Abstract: A crank shaft support assembly for increasing stiffness and reducing thermal mismatch distortion in a crank shaft bore of an engine comprising different materials. A cylinder block comprises a first material and at least two crank journal inserts are insert-molded into respective crank journal regions of the cylinder block and comprise a second material having greater stiffness and a lower thermal coefficient of expansion that the first material. At least two bearing caps are bolted to the respective crank journal inserts and define, along with the crank journal inserts, at least two crank shaft support rings defining a crank shaft bore coaxially aligned with a crank shaft axis. The bearing caps comprise a material having higher stiffness and a lower thermal coefficient of expansion than the first material and are supported on the respective crank journal inserts independently of any direct connection to the cylinder block.

Abstract: An automotive type engine valvetrain rocker arm is constructed with a hydraulic lash adjusting assembly, with the mass of the adjusting assembly being closely adjacent the pivot axis of the rocker arm to minimize the rotational moment of inertia of the rocker arm.

Abstract: A valve lifter of the roller type formed of a lightweight metal preferably aluminum or magnesium alloy. A roller formed of a wear resistant ceramic material is rotatably secured to the valve lifter. The wear/bearing surfaces of the valve lifter are impregnated with a solid film lubricant to provide reduced friction during operation.

Abstract: A valve timing device for an internal combustion engine includes a hub with an internal helical groove which engages a tracking post extending from a cylindrical surface of a crankshaft. A locking cap is placed at the outer end of the crankshaft spaced apart from the hub with a compression spring wrapped about the crankshaft between the hub and the locking cap. A sprocket is keyed onto the hub and trained about a chain which is drivingly trained about a conventional camshaft. As the crankshaft speed is increased, inertial loads of the camshaft causes the sprocket and hub to rotate relative to the crankshaft which axially moves the hub a predetermined amount along the crankshaft to compress the spring until the resilient forces of the spring counterbalances the inertia forces of the camshaft.As the hub is angularly positioned, the camshaft becomes angularly retarded relative to the crankshaft such that the valve operation is delayed with respect to the piston operation as the engine speed increases.