What took so long? $$$$

[Eiron]

Electric motors are pretty well perfected these days and most sensors are electric..ie throttle position sensore and IAC valves and a host of others that stand up to heat for many years. Lest not forget computers have been running our vehicles for decades. Dropping in a small motor could be a lot simpler than replacing double cam shafts , chains, tensioners, etc etc. Lots of work there, moreso ,perhaps than dropping in a servo motor.The cars computer will do all the timing and brain work necessary like they time the injectors, but these motors at the outset would sure be costly , but then again replacing chains , belts tensioners etc would also have a hefty labor cost.I remember when computers first came on cars all the mechanics raved how the heat will destroy them.. Matter of time for things to get perfected and the bugs worked out.Most engines are four cylinders so four little servo motors seems simpler to me than replacing cams and all the rest. The question is will electric engines beat that technology.

True, but the circuit boards for any of those items aren't buried in the top of the engine. The video shows them mounting a huge control board inside the top of the valve cover -- just about the worst place inside the engine for a circuit board (from a heat and vibration standpoint). However, I understand that that location makes the most sense for keeping everything together in the lab and looks the cleanest on a promotional video. I've used electric servo motors in a clean environment but never in a hostile environment like the inside of an engine, so I can only guess at what issues they might encounter. Don't get me wrong, I completely agree that this is the same kind of progression that we saw moving from carburetors to EFI. And my 2002 Saab can change spark ignition timing on the fly for each individual cylinder. IVT is the next step, right? It's just that it's in no way less complicated than a mechanical setup. I've had a couple of vehicles make it past 200,000 miles and one past 300,000. I've never had any cam-related issues with any of them (one I had to change the timing belt at 150,000) and they were all still running nearly perfectly when they were sold. As for electric motors beating the race for efficiency (and power?), I also agree with you there. But there will always be people going in the opposite direction, too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa1DQ-FIQNI

[Mel46]

I had a Mustang 2 that broke its camshaft at 38,000 miles. Ford built that vehicle pretty poorly, so I ended up replacing the camshaft in my driveway at 4 in the morning. The next week I drove that car 600 miles to a job, and back again after the job was complete two weeks later. From then on I had zero problems with it. Sold it with 117,000 miles on it. Zero problems with the engine, but the rest of the car rattled and squeaked from every corner. Last Ford I ever owned. In fact, it was the last American car I ever owned.

[you you]

I had a Mustang 2 that broke its camshaft at 38,000 miles. Ford built that vehicle pretty poorly, so I ended up replacing the camshaft in my driveway at 4 in the morning. The next week I drove that car 600 miles to a job, and back again after the job was complete two weeks later. From then on I had zero problems with it. Sold it with 117,000 miles on it. Zero problems with the engine, but the rest of the car rattled and squeaked from every corner. Last Ford I ever owned. In fact, it was the last American car I ever owned.

Blech. Mustang IIs were manky.

What engine was it out of interest?

[Eiron]

Blech. Mustang IIs were manky.

Good Lord, it's been a long time since I've heard that term!
But yeah, 2X from me on this.

BTW, the only actual piece of Mustang on the "1965 Hoonicorn" in the video is the roof!

[Old Grinner]

Awesome footage!

Steve McQueen would approve.

[Mel46]

That Mustang II had a 4 cylinder engine, which all of the American auto makers were doing in order to try to get economical vehicles out onto the market. It couldn't handle the air conditioner while accelerating, so Ford set it up so that the compressor turned off when the engine was straining...which was most of the time.

Still, once I replaced that defective camshaft the car ran fine. Since I lived on the Gulf Coast at the time, where freeway roads are level, I could actually use the air conditioner!

Here is what I learned from my experience with that car. When it comes to smaller cars, the Big Three auto manufacturers can not compete against the Japanese. If you want an economical car that will last, and work like it is suppose to, buy a Japanese car (or even a Korean car. They work well too.)

[Mel46]

By the way, the Big Three are working hard to make good cars now.

Keeping that in mind, until they can offer the same kind of warranty as the Hyundai and Kia folks can, I still won't buy their car or truck. To me, what their present warranty says is, "I don't trust my vehicles after 3 years or 36,000 miles. I'm glad you do, sucker!"

[Old Grinner]

By the way, the Big Three are working hard to make good cars now.

Keeping that in mind, until they can offer the same kind of warranty as the Hyundai and Kia folks can, I still won't buy their car or truck. To me, what their present warranty says is, "I don't trust my vehicles after 3 years or 36,000 miles. I'm glad you do, sucker!"

I've had my dismal times with Fords as well. The last one I ever bought was a Ranger and it was really a Mazda. Nice truck. Ended up trading it in for a Honda Civic DX. Great most excellent car. The story doesn't end there but for the sake of time I'll spare you all future details and other vehicle experiences. Right now I've got one 25 year old Honda Civic (doesn't look that old. . .maybe 5 years old?) and one brand new Fit. I rest my case. They will last me until I go to the happy driving land in the sky.

Oh. . .and another thing. Honda is working on a cooperative effort with GM on electric cars batteries or something. Here's the story. . ..

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/busin ... 680560002/

[you you]

That Mustang II had a 4 cylinder engine, which all of the American auto makers were doing in order to try to get economical vehicles out onto the market. It couldn't handle the air conditioner while accelerating, so Ford set it up so that the compressor turned off when the engine was straining...which was most of the time.

Still, once I replaced that defective camshaft the car ran fine. Since I lived on the Gulf Coast at the time, where freeway roads are level, I could actually use the air conditioner!

Here is what I learned from my experience with that car. When it comes to smaller cars, the Big Three auto manufacturers can not compete against the Japanese. If you want an economical car that will last, and work like it is suppose to, buy a Japanese car (or even a Korean car. They work well too.)

The pinto engine? At least the cam change would be easy.

Bloody awful cars then but strangely I wouldn't mind one now. V8 though. Not that they were fast either.

[Mel46]

Yes, Styling is what Ford does well. I love the style of the new Mustangs, and I would love either a 5 L or one of the hot 6 cylinder models.

However, I don't have enough money to buy something that has a dependability of AVERAGE. If you think about that term, it puts the great in with the Yugo and comes up with a fair rating. That means a company with a dependability rating like Honda, Hyundai, and some others should be "watered down" so other car makers can have a low mark to shoot for...and they do. If I am going to make an investment in something that costs what a house use to cost, I want something that will last that long as well.