The Mitsubishi KE engine is a range of engines produced by Mitsubishi Motors during the 1960s and early 1970s. They were extensively used in the various Colt-branded vehicles the company produced from 1963.

The engines were overhead valve iron-blocks, for gasoline and diesel use. The first digit after the KE denotes the number of cylinders, straight-4s becoming KE4 and six-cylinder versions such as the single overhead camshaft 2.0 L straight-6 which was developed in 1964 for the new Mitsubishi Debonair flagship sedan, receiving the KE6 prefix. The last digit is simply a serial, denoting which number engine it is. Some of these engines, such as the two-liter KE42, were further developed into overhead-cam engines and were named Astron.

As a large scale manufacturer, Mitsubishi had a wealth of experience building engines, both gasoline and diesel, in V and straight engine block configurations during the war. One of their many examples was the air-cooled A6120VDe air-cooled inline 6-cylinder 14.4 L diesel and the SA12200VD air-cooled V-12 diesel (21.7 litres).

Specifications

KE41 The KE41 is a diesel engine sharing the dimensions of the KE42 petrol unit.

Engine type "Jupiter" Inline four-cylinder OHV Displacement Bore x stroke Fuel type Diesel Peak power at 4,200 rpm Applications 1963–1966 Mitsubishi Jupiter Junior (T50)Ozeki, p. 140

KE42 The petrol-powered KE42 was first used in the Mitsubishi Jupiter Junior truck beginning in 1963. In 1973, the KE42 was upgraded to meet new emissions regulations and received the MCA (Mitsubishi Clean Air) name to reflect this. Power also increased by . This engine was developed into an overhead-cam unit, called the Astron 4G52. Engine type Inline four-cylinder OHV Displacement Bore x stroke Fuel type Regular gasoline Peak power at 4,800 rpm Applications 1963–1966 Mitsubishi Jupiter Junior (T51), 1968–1973 Canter T91, 1973–1975 Canter T200

KE43 Engine type Inline four-cylinder OHV Displacement Bore x stroke Fuel type Regular gasoline Peak power at 6,000 rpm, 1963-1965 Colt 1000 sedan/van at 6,000 rpm, 1966 Colt 1000 sedan, all Colt 1000F Applications 1963–1966 Colt 1000, 1966–1969 Colt 1000F

KE44 Engine type Inline four-cylinder OHV Displacement Bore x stroke Fuel type Regular gasoline Peak power at 6,000 rpm at 6,000 rpm (1969-1970 non-Sports Colt 11-F) at 6,300 rpm (Twin-carb Super Sports, only in Fastback models) Applications 1966–1968 Colt 1100, 1968–1970 Colt 1100F/11-F, 1968–1974 Delica T100

KE45 Engine type Inline four-cylinder OHV Displacement Bore x stroke Fuel type Regular gasoline Peak power (Super Sports, twin SU Carburettors) Applications 1965–1969 Colt 1500, 1968-1969 Colt 1500 Super Sports

KE46 Engine type Inline four-cylinder OHV Displacement Bore x stroke Fuel type Regular gasoline Peak power at 6,000 rpm Peak torque at 3,800 rpm Applications 1968-1970 Colt 1200

KE47 The KE47 was largely replaced by the 2.4 liter Astron 4G53 in 1975. Engine type Inline four-cylinder OHV Displacement Bore x stroke Fuel type Regular gasoline Peak power at 4,500 rpm (1973-1975) Peak torque at 2,800 rpm Applications 1968-1975 Mitsubishi Canter T90, T200, Jeep, Rosa

KE63 Engine type Inline six-cylinderEverything Mitsubishi Fuso, p. 87 Displacement Bore x stroke Fuel type Diesel Peak power at 3,500 rpm Peak torque at 2,000 rpm Applications 1963–1968 (?) Mitsubishi Rosa

KE64 Derived from the four-cylinder KE43 engine, the bore of the KE64 was increased by 8 mm, giving it an overall displacement of . The valve layout is similar to Opel's cam-in-head design; the camshaft sits higher than in a regular pushrod engine, alongside the top-dead-center of the pistons, but not above the valves as in an overhead-cam engine. The valves are actuated by short tappets rather than pushrods, allowing for a low engine with some of the more free-revving, smoother characteristics of an SOHC engine.

Engine type Inline six-cylinder OHV (high-mounted camshaft) Displacement Bore x stroke Fuel type Regular gasoline Peak power at 5,000 rpm Peak torque at 3,400 rpm Applications 1964–1970 Mitsubishi Debonair (exclusive)

KE65 Engine type Inline six-cylinderEverything Mitsubishi Fuso, p. 53 Displacement Bore x stroke 85 x 102mm Fuel type Diesel Peak power at ??00 rpm Peak torque ?? Applications 1968 Mitsubishi Rosa, 1970 Mitsubishi Jupiter T44

References