Abstract: A helical torsion valve spring assembly includes one or more helical torsion springs mounted within a frame and are held in a statically loaded state so that installation of a valve spring retainer can be easily performed. The entire helical torsion valve spring assembly is installed as a single part onto a cylinder head of an engine valvetrain. The helical torsion springs are mounted around a shaft to accurately locate the helical torsion springs so that the forces acting on the retainer and valve are precisely controlled. The assembly minimizes the size of the retainer, and applies only one bending mode to the helical torsion springs, which provides maximum utilization of the spring material and minimizes coil vibration. The assembly allows spring coils to be strategically packaged in the engine valvetrain to create space in critical areas.

Abstract: A rocker arm assembly for an internal combustion engine has a removable valve stem locating member at one end thereof to locate the rocker arm relative to the valve stem during assembly of internal combustion engine, and a lubricating fluid directional control member at another end thereof for directing lubricating fluid from the pivot member, such as a hydraulic lash adjuster, toward the cam/rocker arm interface to provide lubricating fluid thereto. Once assembled, the valve stem locating member may be removed to further reduce the overall mass of the rocker arm assembly.

Abstract: A retainer system for securing a poppet valve within a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine includes a retainer washer having a tapered bore, and a valve stem having annular grooves with different axial lengths which match lands formed on the interior surfaces of tapered keepers. The lands are formed such, that engagement of the keepers with the valve stem is permitted in only a single position.

Abstract: A finger follower type rocker arm has an outer body that engages the stem of an engine valve. Within the body is pivotally mounted an inner arm engaged and moved by the cam lobe of an engine camshaft. A latching pin normally causes the inner arm and outer body to act as an integral unit to activate the engine valve in a conventional manner. Selective withdrawal of the latching pin permits the cam lobe to move the inner arm in a free-wheeling manner without effecting movement of the outer body or valve stem, thus disabling the engine valve.

Abstract: An eight cylinder internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block arranged in a V-type configuration with a left bank of four cylinders and a right bank of four cylinders. An engine control as a first common control element which operates the intake valves with a first pair of cylinders located in the left bank and a second common control element which operates the exhaust valves of the same first pair of cylinders with a third common control element operating the intake valves of a second pair of cylinders located on the right bank, and a fourth control element operating the exhaust valves of the same second pair of cylinders in the right bank. With only four switchable power sources, the engine may be operated on either four or eight cylinders depending upon the power output need of the vehicle in which the engine is installed.