Main >> Engine >> Factory >> Kaiser 230 I6

The "Tornado" 230 I6 uses a cast iron block and cylinder head with over head valves. The 230 was a bit ahead of its time because it used an overhead cam. The engine gets a bad reputation because of it's complexity compared to other engines at the time. The 230 is the only Kaiser engine to be used in a Jeep in all the years they owned Jeep.

The Jeep 6-230 Tornado engine was the first U.S. designed mass-produced overhead cam (OHC) engine. It was introduced in 1963 and replaced the flathead 6-226 Super Hurricane, which had been in use since 1954. It is still the only engine designed, developed, and built by Jeep and used only in Jeeps.

The Tornado, like most Jeep engines, was undersquare for better low speed torque. It had a 3.34 inch bore with a 4.38 inch stroke. The standard version had an 8.5:1 compression ratio. Output was 140 hp at 4000 rpm and 210 ft·lbf of torque at 1750 rpm. A low-compression (7.5:1) version was also available, with 133 hp at 4000 rpm and 199 ft·lbf of torque at 2400 rpm.

The Tornado was a good engine, unfortunately it was complex (by 1960s standards) and was discontinued in civilian vehicles in the U.S.A. in 1965. It continued to be used in military versions of the Jeep pickup, the M-715 and M-725, until 1969. One unique feature of the design was that the camshaft only had six lobes. One lobe operated both the intake and exhaust valve for each cylinder. This made engineering cam profiles a bit more difficult than conventional two lobe per cylinder (one per valve) designs, but allowed the valves to be better arranged for the cross-flow head. Valves were directly opposite their respective ports, and ports were short with wide radius turns.

Production of this engine continued in Argentina by Industrias Kaiser Argentina (IKA) after 1965. The engine was used in Jeeps and in the Torino, a local version of the American Motors (AMC) Rambler American/Rambler Classic hybrid that was built in Argentina from 1966 to 1981. IKA was eventually bought out by Renault, but the Torino and the Tornado engine continued to receive upgrades over the years.

The engine name was changed to "Torino" to match the car in 1973. It also received a major block and crankshaft refinement that year -- seven main bearings instead of the original four. In 1975 "IKA" was dropped from the company name and it became simply "Renault Argentina". The Torino (car and engine) continued production through 1982. From 1976 to 1982 it was the only non-Renault designed car made by the company.

It was used in the following vehicles:

Willys Jeep Truck 1963-65
Willys Jeep Wagon 1963-65
Jeep Gladiator (J-series pickups) 1963-64
Jeep Wagoneer 1963-64
Kaiser Jeep M-715 1963-69 (military only)
Kaiser Jeep M-725 1963-69 (military only)
Renault Torino, also known as IKA Torino, 1966-81
IKA produced Jeep vehicles 1966-78(??)

 

Tornado 230 I6
Bore x Stroke	3.34" x 4.38"
Displacement	230 (3.76L)
Compression Ratio	8.5:1
Horsepower (net)	140@4000rpm
Torque (net)	210@1750
Main Bearings	4
Valve Configuration	SOHC
Fuel	1bbl or 2bbl

 

A low compression version of the 230 was available in Willys Pickups, Willys Wagons, and full size pickups in 1964. It was also available in Willys Pickups and Willys Wagons in 1965.

Tornado 230 I6
Bore x Stroke	3.34" x 4.38"
Displacement	230 (3.76L)
Compression Ratio	7.5:1
Horsepower (net)	133@4000rpm
Torque (net)	199@2400
Main Bearings	4
Valve Configuration	SOHC
Fuel	1bbl or 2bbl