See other engines in this family
Ford A-code specs: 223 ci (3.7L) 6-cylinder, 3.625 x 3.60 in (92.1 x 91.4 mm) bore and stroke. Rated 120-145 hp, 1955–1959. Used in the Ford Fairlane. OHV.
The Ford A-code is close to square: 3.625" bore against 3.6" stroke, within 0.7%, which splits the difference between a high-revving layout and a torque layout. The 3.6" stroke puts mean piston speed at 4,000 ft/min around 6,650 RPM, which is where a production bottom end is generally considered at its limit. Each of the 6 cylinders displaces 37.2 ci (609 cc).
It is one of 11 engines in the Ford 223ci family, all of them 223 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 5 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 120 to 145 hp across 1955–1959.
| Displacement | 223 ci / 3.7 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.625" |
| Stroke | 3.6" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Configuration | I6 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.007 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 120–145 hp |
| Years | 1955–1959 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.007 — square — bore and stroke are within 5%, a balanced compromise |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,600 ft/min — in the range typical of performance street engines |
| Displacement per cylinder | 37.2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 120 hp | A-code |
| 1956 | 137 hp | A-code |
| 1957 | 144 hp | A-code |
| 1958 | 145 hp | A-code |
| 1959 | 145 hp | A-code |