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SIX CYLINDERS are used in the Chevrolet engine, because six cylinders give smoother action and a longer range of satisfactory performance than four. Maximum results per dollar has been the ideal in the design, and high output has been secured at a cost very little higher than for a four-cylinder engine. The piston displacement is large enough to give satisfactory performance without fine tuning. The bore is made as large as possible within the space required for water-cooling around the valves. The stroke is short, resulting in low inertia forces and a stiff crankshaft with the minimum amount of metal. Three main bearings are found sufficient, because of the stiffness of the shaft and the inherent balance of the groups of three cylinders. Positive lubrication is provided, without pressure. The overhead-valve mechanism is so proportioned and the cooling of the parts is so arranged that variations in expansion cancel each other and result in nearly constant valve clearance.

VARIATION in engineering practice between European and American motor cars is to be expected. Many of these differences are brought about by local conditions and must be accepted. However, there are practices that vary from the American that do not justify themselves by result or local conditions. The two outstanding are bore wear and carburetion. This paper deals only with the high spots of these two differences.