The Billancourt engine was an automotive engine designed by
Renault
Groupe Renault ( , , , also known as the Renault Group in English; legally Renault S.A.) is a French multinational automobile manufacturer established in 1899. The company produces a range of cars and vans, and in the past has manufactured ...
for the
Renault 4CV
The Renault 4CV (french: quatre chevaux, as if spelled ''quat'chevaux'') is a rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive, 4-door economy supermini manufactured and marketed by the French manufacturer Renault from August 1947 through July 1961. It was the fi ...
, used subsequently until 1985. It later received the internal code "B", for
Billancourt. The "sport" version is called Ventoux engine.
History
The engine is liquid-cooled, with
four cylinders in line. It is also characterised by its three
main bearing
Main may refer to:
Geography
* Main River (disambiguation)
**Most commonly the Main (river) in Germany
* Main, Iran, a village in Fars Province
*"Spanish Main", the Caribbean coasts of mainland Spanish territories in the 16th and 17th centuries
...
design and its
piston
A piston is a component of reciprocating engines, reciprocating pumps, gas compressors, hydraulic cylinders and pneumatic cylinders, among other similar mechanisms. It is the moving component that is contained by a cylinder and is made gas-tig ...
stroke
A stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. Both cause parts of the brain to stop functionin ...
of . It has a cast-iron block, aluminium cylinder head and uses a lateral
camshaft
A camshaft is a shaft that contains a row of pointed cams, in order to convert rotational motion to reciprocating motion. Camshafts are used in piston engines (to operate the intake and exhaust valves), mechanically controlled ignition systems ...
to operate
overhead valve
An overhead valve (OHV) engine, sometimes called a ''pushrod engine'', is a piston engine whose valves are located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier flathead engines, where the valves were located be ...
s, which also operated the fan belt on its other end.
In June 1940,
Louis Renault appointed
Fernand Picard who became deputy technical director in the automobile engine department. During the
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, he participated in the study of a small car: the future
4CV. Its engine was ready in 1942 and a year later, it first turned a wheel. Renault replaced this engine with the
Cléon-Fonte engine, a completely new design.
This engine designed by
Fernand Picard was produced from 1947 to 1985, in displacements of , , , and . These differences were carried out by changing the cylinder
bore diameter
Moteurs de la Renault 4
- R4-4L.com
Different displacement
760 cc
Commercialized in 1947 with the Renault 4CV, the first version of the "engine Billancourt" was a of SAE. In 1950, a SAE version was fitted to the Renault 4CV Grand Luxe, produced only in 1950.
747 cc
In October 1950, the replaced the . The slightly lower displacement was obtained by slightly reducing the size of the bore from , while the stroke remained unchanged. This change was decided by the leaders of Renault in order to be able to use the engine in competitions where it was necessary to stay below to homologate the car in its category. This new displacement offered six power levels, from SAE, all of 4 Ffiscal horsepower.
782 cc
In 1971, the appeared with an increased bore, from , always with an unchanged stroke of . This engine was proposed in both variants developing . The less powerful one was mounted under the hood of the Renault 4L produced between 1971 and 1980, while the variant developing was used on the Renault 5 produced between 1972 and 1976.
845 cc
The highest engine capacity of the Billancourt engine appeared in 1956 at the launch of the Renault Dauphine, one of the main models equipped with this engine; it displaces . The rear-engine version was codenamed 670. It also equipped the Renault 4 from 1964 and the Renault 6 base model; in these front-engined, front-wheel drive applications the engine was codenamed 800. The bore was increased to . The power ranged between SAE for standard (non-Gordini) engines.
The fourth and final version developed maximum power and torque at 2,500 rpm. This was made possible by machining the cylinder head, with new valves and valve seats, as well as improvements in engine cooling. It was fitted on the Renault 5L from 1977 to 1984. Later models were called B1B, reflecting Renault's new engine numbering system.
603 cc
This was the cheapest Billancourt engine to produce. The bore was reduced to for a total displacement of . The maximum power reached SAE, DIN at 4,800 rpm, while the maximum torque was . This engine was mounted only on the Renault 3 (1961-1962), an ultra-Spartan version of The Renault 4.
Ventoux Engine
The "sport" version is called Ventoux engine, named after the Mont Ventoux Hill Climb Mont Ventoux Hill Climb is a car and motorcycle hillclimbing race course near Avignon in France. The course, up Mont Ventoux
Mont Ventoux (; oc, Ventor, label= Provençal ) is a mountain in the Provence region of southern France, located some n ...
.
747 cc Ventoux
The sport variant of the engine, which equipped the Alpine A106 and the Renault 4 CV R1063, underwent major modifications which affected, among other things, the connecting rod
A connecting rod, also called a 'con rod', is the part of a piston engine which connects the piston to the crankshaft. Together with the crank, the connecting rod converts the reciprocating motion of the piston into the rotation of the cranksh ...
s (now more powerful and duralumin), the camshaft, the (larger) valves and the Solex Solex may refer to:
* Solex (musician), Dutch musician
* Solex Carburetor, a French manufacturer of carburetors and the powered bicycle VéloSoleX
* Solex College, a former private for-profit college in Chicago, Illinois
* Solex Unit, a fictiona ...
carburetor
A carburetor (also spelled carburettor) is a device used by an internal combustion engine to control and mix air and fuel entering the engine. The primary method of adding fuel to the intake air is through the venturi tube in the main meteri ...
. Significantly higher values were obtained, ranging from SAE nominal for a Renault 4 CV R1063 standard (up to SAE and more for the versions used in racing) to SAE for the engine used on the A106 (some were prepared at SAE). For this last application, the Solex twin-choke carburetor was preferred to a twin-choke Weber carburetor
Weber Carburetors is an automotive manufacturing company founded in 1923, known for their carburetors.
History
Eduardo Weber began his automotive career working for Fiat, first at their Turin plant (in 1914) and later at a dealership in Bologna ...
.
Ventoux Gordini
The more powerful versions were developed by Amédée Gordini
Amedeo "Amédée" Gordini (23 June 1899 – 25 May 1979) was an Italian-born race car driver and sports car manufacturer in France.
Biography
Gordini was born in Bazzano, currently part of the Metropolitan City of Bologna in the Emilia-Romagn ...
from the original engine. The machining of the inclined valve seats allows for a greater range but leaving intact the camshaft spindle, improved cylinder head cooling, and the engine is fitted with a new Solex carburettor. This, in conjunction with the increase in compression ratio, results in a maximum power of SAE at 5,000 rpm with a maximum torque of at 3500 rpm. This engine made its debut in the fall of 1957, then, in 1959, it underwent further modifications and its power was increased to SAE. The "Sorcerer" then makes a small preparation, thus the Dauphine Gordini (type R1091) is born in 1957.
The power of the block increases to SAE and the top speed to thanks to a new cylinder head, increased compression ratio and the use of a carburetor, springs Harder valves and larger intake and exhaust ducts. The first modifications made by Amedée Gordini (cylinder head with vertical outlet) will not however be kept on the model of series for reasons of cost.
The engine will win three horses on the 1960 models. The Dauphine Gordini will appear in the catalog from the summer of 1957 to 1963 and reappear in 1965.
In 1960 and 1965, new modifications improved the torque. Then came a much more powerful version, obtained by a new camshaft, new valves, a Solex double body carburettor, and by increasing the compression ratio to 9.2:1. bringing the maximum power to SAE, DIN.
Ventoux 1093
Renault called on Amédée Gordini
Amedeo "Amédée" Gordini (23 June 1899 – 25 May 1979) was an Italian-born race car driver and sports car manufacturer in France.
Biography
Gordini was born in Bazzano, currently part of the Metropolitan City of Bologna in the Emilia-Romagn ...
to produce a supertuned version of the Renault Dauphine: The Dauphine 1093 (type R1093), a sporty derivative of the Dauphine which appeared at the end of 1961. The modifications mainly concerned the engine. It used pistons with convex heads (compression ratio increased to 9.2:1), a reversed Solex twin-choke carburetor type 32 PAIA 3, a special camshaft, double valve springs and Autobleu intake manifolds and exhaust. The sprockets were reinforced as well as the clutch. With a capacity of SAE, DIN, the car reached .
The 4th gear was modified compared to the box of the Dauphine Gordini. The original braking system was improved by the addition of cooling fins on the perimeter of the front drums. The suspension was that of the Dauphine type "bad roads" but with shorter springs without lowering the ground clearance. The 1093 was the only Dauphine to have been marketed in France with 12-volt electrical equipment similar to the export versions instead of the original 6 volts.
Externally, the 1093 was distinguished from the Dauphine Gordini by its big-diameter headlights borrowed from the US version, its body white cream "Réjane" having two blue strips glued in the axis of the vehicle and "1093" badging to the right rear as well as the right front wing.
Inside, an additional tachometer
A tachometer (revolution-counter, tach, rev-counter, RPM gauge) is an instrument measuring the rotation speed of a shaft or disk, as in a motor or other machine. The device usually displays the revolutions per minute (RPM) on a calibrated analo ...
was fitted to the left of the speedometer
A speedometer or speed meter is a gauge that measures and displays the instantaneous speed of a vehicle. Now universally fitted to motor vehicles, they started to be available as options in the early 20th century, and as standard equipment f ...
graduated up to .
Despite its very sporty character for "everyone", the 1093 series could not be competitive without having been prepared. The preparation consisted of modifying and polishing the existing mechanics because the new sports regulations in force as early as 1960 prohibited any increase in displacement as well as changes of parts. Ferry dealt with many of the 1093 Dauphine competitors who became "1093 Enhanced".
Only 2,140 copies (plus an additional 8 pre-series cars) were produced in two series. The first consisted of 1,650 units for homologation purposes (1,500 copies minimum), with a second batch of 490 units, fitted with disc brake
A disc brake is a type of brake that uses the calipers to squeeze pairs of pads against a disc or a "rotor" to create friction. This action slows the rotation of a shaft, such as a vehicle axle, either to reduce its rotational speed or to hol ...
s and painted white gray "Valois", built to meet additional customer demand. The 1093 is the most sought after of all the Dauphines. Today, it is estimated that around a hundred of 1093 have survived, half of which are still rolling.
In 1962, the Dauphine 1093 was seen at the Tour of Corsica
The Tour de Corse is a rallying, rally first held in 1956 on the island of Corsica. It was the French round of the World Rally Championship from the inaugural 1973 World Rally Championship season, 1973 season until 2008 World Rally Championship ...
Rally
Rally or rallye may refer to:
Gatherings
* Demonstration (political), a political rally, a political demonstration of support or protest, march, or parade
* Pep rally, an event held at a United States school or college sporting event
Sport ...
. However, its late launch and relatively modest performance improvements did not allow for a long sports career. The 1093 remains an engaging car that ensures the transition between the artisanal 4CV 1063 and the R8 Gordini that would revolutionize the car competition "tourism series".
Succession
In 1962, the Sierra engine, later renamed "Cléon-Fonte engine", appeared on the Renault Floride S and the Renault 8. It innovated with its five-bearing crankshaft
A crankshaft is a mechanical component used in a piston engine to convert the reciprocating motion into rotational motion. The crankshaft is a rotating shaft containing one or more crankpins, that are driven by the pistons via the connecting ...
. It was a medium-displacement engine, not replacing the Billancourt engine which remained to power lower-range models. Over the years, cars became heavier and more efficient, forcing Renault to abandon the Billancourt engine and, as a result, the Cléon-Fonte engine came to be considered a small-displacement engine by 1980, when the Billancourt engine disappeared.
The Cléon-Fonte engine is not an evolution of the Billancourt engine but an entirely new engine designed by the engineer René Vuaillat. Both engines have a lateral camshaft and a chain or sprocket drive, and so a distant resemblance.
Models equipped with this engine
*Renault 4CV
The Renault 4CV (french: quatre chevaux, as if spelled ''quat'chevaux'') is a rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive, 4-door economy supermini manufactured and marketed by the French manufacturer Renault from August 1947 through July 1961. It was the fi ...
* Renault Dauphine and Ondine
*Renault Juvaquatre
The Renault Juvaquatre () is a small family car / compact car automobile produced by the French manufacturer Renault between 1937 and 1960, although production stopped or slowed to a trickle during the war years. The Juvaquatre was produced as ...
* Renault Caravelle and Renault Floride
*Renault Estafette
The Renault Estafette is a light commercial vehicle, light commercial front-wheel drive van, first introduced in 1959 and made by the France, French automaker Renault between 1959 and 1980, initially using the water-cooled Renault Ventoux engine, ...
*Renault 3
The Renault 4, also known as the 4L (pronounced "Quatrelle" in French), is a small economy car produced by the French automaker Renault between 1961 and 1994. Although the Renault 4 was marketed as a short station wagon, its minimal rear overhang ...
*Renault 4
The Renault 4, also known as the 4L (pronounced "Quatrelle" in French), is a small economy car produced by the French automaker Renault between 1961 and 1994. Although the Renault 4 was marketed as a short station wagon, its minimal rear overhang ...
*Renault 5
The Renault 5 is a four-passenger, three or five-door, front-engine, front-wheel drive hatchback supermini manufactured and marketed by the French automaker Renault over two generations: 1972–1985 (also called R5) and 1984–1996 (also called S ...
*Renault 6
The Renault 6 is a C-segment small family car manufactured and marketed by the French automaker Renault between 1968 and 1986.
The Renault 6 (R6) was launched at the 1968 Paris Motor Show, and was intended to be an upmarket alternative to the Re ...
*Alpine A106
The Alpine A106 was the first of a line of light-weight glass-fibre bodied, rear-engined two-door coupés produced for a young competition-oriented Dieppe based Renault dealer called Jean Rédélé. The car was based on mechanical components f ...
* Alpine A108
Different cylinder capacity
References
{{reflist
Billancourt
Renault Billancourt engine
The Billancourt engine was an automotive engine designed by Renault for the Renault 4CV, used subsequently until 1985. It later received the internal code "B", for Billancourt. The "sport" version is called Ventoux engine.
History
The engine ...
Straight-four engines