Jeep Tornado

The Jeep Tornado engine was the first post-World War II U.S.-designed mass-produced overhead cam (OHC) automobile engine. The 230 cubic inch straight-six was introduced in mid-year 1962, and replaced the flathead 6-226 Willys Super Hurricane that was in use since 1954.

The Tornado engine was also manufactured in Argentina by Industrias Kaiser Argentina (IKA) from 1965 to 1973.

The Jeep Tornado engine was introduced in the Willys Jeep Wagon and truck models. Six-cylinder versions built after May 3, 1962, received the 230 OHC "Tornado" engine, replacing the 226 L-head "Super Hurricane" I-6. It was made the standard engine in the completely new Jeep Wagoneer station wagons (today called SUV) and Jeep Gladiator pickup trucks that began production in the fall 1962 for the 1963 model year.

The Tornado was the only U.S.-built overhead-cam engine in production at that time. The new engine was designed for robust, heavy-duty performance with maximum efficiency. Its excellent fuel economy was proven in tests with the Tornado-OHC engine having the lowest specific fuel consumption of all production gasoline engines on the market.

The Tornado, like most Jeep engines, was undersquare for better low-speed torque. The standard version had an 8.5:1 compression ratio. Output was 140 HP at 4000 RPM and 210 lb·ft of torque at 1750 RPM. A low-compression (7.5:1) version was also available, with 135 HP at 4000 RPM and 200 lb·ft of torque at 2400 RPM. It was a "high-efficiency" engine with a conservatively rated power output.

Production of this engine continued in Argentina by Industrias Kaiser Argentina (IKA) after 1965. The engine was used in a variety of Jeep vehicles and American Motors (AMC) passenger cars assembled under license. The engine became best known for powering the IKA-Renault Torino, their version of the AMC Rambler American having unique styled front body parts that was built in Argentina from 1966 to 1981. It achieved international success in the 1969 Nürburgring 84-hour endurance race when a Torino placed third due to penalty points after covering 335 laps, the most of all the racers.

Industrias Kaiser Argentina was eventually bought out by Renault, and in 1975, the "IKA" name was dropped and it became "Renault Argentina". The Torino, Jeeps, AMC cars, as well as the Tornado engine itself, continued to receive upgrades over the years. Argentinian's Tornado engines raised up the power from 155 HP to 215 HP (street versions) and 250 HP to 350 HP (Racing versions). It was achieved by a new Cylinder head, which has improved the intake and exhaust ducts. Also adopted a new camshaft, a new exhaust manifold 3-1 / 3-1 type, two 2" diamenter exhaust pipes and 3 carburators Weber DCOE 45-45. The Torino and the Jeep Tornado engine continued production through 1973. It was marketed as the "Tornado Jet", and later as the "Tornado Interceptor", in AMC automobiles.