Gasoline Engines

Gasoline engine history is replete with inventions and modifications that was rejected in the beginning but went on to become the standard options as technology improved and mindset changed.The automobile made its debut in the 1890' when a horseless gas powered carriage was introduced. This was in 1893. By 1896, Ford, King and Olds had started manufacturing automobiles.

The first ten years saw manufacture of one cylinder gasoline engines only.This was the first gasoline engine to be made and was considered the best possible configuration. Car manufacturers saw no reason to make any changes. However, things changed in 1904 when Buick introduced a two cylinder engine. A drastic reduction in vibration and improvement in efficiency signaled the end of the one cylinder gasoline engine era. From then on till date, gasoline engines have always had more than one cylinder. In fact, four cylinders became the standard withsix, eight, ten or even twelve cylinders being fitted to the cars by gasoline engine manufacturers.

The placement of various gasoline engines parts too underwent a change. Valves controlled the inflow and outflow of fuel and air. There was a huge controversy about whether the valves should be placed at the side or at the top. Side valves meant that there would be fewer moving parts and this was always considered a good thing as far as reciprocating engines was concerned. However, overhead valves were more efficient and opened the possibility of multiple valves for inflow as well as outflow from the engine. The controversy did not die out quickly. Ford stuck with side valves until 1953 before the T head design won over.

The 1960's saw the division of the automobile industry into muscle cars and performance oriented passenger cars. Muscle cars were expensive, were fitted with big engines, were difficult to maintain but generated a lot of power. Such cars were the ultimate symbol of macho power. On the other hand, performance based passenger cars were suitable for the middle class family that wanted to move around and did not have time for excessive power or the wherewithal to pay for high maintenance costs.

For some time, it was considered as if the concept of muscle cars had lost out because of the fuel price hike in the 1970's. However, engineers brought back the concept of muscle car with high performance engines after fuel prices had cooled in the 80's.Today, gas guzzling sports utility vehicles are the modern symbol of muscle cars. The development of the diesel engine has created competition and has led to faster development of gasoline engines as well. There is talk of designing engines that can run on multiple fuels depending upon the choice of the driver or engines that will run on a clean fuel like hydrogen fuel cells. However, all these technologies are still in the early design stage. For the time being, gasoline engines continue to be the preferred choice of all.

Visit www.automotix.net for the best quality gasoline engines and engine related spares and products.