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Ford U-code specs: 170 ci (2.8L) 6-cylinder, 3.50 x 2.94 in (88.9 x 74.7 mm) bore and stroke. Rated 82-105 hp, 1962–1972. Used in the Ford Fairlane. OHV.
The Ford U-code is oversquare — the 3.5" bore exceeds the 2.94" stroke by 19.0% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 2.94" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 8,150 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. A rod ratio of 1.604 is in the range most production engines fall in. Each of the 6 cylinders displaces 28.3 ci (464 cc).
It is one of 4 engines in the Ford 170ci family, all of them 170 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 6 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 82 to 105 hp across 1962–1972.
| Displacement | 170 ci / 2.8 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.5" |
| Stroke | 2.94" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Configuration | I6 |
| Rod length | 4.715" |
| Rod ratio | 1.604 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.19 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | cast iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 82–105 hp |
| Years | 1962–1972 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.190 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 2,940 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Rod ratio | 1.604 — moderate — the range most production V8s fall in |
| Displacement per cylinder | 28.3 ci |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 101 hp | U-code |
| 1963 | 101 hp | U-code |
| 1964 | 101 hp | U-code |
| 1970 | 105 hp | U-code |
| 1971 | 100 hp | U-code |
| 1972 | 82 hp | U-code |