Cylinder Block Components

CYLINDER BLOCK COMPONENTS

Cylinder Block
The cylinder block is an �Enclosed V design, which provides an inherently rigid structure with good vibration levels. A low volume coolant jacket improves warm-up times and piston noise levels, the longitudinal flow design of the jacket, with a single cylinder head coolant transfer port in each bank, improves rigidity and head gasket sealing. The right hand cylinder bank is designated as bank 'A' (cylinders 1 to 4), and the left hand as bank 'B' (cylinders 5 to 8).

Engine Data Locations





Engine data is marked at three locations, two on the cylinder block (shown) and one on the engine front cover, which consists a label displaying the engine number.

Connecting Rods and Pistons





The connecting rods are manufactured from sinter-forged steel and have fracture-split bearing caps. The bearing caps are produced by fracturing the opposing sides of the connecting rod at the bearing horizontal center line. As well as being easier to manufacture, when reassembled the fractured surfaces interlock to form a strong seamless joint. The cylinder position is marked on adjoining sides of the joint to identify matching connecting rods and bearing caps. The connecting rod bearings are aluminum/tin split plain bearings.

The pistons are of the open-ended skirt design. Three piston rings, two compression and one oil control, are installed on each piston. Each piston is installed on a gudgeon pin located in a aluminum/tin bushing in the connecting rod.

Connecting Rod and Piston Installation





The piston grade number is stamped on the crown of the piston and must coincide with that for each cylinder bore. The piston must be assembled in the correct orientation for the designated cylinder bore:
^ Bank 'A' - piston grade number and the thick flange of the connecting rod must face the front of the engine
^ Bank 'B' - piston grade number and the thin flange of the connecting rod must face the front of the engine

Crankshaft Position Sensor





The CKP sensor is installed at the rear of the sump. It is a variable reluctance sensor that provides an input of engine crankshaft speed and position.

Knock Sensors





The knock sensors are installed in the cylinder block on the inboard side of each cylinder bank. They are piezo-electric sensors that provide inputs to detect and locate detonation during combustion.

Starter





The engine starter motor is installed at the rear right side of the engine, at the cylinder block to bedplate split line.

Coolant Drain Plug/Heater





A coolant drain plug is installed on the rear left side of the cylinder block. On vehicles with the cold climate package, the cylinder block heater replaces the drain plug.

On vehicles destined for Canada, the coolant heater is installed during engine manufacture, but for Scandinavian vehicles the heater is supplied in kit form to be installed at the dealership.

Coolant Pump





The coolant pump is installed between the two cylinder banks, on the front face of the cylinder block.

Thermostat Housing





The composite thermostat housing is installed between the two cylinder banks, immediately above the coolant pump. The thermostat controls the flow of coolant through the radiator.