Ford made the observation way back in the day that "One car knocking when going uphill attracts more attention than nine running quietly" (more or less quote). It was for the sake of that one knocking car that Ford used such low compression ratios.
It also provided quite a market for after-market sellers of high compression heads.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Boot leg stuff too? Russian fuel with twigs? (J Clarkson testing the Volga)

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

PC - Are you looking to trade in your new fangled SUV for something a little more utilitarian?

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

But for the power windows and GPS, I'm practically driving the direct descendent of the Model T already!

I just pulled Floyd Clymer's 1955 book 'Henry's Wonderful Model T' out of my collection.

In Chapter 4 'The Model T in Diagram' there's a picture of the engine crankshaft. A skinny, spindly thing with no counter-weights, three main-bearings and splash-lubrication. Doesn't look like it would stand too much of a compression increase!

Chapter 7, titled '5000 Accessories', illustrates the many aftermarket devices & gadgets that were availible to improve the Model T.
Some of the more interesting include an engine-driven tire-pump, an anti-theft steering-lock, an anti-kick starting crank to prevent broken arms, and a complete front differential & brake axle-assy to convert any T to 4-wheel drive and 4-wheel brakes!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW