Perkins: new family
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PERKINS Engines has announced a new family of diesels to go into production in 1985.
The project for the in-line sixcylinder engines, code-named 014, dates from detailed design work begun in 1976 which culminated in the first engine running on the bench in 1979.
The first engine to be available will be the top-of-the-range 7.2I it re (439cu in) version designated the 6.440, aimed principally at the medium lorry and large agricultural machinery markets world wide.
In turbocharged form the 6.440 develops 170kW (228bhp).
The engine was designed to fit in between the 6.354 and the V8 range at a highly competitive cost.
The engine will feature the Perkins Squish Lip combustion system — the first time this has been available for automotive use since its announcement in 1974.
Perkins claims that the Squish Lip will allow the new engine family to meet ever-tightening ALTECNA diesel fuel-injection equipment used on Fiat commercial vehicles is to be imported into the UK by Webber Carburettors, of Sunbury, which will act as agent.
Kaymoor Ltd, of Cable Street, London El, already importing Magneti Marelli auto electrics, another Fiat subsidiary, has been appointed the first in a national network of distributors, yet to be set up, to offer a service on the components which are said to be interchangeable with those manufactured by Bosch. environmental restraints and possible lowering of fuel quality.
According to Perkins, it can cope with cetane numbers "well below 40" — the current UK fuel averages about 55 on cetane number.
The bore and stroke for the new range is 108 x 131mm (4.25 x 5.16in) which has kept the mean piston speed below 12.7m/sec (2,500ft/min) while running at 2,600rpm.
Perkins says that a further consideration in the project's objectives was the need to capitalise on the booming mid-range diesel market in the United States which dictated a six-cylinder engine at 134 to 170kW (180 to 228bhp).
The noise level is claimed to be 98dBA at one metre for the bore engine reducing to 95dBA with an external noise package.