CUP: The Yates Head Bows Out

Sprint Cup

CUP: The Yates Head Bows Out - Finally

2010 will mark the end of an era for the Yates cylinder head design...

Jonathan Ingram | http://www.RacinToday.com | Posted December 27, 2009 Charlotte, NC

Robert Yates designed the cylinder heads for Ford engines in 1992 which have been used until this year. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

(Editor’s note: Time Machine is a semi-regular feature from RacinToday which looks back at important moments in auto racing history.)

When Speed Weeks begin in Daytona Beach next February, it will mark the beginning of the first full season for the Ford FR9 engine. It will also mark the end of the Robert Yates-designed cylinder heads era that began in 1991.

Part of NASCAR’s “engine of tomorrow” initiative, the FR9 is the last among the participating manufacturers’ new engines to arrive, in part because its predecessor was able to match all the new technology and horsepower introduced over the past three seasons by GM, Toyota and Dodge.

“The new engine’s biggest challenge is that the current engine is so very, very good,” said Brian Wolfe, the director of Ford North America Motorsports, during the introduction of the FR9 earlier this year.

Much of that was down to the Yates cylinder head design, which became the standard for Fords in 1992, along with the company’s approved intake manifold and engine block. All three were universally available as well as mandatory in NASCAR’s premier series for Ford participants. Pontiac and Chevy, meanwhile, had their own standard equipment.

“The first part of my career, and most NASCAR engine builders, we were given a block and heads and manifold and we’d take that and develop it and improve on it,” said Doug Yates, who eventually succeeded his father Robert as a team owner and engine builder. “From the time I started in 1990 until now, these engines have gained about 250 horsepower in the format they’re in.”

There are other signs that underscore the effectiveness of the cylinder head introduced by Yates in 1991. The Roush Yates Racing Engines company is an extension of Robert Yates’ profound understanding of how to produce power from a pushrod V-8. After years of trying to beat the horsepower of rival engine builder and team owner Yates, Jack Roush decided to join him in a partnership formed by Roush’s investment.

When Yates first introduced his cylinder head in 1991, it created a sudden jump in horsepower for his Fords and soon, the other Ford engine builders who gained access to it through the Special Vehicle Operations. Yates himself reluctantly shared his concept, but had little choice because NASCAR mandated for 1992 an “out of the box” cylinder head for each manufacturer to help cut costs by not allowing any modifications.

If Yates wanted to continue using his own head, he would have to share it as the cylinder head designated for use by all Ford teams. Preston Miller, the chief field engineer for SVO at the time, nominated the Yates head for NASCAR’s new “out of the box” rule versus those of Roush, Junior Johnson or Ernie Elliott.

The Yates cylinder head was radically different. It had smaller valves and a smaller cylinder chamber which used flat pistons versus the domed versions. The key concept was getting the air and fuel mixture to combine and ignite more efficiently.

“Jack and Ernie and Junior Johnson at that time were absolutely convinced that the heads they wanted to get had the biggest valves, they wanted canted valves and I was just watching all this going on,” said Miller.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jonathan Ingram

RacinToday.com

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