Engine: Description and Operation

Starting at the front of the engine, cylinders in the left bank are numbered 1-3-5 and cylinders in the right bank are numbered 2-4-6. The crankshaft is supported in the crankcase by four bearings. The crankshaft is counterbalanced by the flywheel, crankshaft balancer, and weights cast into the crankshaft. Additional counterbalancing is obtained from the balance shaft which rides in the block above the camshaft and is driven by the camshaft. All V-6 engines are even-firing, in that the cylinders fire at equal 120° intervals of crankshaft rotation. The location of the crankpins has been offset by 30° in order to fire the cylinders at an equal 120° intervals of crankshaft rotation. The camshaft lobes and timing also reflect the 120° spacing. Thus, the even firing crankshaft provides an equal interval of 120° between ignition of each of the cylinders throughout the firing order. The firing order is 1-6-5-4-3-2. The aluminum alloy pistons have slipper skirts and are cam turned. Four drilled holes or cast slots in the oil ring grooves permit drain back of the oil collected by the oil ring. The camshaft is supported in the crankshaft by sprockets and chain.