How Much do You Know about A Cylinder Block Parts?

What does a cylinder block do?

The cylinder block is also referred to the engine block. It is considered the heart of the engine and is one of the core components of the engine. It is produced with high quality materials to achieve the intended purpose of its components. Manufacturers of cylinder blocks usually use gray cast iron for their production. Nickel and chromium are sometimes added to improve their properties. Although there are many types of cylinder block, they all plays a very important role in the lubrication of the engine, temperature control and engine stability.

What are the parts of a cylinder block?

The major parts of a cylinder block includes cylinders, cylinder head, oil passages, water pump, core plugs, crankshaft, crankcase, head studs, oil filter, head gasket, intake and exhaust ports, and head valves.

Cylinders

The cylinders of the engine block, also called a compression cylinder, are considered the most important parts of the engine. It is responsible for the compression of the air-fuel mixture and the power generation of the engine. The engine block has cylindrical bores that consist of pistons that move up and down inside the cylinders. The size and number of cylinders in an engine determine the volume and power generation capacity of the engine. It varies according to the power required and the type of engine.

Cylinder head

The cylinder head sits above the cylinder and forms the top of the combustion process inside the cylinder. It is the upper part of the engine block, which consists of intake manifold, exhaust manifold and coolant passages. Its primary function is the flow of intake and exhaust air-fuel mixture into and out of the cylinder after combustion. Meanwhile, the cylinder head can cool the engine.

Oil passages

Lubrication is very important for the normal operation and maintenance of the engine. The oil passages and galleries of the engine block are used to supply oil to lubricate the different parts of the engine.

Water pump

The water pump, also known as a coolant pump, is located at the end of the cylinder head and is driven by a belt that also drives the alternator. It supplies and regulates circulating coolant water to the engine block through the coolant channel to cool the engine.

Core plugs

The ore plugs acts as a cover for the engine block at the end of the coolant passages. Its function is to stop the coolant water from leaking out of the engine.

Crankshaft

The crankshaft is the rotating part in the engine that causes the movement of the pistons, which translates into strokes. It is connected to a connecting rod where the piston is mounted on the connecting rod. As the crankshaft rotates, it causes the connecting rod to move up and down, which affects the piston.

Crankcase

The crankcase is the housing of the crankshaft. It is mainly located under the cylinder block. Used to avoid crankshaft material contamination. It may also contain a camshaft and an oil pump, depending on the design of the engine.

Head studs

Head studs are used to withstand high loads to keep the cylinder head seal tightly against the block.

Oil filter

The oil filter is generally located at the rear end of the engine or under the cylinder block. The job of this filter is to remove as much contaminant as possible before the lubricating oil is recirculated into the engine.

Head gasket

It is the gasket that sits between the cylinder head and the cylinder block. It acts as a sealant and separates flowing elements in the head and block.

Intake and exhaust ports

The air intake is used to channel air into the combustion chamber. The exhaust port is used to remove the gases after the combustion process.

Head valves

Each cylinder has two valves, the intake valve and the exhaust valve. Its function is to stop or prevent air and fuel from entering the combustion chamber.