Technical features of the Ford Taunus 12M

The 60° V4 Taunus 12M engine has a bore and stroke of 80 mm. x 58.86 mm. (1,183 c.c.). It develops 40 h.p. (D.I.N.) at 4,500 r.p.m. or 50 h.p. (S.A.E.) at 5,000 r.p.m., giving 58 ft. lb. torque at 2,400 r.p.m. (D.I.N.) or 61 ft. lb. at 2,700 r.p.m. (S.A.E.), on a 7.8 to 1 c.r. It is 3-point rubber-mounted and set to idle at 600-800 r.p.m.

*  *  *

The sump holds 5.6 pints of S.A.E. 20/20W H.D. oil. The release valve opens at 45.5-55.5 lb./sq. in. and the warning light comes on at 4.3-8.5 lb./sq. in. The pressurised series-flow cooling system incorporates a centrifugal pump and has a capacity of 11.4 pints, inclusive of the heater. The thermostat has a 6.6 mm. minimum lift at 94.4° C. and starts to open at 81° C. ± 1° C., to release water from the heat-exchanger heater to a normal radiator. At 96°C. ± 1° C. the blower motor of the fresh-air heater is automatically switched on producing a heavy air flow through the heat-exchanger to atmosphere, which provides additional engine cooling, the switch cutting out at 92°C. ±1°C.

*  *  *

The crankshaft runs in three 56.9-57 mm. dia. bearings and has 53.9-54 mm. dia big-ends. The con-rods weigh 495-503 grams, have 21.9 mm. dia. little-ends, and are 130 mm. long. The bi-metallic pistons each have two compression and one tripartite oil-scraper rings. The camshaft runs in three steel-backed babbit bearings and is gear-driven.

*  *  *

The valve timing is : inlet opens 24° b.t.d.c., closes 52° a.b.d.c., exhaust opens 66° b.b.d.c., closes 10° a.t.d.c. Inlet valve diameter is 8.043 mm., exhaust valve diameter 8.017 mm., and the lift is 9.7 mm. The tappet clearance is 0.4 mm. The valve springs have a free length of 45.2 mm. and a load of 11-123 lb. when compressed to 31.04 mm.

*  *  *

The carburetter is a Solex 28 PDSI with 115 main jet. The camshaft-driven fuel pumps feed at 2.3-3.2 lb./sq.in. and draws from an 8.4 gallon tank.

*  *  *

The 4-speed all-synchromesh gearbox has ratios of 4.03, 2.33, 1.48, 1.0 and 3.96 to 1, in conjunction with a 3.78 to 1 front axle ratio, and an oil capacity of 5.3 pints.

*  *  *

The transverse spring for the i.f.s. has eight 4.27 mm. leaves and the “dead” rear axle is sprung on 4-leaf semi-elliptic springs, with a stabiliser. The Girling brakes are 9 in. front, 8 in. rear, and steering is of recirculating-ball type.

The electrical system uses a 6 volt 77 amp.hr. battery, and Bosch components. Ignition advance is to10″ b.t.d.c. at 600-800 r.p.m., with 20-24° (crankshaft) maximun ignition advance at 2,500 r.p.m. The coil is a Bosch TE6B4 and the plugs M14 x 1.25 thread and AE-3 heat range.

*  *  *

The 12M model designations are : 2-door saloon = P4T, 4-door saloon = P4F, station wagon = P4KO, van = P4KA. P4T kerb weight is 845 kg.

Source of information – FordWerke A.G. Shop Manual, as at June 1962.