Ford CVH Engine - 1.9

1.9

The CVH was enlarged to 1.9 L for the North American 1986 model year Escort. Bore was now 82 mm (3.2 in) and stroke was 88 mm (3.5 in). This stroke length was later used in the 2.0 L CVH engines, and continued into the Zeta engine which replaced it. This long stroke necessitated a raised engine block deck, a design also shared with later units. The camshaft and water pump are driven by the timing belt. This engine is of a non-interference design: the valves don't contact the pistons if the timing belt breaks. Output was 86 hp (64 kW) and 100 ft·lbf (140 N·m) with a carburetor; when electronic throttle-body fuel injection was added, the basic 1.9 L added 4 hp (3.0 kW), although torque was little changed.

Electronic fuel injection and hemispherical "hemi" combustion chambers were added for 1987's Escort GT, increasing output to 108 hp (81 kW) and 114 ft·lbf (155 N·m). This engine developed a good reputation for performance and surviving GTs of this generation are quite fun to drive.

The 90 hp (67 kW) 1.9 L of the late 1980s, particularly when equipped with either the four- or five-speed manual transaxle, was notable for delivering outstanding fuel economy. Somewhat surprisingly, four-speed Escort Pony models achieved better mileage than five-speed cars, with upwards of 30 mpg in city driving and 40–45 mpg on the highway not uncommon.

The second generation of American Escort utilized sequential EFI for 1991–1996, but power and torque were little changed at 88 hp (66 kW) and 108 ft·lbf (146 N·m) respectively. It also received a new acrylic valve cover design, replacing the old metal cover.