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

[Ed Lutz <edlutz@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I didn't catch that link before replying to Joe's message. Anyone know of a 
site that has an cutaway view of this motor? I'm trying to picture how this 
jack shaft would have really saved any length as its driven off the front 
of the motor itself, as cams normally are. Doesn't this drive take as much 
room as a cam drive?

Ed

At 10:32 PM 6/3/2004, Mark Denovich wrote:

> 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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