Engine: Description and Operation

BALANCE SHAFTS-2.4L engines are equipped with two balance shafts installed in a carrier attached to the lower crankcase. The shafts interconnect through gears to rotate in opposite directions.
These gears are driven by a short chain from the crankshaft, to rotate at two times crankshaft speed. This counterbalances certain engine reciprocating masses.

CYLINDER BLOCK AND BEDPLATE ASSEMBLY-A closed deck design is used for cooling and weight reduction with water pump molded into the block. Nominal wall thickness is 4.5 mm. The bedplate incorporates main bearing caps. Rear seal retainer is integral with the block.

CRANKSHAFT-A nodular cast iron crankshaft is used. The engine has 5 main bearings, with number 3 flanged to control thrust. The 60 mm diameter main and 50 mm diameter crank pin journals (all) have undercut fillets that are deep rolled for added strength. To evenly distribute bearing loads and minimize internal stress, 8 counterweights are used. Hydrodynamic seals provide end sealing, where the crankshaft exits the block. Anaerobic gasket material is used for parting line sealing in the block. A sintered powder metal timing belt sprocket is mounted on the crankshaft nose. This sprocket provides motive power; via timing belt to the camshaft sprockets (providing timed valve actuation) and to the water pump.

PISTONS-There is provisions for free wheeling valve train. Piston has a unique height. All engines use pressed in piston pins to attach forged powder metal connecting rods. Incorporate hex head cap screw threaded into the connecting rod. Piston and Rods are serviced as a assembly.

PISTONS RINGS-The piston rings include a molybdenum faced top ring for reliable compression sealing and a chrome plated taper faced intermediate ring for additional cylinder pressure control. There are also standard oil control rings.

CYLINDER HEAD-Features a Dual Over Head Camshaft (DOHC) 4 valves per cylinder cross flow design. The valves are arranged in two inline banks, with the ports of the bank of two intake valves per cylinder facing toward the radiator side of engine and ports of the bank of two exhaust valves per cylinder facing toward the dash panel. Incorporates powder metal valve guides and seats. Integral oil galleys within the cylinder head supplies oil to the hydraulic lash adjusters, camshaft and valve mechanisms.

CAMSHAFTS-The nodular iron camshafts have six bearing journals and 2 cam lobes per cylinder. Flanges at the rear journals control camshaft end play. Provision for cam position sensor is located on the intake camshaft at the rear of cylinder head. A hydrodynamic oil seal is used for oil control at the front of the camshaft.

VALVES-4 valves per cylinder are actuated by roller cam followers which pivot on stationary hydraulic lash adjusters. All valves have 6 mm diameter chrome plated valve stems. The valve sizes are 34.8 mm (1.370 inch.) diameter intake valves and 30.5 mm (1.20 inch.) diameter exhaust valves. Viton rubber valve stem seals are integral with the spring seats. Valve springs, spring retainers, and locks are conventional.

INTAKE MANIFOLD-The intake manifold is a two piece aluminum casting, attached to the cylinder head with ten screws. This long branch fan design enhances low and mid-speed torque, while minimizing undesirable inlet noise.

EXHAUST MANIFOLD-The exhaust manifold is made of cast iron for strength and high temperatures.

ENGINE LUBRICATION-System is full flow filtration, pressure feed type. The oil pump is mounted in the front engine cover and driven by the crankshaft. Pressurized oil is then routed through the main oil gallery, running the length of the cylinder block, supplying main and rod bearings with further routing. Pistons are lubricated from rod bearing throw off and lubricating slots on the connecting rod assemblies. Camshaft and valve mechanisms are lubricated from a full length cylinder head oil gallery supplied from the crankcase main oil gallery.