Camshaft arrangement for dohc engine

Abstract

A V-type DOHC engine including a crankshaft, right and left cylinder heads, three cylinders formed for each cylinder head, two intake and exhaust valves for each cylinder, first and second camshafts for the right cylinder head, third and fourth camshafts for the left cylinder head, and a power transfer mechanism for transmitting a drive power of the crankshaft to the first to fourth camshafts such that the camshafts rotate in the same direction. The power transfer mechanism has an intermediate shaft through which the drive power of the crankshaft is transmitted. A first space having dimensions sufficient to house that part of the power transfer mechanism which extends in the left cylinder head is formed at the front end of the left cylinder head and the rear end of the right cylinder head. A second space having dimensions sufficient to house that part of the power transfer mechanism which extends in the right cylinder head is formed at the front end of the right cylinder head and the rear end of the left cylinder head. Upon manufacturing, the right and left cylinder heads have the same configuration and the camshafts have the same configuration so that the production cost and efficiency are considerably reduced and improved. The right and left cylinder heads are 180-degree turned relative to each other when assembled in the engine.