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Ford 2703E Engine

The Ford 2703E is a 6-cylinder, naturally aspirated industrial and marine diesel engine belonging to the Ford 2700 Dorset Series legacy range. Developed in the United Kingdom, it features a robust heavy-duty configuration featuring a high-strength cast-iron cylinder block with parent bores or dry-type cromard liners. The engine utilizes a forged steel crankshaft supported by seven main bearings, H-section connecting rods, and aluminum alloy split-skirt pistons. Known for its exceptional structural reliability under sustained heavy loads, this power unit has been widely deployed in agricultural tractors (such as County configurations), specialized industrial equipment, generator sets, and marinized applications.

The cylinder head utilizes an overhead vertical valve layout (OHV). Each cylinder operates two valves (one intake and one exhaust) controlled by a gear-driven, block-mounted camshaft via pushrods and solid mechanical tappets. The vertical valves are precision-machined with 30-degree interference seats and feature durable phosphate-coated valve stems operating inside replaceable valve guides. Bore: 100 mm (3.937 inches). Stroke: 115 mm (4.524 inches). Total Displacement: 5.146 liters (330 cubic inches).

Fuel System: This power unit employs a direct-injection system. A mechanical fuel lift pump, driven directly by an eccentric lobe on the camshaft, draws diesel from the supply tank and forces it through a secondary replaceable fuel filter element. Cleaned fuel is then supplied to a high-pressure mechanical inline injection pump. The injection pump meticulously times and meters high-pressure fuel directly into the toroidal combustion chambers machined into the crowns of the aluminum alloy pistons, ensuring clean combustion and optimal thermal efficiency.

The lubrication system features a full-pressure, wet-sump architecture. Oil pressure is generated by a gear-driven oil pump mounted directly to the engine block and operated by the internal camshaft. Pressurized lubricant is forced through a primary full-flow oil filter housing before routing to the main oil gallery. It then feeds the seven main bearings, connecting rod journals, camshaft journals, and upward via an external line or specific block passages to the rocker shaft assembly. A stamped steel sump pan provides the oil reservoir at the base of the block.

The cooling architecture relies on a forced liquid-circulation system driven by a front-mounted centrifugal water pump. Coolant is directed through integral cast-in water jackets enveloping the cylinder walls and up into the cylinder head passages to effectively manage thermal loads. Temperature control is fully regulated by a mechanical wax-element thermostat positioned in the upper housing, which diverts fluid to a radiator (industrial setups) or heat exchanger (marine setups) when the engine achieves normal operating temperatures.

General Technical Data

Engine Specifications

Engine Model ............... Ford 2703E
Engine Series ............... Dorset 2700 Range
Engine Type ............... 4-cycle inline 6-cylinder direct injection liquid-cooled diesel
Number of Cylinders ............... 6
Cylinder Arrangement ............... In-line
Engine Bore, in (mm) ............... 3.937 (100.0)
Engine Stroke, in (mm) ............... 4.524 (115.0)
Displacement, cu.in (L) ............... 330 (5.416)
Rated Engine Power, hp (kW) ............... 100 (74.0)
Rated Engine Speed, rpm ............... 2500
Peak Torque ............... 230 lb-ft (309 Nm) at 1700 rpm
Idle Speed ............... 650-700 rpm
Max No-Load Speed, rpm ............... 2750
Aspiration Type ............... Naturally Aspirated
Operating Speed, rpm ............... 1500-2500
Compression Ratio ............... 16.5:1
Firing Order ............... 1-5-3-6-2-4
Rotation Direction ............... Clockwise from front end
Combustion Chamber ............... direct injection
Valve Actuation ............... Pushrod operated overhead valves
Cylinder Block Type ............... Cast iron mono-block
Cylinder Head Type ............... Cast iron single piece cross-flow
Lubrication System ............... Full-pressure feed
Oil Pump Type ............... Gear-driven eccentric rotor
Oil Filter Type ............... Full-flow spin-on canister
Cooling System ............... Forced liquid circulation
Water Pump Type ............... Belt-driven centrifugal impeller
Air Cleaner Type ............... Heavy-duty oil bath or dry dual-element
Starting System ............... Electric starter motor
Electrical System ............... 12V or 24V

Fuel System

Fuel Injection Pump Type ............... Inline mechanical multi-plunger pump
Governor Type ............... Mechanical centrifugal or pneumatic governor
Fuel Lift Pump Type ............... Mechanical diaphragm type cam-driven
Fuel Injection Timing ............... 23 degrees before top dead center
Injection Nozzle Type ............... Multi-hole multi-spray injectors
Injector Opening Pressure, psi (bar) ............... 2720 (187.5)
Fuel Filter Type ............... Dual element paper cartridge with water separator
Fuel Supply Line Size, in (mm) ............... 0.312 (8.0)
Fuel Return Line Size, in (mm) ............... 0.250 (6.35)
Governor Speed Regulation ............... 5-8 percent variation
Fuel Transfer Pump Output, gpm (L/min) ............... 0.33 (1.25) at 1500 rpm
Nozzle Body Size ............... S-size short format
Nozzle Spray Angle ............... 140 deg cone dispersion

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length, in (mm) ............... 39.4 (1000)
Overall Width, in (mm) ............... 24.8 (630)
Overall Height, in (mm) ............... 35.6 (905)
Dry Weight, lbs (kg) ............... 980 (445)
Wet Weight, lbs (kg) ............... 1045 (475)

Maintenance Data

Service Information

Compression Pressure at Cranking Speed, psi (bar) ............... 360-400 (24.8-27.5)
Normal Oil Pressure, Warm, psi (bar) ............... 40-60 (2.75-4.13)
Minimum Oil Pressure at Idle, psi (bar) ............... 15 (1.03)
Thermostat Opening Start Temperature, F (C) ............... 165 (74.0)
Thermostat Full Open Temperature, F (C) ............... 185 (85.0)
Maximum Coolant Temperature, F (C) ............... 205 (96.1)
Standard Drive Belt Deflection, in (mm) ............... 0.5 (12.7)
Intake Valve Clearance, Cold, in (mm) ............... 0.012 (0.30)
Exhaust Valve Clearance, Cold, in (mm) ............... 0.015 (0.38)

Engine Oil and Coolant

Engine Oil Type .................. SAE 30, SAE 10W, or SAE 20W
API Service Classifications ......................... CD or CE
Engine Oil Capacity with Filter Change, qt (L) ............... 13.7 (13.0)
Engine Oil Capacity without Filter, qt (L) ............... 12.2 (11.5)
Cooling System Total Capacity, qt (L) ............... 18.0 (17.0)

Service Intervals

Change oil and filter ............... Every 150 hours
Inspect air cleaner ............... Every 50 hours
Replace air cleaner ............... Every 600 hours
Replace fuel filter ............... Every 300 hours
Valve clearance adjustment ............... Every 600 hours
Fuel system inspection ............... Every 600 hours
Change coolant ............... Every 1000 hours
Compression test ............... Every 600 hours
Belt inspection ............... Every service cycle

Service Specifications

Cylinder Bore Diameter, Standard, in (mm) ............... 3.9370-3.9382 (100.000-100.030)
Cylinder Bore Max Out-Of-Round, in (mm) ............... 0.0015 (0.038)
Main Bearing Journal Diameter, in (mm) ............... 2.999-3.000 (76.175-76.200)
Main Bearing Oil Clearance Range, in (mm) ............... 0.0022-0.0042 (0.056-0.107)
Connecting Rod Journal Diameter, in (mm) ............... 2.499-2.500 (63.475-63.500)
Connecting Rod Bearing Oil Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0018-0.0036 (0.046-0.091)
Crankshaft End Play, in (mm) ............... 0.0020-0.0100 (0.051-0.254)
Piston to Cylinder Wall Clear Space, in (mm) ............... 0.0045-0.0061 (0.114-0.155)
Piston Pin Outer Diameter, in (mm) ............... 1.3748-1.3750 (34.920-34.925)
Piston Pin Bushing Inner Diameter, in (mm) ............... 1.3753-1.3757 (34.933-34.943)
Piston Pin to Piston Boss Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0001-0.0004 (0.003-0.010)
Top Ring Groove Side Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0025-0.0045 (0.064-0.114)
Second Ring Groove Side Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0020-0.0040 (0.051-0.102)
Oil Ring Groove Side Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0015-0.0035 (0.038-0.089)
Top Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.011-0.021 (0.279-0.533)
Second Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.009-0.019 (0.229-0.483)
Oil Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.011-0.021 (0.279-0.533)
Cylinder Head Flatness, Transverse Limit, in (mm) ............... 0.003 (0.076)
Cylinder Head Flatness, Longitudinal Limit, in (mm) ............... 0.006 (0.152)
Cylinder Block Deck Surface Max Distortion, in (mm) ............... 0.004 (0.102)
Intake Valve Stem Standard Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3725-0.3735 (9.462-9.487)
Exhaust Valve Stem Standard Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3715-0.3725 (9.436-9.462)
Valve Guide Inner Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3745-0.3755 (9.512-9.538)
Intake Valve Stem to Guide Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0010-0.0030 (0.025-0.076)
Exhaust Valve Stem to Guide Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0020-0.0040 (0.051-0.102)
Valve Face Seat Angle ............... 30 degrees
Valve Seat Insert Angle ............... 30 degrees
Valve Spring Free Length, in (mm) ............... 2.12 (53.85)
Camshaft Journal Running Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0015-0.0035 (0.038-0.089)
Camshaft End Play, in (mm) ............... 0.0020-0.0070 (0.051-0.178)
Rocker Arm Shaft Outer Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.748-0.749 (19.000-19.025)
Rocker Arm Bushing Internal Bore Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.750-0.751 (19.050-19.075)
Tappet Journal Body Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.623-0.624 (15.824-15.850)
Tappet Guide Bore Inside Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.625-0.626 (15.875-15.900)

Tightening Torques

Cylinder Head Bolts (Stage One), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 30 (40.7)
Cylinder Head Bolts (Stage Two), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 60 (81.3)
Cylinder Head Bolts (Stage Three), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 110 (149.1)
Main Bearing Cap Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 115 (155.9)
Connecting Rod Cap Nuts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 75 (101.7)
Flywheel Mounting Bolts to Crankshaft, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 80 (108.5)
Crankshaft Front Pulley Damper Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 150 (203.4)
Camshaft Thrust Plate Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 18 (24.4)
Camshaft Timing Gear Drive Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 55 (74.6)
Rocker Shaft Bracket Stud Nuts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 45 (61.0)
Cylinder Head Rocker Cover Screws, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 8 (10.8)
Oil Sump Pan Drain Plug Hex Fitting, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35 (47.5)
Oil Sump Perimeter Screws Flange, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 14 (19.0)
Timing Gear Case Backplate Cover, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 18 (24.4)
Fuel Injection Pump Drive Gear Nut, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 45 (61.0)
Fuel Injection Pump Mounting Flange Nuts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 18 (24.4)
Fuel Injector Assembly Clamp Down Nuts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15 (20.3)
Fuel High Pressure Injection Pipe Nuts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 20 (27.1)
Fuel Low Pressure Feed Line Banjo Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 12 (16.3)
Exhaust Manifold Stud Securement Nut, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25 (33.9)
Intake Manifold Flange Fixing Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 18 (24.4)
Water Pump Assembly Mounting Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 18 (24.4)
Thermostat Housing Cover Screws, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15 (20.3)
Starter Motor Frame Mounting Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 45 (61.0)
Alternator Pivot Adjustment Mounting Bracket, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 30 (40.7)
Oil Pressure Switch Sensor, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 12 (16.3)
Flywheel Housing to Cylinder Block Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 45 (61.0)
Valve Clearance Adjustment Nut Lock, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 12 (16.3)

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• Ford 2709E Specs
  

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