The Ford WTA is a 1,593 cc, inline‑four naturally aspirated petrol engine produced between 1982 and 1987. It features a single overhead camshaft (SOHC), 8‑valve layout with a carburetted fuel system, delivering 55 kW (75 PS) and 122 Nm of torque. Its cast‑iron block and simple valvetrain offered dependable serviceability in compact Ford platforms.
Fitted primarily to the Ford Escort MkIII and Orion MkI, the WTA was engineered for economical urban commuting and steady highway performance. Emissions compliance relied on basic carburettor metering and secondary air injection, meeting Euro 0 standards typical of early‑1980s European vehicles.
One documented concern is premature wear of the distributor drive gear, which can cause ignition timing drift and misfires. This issue, referenced in Ford Engineering Bulletin FEB‑83‑06, stems from marginal case hardening in early production batches. From mid‑1984, Ford introduced a revised gear material specification to mitigate the problem.
All production years (1982–1987) meet pre‑Euro emissions standards (Euro 0); no Euro 1 compliance was required (VCA UK Type Approval #VCA/EMS/8215).
The Ford WTA is a 1,593 cc inline‑four SOHC petrol engine engineered for compact family cars (1982–1987). It combines a single-barrel carburettor with a durable cast-iron block to deliver predictable low-end response and straightforward maintenance. Designed before formal Euro emissions standards, it reflects early-1980s engineering priorities.
| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,593 cc | |
| Fuel type | Petrol (Unleaded or Lead Replacement) | |
| Configuration | Inline‑4, SOHC, 8‑valve | |
| Aspiration | Naturally aspirated | |
| Bore × stroke | 79.0 mm × 81.3 mm | |
| Power output | 55 kW (75 PS) @ 5,400 rpm | |
| Torque | 122 Nm @ 3,200 rpm | |
| Fuel system | Single-barrel downdraft carburettor (Weber or Ford VV) | |
| Emissions standard | Pre-Euro (Euro 0) | |
| Compression ratio | 9.0:1 | |
| Cooling system | Water‑cooled | |
| Turbocharger | None | |
| Timing system | Chain-driven camshaft | |
| Oil type | SAE 10W-40 (API SF/CC) | |
| Dry weight | 118 kg |
The WTA provides predictable throttle response suited to city and highway use but requires periodic carburettor balancing and ignition point replacement (on pre-electronic models). Use of lead-replacement petrol is essential in non-hardened valve-seat variants to prevent recession. Distributor drive gear wear—especially in engines built before July 1984—can cause timing instability; replacement with the updated gear (Ford P/N 6583421) per FEB‑83‑06 is recommended during rebuilds. Cooling system integrity must be maintained to avoid head gasket issues under sustained load.
Oil Specs: Requires SAE 10W-40 meeting API SF/CC (Ford Workshop Manual 1983). Modern ACEA A3/B4 oils are acceptable substitutes.
Emissions: Pre-Euro (Euro 0) classification applies to all 1982–1987 models (VCA Type Approval #VCA/EMS/8215). No catalytic converter fitted.
Power Ratings: Measured under DIN 70020 standards. Output consistent across all WTA applications (Ford PT-1983).
Ford Technical Information System (TIS): Docs WTA-01, WTA-02
Ford Engineering Bulletin FEB-83-06
VCA Type Approval Database (VCA/EMS/8215)
The Ford WTA was used across Ford's MkIII Escort and Orion MkI platforms with longitudinal mounting and no external licensing. This engine received platform-specific adaptations—revised engine mounts in the Orion and modified air cleaner ducting in the Escort Van—and from 1985 the facelifted Escort adopted minor carburettor recalibrations for smoother idle, creating minor tuning differences. All adaptations are documented in OEM technical bulletins.
Locate the engine code stamped on the left-hand side of the block near the distributor (Ford TIS WTA-03). The code 'WTA' appears as cast lettering, not a label. Pre-1984 units have a silver distributor housing with a brass drive gear; post-1984 units use a black distributor with a hardened steel gear. Critical differentiation from CVH 1.6: WTA uses a chain-driven SOHC with external rocker cover, whereas CVH uses belt-driven DOHC. Carburettor type (Weber vs. Ford VV) varies by market but does not affect core compatibility.
The WTA's primary reliability risk is distributor drive gear wear in early production units, with elevated incidence in high-mileage or hot-climate use. Ford internal quality logs from 1984 noted premature gear failure in ~8% of pre-July 1984 engines before 100,000 km, while UK DVSA historical data shows carburettor-related drivability faults as the second-most common MOT advisory for surviving examples. Infrequent oil changes and use of incorrect fuel accelerate valve seat and timing component wear, making maintenance adherence critical.
Analysis derived from Ford technical bulletins (1982–1987) and UK DVSA failure statistics (1985–1995). Repair procedures should follow manufacturer guidelines.
Find answers to most commonly asked questions about FORD WTA.
Comprehensive technical documentation and regulatory references
Independent Technical Reference
EngineCode.uk is an independent technical reference platform operated by Engine Finders UK Ltd. We are not affiliated with FORD or any other manufacturer. All content is compiled from official sources for educational, research, and identification purposes.
Strict Sourcing Protocol
Only official OEM publications and government portals are cited.
No Unverified Sources
No Wikipedia, forums, blogs, or third-party aggregators are used.
Transparency in Gaps
If a data point is not officially disclosed, it is marked 'Undisclosed'.
Regulatory Stability
EU regulations are referenced using CELEX identifiers for long-term stability.
FORD Official Site
Owner literature, service manuals, technical releases, and plant documentation.
EUR-Lex
EU emissions and type-approval regulations (e.g., CELEX:32007R0715, CELEX:32017R1151).
GOV.UK: Vehicle Approval & V5C
UK vehicle approval processes, import rules, and MoT guidance.
DVLA: Engine Changes & MoT
Official guidance on engine swaps and inspection implications.
Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)
UK type-approval authority for automotive products.
Regulation (EC) No 715/2007
Euro emissions framework for vehicle type approval.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1151
WLTP and RDE testing procedures for emissions certification.
GOV.UK: Vehicle Approval
UK compliance and certification requirements for imported and modified vehicles.
VCA Certification Portal
Type-approval guidance and documentation.
Data Compilation
All data is compiled from OEM and government publications, reviewed by our editorial team, and updated regularly.
Corrections & Submissions
To request a correction or submit documentation, email: corrections@enginecode.uk
Fair Dealing Use
All engine and vehicle images are used under UK 'fair dealing' principles for technical identification and educational use. Rights remain with their respective owners.
Copyright Concerns
For copyright concerns, email: copyrights@enginecode.uk
GDPR Compliance
EngineCode.uk complies with UK GDPR. We do not collect personal data unless explicitly provided.
Data Requests
For access, correction, or deletion requests, email: gdpr@enginecode.uk
Trademark Notice
All trademarks, logos, and engine codes are the property of their respective owners. Use on this site is strictly for reference and identification.
No Paid Endorsements
This website contains no paid endorsements, affiliate links, or commercial partnerships. We do not sell parts or services.
Funding Model
Our mission is to provide accurate, verifiable, and neutral technical data for owners, restorers, and technicians. This site is self-funded.
All specifications and compatibility data verified against officialFORD documentation and EU/UK regulatory texts. Where official data is unavailable, entries are marked “Undisclosed“ .
All external links open in new tabs. Please verify current availability of resources.
