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

[Joe Elliott <jee@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I would think that the engine would have to be just as long, because 
there'd have to be just as much room between the cylinders for the 
timing chains as would otherwise be added to the front the engine by 
a conventional cam drive.  Here's a picture of a Merak engine with 
the valve cover off: 
http://www.maseratinet.com/IMAGES/Lesco_215Maser.jpg

-Joe


>I agree, it doesn't seem to me like it would be a problem either. I 
>also doubt that the Meraks motor revs as quickly as a modern bike 
>would. Could be to keep engine size down as mentioned on the SM site 
>but I'm still wanting to see how the motor is laid out to se how 
>this works.
>
>Ed
>
>At 10:55 PM 6/3/2004, Joe Elliott wrote:
>>If I recall correctly, the Merak redlines around 6600RPM, certainly 
>>no higher than 7000.  I could understand cam twist being an issue 
>>with a high-revving inline six, perhaps, but not a compact V.
>>
>>-Joe
>>
>>
>>From a technical standpoint the central cam chain helps eliminate
>>>camshaft twisting which screws up cam timing and can lead to cam 
>>>breakage. I figure its not a big deal on motorcycles since thats 
>>>just the way its supposed to be. Cars have the cam drive in front, 
>>>we're used to it being in the middle on in- line motorcycle 
>>>engines. Its also a hell of a lot easier to change the cam chain 
>>>on a bike than in the engine bay of a car. I'm also not sure its 
>>>really needed on the Merak, whats it redline at? Modern motorcycle 
>>>motors tend to be a bit further along technically than those in 
>>>cars and rev higher, faster which puts more stress on the 
>>>camshafts.
>>>
>>>Ed
>>>
>>>At 10:24 PM 6/3/2004, 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.)
>>>>
>>>>-Joe
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