3 ms·
In addition to what frosted-flakes said, many engines are “non interference” design so that if the belt snaps or jumps a tooth the engine won’t be destroyed, an
by blamazon 5y ago
In addition to what frosted-flakes said, many engines are “non interference” design so that if the belt snaps or jumps a tooth the engine won’t be destroyed, and the belt will just need to be replaced. However, non interference engines are not as compact as interference engines.
Many engines also use a timing chain instead of a timing belt, but this carries extra weight and requires lubrication.
It’s all about tradeoffs!
- TheSpiceIsLife 5y agoThe engine in one of the vehicles I own has timing gears rather than a chain or belt. Another option, different trade-offs.
- CRConrad 5y agoMuch more common with pushrod engines, where the camshaft is situated close to the crankshaft; less so with overhead camshafts. Though I think some very high-revving sports and competition engines have gears driving overhead cams; IIRC the McLaren TAG F1 turbo V6 (by Porsche) back in the 1980s was one example.
- blamazon 5y agoThe engine used in the Ferrari Enzo and Maserati MC12 is a notable example: https://36.media.tumblr.com/8a928fcccf1b41e82be0273ccbe2005a/tumblr_n1fbj0WWTD1qk65n6o1_1280.jpg https://36.media.tumblr.com/8a928fcccf1b41e82be0273ccbe2005a...
- CRConrad 5y agoYup, beautiful. The TAG/Porsche looked quite similar IIRC. And, given your nick, the OHC Volvo B18/B20 can't go unmentioned: Dunno if this was standard back in the day or if it was unique to this engine, but it had an interesting combination of materials. The smaller gear on the crankshaft was steel, but the larger one on the camshaft was made out of some weird bakelite-like stuff; as I recall, with some sort of fibrous reinforcement in it. (OK, if you're not a Swedish motor enthusiast, you may be wondering "WTF does my nick have to do with that?" A: The B18 was used in the Volvo Amazon.)
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]