V-Twins... Really?

[modelengineer]

Actually there is a 2 cyl on a v twin block but its a custom engine.

So it's a v-twin

 

[Rotore]

Yea but doesnt really match the definition of a v twin (both rods on crank journals) it had opposed crank journals abd sounded alot smoother too

 

[mike75925]

by definition a V has to have at least 2 separate cylinders joined by a common crank. there are inlines, opposed, V's. the knife and fork also takes less room because both cylinders are on the same plane. the jap V and opposed twins have better cooling because the cylinders are offset. harley made a few bmw style engines for operation in the deserts of Africa in WWII. Moto Guzzi has a Vtwin that looks like a chopped down 8. the tranny seprates like a cars, and has dry plate clutch. it's carbs mount like a beamer though. honda is said to have started the car style V engines, then apparently sold the idea to guzzi, like ford sold the 350 to the chevrolet.

 

[modelengineer]

V-twin: A V-twin is a two cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration

 

[Rotore]

*QUESTION*

Would a crank with two opposing journals give the engine more balance? less vibration? smoother idle?

 

[Linksep]

There's different phases or orders of vibration. Using opposing journals will decrease vibration in one order while increasing it in another order.

Think of it like this: Both pistons move up and down in tandem, the engine is going to vibrate up and down but not front to back. Switch the crank design so one piston goes up while the other goes down and you eliminate the up/down vibration but introduce a see-saw type vibration. The inline 6 and V12 are the only piston engines I can think of with zero first and second order balance. Here's a nice little article for ya: http://www.autozine.org/technical_school/engine/smooth1.htm

 

[Rotore]

oh ok thanks for the article