66 GT40 Le Mans engine question

[MysteryTrain]

What were the sizes of the motors used in the GT-40 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans?

[computerworks]

427's ...GT40 MK II

[MysteryTrain]

Thanks, Ron. Some follow up questions (I'm not well versed in GT40's):

Were those 427s of the NASCAR side-oiler type as in the Cobras?

Were there small block GT40's? I've seen/read something on a GT40 (not sure which series) that had a small block. I thought it was a 302, though it could have been a 289, I guess. My recollection was that it was this article was on an original in as-raced condition. Did FIA rules change, thus making a switch to small block power in the GT40's at a later date or was there another reason for the change?

Seems like most GT40 replicas I've seen in person have sb's. Like Cobra replicas, I assume this is due to cost restrictions and/or handling preferences. The original 427 Cobras have the reputation of sub-par handling because of those heavy blocks. Did the GT40's have no such problem because of the mid-engine placement?

Your wealth of knowledge is appreciated.

[computerworks]

I'll defer the details to the GT40 experts here... the history is as fascinating as the Cobra.

But, oversimplifying:

The Mk I is the original Ford GT40. Early cars had a 255ci; production models had 289ci.

The Mk II used the 427.

The Mk III was a street car that used the 289ci

The Mk IV used the 427.

[Excaliber]

I believe that 255 cid engine your refer to Ron is the INDY car engine, or perhaps more correctly reffered to as an "F1" engine? It was also used in the FIA series cars at some point. It apparently had 'longevity' issues and was down on power compared to the 289. It was felt by the folks at SAI (at that time) that Ford was 'pushing' them to use that motor more for 'research' than anything else. Which was not well accepted by the team, who were out to WIN, not do 'research'. I reference the book "Cobra and Ferrari Wars" for that insight.

Interesting that engine was also used in the GT-40 program at some point, I had not heard that before now.

[LMH]

A little history about the GT40:
Larry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_GT40

[MysteryTrain]

Ron, Ernie, Larry

Thanks for the info. The Wikipedia article does reference a rule change in 1968 that limited displacement to 5 liters, and I think that's what I was remembering. I'd be curious to find out more about the different personalities & characteristics of the different models. I had no idea the GT40 went through so many different iterations.

Ernie, did you mean that SAI put the 255 into the FIA Cobras? That is interesting . . . I must learn more. I'll try to check out that book.

Thanks.

[Excaliber]

I just got that book, I couldn't put it down for a couple of hours and really had other stuff I NEEDED to get done! But hey, that 'stuff' just had to wait...

I'm getting Trevor Legates new book right away as well, it too is a must have!

[rlearp]

Originally Posted by MysteryTrain

Ron, Ernie, Larry
I had no idea the GT40 went through so many different iterations.

100s if you want to count model variations. First and foremost the cars were race cars, and so were changed continually. The best you can do if you are into "exact" replicas is to replicate a car at a given race, or short period in time. Wings come and go (the small aluminum ones, I haven't lost my mind with the racer crowd), spoilers, vents, holes here and there, all sorts of things change with motor and interior.

Sort of nice actually. Find one you like and build it. Very hard for someone to come up and say "hey, that isn't original" because what is "original" was a continually moving target.

R

[MysteryTrain]

rlearp,

Well said. I think that's what I find so fascinating about vintage race cars. Nobody back in the day was worried that folks 40 years from then would be trying to replicate their every move, nut and bolt. They were just racing their tails off trying to win. Same goes for paint schemes. I love to see GT40replicas that have that 60's feel with the paint. I can do without the titanium grey and glittery paint on modern cars.

Somewhere in the members gallery there is pic of a white and red GT40 with gurney/weslake on the valve covers that is an absolute thing of beauty. Even though the current Ford GT is an impressive car, there's no hiding the fact that the original GT40 has racing bloodlines built to race, and the modern car is a showpiece supercar built to increase the visibility of the marque.

[mikiec]

Mystery..

If you go to the link referenced in Rlearp's message, you will find out more about the gt40.

Mike