[AT] Rationale for firing orders

[Tom]

"Larry D. Goss" wrote:
> 
> That configuration scares me just thinking about it.  I had the
> crankshaft in a Continental N62 engine break while it was running
> (AC-G).  I'd hate to think what it would have been like if the engine
> had been designed like you are suggesting.
> 
> Larry
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
> [mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Robert L.
> Holtzer
> Sent: Monday, March 22, 2004 11:13 PM
> To: Antique tractor email discussion group
> Subject: Re: [AT] Rationale for firing orders
> 
> Four cylinder cranks are flat -- two end cylinders are up and two center
> 
> cylinders down at the same time for primary balancing.  You can figure
> out
> the various firing combinations that will work.  Anyone seen any four
> cylinder cranks with 1/2 and 3/4 paired (ie, same throw)?  Would
> probably
> be a great rocking couple to the balance!
> 
> Bob Holtzer

All the early V8s had a 4 cylinder type crank (single plane), the 
Viking V8 in pre-1920 Oldsmobiles, even had only 2 main bearings!

The early, 1960s, Coventry Climax F1 V8s also had a single plane
crank, easily distinguished by the straight pipes rather than
the later collector system.

Down here it's common for speedway racers to convert twin cylinder
mc engines cranks & cams to have both cylinders fire together to get
better bite of the track.

Tom