How does it work, then ??

[livi]

Most of the strictly mechanical parts on the Porsche, like shocks, sway bars, brakes etc - even I can grasp at least the fundamentals of how it works.

Engine i another matter. I have no former training what so ever and I am getting more frustrated every time I try to follow a thread on an interesting engine topic - technical terms flying all over - and I donīt have a clue what you guys are talking about.

I want, no I need... I canīt go on as a proud Porsche fanatic if I donīt learn at least the basics.

I fully understand you canīt properly get the hang of it with out the practical training - but reading up would at least give me some clue.

So, could you recommend any books or other literature that teach the basics in how the engine works - preferably the Porsche engine.

Thanks,

[jester911]

Maybe this will help a bit.

Animated Porsche MFI engine is here!

[livi]

Thanks Jerry,

I saw that impressive work when he posted it.

BTW what ever happened to Darryl, donīt think I have seen him around lately.

[randywebb]

You put some air (oxygen) & some flammable material (gas) into the cylinder and blow it up (sorta). That "explosion" causes the pressure to go up and the walls and top of the cylinder won't move, so the bottom - the piston - does. As the piston pushes down, it is attached to a lever that is part of the crankshaft. Since the lever is offset, it tends to make the shaft rotate. Now, connect a few more cylinders to it - in line - to make things smoother & voila!

Is that more or less what you are looking for? Or do I need more Burgandy (?) Get a model kit called the Visible V-8 or Visible Slant Six - if not at a Toy & Hobby store, they can prob. be had at Edmunds Scientific.

The above is a crazy way to make a wheel go around... Hence Lohner's and old man porsche's fascination with electric motors. Think about it - waht you really want is to create a rotational force field - exactly what an electric motor does... we just have to perfect it...

[Wayne 962]

Read the Reader's Digest Guide to Car Care - probably the best book I have in my entire collection. You can find them on eBay all the time.

-Wayne

[livi]

Randy and Wayne,

Thanks for the input !

How long till I can skip the doctor thing (tough nights) and start my own Porsche engine rebuild enterprise ?

[randywebb]

Sure - just post again to revive this thread if you have questions later - the next thing after this is 2 vs. 4 cycle and how to put valves on the thing to get air & gas in but then close them so you can compress or expand the mixture...

It is truly an infernal combustion machine -- amazing that we have made them work as well as they do. I'll miss them when they're gone - if I'm still around to miss anything by then...

[HarryD]

Whenever I get a question like this, www.howstuffworks.com often is very informative.

For engines, try this: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm