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North American Westfield Registry

The Westfield is fitted with a 1700cc version of the Ford crossflow.  That engine has been around in various forms since the late '50s and it is still in use today in 1600cc form in Formula Fords (an excellent history on this engine written by the good folks at Dave Bean Engineering is available here).  Although a pushrod 4-banger doesn't sound very thrilling, this one most certainly is.  My engine was built by the then U.S. Westfield distributor to what he called Super Sport specs.  According to the brochure, it features:

"1700cc version of the Ford X/Flow motor with modified pistons, Kent 234 Hi-lift cam, rejetted and choked twin 40DCOE carbs, fully balanced and blueprinted, lightened flywheel, ported and polished big valve head, baffled sump, and a alloy polished rocker cover make this 145BHP package."

I can't comment on the accuracy of his horsepower claim, but according to Road & Track magazine it does propel the car from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds, so it isn't weak.  It also sounds fantastic!  When this thing hits 4000rpm, it emits a shriek that can raise the dead.  Quite frankly I have never heard a 4 cylinder road car before that can hold a candle to it in this area.  It also produces big torque right off idle.  Ease out the clutch, floor it, and you go! 

I think the great Peter Egan really nailed it when after driving my car he wrote, "As built by Yarwood, this is a truly delightful engine.  It fires instantly, accelerates without a flat spot or glitch, revs freely to its 6500-rpm redline and pulls with amazing flexibility from almost any speed above idle.  You can drive the car in a highly wound state of nervousness or choose to short-shift and torque effortlessly around town, whatever the mood."  Well said Peter!

After I bought the car, I took the carbs apart to check out how it was jetted.  Much to my surprise it was only running 30mm chokes.  Given the power output I expected something a little larger, so I checked with some crossflow experts on both sides of the pond and made a few changes based on their recommendations: 32mm chokes, ITG air cleaner, 12mm velocity stacks (anything larger required a hole in the bonnet), and an MSD 6AL ignition.  The combination made a noticeable improvement, particularly over the last 500 rpm.  However, as much as i love the crossflow, I just needed more power.  Enter the Duratec...