There are ways that engineers have worked out to minimize vibrations on
odd-number cylinder engines. Such as the 3 cylinder Smart and GM engines, 5
cylinder German and Scandinavian cars; 7 cylinder low speed marine and
medium speed V-18 locomotive (ALCO) engines. Even V-6s present some
interesting vibration issues.
Werner
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Frederick" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 10:21 PM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] Mercedes Quality
Well, there is a big difference between a single crank journal and 5 --
there are some vibration problems with 5 cylinder engines that had to
be worked out first, mostly longitudinal rather than radial.
I don't know of any even cylinder number radials either -- mostly nines.
Longitudinal engines almost always have even numbers, they are much
easier to balance, sixes in particular.
Lawn mower engines aren't all that balanced, and the hp output is so
low the resultant vibration isn't much of a problem.
A single cylinder 50 hp motor has to weigh a ton or so to keep it from
dancing under load, and that's with a huge flywheel.
Peter
