Abstract: A lightweight pushrod assembly for internal combustion engines, such as motorcycle racing engines, includes a top pushrod and a bottom pushrod which are joined by a pushrod tappet. The pushrod tappet is mounted for reciprocating movement in a pushrod stanchion, and the stanchion is secured to the engine such that support is provided to the pushrod assembly at a position near the middle of the entire pushrod assembly. The pushrod stanchion also provides part of a pushrod housing assembly, with additional upper and lower housings provided to enclose the upper and lower pushrods. The lower end of the top pushrod and the upper end of the bottom pushrod preferably engage the tappet in a ball and socket joint relation to allow limited radial movement of the top and/or bottom pushrods to minimize the stresses on the pushrods. The supported pushrod assembly may be provided in kits for installation of the pushrod assemblies on existing engines.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a cylinder head with a combustion chamber defined by a depression in the head. The raised face surface of a piston extends into the combustion chamber in the cylinder head as the piston approaches top dead center, and creates turbulent squish currents within the chamber as closely matching surfaces on the piston face and on the walls of the combustion chamber in the head force gases out from between these surfaces. The turbulence helps to prevent autoignition and allows higher compression ratios than would otherwise be possible.