Left handedness and the 164

[C M Smith <cmsmith@domain.elided>]

Of course the left hand side of the engine is the left hand side if it were 
in front of the driver and in line with the longitudinal axis of the car as 
GOD intended. Of course Porsche engines are also in line  but behind the 
driver so the left side is the same but reversed from normal.

Transverse engines are an affront to the dignity of any true automobile but 
are accepted for packaging reasons. No need to change the nomenclature just 
because it makes no sense.

Of course, the logic of placing the drivetrain so that the crankshaft is in 
line with the rotation of the driven wheels appears to be overlooked in all 
this. In line engines are completely illogical and the Porsche layout is 
the most irrational of the bunch. A transverse drivetrain is the only one 
that makes any engineering sense whatsoever.

The front of the engine is the crank pulley, the rear is the clutch and the 
sides are left and right looking forward along the crankshaft from rear to 
front. No other description makes any sense. Not all transverse layouts put 
the tranny to the "left", nor are all transverse layouts in front of the 
driver (the mid engine transverse layout is the most logical of all, and 
the most fun to drive, unless you need to carry a lot of golf clubs. 
Lamborghini Muira anyone?). The only time you really need to  know which 
way is which is if the engine is out of the car and you're trying to figure 
out how to reassemble it and reinstall it in the car.


Michael Smith
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
91 Alfa 164L, White, original owner

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