Editing V engine (section)

==Characteristics==
Compared with an equivalent [[Straight engine|inline engine]] (the most common configuration for engines with less than six cylinders), a V engine has a shorter length but is wider. This effect increases with the number of cylinders in the engine; the length difference between V-twin and straight-twin engines might be insignificant, however V8 engines have a significantly smaller length than straight engines.<ref>{{cite book |last= Erjavec|first= Jack|year= 2010|title= Automotive Technology: A Systems Approach|url= {{Google books|0T30OyFiNKQC|Automotive Technology: A Systems Approach|page=226|plainurl=yes}}|location= Clifton Park, NY USA|publisher= Delmar, Cengage Learning|isbn= 978-1428311497|lccn= 2008934340|access-date= 2014-02-09|pages=226–227}}</ref> Compared with the less common [[flat engine]], a V engine is narrower, taller and has a higher [[center of mass]].

[[File:Blokhoek.jpg|thumb|V-angle illustrated by the yellow lines]]
The "V-angle" (or "included angle") between the [[cylinder bank]]s varies significantly between engines. Some engines have used a V-angle of 180 degrees (the same angle as a [[flat engine]]), such as several Ferrari V12 engines.<ref>{{cite web |title=Here's Why Ferrari's Old 'Flat-12' Isn't Exactly A Flat-12 At All |url=https://www.carthrottle.com/post/heres-why-ferraris-flat-12-isnt-exactly-a-flat-12-at-all/ |website=www.carthrottle.com |access-date=1 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=There's a Big Difference Between a Boxer and a Flat Engine |url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/there-s-a-big-difference-between-a-boxer-and-flat-engine-85305.html |website=www.autoevolution.com |access-date=1 August 2020 |language=en |date=15 August 2014}}</ref> At the other end of the scale, the 1922–1976 [[Lancia V4 engine]] and the 1991–present Volkswagen [[VR6 engine]] use V-angles as small as 10 degrees, along with a single cylinder head used by both banks of cylinders.

The [[engine balance]] of a V12 engine is that of perfect primary and secondary balance. For V engines with fewer cylinders, the engine balance will depend on factors such as the firing interval, crankshaft counterweights and whether [[balance shaft]]s are present.

The [[crankpin]]s on a V engine are usually shared by two cylinders from opposing banks, with an offset between the two cylinders. Alternative configurations are separate crankpins per cylinder (such as several V-twin engines) or articulated [[connecting rod]]s.

=== Inverted engines ===
[[File:Argus AS 10 Aviaticum.JPG|thumb|[[Argus As 10]] inverted engine]]

Some airplanes of the 1920s and 1930s used [[Inline engine (aviation)#inverted engine|inverted engines]], whereby the crankshaft is located at the top of the engine and the cylinder heads are at the bottom. Advantages include better visibility in a single-engined airplane, a higher thrust line, and resultant increased ground clearance for the propeller. Examples include the 1928 [[Argus As 10]] V8 engine and the 1935 [[Daimler-Benz DB 601]] V12 engines.
{{clear right}}