In article <199801131659.IAA07136(at)mail-lax-2.pilot.net>,
Somebody wrote:
>
> Series V alpines have the 1724 engine which is generally known
> to be the best mechanically.
> The 1724 engine has 5 main bearings, but is nearely identical to
> the earlier 3 main engines, with most of the internals being compatible
> if not identical.
OK, maybe I'm missing something, but this doesn't make sense on
reflection. Wouldn't a 5-main engine, given the same crank length,
actually have *smaller* bearing areas and thus more wear pressure (and
less oiled surface) per bearing? The webs for the two extra journals
have to take space (length) from somewhere, and unless each web is also
drastically narrowed (by 20% each?), then there is actually less shaft
left over for journals than on a shaft with 3 journals, especially if
"most of the internals being compatible if not equal" (i.e., the crank
is not longer).
My mentor (40 years in the BritCar business) pointed this out right
away. Everyone/where else says 5 is better.
--- J e r o m e Y u z y k | jerome(at)supernet.ab.ca - - BRIDGE Scientific Services | www.tgx.com/bridge - - Sunbeam Alpine Series II #9118636 | www.tgx.com/bridge/sunbeam -
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