Motors 101--Part 3
Crew Chief Bill Smith has now installed the crankshaft (bottom of engine). The eight, piston connecting rods bolt onto the crankshaft. When the crankshaft turns, the pistons move up and down in that 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 rhythm. The valves, which let gas-air mix into the cylinder and also let out the combusted exhaust, have their own rhythms, precisely directed by the camshaft. A camshaft is the conductor of a valve symphony. In many areas of the engine, Timing is everything– I'll say more about Engine Timing soon, when we get to ignition, spark plugs, etc.
Another thing I should mention is lubrication. The camshaft turns at incredibly high speed, and literally floats inside its collar bearings in a fine coating of oil. As well, the crankshaft is positioned just above the oil pan, and is continually coated by flowing oil. A racing oil pan holds around 8 quarts (size varies). The average highway car holds 5-6 quarts.
The valve assembly needs oil, too. After the two Heads bolt onto the top the engine (covering the top end of the cylinders), two Valve Covers go over the heads. This allows oil to continually pump over the valve assembly to keep them lubricated and running smoothly.
Be sure to look at photos that follow our engine building sequence.
Posted by Will Weaver at 2/23/2009 8:49 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Chevy small block crankshaft piston rod bolts camshaft valve assembly
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Chevy small block crankshaft piston rod bolts camshaft valve assembly
Mr Weaver:
You will be visiting my school-Iowa City City High School on April 14th. We would like to promote your visit. Do you have a high res image where you are by the car and Skyler is in it? Would you be willing to share it with us?
thanks
Jeff Morris
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so, how does it feel to be in a real racecar ona real race track going over 120 mile's per hour.So, how old were you when you first steped foot in a real racecar. How old were you when you first drove on the track.
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Hi I think that you are the coolest dude ever. Oh your race car is the best one ever.
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I think it would be cool to meet a race car driver from Minnesota.My mom and dad were race car drivers but they quit.My dad is thinking about becoming a race car driver again.He raced at C.C. speedway in Corpus Cristi.
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I am AW and I like to hunt. Before we go hunting me and my family look for a spot. Is it your favorite thing to hunt?
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Hi Mr.weaver I like racing & hunting to i killed a deer once and i like to eat it and i also like to race people on the highway on i always win some times.
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