The orignal Iron Block zetec is directly deveolped off a American Spec CVH block - that having a longer stroke and larger capacity when compared to the UK versions. oh BTW, Oil cooling jets are only used on the higher spec variants of the zetec, such as the 130ps 1.8 and 2.0 engines. This was done all by Ford.

This is why CVH heads are interchangeable with the zetec blocks (ZVH) and in theory, vica vesa.
The all alloy zetec-e or se (aka sigma) was yamaha co-developed.

Now to REALLY confuse things..:D

The US spec Focus, uses a MAZDA derivied engine and is still called a Zetec. But it's a 8-valve single cam, and started life in the US Escort (completely different car to the UK Escort) which in the whole is a Mazda (323 I think)
...confused? :confused: - you should be! ;)

And to answer the initial question: The latest Mondeo uses the Duratec HE 4-cylinder engine. Which on the whole was mainly deveoleped by Mazda.

Hopefully, that should iron everything out :D

re-posted due to 500 server error (i.e post dissapeared)

[Edited by ALi-B - 11/2/2003 5:29:22 PM]

The duratec V6 in european Fords is an American derived Ford V6 slightly tuned (depending on which version).

I can believe it's a Ford developed engine.

I think it started life in the Ford Taurus, which is not based on anything Mazda (AFAIK). And derivatives of the same engine are seen in the X-type and S-type Jag (abeilt with VVT).

Hmmm, but I haven't yet looked at a Mazda MX6 or MX3 v6 engine...so who knows ;)

edited to add: it uses Cosworth's casting techniques which makes it one of the lightest V6's in it's class :)


[Edited by ALi-B - 11/2/2003 6:21:56 PM]

I am confused, just bought a Mondeo 1.8 with a Duratec engine, is tha the same as a Zetec or is Zetec now just a trim level ?

Zetec is now a trim level

The Zetec is no longer made...except for the Focus RS engine which is labeled as an Duratec but is essentially a Zetec.

is'nt it zetec-SE now?

Anhoo the old zetec was a CVH with a 16-valve head- hardly cutting edge design ;)

I'm so confused :confused:, what the tec is going on?

AFAIK the only duratec that was fitted into mondeo's was the 2.5ltr V6, the 1.8 should be a zetec (ive a 94 M so its quite an early one) but the main difference is (well what ive been told) that the duratec uses a chain belt and the zetec uses the rubber belt.

Tony:D

The zetec was never a re-headed CVH, was a design bought in from mazda or mitsu I think, with much development work done.

Zetec engines are now only used in the focus 1.8 and 2.0l, the ST170 has a heavily modified US spec zetec block and a heavily modified head, the RS is a fairly standard zetec with stronger internals.

Apart from early mondeos and some late escorts the 1.6 zetec was not used much, it was replaced by the all alloy 1.25,1.4 and 1.6 zetec-SE engines developed in conjunction with yamaha, with a breathed upon 1.7 in the puma.

Zetec is now used as a trim level on most of the ford range, the mondie has a duratec I4 engine, all alloy and a much better engine than the zetec engine.

Just to confuse issues, Ford are calling all their engines either duratorque (diesel) or duratec (V6, alloy I4, RS and ST170), even though some are actually zetecs. And lets not get into the Ka or fiesta ranges there are too many engines to remember now :)

All new Mondeos are Duratec HE, all aluminium, chain driven unit. Designed as a replacement for the Zetec. Slightly more powerful for the same displacement, but intended as a low maintance engine, ie. if it snaps the timing chain the dealer will swap the whole lump out and replace it, rather than spend time rebuilding.

Zetec-SE is the Yamaha developed small capacity (1.25-1.7) engine in the Fiesta, Puma and 1.6 Focus. Also aluminium block.

Iron block Zetecs still exist in the Focus 1.8 and 2.0. Focus ST170 and RS are lablelled DuraTec, but are actually series 3 Zetecs.

Although the Zetec is an evolvement from the CVH it's very different. The stroke is longer for low down torque, it has teflon coated piston skirts, under piston oil jet sprays, two part sump with windage tray and a whole load of other improvements.

"The zetec was never a re-headed CVH, was a design bought in from mazda or mitsu I think, with much development work done."

The original iron block Zetec is 100% Ford developed, only the Zetec-SE had external involvement (Yamaha) Actually I think they did pretty much all the work.

"Apart from early mondeos and some late escorts the 1.6 zetec was not used much, it was replaced by the all alloy 1.25,1.4 and 1.6 zetec-SE engines developed in conjunction with yamaha, with a breathed upon 1.7 in the puma."

No mondeos were 1.6 AFAIK, just Fiestas (the Si and 1.6 Ghia) and Escorts.

"Zetec is now used as a trim level on most of the ford range, the mondie has a duratec I4 engine, all alloy and a much better engine than the zetec engine."

As NA it's better yes (lighter and over-square), but for forced-induction the apparant lack of strength and availability of aftermarket parts lets it down somewhat.

Useless information time:

The Zetec-SE was the second engine devloped by Yamaha for Ford, the first being a 3.0 (IIRC) V6 for the US Taurus SHO in around about 1988-ish. Apparently in testing it was so high revving Ford didn't have suitable ancilliary parts (PS pumps, alternators etc) that could take the speeds and they kept throwing belts, so rather than develop new parts, they stuck an artificially lowered rev limit on it (around 7000 rpm). A quick search of the internet reveals that it made 220hp and 200 ft/lbs which is about the same as the current 3.0 Duratec V6. Progress, huh?

"The zetec was never a re-headed CVH, was a design bought in from mazda or mitsu I think, with much development work done."

"The original iron block Zetec is 100% Ford developed, only the Zetec-SE had external involvement (Yamaha) Actually I think they did pretty much all the work."

I had heard from a couple of places that the initial base for the zetec came from another manufacturer, but that lots of dev work was done, spose I cold be wrong on that tho:)
Yamaha were named by Ford a a partner in developing the engines, how much they were involved and why I don't know.

"Apart from early mondeos and some late escorts the 1.6 zetec was not used much, it was replaced by the all alloy 1.25,1.4 and 1.6 zetec-SE engines developed in conjunction with yamaha, with a breathed upon 1.7 in the puma."

"No mondeos were 1.6 AFAIK, just Fiestas (the Si and 1.6 Ghia) and Escorts."

There were definately some 1.6 modie mark 1's I've seen one, they were somewhat unpopular due to them being rather s**t. As you could imagine with about 90PS feck all torque and a big ol mondie to pull around. I think they only put them in to make the diesel look good :)


"Zetec is now used as a trim level on most of the ford range, the mondie has a duratec I4 engine, all alloy and a much better engine than the zetec engine."

As NA it's better yes (lighter and over-square), but for forced-induction the apparant lack of strength and availability of aftermarket parts lets it down somewhat.

Given that a couple of companies are saying they can do a duratec up to 300 n/a then who needs FI :) The supposedly very strong zetec internals were junked for the ST and the RS so it is likely that ford would do the same for the duratec higher output versions. The availability of aftermarket parts is down to the market, it is still a new engine so you can hardly expect there to be loads of stuff available yet. The market for go-faster duratecs will be big, think of all the caterfields with zetecs in em, more power and lots less weight will create the demand for bits for the duratec.

There was definitely a 1.6 Mondeo made.

The next door neighbour has an L reg one.

So the 168bhp V6 was developed by...........?

Yes, the US Escort is just a Mazda 323.

Cheers for all the replies, most informative, my Ford engine knowledge peters out with the YB Cosworth so its interesting to see whats been done since.

Thanks again !

ford originally called the zetec engine zeta but had to withdraw this after alfa romeo complained as they have an engine by the same name.

if you look on the early mondeo's and mk5 escort engines it has zeta on the rocker cover!

another piece of useless ford info ;)

I thought it was Fiat....but seing they own Alfa - I dunno :D