Abstract: A double overhead camshaft engine having two camshafts rotatably supported by a cylinder head. This two camshafts are drivably connected through an idler gear with a crankshaft of the engine by means of drive chains. The idler gear is rotatably mounted on an idler gear installation bolt which is fixedly secured only to a front end section of the cylinder head in a so-called cantilever arrangement. A surrounding wall structure for the idler gear is formed integral with the front end section of the cylinder head and extends in the direction of axis of the idler gear over the idler gear to form a front end section. An opening is formed at the surrounding wall structrure front end section and located on an opposite side of the cylinder head front end section with respect to the idler gear. The opening is closed with a cover which is disposed spaced from the idler gear installation bolt, so that no connection is made to the idler gear and the installation bolt therefor.

Abstract: Two embodiments of protective cowlings for the power head of an outboard motor that form both forwardly and rearwardly facing air inlet openings so as to insure adequate air induction to the engine. The forwardly facing air inlet opening is located so as to avoid water being able to enter into the interior of the protective cowling and into the engine induction system.

Abstract: An oil pan for an internal combustion engine has a metallic gastight and fluidtight threaded insert for receiving an oil drain plug, the insert having a cylindrical section which rests in an opening of a wall of the oil pan. The cylindrical section of the threaded insert, on an exterior side of the oil pan, is provided with a collar which, by means of a sealing adhesive arrangement, is fastened to the exterior wall section of the oil pan.

Abstract: To allow engine lubricant to quickly and smoothly flow downward along the inner wall surfaces of the chain casing formed in front of an engine having at least one camshaft, an idler sprocket, and first and second chains, the chain casing is composed of a head side chain casing fixed to a front end of the cylinder head, a rocker cover fixed to top ends of the cylinder head and the head side chain casing, and a block side chain casing fixed to a front end of the cylinder block in such a way that lubricant can flow downward on the basis of gravity along the inner wall surfaces of the chain casing.

Abstract: A plastic oil pan for internal-combustion engines is disclosed which includes an oil drain plug screwed into a threaded insert. This oil drain plug is braced with respect to the threaded insert. In order to avoid an undesirable discharge of oil when the oil drain plug is fixed, a radial seal is operative between the oil drain plug and a recess in a local thickening of the oil pan.

Abstract: An engine cooling arrangement including a coolant pump for recirculating coolant in an engine cooling system, and a thermostat for thermally controlling coolant flow in the cooling system. The engine cooling arrangement is comprised of a one-piece structure formed with chambers for the coolant pump and the thermostat and coolant flow passageways. The one-piece structure is formed integral with a timing cover secured to the front face of a cylinder block of an engine to cover a timing chain or the like, thereby omitting joints and therefore requiring no fastening member and gasket.

Abstract: In a transversely mounted engine, oil intake efficiency is improved by a sloped baffle which funnels the returning engine oil to the oil intake in the oil pan, a small clearance between the baffle and the pan to retard oil surge beyond the baffle, a dam adjacent the oil intake port to inhibit the formation of a vortex that draws air into the port, and optimum placement of the intake in the pan.

Abstract: A portable powered working machine such as a chain saw has a casing, a hollow grip formed integrally with the casing and extending from a front portion to a rear portion of the upper wall of the casing. An internal combustion engine is disposed in the casing such that its crankshaft extends transversely of the casing, the internal combustion engine having a cylinder arranged horizontally in a rear portion of the casing and a crankcase disposed in a front portion of the casing. A carburetor is disposed on a front side of the crankcase, while an air cleaner disposed in a rear portion of the grip. A communication pipe extends through the grip portion in the longitudinal direction thereof and connected between the air cleaner and the carburetor so as to form an air passage.

Abstract: A composite engine block for an internal combustion engine having a fluid cooling jacket, comprising a bipartite liner structure with metal (i.e., aluminum alloy or cast iron) defining at least the combustion zone walls, the structure having one or more open cylinders of a first part mateable with a corresponding cylinder head of a second part, the first part having (i) an integral base plate extending transversely outwardly from the cylinder to define a lower imperforate membrane for the bottom of the cooling fluid jacket, and (ii) walls extending dependently from the base plate to support a crankshaft for rotation about an axis transverse to the cylinder, the second part having an integral top plate extending transversely outwardly over the cylinder head to define an upper imperforate membrane for the top of the cooling fluid jacket; (b) a tri-partite skin structure comprised of nonmetallic light weight, vibration damping material (i.e.

Abstract: An oil pan, which is made of plastic, has a baffle pot insert on a bottom thereof which is formed by a one piece pot-shaped plastic component. This baffle pot insert extends from the exterior side of the bottom into the oil pan. Further, a collar of the baffle pot insert rests against a bottom section of the oil pan. Screws, which penetrate the collar and are turned into threaded metal inserts of the oil pan, are used for fastening the baffle pot insert to the oil pan.

Abstract: An improved motor vehicle engine compartment [10] for protecting the engine from cold by retaining engine heat includes conventional side walls [11,12], hood [13] and cowling [14]. A front wall [16] adjacent the radiator [R] includes a series of movable louvers [22] for covering and uncovering a series of opeings [21]. A lower wall [17] includes a series of movable louvers [24] for covering and uncovering a series of openings [23]. Together these walls and the side walls, hood and cowling form a substantially hermetically sealed enclosure when the louvers are in the covering positions. Actuators [28,29], acting through connecting rods [26,27], move the louvers [22,24] to the covering and uncovering positions. A control circuit [40], responsive to low ambient temperature, high engine temperature and operation of the engine, controls the operation of the actuators [28,29].

Abstract: A vehicle engine, particularly adapted for motorcycle application, includes a housing structure in which the cylinder block, the crankcase and the transmission case are integrally formed and openings are provided in separate, angularly displaced walls of the housing for accessing the crankcase and transmission case respectively to permit the crankshaft and the transmission to be independently installed or demounted with respect to each other. Also, the detachable cover for closing one of the side openings of the housing is formed as a stopper for preventing axial disengagement of the starter apparatus ring gear from the crankcase.

Abstract: A cylinder block reinforcement construction for an engine includes a reinforcement member fixed to a skirt portion of a cylinder block of the half-skirt type and fastened to each of bearing caps bearing the crankshaft of the engine. The reinforcement member is formed in a platelike configuration and a substantially dishlike sectional shape and includes a bottom face portion, side face portions rising from both side ends of the bottom face portion, and flange portions provided at upper edges of the side face portions so as to be fastened to the skirt portion. The reinforcement member is provided, at positions corresponding to respective of the bearing caps and spaced in the axial direction of the crankshaft, with protuberant portions for attachment to respective of the bearing caps. The bottom face portion may be provided with bottom vent holes, each being provided between adjacent of the protuberant portions at a position corresponding to the respective cylinder.

Abstract: A plastic oil pan (16) for an internal combustion engine (14) has an upper lip (18) for mating with the engine in sealing relation, sidewalls (21-24) depending downwardly below the lip, a bottom (26) extending between the sidewalls below the lip to provide a closed-bottom receptacle for holding engine oil, and a plurality of reinforcing walls (28, 30, 36, 38, 40) integrally formed along the sidewalls and increasing the mechanical strength of same to enable the plastic oil pan to support the engine when the latter rests on the oil pan during installation or repair procedures. A conduit (54) extends through the oil pan and passes engine coolant therethrough to cool the engine oil. Particular oil pan and conduit structure is disclosed.

Abstract: A cylinder head cover with a suction pipe arrangement for an internal combustion engine in which the cylinder head cover and the suction pipe arrangement form a structural unit which is retained at a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine by means of bolts and elastic elements so that the noise radiation of the internal combustion engine is reduced. Additionally, in order to avoid filling losses, a wall of the cylinder head cover which is a component of the suction pipe arrangement, is compartmentalized against hot spray oil out of the cylinder head by means of a covering.

Abstract: An air-cooled engine having a vertical crankshaft and a horizontal cylinder. The cylinder is cast aluminum alloy and has the intake and exhaust valves located next to one another on one side of the cylinder, with the carburetor located on the other side of the cylinder. An intake cross-passageway integrally cast in part with the cylinder passes under the piston bore to connect the intake valve to the carburetor. For casting purposes, the lower side of the passageway is open in the cylinder casting to permit removal of the passageway casting core and forming an opening having side walls extending transverse to the piston bore extending from the passageway to the exterior of the cylinder. A cover having side walls corresponding to and lying adjacent the side walls of the opening is disposed in the opening. The cover has a curved inner surface corresponding to the curvature of the passageway.

Abstract: A frame and body construction for a small snowmobile comprised of a generally open tubular frame to which a light weight generally inverted cup shape body is detachably connected. To prevent carburetor icing, an insulating box encircles the carburetor and cooperates with the body, when the body is in place.

Abstract: An engine having a vertically disposed crankshaft includes an engine cover for closing a whole upper area of an engine body and having a skirt portion protruding downwardly from a periphery of the engine cover, and a cooling fan with a flywheel fixed to an output shaft of the engine below the engine body. The engine further includes a protruded shroud formed integrally on a wall portion of the engine body to completely close an annular clearance between the wall portion and the skirt portion, and a plurality of apertures formed in the protruded shroud to constitute a cooling air intake inlet.

Abstract: An engine of forced air cooled type which is provided with a cooling fan fixedly mounted on an end of a crankshaft within a blower housing of the fan, and which has a plurality of meshed gears. The crankcase constitutes the lower part of the outer structure of the engine to enclose the gears and has a double-wall construction with cooling air passages thus formed therein in at least the part thereof enclosing the gears. The cooling air passages have upstream ends communicating with the delivery outlet of the blower housing and downstream ends positioned to direct cooling air against and along the outer surface of the crankcase.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crankcase with a crankshaft which drives at one end face of the crankcase, auxiliary aggregates--oil pump--and endless elements. The oil pump and the endless elements are covered off by means of a covering which consists of a sheet metal part including two thin-walled layers and is constructed pot-shaped in cross section. This light-weight covering which is simple in construction is secured at the end wall of the crankcase by means of an edge flange and by means of bolts.

Abstract: In a single- or multiple-part protective cover for traction drives (for instance, chain, belt, toothed belt drives or the like), in particular for vehicle engines, vehicle drives, machines or the like, a protection of the traction drive from impairment by excessive heating during operation and from the entry of dirt particles, rainwater, snow and other foreign bodies is attained in that at least one coolant overpressure inlet opening (2) is embodied in the walls of the protective cover (1) and communicates with at least one source emitting the pre-filtered coolant at overpressure.

Abstract: In an engine working machine assembly with a soundproof cover, the soundproof cover is provided for the engine working machine assembly in which a working machine such as a generator, a compressor and the like is adapted to be driven by an internal combustion engine, the working machine and a cooling fan are arranged in order upward above the vertical shaft type air-cooled engine as the internal combustion engine, and a fan case is fixedly secured at its lower wall portion to the engine through a cooling air guide cover for the working machine and a cooling air guide cover for the engine. The soundproof cover comprises an upper side cover section, a front side cover section and a back side cover section.

Abstract: An oil pan for a vehicle engine is cast to have shallow and deepened bottom oil pan sections and an integral fitting flange to which a transmission case is attached. The fitting flange is formed with bosses for receiving bolts to tightly attach the oil pan to an engine block of the vehicle engine. First or outer reinforcing ribs extend along the center line of the bosses. Second or back reinforcing ribs are arranged correspondingly to the outer reinforcing ribs. Bolts pass through the bosses and tighten the oil pan to the bottom of the cylinder block of the vehicle engine.

Abstract: A cylinder head and engine block assembly for internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head formed from a fiber-reinforced phenolic resin, and an engine block formed from a fiber-reinforced phenolic resin, and an arrangement for placing the head and block assembly under a loading compression pressure; preferably the fiber reinforcement is made up of fibers of fiberglass or graphite having a length of about 1/8" to 1"; the cylinder head body has embedded in or united with it a unitary metal insert defining the upper portion of at least one inlet port and at least one exhaust port and combustion chamber, the block has embedded in or united with it a unitary metal unit defining at least one cylinder liner, and the block has upper bearing supports embedded in or united with the block.

Abstract: An arrangement and structure for an oil pan system to permit mounting a vertical in-line engine in a vehicle in a horizontal or nearly horizontal attitude includes a cylinder block of the engine having an opening on the side wall thereof, a cover attached to the cylinder block where an ordinary oil pan is usually mounted, an adapter plate fastened to the lower side wall of the cylinder block and bottom of the cover, and an oil pan attached to the lower surface of the adapter plate. The adapter plate allows the oil pan to extend and always remain below the cylinder block, so that the return paths from the lubricated portions of the engine to the oil pan are shortened.

Abstract: A pressure distributing device foe an engine valve cover is described which is adapted to fit around a valve cove and to act against the valve cover attachment flange to evenly distribute torquing pressure over the valve cover and the valve cover gasket. The device consists of an annular, substantially rigid body having a plan configuration which corresponds to the valve cover. The body fits over the valve cover body and acts against the valve cover attachement flange to distribute torquing pressure thereover.

Abstract: A two wheel motorcycle of the scooter type employing a power unit with an engine mounted forwardly of the rear wheel, a power train extending rearwardly on one side of the rear wheel to couple the engine and the rear wheel and a muffler extending along the other side of the rear wheel. A carburetor is mounted above the power train and an air cleaner for that carburetor is mounted above the muffler. A connecting tube extends transversely of the vehicle between the air cleaner and the carburetor at a location above and forwardly of the axis of the rear wheel.

Abstract: A drive unit comprising a reciprocating-piston type internal combustion engine and a transmission and output shaft is disclosed in which the sound-generating parts of the internal combustion engine are combined to form one driving mechanism body which is supported via an element which transmits power and isolates structure-borne sound, at the engine casing constructed as a noise capsule. To prevent sound from being radiated from the transmission casing towards the outside and structure-borne sound from being transmitted to the noise capsule, the transmission casing is rigidly connected to the driving mechanism carrier and the noise capsule also encloses the entire transmission casing.

Abstract: A quick release valve cover for internal combustion engines, having housing 11 attachable to the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine, and upper cap 12. Hinge arms 16 are provided for attachment to the top of the upper cap 12 at hinge supports 25. Hinge arms 16 are adapted for engagement with the cam of locking arms 20 and hinge sections 19 and the slots of hinge sections 19. Elastomeric "O"-ring seal 23 is disposed within seal groove 22 of housing 11 to provide a seal between upper cap 12 and lower housing 11.

Abstract: Mounting means for mounting a carburetor on a working machine with an internal combustion engine wherein a joint member which is made of a flexible and heat insulating material is formed with connecting portions, a flange portion provided on an air-fuel mixture discharging port of the carburetor is fit on and held by a recess on one of the connecting portions, while a flange portion at an intake port of the internal combustion engine is fit on and held by a recess on the other connecting portion, and the outer periphery of the joint member and the carburetor are sustained with fixed wall portions of the casing.

Abstract: An engine block comprises a top part of the crankcase that is reinforced by a separate bottom part of the crankcase with an oil pan arranged at an exterior case wall of the bottom part of the crankcase configured so that the lubricating oil to be returned from the upper case area into the oil pan is not taken along by rotating engine components because, the bottom part of the crankcase has a lubricating-oil passage that is arranged in a fastening flange and leads out between the exterior case wall and an interior case wall, wherein the interior case wall, as a semicylindrical shell and, is arranged so that it extends close to the contour of the connecting-rod "violin" arrangement and forms a reinforcing connection to an additional opposite fastening flange of the bottom part of the crankcase and wherein the shell that separates the crank space from a space above the oil pan additional passages that are preferably arranged tangentially with respect to the shell for the discharge of lubricating oil coming out o

Abstract: A chain saw has a body formed by an integral molding process and defining therein an internal combustion engine chamber for accommodating an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is inserted into the internal combustion engine chamber from the side of the body.

Abstract: An oil pan structure of generally rectangular cup-like configuration having a rear end adapted to be connected with a clutch housing, which comprises reinforcement wall structure formed with the oil pan structure so as to protrude away from the rear end towards the clutch housing. The reinforcement wall structure defines a space between the rear end of the oil pan structure and the clutch housing when the oil pan structure is secured to the clutch housing, and has a portion cut away to define an access opening communicated with the space The access opening is located immediately below at least one bolt receiving boss formed in the rear end of the oil pan structure for the passage of a fitting bolt used to connect the oil pan structure from below to a cylinder block. The oil pan structure also comprises a cover member removably fitted to the reinforcement wall structure for closing the access opening.

Abstract: A crankshaft supporting structure in a multicylinder internal combustion engine has a cylinder block made of a light alloy and including a cylinder housing and a crankcase having a plurality of spaced journal walls. A plurality of spaced bearing caps made of an iron alloy are coupled respectively to the journal walls. A crankshaft is rotatably supported in bearing holes defined by the journal walls and the bearing caps. A bridge made of a light alloy extends across the bearing caps and is coupled to the bearing caps. The bearing caps and the bridge are fastened together to the journal walls by connecting bolts disposed one on each side of the crankshaft. The bridge has a main portion defining a main gallery extending longitudinally therethrough and a plurality of legs coupled to the bearing caps, respectively. The bearing caps and the legs jointly define branch oil passages communicating with the main gallery and the bearing holes.

Abstract: A cylinder head structure for a V-type engine comprising a pair of cylinder head members which are the same in shape and oriented in opposite directions and which are provided in each of the front and rear end wall portions with an opening. Camshafts are supported for rotation in the respective cylinder head members so that their respective one ends project outside through the openings on the same end of the engine. A cam pulley is mounted on the projecting portion of each cam shaft, and a transmission belt is provided for transmitting the driving force of the crankshaft to the cam pulley on each camshaft. A pair of first cover members are mounted on the end wall portions of the respective cylinder head members through which the camshafts project to form closed cross section spaces together with the corresponding cylinder head members for covering the transmission belt.

Abstract: An improved fuel container support system for a combustion engine including an engine support frame having a moveable fuel container support shelf mounted thereon, the shelf being structured to move from a non-operating to an operational position to hold a fuel container at an angle to the horizontal for efficient fuel flow operation during engine running with the container positioned away from the engine during such running.

Abstract: A crankshaft support structure for a multicylinder internal combustion engine employing a plurality of bearihng caps with pairs of vertical and horizontal surfaces fitting mating surfaces in the cylinder block for structurally mating the bearing caps to the cylinder block. A structural bridge extends across the bearing caps and is connected through the bearing caps to the block by one set of bolts and directly to the block by a second set of bolts. A second embodiment employs a third set of bolts connecting the bearing caps separately to the block. Arcuate baffle plates form the portion of the bridge between bearing caps to inhibit oil agitation and suppress noise.

Abstract: A structure for mounting a cylinder head cover on an engine cylinder head, having plug holes for mounting ignition plugs. A plug tube is fixedly inserted into each plug hole and the cylinder head cover is mounted on the cylinder head via a sealing gasket. The cylinder head cover has mount holes, each of which is formed in a reverse-conical surface. A grommet having an annular sealing lip is fitted to the upper end of the plug tube and a fastening nut is engaged with a male thread portion of the plug tube to urge the grommet downward so that the sealing lip is sealingly engaged with the reverse-conical face of the cylinder head cover and an outer peripheral surface of the plug tube, so as to tightly seal away oil contained in the cylinder head cover.

Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle engine includes a shroud directing air flow to a heat exchanger or radiator in a direction horizontally transverse to the forward direction of movement for the vehicle. The shroud leads to an opening on a side portion of the vehicle body so that a top portion can extend from a leading edge to an operator compartment in a wedge shape manner to cover an engine compartment. The top portion is free of openings to permit uninterrupted air flow over the vehicle body.

Abstract: A crankshaft support for a multicylinder internal combustion engine employing a plurality of bearing caps fitted in recesses in journal walls in the cylinder block and connected by pairs of bolts extending vertically through each bearing cap into the journal wall. An additional pair of bolts extend horizontally from each side of the cylinder block to connect the skirt portions to the bearing caps. A bridge extends the length the engine over the bearing caps and is connected thereto by another pair of vertical bolts.

Abstract: A cavity closure, such as an engine accessory or inspection cover, is provided having separate rim and central panel members secured together by a vibration absorbent elastomer which acts both to seal a gap between the memebrs and the outer periphery of the closed opening against leakage and to minimize noise generation by the central panel by damping panel vibrations and isolating the panel against the transmission of vibrations to it from the supporting rim and engine housing. A preferred manufacturing method involves forming the rim and central panel as a unit and then separating them by shearing to form opposed edges of identical configuration which are longitudinally displaced prior to applying the bead joining the members and providing sealing and vibration isolation.

Abstract: A cover hood is secured at the cylinder head by means of detachable retaining elements whereby a sealing member is provided between sections of the cylinder head and of the cover hood which are placed at one another. The retaining elements are formed by spring clamps which with mutually facing nose-shaped support areas engage in adjacent mounting recesses provided in vertical boundary walls of the cover hood and of the cylinder head in such a manner that the direction of action of the support areas of the spring clamps lies approximately on a vertical line that includes a center line of the sections and of the sealing member.

Abstract: An outboard motor comprising a propulsion unit having opposite first and second sides and including a lower unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, and a drive shaft housing including a drive shaft drivingly connected to the propeller, and a power head mounted on the drive shaft housing and including an internal combustion engine drivingly connected to the drive shaft, a cowl assembly enclosing the power head and including a first lower cowl member removably and resiliently mounted on the first side of the propulsion unit, a second lower cowl member removably and resiliently mounted on the second side of the propulsion unit, and an upper cowl member removably mounted on the first and second lower cowl members, and a bolt detachably connecting the first lower cowl member to the second lower cowl member.

Abstract: A base structure of a motor saw forms fuel and oil tanks (16,17) and a crankcase bottom in one piece. This piece is injection moulded in plastics with closed tank cavities obtained by means of cores in the mould which are made of a metal having a melting temperature lower than the softening temperature of the plastic material. After moulding the cores are melted by heat treatment and the metal runs out through filling holes (18,19) of the tanks. Armouring pieces are moulded in the plastics to reinforce the attachments of crankshaft bearings and the guide bar.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle having an enclosed, air cooled, variable speed, split sheave V-belt transmission. The transmission is enclosed by a housing having cooperatively located intake and exhaust ports connected respectively to intake and exhaust air conduits. One sheave of each pulley of the transmission includes a plurality of air propelling fins to generate air flow through the housing.

Abstract: These crankshaft bearings consist of a light-metal alloy and are formed by a bearing section of a crankcase and a bearing cap. In order to avoid a bearing clearance causing noise, a core made of iron metal is poured at least into the bearing cap, said core, by means of a bearing area, directly surrounding the crankshaft journal of a crankshaft, and having lugs for bores connected by a transverse part. The bores are penetrated by the screws in order to fasten the bearing.

Abstract: An oil sump 1 of an internal combustion engine has a recess 3, into which dips a suction funel 5 of an oil pump. The funnel is spaced slightly from the oil sump floor 7. A honeycomb-shaped insert 8 is positioned in the recess 3 at a slight spacing from the oil sump floor 7. The height b of the insert 8 amounts to a multiple of the spacing a from the oil sump floor and also a multiple of the side length c of the substantially square cross-section of the chambers 11 of the insert 8. As a result, the oil flowing back from the engine, which is strongly foamed with air because of the rotating motion of the crankshaft drive, can become de-foamed in the relatively high chambers 11, whereby the oil foam in the chambers 11 rises and air-free oil in the chambers drops down to the oil sump floor 7. This ensures that the oil pump, which is pumping out from the oil sump floor 7, essentially draws in air-free oil.

Abstract: An automotive type internal combustion engine has an oil pan that is easily attached and disassembled from the skirt of the engine block by means of a snap-on type connector that includes a springable-like retaining plate removably attached to the upper edge of the oil pan and having right angled end portions springably engaged through slots in the oil pan wall for projection to a location above the ledge of the engine block skirt for supporting the oil pan upon the ledge and securing it to the block, the end portions of the retaining plate being cammed outwardly upon upward assembly of the oil pan to the block ledge and springably returned into a locking position with respect to the ledge after the ledge has cleared the hook-like ends; disassembly being accomplished by forceably moving the springlike ends outwardly until the block ledge is cleared for vertical removal of the oil pan from the ledge.

Abstract: An improved oil pan in combination with an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The oil pan has no drain outlet for permitting lubricating fluid to be drained away. The oil pan must be removed from the engine in order to replace the engine fluid. The oil pan is connected to the underside of the engine by a plurality of clamps such that each clamp applies clamping forces in a direct substantially perpendicular to the line defined by the points where the oil pan contacts the underside of the engine in the region proximate to the clamp.

Abstract: An internal combustion V-type engine has a crankcase which is split horizontally on a plane containing the axis of the crankshaft. Relatively thin stationary webs in the upper and lower crankcase halves are aligned and each pair receives a plurality of fastening elements such as cap screws which extend through the lower half of the crankcase across the horizontal joint and into the upper half of the crankcase. These pairs of webs are placed at intervals along the length of the crankshaft to support it for rotation.