Cifunsa Diesel, S.A. de C.V., the independent ferrous foundry in Saltillo, Mexico, is casting gray iron engine blocks it will supply to Ford Motor Co. for its new 4.6-L, 5.4-L and 6.8-L gasoline-powered V8 engines. These engines will be installed in Ford’s 2011 E Series Vans, Expedition and Navigator SUVs, and some passenger cars.
This a separate production series from the new Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine Ford announced more than a year ago as the core of its new F-Series Super Duty truck. While Ford is due to introduce those blocks in the 2011 model year, too, those engines are cast in compacted graphite iron and the engines are manufactured at Ford’s Chihuahua Engine Plant in Mexico.
The gray iron blocks that Cifunsa is manufacturing will be delivered to Ford engine plants in Romeo, MI, and Windsor, Ont. Cifunsa expects to reach full production on the series by early next year.
“We are pleased to be working with Ford on this challenging program, and the Cifunsa team has exceeded expectations,” stated Cifunsa CEO Alberto Piones.
Cifunsa started producing gray iron cylinder blocks for Ford’s 6.2-L V8 engine program in 2009, and it has established itself as one of the largest engine block caster in North America. It has four foundries with a total capability of 400,000 tons per year of castings.
“Cifunsa was able to develop and manufacture these near-net-shape cylinder block castings at world-class timing and quality levels for our Engine Manufacturing Operations,” stated Ford’s Terry Aldea, casting and forging global executive engineering manager.