Did you know that Ford Motor Company was experimenting with single overhead camshafts in the Windsor engine family as far back as 1968? Well, I didn't either until a recent trip to Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Feast your eyes on this beauty:
Ford Experimental 289
According to the museum, in 1968 Ford's engineers were tasked with creating an engine that produced power at more efficient RPMs. Although I haven't seen a power curve, it seems that they may have succeeded; this engine was rated at 300hp (remember that the solid lifter hi-po 289 of the day was rated at 271hp). Only 3 examples were produced and this is the only known survivor.
Looking at the modifications, you can see that the front cover is modified to leave space for a belt drive to run the camshafts. The belt looks to be about an inch wide and driven by a pulley on the rear of the water pump.
I'd love to know some more history on this engine, along with the reason(s) Ford didn't put this into production (although I'm sure the bean counters had something to do with it).
Bonus: Another engine showcased at the museum is this 302 with a rare Pete Aardema SOHC conversion kit from 1974.
Pete Aardema SOHC 302
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