RE: [alfa] non-Alfa project for the truly ambitious

[Ed Lutz <edlutz@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

From a technical standpoint the central cam chain helps eliminate camshaft 
twisting which screws up cam timing and can lead to cam breakage. I figure 
its not a big deal on motorcycles since thats just the way its supposed to 
be. Cars have the cam drive in front, we're used to it being in the middle 
on in- line motorcycle engines. Its also a hell of a lot easier to change 
the cam chain on a bike than in the engine bay of a car. I'm also not sure 
its really needed on the Merak, whats it redline at? Modern motorcycle 
motors tend to be a bit further along technically than those in cars and 
rev higher, faster which puts more stress on the camshafts.

Ed

At 10:24 PM 6/3/2004, Joe Elliott wrote:


> This has puzzled me for as long as I can remember, and while totally 
> off-topic, I have to ask--why is the timing chain on the Merak/SM engine 
> in the freaking middle of the engine?  It doesn't seem like a weird thing 
> to do on a prewar straight-8 with a two-piece block, etc, but why on a 
> modern V6?  (I guess the Honda Hurricane 600cc 4cyl also has a central 
> timing chain, but it never struck me as so weird.)
>
> -Joe
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