manufacturer of close ratio gears, special axle ratios, and all types of engine tuning equipment for the 4 cylinder sidevalve engines.
Willment in the UK, designed and manufactured overhead inlet valve cylinder heads for the side valve engines.
Elva Engineering in the U.K. designed and manufactured overhead inlet valve conversion cylinder heads for this sidevalve engine, also complete sports/racing cars and other tuning parts.
