Ford's Twin-Fuel 'Bobcat' Engine Could Replace Power Stroke Diesels

[Wild_Horse_Ranch]

Its funny how the EPA mandates ethanol even after its known to pollute more than gasoline. This does make me wonder just what the government has in store for us, as maybe we won't have anything to pull 14K trailers anymore. This engine does not look like a heavy duty engine to do heavy duty work.

[SoCalGlide]

IDK, if this engine puts out that kind of power, is cheaper in both initial and operating costs than a diesel, I'd have to consider it. I've got a diesel to pull my 15K trailer. If this gas/E85 combo does a better job of it, I'm on board. It's about working smarter.

[elibenson]

Originally Posted by SoCalGlide

IDK, if this engine puts out that kind of power, is cheaper in both initial and operating costs than a diesel, I'd have to consider it. I've got a diesel to pull my 15K trailer. If this gas/E85 combo does a better job of it, I'm on board. It's about working smarter.

Unless they can guarantee this engine will have the longevity of a diesel and can handle the work load of a diesel, I don't see it taking a diesel's place. There is a reason why there are virtually no gasoline ambulances. They just can't take the abuse that an ambulance dishes out. I have had two gasoline ambulances, and neither made it to 150K miles before the engines were completely shot. Burned valves, washed cylinders, bad crank bearings, you name it. It's from spending half their lives idling. It's just the nature of the job. You can't beat a diesel for this sort of work.

I think a lot of other commercial fleet people will agree with me. I know the oil field companies around here use exclusively Ford and Chevy diesels. Mostly Fords. They get as much or more abuse from their crews than ambulances. They also spend 50% of their lives idling. My ambulances average 13.7-23.5 miles per hour over their lives. That's a lot of idle time. I just don't think that a gasoline engine is going to handle it.

[Builttuff]

10% eth only makes the octane rise almost 3 points so they are full of bs thinking they will have 150 octane. When you buy 87 oct these days it is 84 octane (subgrade) and 10% ethanol. Straight ethanol is around 115 octane so where do they come up with 150 oct

[boschert_72]

Originally Posted by elibenson

A friend of mine has a 2008 corvette with a 6.2l engine. Apparently it is a direct injection gasoline system. It makes 460 brake horse power and a little more torque. It also gets 28mpg on the highway, and 24 in the city. It's really an incredible machine.

Also only weights 3 or 4 thousand pounds and is about as aerodynamic as an arrow!! That might have something to do with it???

[JBHT]

Originally Posted by Dirk

Meh. Is anyone here old enough to remember the LAST thing Ford called "bobcat"???

I bet this will explode the same way. Oh yeah, Not diesel.

Yeah, but that was just a pinto bean from a different planet ( Mercury )
It was destined for failure.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by blowinsmoke4life

your prolly right about ther trailer thing but at 750lbs-ft of torque i fdont think the engine will have a problem pulling that

Right, but you gotta realize that its not making 750 lbs ft of torque until you lay into it, burning the e85 gas combo.

[M4K3H808]

if it was only diesel...

[isa540]

nice concept but as most others agreed, it can't match up the PSD engines under any condition. It could have its own class in the engine family,but not a replacement for PSD's.

[DustyDiesel83]

slap that in a mustang or a ranger. 500 hp and 700 ft/lb, sign me up. but they still need to have a diesel in the line up.