There is something so rewarding about rebuilding or remodeling an old car. Generations of fathers, sons, mothers and daughters have worked together and spent a great deal of time working in the garage together to reconstruct an old car from the ground up. It is extremely satisfying to see something come to life right before you, to take a collaboration of old metal and make it into an operating car.
The difficulty that many begin to have in construction usually takes place once the process get to the motor. There are many crucial components to a motor, but some are less obvious than others. Many people are at least somewhat familiar with the idea of a cylinder, or a piston and piston rod. These are terms that are often heard in automotive shops and on repair bills. Many have at least some idea what these mean. But there are some engine parts that are a little more obscure.
A Crosshead is one such piece. A crosshead is usually a large piece of metal and is shaped like a T or a cross. There are openings at each of the four corners, and the inside of the crosshead is hollow. The crosshead serves several functions, and is most often seen on the largest of motors. The basic idea of the engine is that the piston moves up and down according to the combustion that takes place within the engine. The piston’s movement also impacts the crankpin, which in turn moves the crank and begins the motion of whatever the engine is designed to move.
The movement of the piston and the crank also generates a great deal of side to side movement on the engine. This can create a lot of extra wear, and can reduce the life of the engine quite extensively. The crosshead operates by reducing the side to side movement of the piston and eliminating a great deal of the friction that can cause a great deal of the problems associated with engine wear.
A crosshead is basically used to guide the motion of the piston and the crank/crank pin so that the motion is more fluid and does not move side to side. An additional benefit with be the added efficiency of the engine. Because the force is no longer lost from the side to side movement, the engine can work completely going forward.
There are many components to a successful car rebuild, but the most important component is the knowledge and education that will be required to put the whole thing together.