Engine Engine Block
From GICLWiki
Contents |
Description
The engine block contains some of the most essential components of the engine. These include the crankshaft, camshaft, piston, valves, valve springs, tappets and cams. Without these vital components the engine would not be able to combust and tranfer the chemical reaction into mechanical power. The block is made of cast iron or aluminum and is designed to withstand great temperatures and forces.
Manufacturing
Engine blocks can be manufactured in many different ways. These include evaporation molding, where the aluminum is melted and poured into a containter filled with sand containing a mold of the engine out of foam. When the liquid aluminum is poured in, the foam evaporates creating a pocket in the sand. The aluminum replaces the foam and takes the shape. Another method is Sand molding, where aluminum is pourded into a mold made from a metal die that was compacted.
Evolution
In 1860 Leinor's converted steam engine combusted natural gas in a double acting piston, using electric ignition. Nikolaus Otto then patented the four cycle engine in 1876.
Engine blocks have gone through two major evolutions in their life-time. The first would be the invention of the small block. The small block was created by GM to outperform their rival Ford at the time. The Engine block had a short stroke and a larger bore design. The spacing of the bores were also increased to 4.4 inches.
These established the small block as a an American innovation in cars for almost half a century. The second evolution was the large block.
Big Block engines are engine blocks that have bores that are placed closer together. Many of the big blocks engines have large displacments usually greater than 360 cubic inches. Big blocks today are used in large V-8's and luxury cars. Big blocks are less common than small blocks because of fuel effiency and the trend of making smaller more compact cars.
References
3D parts
| Part Name | # Req'd | Function | Mfg Process | Material | CAD File | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Block | 1 | Houses Drive Train. | Cast milled to tolerance | Cast Iron | Engine Block |  |
| Crankcase Cover | 1 | Covers the crankcase. | Cast | Cast Iron | Crankcase Cover |  |
| Gasket | 1 | Keeps crankcase sealed. | Cast | Cast Iron | Gasket |  |
| Crank Bolts | 1 | Hold cover to case. | Cast | Cast Iron | Crank Bolts |  |
| Crank Cover Pin | 2 | Used to locate the crank cover relative to the crankcase. | Machined | Steel | Crank Cover Pin |  |
| Oil Drain Plug | 2 | Allows oil to be drained from crankcase. | Machined | Steel | Oil Drain Plug |  |
| Oil Cap | 2 | Allows oil to be added to crankcase. | Cast | Cast Iron | Oil Cap |  |
| Engine Block Assembly | 1 | Holds drivetrain assembly. | Cast | Cast Iron | Engine Block Assembly |  |
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