Re: [alfa] non-Alfa project for the truly ambitious

[Mark Denovich <mark@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Joe Elliott wrote:

> This has puzzled me for as long as I can remember, and while totally 
> off-topic, I have to ask--why is the timing chain on the Merak/SM engine 
> in the freaking middle of the engine?  It doesn't seem like a weird 
> thing to do on a prewar straight-8 with a two-piece block, etc, but why 
> on a modern V6?  (I guess the Honda Hurricane 600cc 4cyl also has a 
> central timing chain, but it never struck me as so weird.)
The previously mentioned link explains that in an effort to keep the 
motor short (it was supposedly 16" long without accessories) they used a 
jack-shaft to drive the cams, with the cams driving by timing chains in 
the middle of the engine.  (the engine would have been longer if the 
cams were driven on the ends like in our dear Alfas.)  The main timing 
chain (that drove the jack shaft) was on the end of the crank and lacked 
a tensioner.   It was also only accessible by removing the engine.

--Mark
The Alfa Wiki:  http://alfa.denovich.org
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