Re: Happiness is an AMC I6

[adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Sandwich Maker)]

" From: "Thomas L Middlemast" <tlm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
" 
" 
" Quick question: years ago I was told that inline sixes were inherently
" smooth operation.
" 
" Is this true? Is so, what is it that makes them smooth? Is this true for
" some I6's or all?

this is true, at least since the '07 rolls-royce silver ghost.  this
was the first inline to be set up like mirrored threes back-to-back
and firing alternately - eg. cyls 1 & 6 rise and fall at the same time
but 1 fires when 6 finishes exhausting and vice versa; 2 & 5 likewise,
3 & 4 also.

the only engine layouts used in cars that are smoother than an inline
six are: straight eight, v12, v16.

and btw like opposed engines - eg. vw, porsche - the i6 doesn't need
any counterweights to be balanced, at least in total -- the cylinders
counter each other.  the negative is that large unbalance forces are
transmitted across the crank generating bending moments, and this
isn't good for the bearings, but adding counterweights can help.
afaik all modern i6 cranks have at least some counterweights.

the silver ghost crank had no weights.  then again, the chauffeur's
manual stated '-increase- revs to between 50 and 100 rpm before
engaging clutch...'
________________________________________________________________________
Andrew Hay                                  the genius nature
internet rambler                            is to see what all have seen

adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx                       and think what none thought