The Carden-Ford was a British aero-engine modified from a Ford motor car engine by Carden Aero Engines, first run in 1935. The company saw a need for a cheap low-powered propulsion unit for ultralight aircraft and the engine was an adaptation of the well-proven and reliable Ford 10 Model C motor car engine. The engine was reversed, and a thrust bearing fitted to what was now the front of the engine. The chain drive was replaced by lightweight fibre gears, an Elektron aluminium alloy sump fitted, and dual ignition if requested. There were two cylinder head variants, one with an ‘L’ shape, the other with a low-profile flat head which required a separate header tank. This latter design was adapted for the Chilton Aircraft Ltd Chilton D.W.1 Monoplane of 1936.
Variants:
Carden-Ford 31 hp 4-cyl
A much modified Ford 10 car engine.
Carden-Ford S.P.1
Further development of the 31 hp engine, with a centric supercharger, 1.1:1 gear ratio, splined propeller shaft extension and horizontal mounting for flush wing mounting. Used exclusively on the Carden-Baynes Bee.
Application:
Broughton-Blayney Brawney
B.A.C. Drone
Chilton D.W.1 monoplane
Carden-Baynes Bee
Kronfeld Monoplane
Mignet HM.14 (Flying Flea)
Perman Parasol
Taylor Watkinson Dingbat
Specifications:
Carden-Ford 31hp 4-cyl.
Type: 4-cyl, upright, in-line,
Bore: 63.5 mm
Stroke: 92.5 mm
Displacement: 1.17 l
Designer: Sir John Carden
Righthand rotation, direct-drive tractor, Poppet valve
Cooling system: Liquid
Dual magnetos
Power output: 31 hp
Compression ratio: 6.6:1
All Aero 