Automotive Engine Types

&
Classification
1. Engine classification. An Automotive engines can
be classified according to:
a. Number of cylinders.
b. Arrangement of cylinder.
c. Arrangement of valves and valve trains.
d. Type of cooling.
e. Number of strokes per cycle.
f. Type of fuel burned.
g. Method of ignition.
h. Firing order.
i. Reciprocating or rotary
2. Number and Arrangement of Cylinder.
a. In line. A very common arrangement in
automobile. It is commonly built in four cylinder
and six cylinder configurations. Cylinder set in one
row.
b. V type. The cylinders are usually arranged at 900 to
each other with opposing cylinders sharing a common
crankpin.
3. Advantage of V type engine over in line
engine:
a. The V type engine is much shorter, making it
more suitable for modern body styles.

b. The V type engine has much shorter

crankshaft that is less subject to torsional vibration.
This makes the V type engine smoother than the in line
engine.

c. The V type engine is suitable for front wheel

drive compact cars..
c. Horizontally opposite side. The cylinders are
arranged at 1800 to each other with opposing cylinders
sharing a common crankshaft journal. The engine is
designed to in compartments where height is a common
consideration.
d. Radial type. The radial engine has cylinders placed
in a circle around the crankshaft. The crankshaft has
only one throw, with one of the pistons connected to this
by a master rod. Ex. Aircraft engine.
3. Arrangement of valves and valve trains.

a. Location of the cam shaft.

SOHC DOHC
a. SOHC. Camshaft located in the cylinder head.
When the SOHC configuration is used the intake and the
exhaust valves are both operated from a common
camshaft. The valve train may be arranged to operate
the valves directly either through the valve lifter or rocker
arms. Most popular for passenger car gasoline engine.

b. DOHC. Camshaft located in the cylinder head.

When the DOHC configuration is used the intake and
the exhaust valves are each operated from a separate
camshaft. Each camshaft operates the valves directly
through the valve lifter. Provides the most engine
performance and is used mostly in more expensive
automobile applications.
b. How the cam shaft is driven.

Timing chain Timing belt

Timing Gear
 c. Type of valve train.

(2) OHC with rocker arm

(3) Camshaft in block
(1) OHC with bucket tappet
with pushrod
d. Number of valve per cylinder. Some engine have
more than two valves per cylinder . Some have three,
four, five or even six valves in each cylinder.
4. Type of cooling.
a. Air Cooled
b. Water cooled.
5. Number of strokes per cycle.

a. Two stroke.
b. Four stroke.
6. Type of fuel burned.

a. LPG.
b. CNG.
c. Diesel Fuel.
8. Method of ignition.

a. SI Engine.
b. CI Engine.

9. Firing order.

a. For Four Cylinder. 1 - 3 - 4 - 2 and 1- 2 - 4 – 3.

b. For Six Cylinder. 1 – 5 – 3 – 6 – 2 - 4.

c. For V-6 and V-8 Cylinder Engine.
10. Rotary Engine. In rotary engine , rotors spin to
produce power. There are two types as follows:

Gas Turbine Engine WANKEL Engine