Common questions

What is the purpose of a camshaft?

What is the purpose of a camshaft?

A camshaft on an internal combustion heat engine is a device that controls both the input of fuel and the expulsion of exhaust fumes. It consists of several radial cams, each displacing intake or exhaust valves. This camshaft is connected to the crankshaft via belt, chain or gears.

Why are there two camshafts in an overhead cam engine?

This arrangement was used to provide four valves per cylinder while minimising the valvetrain mass and minimising the overall engine size. A double overhead cam, dual overhead cam, or twin-cam engine has two camshafts per bank of the cylinder head, one for the intake valves and the other for the exhaust valves.

Where is the camshaft located on a SOHC engine?

The SOHC works with both V and inline configurations. Just like the name suggests, a single camshaft in the engine is located over the cylinders. The camshaft rotates in real-time. The valves are either directly operated through the lifters or by the rocker arms. The Single Overhead Camshaft activates both the exhaust valves and the fuel intake.

Where are the valves located in an overhead cam engine?

In overhead cam engines, whether it’s a V configuration or a straight configuration, the cam which actuates the valves is located directly on top of said valves. The cam rotates and the lobes push down on the valve stems, causing the valves to open and then close when the lobe rotates away.

What’s the difference between dual overhead cam and DOHC?

DOHC, also known as Twin Cam, is the other type of engine whose popularity is increasing due to its efficiency. The Dual Overhead Cam engines work either with the V-shapes or inline engines. They are, however, more commonly used with the Vs.

This arrangement was used to provide four valves per cylinder while minimising the valvetrain mass and minimising the overall engine size. A double overhead cam, dual overhead cam, or twin-cam engine has two camshafts per bank of the cylinder head, one for the intake valves and the other for the exhaust valves.

What is the difference between pushrod and overhead cam engines?

Overhead cam engines have more valves, which means more air and more combustion – or at least it used to. American automakers used to make massive pushrod V-8 engines which made much less power per unit of displacement than European or Japanese engines, mostly because they were cheaper to make.

Where is the camshaft located in a CIH engine?

The name derives from the location of the camshaft, which was neither cam-in-block nor a true overhead camshaft. In the CIH engine the camshaft is located in the cylinder head but sits alongside the valves rather than above them. The overhead valves are actuated through very short tappets and rocker arms.

What kind of gear train does a camshaft engine use?

A gear train system between the crankshaft and the camshaft is commonly used in diesel overhead camshaft engines used in heavy trucks. Gear trains are less commonly used in OHC engines for light trucks or automobiles. Several OHC engines up until the 1940s used a shaft with bevel gears to drive the camshaft.

Author Image
Ruth Doyle