Ford has rolled out its Ford-engineered, Ford-tested and Ford-manufactured 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine, which will debut in the next-generation F-Series Super Duty truck.

The engines for the truck were previously built by Navistar, but that relationship led to years of litigation. Early this year the two companies announced they had reached an agreement to settle the dispute, including ending their diesel engine supply agreement three years early, effective Dec. 31 this year.

The company says the new engine will deliver significant improvements in torque, horsepower and fuel economy while adding more fueling flexibility and easily meeting stringent 2010 emissions requirements.

The engine will use an aftertreatment system to help comply with 2010 federal regulations to reduce nitrogen-oxide levels in diesel emissions by more than 80 percent compared with the previous standard. The Ford aftertreatment system is a three-stage process; a key component is the use of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF).

The 6.7-liter Power Stroke uses an "inboard exhaust" architecture. The engine is made with compacted graphite iron engine block, which is stronger than regular gray cast iron. According to the company, the new engine architecture enables easier service work for all major engine components, which can reduce downtime.

Another change in the engine model is the use of a single turbocharger, which delivers the benefits of a twin-turbocharger system in a smaller, more efficient package, Ford says. The single-sequential turbocharger features a double-sided compressor wheel mounted on a single shaft, which Ford says is an industry first.

"Having one turbocharger eliminates the air-handling noises - the whooshes - as the engine switches from one turbo to the next turbo," said Scott DeRaad, engine noise, vibration and harshness engineer. "Our turbocharger also has ball bearings that pilot the shaft in the turbo, which helps eliminate the potential for the shaft of the turbocharger to gyrate in its housing, which can create noise."

Other improvements have lowered noise and vibration, as well.

The new engine also features the Bosch fuel system, which injects fuel at up to 30,000 psi.

The engine was designed to meet the U.S. EPA's 2010 regulations for emissions through selective catalytic reduction and is compatible with a 20 percent biodiesel blend.

The National Biodiesel Board voiced its support for the new engine design and for its B20 compatibility.

"This is the first of what we expect to be many formal announcements of B20 approval in new clean diesel technology," said Steve Howell, technical director for the National Biodiesel Board.

More info: www.ford.com