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Ford 144ci specs: 144 ci (2.4L) 6-cylinder, 3.50 x 2.50 in (88.9 x 63.5 mm) bore and stroke, 8.7:1 compression. Rated 85-90 hp, 1960–1963.
The Ford 144ci is oversquare — the 3.5" bore exceeds the 2.5" stroke by 40.0% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 2.5" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 9,600 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. A rod ratio of 1.942 is long by production standards — less side-load on the cylinder wall and gentler piston acceleration around TDC, the geometry that tolerates high RPM. Each of the 6 cylinders displaces 24.0 ci (393 cc).
8.7:1 is low by modern standards and generally happy on regular pump fuel.
It is one of 2 engines in the Ford 144ci family, all of them 144 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 4 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 85 to 90 hp across 1960–1963.
| Displacement | 144 ci / 2.4 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.5" |
| Stroke | 2.5" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Compression ratio | 8.7:1 |
| Rod length | 4.855" |
| Rod ratio | 1.942 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.4 |
| Piston deck clearance | 0.012" |
| Induction | 1-1 |
|---|---|
| Advertised HP | 85–90 hp |
| Years | 1960–1963 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.400 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 2,500 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Rod ratio | 1.942 — long — less side loading on the cylinder wall, favours high RPM |
| Displacement per cylinder | 24.0 ci |
| Static compression | 8.7:1 — low by modern standards, generally happy on regular pump fuel |
| Intake valve diameter | 1.467" |
|---|---|
| Exhaust valve diameter | 1.266" |
| Chamber volume | 43.6 cc |
| Rocker ratio | 1.5:1 |
| Lifter type | hydraulic |
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These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 90 hp | — |
| 1961 | 85 hp | — |
| 1962 | 85 hp | — |
| 1963 | 85 hp | — |