Abstract: A method for advising a motor vehicle operator of the need to change the lubricating oil in a direct or an indirect injection diesel engine. The rate of degradation of the engine oil is determined from monitoring engine revolutions, engine oil temperature and engine oil contamination content. At the start of service after an oil change has occurred, a value corresponding to the maximum allowed number of engine revolutions for the useful life of the oil is stored in the memory of the vehicle's computer. Periodically during each period of vehicle operation, an effective engine revolutions value is determined in relation to the product of measured engine revolutions, an engine oil temperature dependent penalty factor and an oil contaminant content dependent penalty factor. The penalty factors increase the effective engine revolutions value to compensate for engine operating conditions that tend to cause increased degradation of the engine oil.

Abstract: A fuel distributing pump for a multi-cylinders, internal combustion engine having a sinuously profiled cam member providing a plurality of discrete compound cam pumping stations, each comprising primary and auxiliary cams serially arranged and interconnected by an intermediate cam segment which cooperate with pumping plungers of a pump rotor to shape and vary the pulse waves of fuel delivered to the combustion chambers for varying engine operations. For low horsepower requirements, such as idle and light loads, only the primary cam with fast initial pumping rate and following low rate camming ramps or surfaces are utilized to shape the pulse wave with a fast beginning and a graduated end of injection for even and progressive fuel burn for reducing smoke and engine noise.

Abstract: An internal type, spring damper for use in an internal combustion engine or the like having a cylinder head with a poppet valve supported for movement between valve open and valve closed positions and with a coiled valve return spring loosely encircling the stem of the valve and operatively associated at one end with the valve and having its bottom end operatively in abutment with the cylinder head whereby to normally bias the poppet valve to the closed position, has at least its corresponding bottom end of reduced external diameter for a predetermined axial extent whereby to eliminate damper-to-spring contact for up to at least 11/2 coils of the valve spring at its bottom end.

Abstract: The noise level of a V-type diesel engine is reduced by providing a multi-piece intake manifold system including a pair of separate intake manifolds mounted on the inside valley defining walls of the engine cylinder banks and joined by an air supplying manifold connector mounted on both manifolds with isolation mounting means that limit the transmission of noise creating vibrations to the connector and between the manifolds and their respective cylinder banks.

Abstract: An oil cooled diesel engine piston is designed to restrict heat loss from the combustion chamber through provision of a combustion chamber insert defining a central non-oil-cooled chamber and a surrounding annular insulating air gap. The air gap controls heat flow primarily between the combustion gas exposed wall of the insert and an adjacent coolant exposed wall of the main piston volume.The insert is press fitted into a recess in the main piston body and is positively locked therein by a retaining ring. A seal ring closes expansion clearance provided at the upper edge of the insert against significant gas flow into the insulating air gap. Insulating efficiency of the air gap is maximized by forming the gap with a thickness throughout a major portion of its extent of between about 0.040 and 0.060 inches.Numerous additional features are also disclosed.

Abstract: An oil cooled diesel engine piston is designed to restrict heat loss from the combustion chamber through provision of a combustion chamber insert defining a central non-oil-cooled chamber and a surrounding annular insulating air gap. The air gap controls heat flow primarily between the combustion gas exposed wall of the insert and an adjacent coolant exposed wall of the main piston volume.The insert is press fitted into a recess in the main piston body and is positively locked therein by a retaining ring. A seal ring closes expansion clearance provided at the upper edge of the insert against significant gas flow into the insulating air gap. Insulating efficiency of the air gap is maximized by forming the gap with a thickness throughout a major portion of its extent of between about 0.040 and 0.060 inches.Numerous additional features are also disclosed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with stiffening side wall ribs which are lightened by the provision therein of internal passages that alternatively cooperate with cylinder head passages to provide oil drains from the valve chambers to the oil sump or provide mounting means for an oil level indicating gauge rod. The oil gauge mounting provision includes an angled uniplanar passage in the cylinder block wall aligned with a cylinder head boss and oil pan mounted guide member as well as additional features.

Abstract: A gear-type lubrication pump for an internal combustion engine wherein the pump housing and oil porting are formed in the engine block and one pump gear is rotatably supported in a bushing mounted in the engine block. The other pump gear is rotatably mounted on a bearing supported in the pump housing on a fastener which also locates a cover plate and seal in position to abut the outside face of the one gear and prevent leakage from the pump housing.

Abstract: A diesel engine cylinder head is provided with air gap inserts for insulating the combustion and exhaust gas exposed surfaces from the coolant jacket exposed walls so as to limit heat transfer to the engine coolant. Various insert elements are disclosed which may be used independently or in combination. Installation of a prefabricated multiple port exhaust insert which permits improved efficiency of gas flow is provided for by utilizing a two-piece construction for the main housing of the cylinder head.

Abstract: A diesel engine cylinder head is provided with air gap inserts for insulating the combustion and exhaust gas exposed surfaces from the coolant jacket exposed walls so as to limit heat transfer to the engine coolant. Various insert elements are disclosed which may be used independently or in combination. Installation of a prefabricated multiple port exhaust insert which permits improved efficiency of gas flow is provided for by utilizing a two-piece construction for the main housing of the cylinder head.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine of the type having so-called free standing cylinders or cylinder liners surrounded by an open topped coolant cavity is provided with internal sound attenuation barrier means, preferably mounted in the coolant cavity on the inner surfaces of the cylinder block walls or on the outer walls of the cylinders. The barrier means preferably comprises a rigid sheet engagable with the mounting wall and supporting a resilient sound absorbent material bonded or otherwise retained on one surface thereof. In a preferred embodiment the barrier material is a laminated steel having two spaced steel sheets bonded together by a rubber or rubber-like material encapsulated between the two sheets and formable into the desired shape of sound attentuating sleeve or barrier.