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Ford 2712E Engine

The Ford 2712E is a 4.15-liter (254 cubic inches), inline 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated, four-stroke direct-injection diesel engine belonging to the Ford Dorset industrial engine family. Designed by Ford UK in the 1970s, it gained an enduring reputation for its simplicity, robust build quality, and exceptional mechanical longevity. The engine utilizes a heavy-duty cast-iron block equipped with replaceable cylinder liners. It features a gear-driven camshaft operating both the oil pump and the fuel lift pump. The Ford 2712E was widely utilized in stationary industrial packages, agricultural machinery, and heavy equipment. Additionally, it served as a highly prominent base engine for marine conversions, most notably marinized by Lehman Power as the Lehman 80/85 hp engine, where it became a staple choice for long-range trawlers, sailboats, and commercial commercial hulls due to its steady low-vibration idle and fuel efficiency.

The cylinder head houses overhead vertical valves with 30-degree seat angles and phosphate-coated stems. The valves are actuated by mechanical valve lifters, pushrods, and a rocker shaft assembly driven by a gear-driven camshaft. Valve guides and seat inserts are fully replaceable. The engine features a cylinder bore diameter of 107.21 mm (4.22 inches) and a piston stroke length of 114.96 mm (4.526 inches). Total engine displacement measures 4.15 liters (254 cubic inches). Pistons are constructed from aluminum alloy with a split-skirt design and incorporate toroidal combustion chambers in the crown to optimize direct-injection fuel mixing.

Fuel System: Fuel delivery utilizes a direct-injection configuration featuring mechanical fuel injection technology. A mechanical fuel lift pump transfers fuel through a primary filter system to a mechanical inline injection pump (typically a Simms Minimec or CAV rotary injection pump assembly). The injection pump meters and delivers pressurized fuel to the injectors. Engine firing order follows the 1-2-4-3 sequence. The baseline fuel injection pump timing is set at 18 degrees BTDC on the compression stroke of cylinder number one using the spill-timing method.

Lubrication is managed via a pressure-fed system circulated by a gear-driven internal oil pump drawing from a pressed-steel oil pan sump. The system utilizes a full-flow, spin-on oil filter element. In marine applications, an external oil cooler is integrated directly into the pressure circuit to manage continuous-duty oil stabilization. The base industrial configuration features a conventional liquid cooling jacket using a belt-driven freshwater pump and thermostat assembly to regulate flow to an external radiator. For marinized variants, cooling is accomplished using a closed freshwater loop utilizing an integrated heat exchanger. Sea water is circulated through the heat exchanger by a dedicated raw water pump to cool the engine coolant, the engine oil cooler, and the water-jacketed exhaust manifold.

General Technical Data

Engine Specifications

Engine Model ............... Ford 2712E
Engine Type ............... 4-cycle inline 4-cylinder direct injection liquid-cooled diesel
Number of Cylinders ............... 4
Cylinder Arrangement ............... In-line
Engine Bore, in (mm) ............... 4.22 (107.2)
Engine Stroke, in (mm) ............... 4.52 (114.9)
Displacement, cu.in (L) ............... 254 (4.15)
Rated Engine Power, hp (kW) ............... 80 (59.6)
Rated Engine Speed, rpm ............... 2500
Peak Torque ............... 190 lb-ft (258 Nm) at 1600 rpm
Idle Speed ............... 700-800 rpm
Aspiration Type ............... Naturally Aspirated
Operating Speed ............... 1500-2500 rpm
Governed Speed No Load, rpm ............... 2650
Governed Speed Under Load, rpm ............... 2500
Compression Ratio ............... 16.0:1
Firing Order ............... 1-2-4-3
Cylinder Block Type ............... Cast iron
Cylinder Head Type ............... Cast iron
Lubrication System ............... Full-pressure
Oil Pump Type ............... Gear-driven
Oil Filter Type ............... Full-flow, spin-on
Cooling System ............... Liquid-cooled
Water Pump Type ............... Belt-driven, centrifugal
Air Cleaner Type ............... Dry or oil bath
Starting System ............... Electric Starter
Electrical System ............... 12V or 24V

Fuel System

Injection Pump Type ............... Simms Minimec inline mechanical
Governor Type ............... Mechanical or hydraulic
Injection Timing ............... 18 deg BTDC
Timing Method ............... Spill-timing on cylinder number 1
Injector Opening Pressure, psi (bar) ............... 2700-2900 (186-200)
Fuel Lift Pump Type ............... Mechanical diaphragm
Fuel Lift Pump Pressure, psi (bar) ............... 6-10 (0.41-0.69)
Fuel Filter Type ............... Spin-on element with water separator
Maximum Fuel Return Flow, gal/hr (L/hr) ............... 10.5 (40.0)

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length, in (mm) ............... 36.4 (925)
Overall Width, in (mm) ............... 26.2 (665)
Overall Height, in (mm) ............... 33.7 (855)
Dry Weight, lbs (kg) ............... 740 (336)
Wet Weight, lbs (kg) ............... 795 (361)

Maintenance Data

Service Information

Compression Pressure, psi (bar) ............... 350-400 (24.1-27.5)
Minimum Allowable Compression, psi (bar) ............... 300 (20.7)
Normal Oil Pressure, psi (bar) ............... 30-60 (2.07-4.14)
Minimum Oil Pressure at Idle, psi (bar) ............... 15 (1.03)
Normal Operating Temperature, F (C) ............... 170-185 (76.6-85.0)
Thermostat Opening Temperature, F (C) ............... 165 (73.9)
Thermostat Fully Open Temperature, F (C) ............... 185 (85.0)
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 15W-40
API Service Classifications ......................... CC or CD
Engine Oil Capacity with Filter, qt (L) ............... 8.0 (7.57)
Cooling System Capacity, qt (L) ............... 15.0 (14.2)

Service Intervals

Change oil and filter ............... Every 100 hours
Inspect air cleaner ............... Every 50 hours
Replace air cleaner ............... Every 500 hours
Replace fuel filter ............... Every 400 hours
Valve clearance adjustment ............... Every 300 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, in (mm) ............... 4.2207-4.2217 (107.206-107.231)
Cylinder Bore Maximum Wear Limit, in (mm) ............... 4.2255 (107.328)
Cylinder Bore Maximum Out of Round, in (mm) ............... 0.0015 (0.038)
Cylinder Bore Maximum Taper, in (mm) ............... 0.0020 (0.051)
Main Journal Standard Diameter, in (mm) ............... 3.0000-3.0008 (76.200-76.220)
Main Journal Maximum Wear Limit, in (mm) ............... 2.9985 (76.162)
Main Bearing Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0022-0.0042 (0.056-0.107)
Crankshaft End Play, in (mm) ............... 0.0040-0.0120 (0.102-0.305)
Connecting Rod Journal Diameter, in (mm) ............... 2.5000-2.5006 (63.500-63.515)
Connecting Rod Bearing Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0016-0.0036 (0.041-0.091)
Connecting Rod Side Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0060-0.0110 (0.152-0.279)
Piston to Cylinder Bore Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0035-0.0045 (0.089-0.114)
Piston Pin Diameter, in (mm) ............... 1.4171-1.4173 (35.994-36.000)
Piston Pin Bushing Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0006-0.0012 (0.015-0.030)
Top Ring Groove Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0028-0.0048 (0.071-0.122)
Second Ring Groove Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0020-0.0040 (0.051-0.102)
Oil Ring Groove Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0016-0.0036 (0.041-0.091)
Top Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.0110-0.0210 (0.279-0.533)
Second Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.0090-0.0190 (0.229-0.483)
Oil Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.0110-0.0210 (0.279-0.533)
Cylinder Head Deck Flatness, Limit, in (mm) ............... 0.0030 (0.076)
Cylinder Block Deck Flatness, Limit, in (mm) ............... 0.0040 (0.102)
Intake Valve Stem Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3725-0.3735 (9.462-9.487)
Exhaust Valve Stem Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3715-0.3725 (9.436-9.462)
Intake Valve Stem to Guide Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0015-0.0040 (0.038-0.102)
Exhaust Valve Stem to Guide Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0025-0.0050 (0.064-0.127)
Valve Guide Inside Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3750-0.3765 (9.525-9.563)
Camshaft Journal Diameter, in (mm) ............... 2.1235-2.1245 (53.937-53.962)
Camshaft Bearing Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0015-0.0035 (0.038-0.089)
Camshaft End Play, in (mm) ............... 0.0020-0.0060 (0.051-0.152)

Tightening Torques

Cylinder Head Bolts (Stage 1), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 45 (61)
Cylinder Head Bolts (Stage 2), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 75 (102)
Cylinder Head Bolts (Stage 3), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 105-115 (142-156)
Main Bearing Cap Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 115-125 (156-169)
Connecting Rod Cap Nut Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 75-80 (102-108)
Flywheel Fastener Retaining Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 80-85 (108-115)
Flywheel Housing Fastener Structural Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35-40 (47-54)
Crankshaft Vibration Damper Central Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 200-215 (271-292)
Camshaft Thrust Plate Retaining Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-18 (20-24)
Camshaft Gear Retaining Center Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 50-55 (68-75)
Rocker Arm Shaft Bracket Holding Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25-30 (34-41)
Cylinder Head Valve Cover Nut Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 8-11 (11-15)
Oil Pan Outer Perimeter Drain Plug, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 50-55 (68-75)
Oil Pan Structural Mounting Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-18 (20-24)
Oil Pump Internal Pickup Tube Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-18 (20-24)
Fuel Injection Pump Drive Gear Nut, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 45-50 (61-68)
Fuel Injection Pump Holding Mounting Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 18-22 (24-30)
Fuel Injector Assembly Retaining Clamp Nuts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 12-15 (16-20)
Fuel High Pressure Injection Pipe Unions, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-18 (20-24)
Intake Manifold Assembly Mounting Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-18 (20-24)
Exhaust Manifold Assembly Mounting Nuts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 18-22 (24-30)
Water Pump Structural Mounting Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-18 (20-24)
Thermostat Housing Retaining Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-18 (20-24)
Alternator Pivot Mount Heavy Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35-40 (47-54)
Starter Motor Frame Mounting Stud Nuts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35-40 (47-54)
Crankcase Breather Assembly Mount Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 8-11 (11-15)
Front Timing Gear Cover Attachment Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-18 (20-24)
Rear Oil Seal Retainer Plate Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-18 (20-24)
Oil Cooler Assembly Structural Mounting Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 18-22 (24-30)
Fuel Lift Pump Body Mounting Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-18 (20-24)
Water Temperature Sender Unit Component, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 20-25 (27-34)
Oil Pressure Switch Sensor Unit Thread, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 12-15 (16-20)
Glow Plug Assembly Thread Elements, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-20 (20-27)

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• Ford Engines Specs
  
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• Ford 2715E Specs
  

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