Yes... VW developed a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine with oval pistons (well, actually they're elliptical, not oval) Honda raced a bike with elliptical cylinders. Honda NR750, an outgrowth of the NR500 GP bike
I believe Metalman's pic is of the Honda piston, they ran 4 of those babies in the engine! Not only did it allow better breathing via 8 valves, but better cooling because of the increased surface area.....Here's what the engine looked like.... and the insides.... I wonder how you bore and machine those cylinders?
Because all you old school car guys, would think something was wrong and try and make them round. :lol: Jim
the reason is they are too hard to machine...........only the factory was capable of doing this at great cost no less
Sorry everyone for pulling the thread away from the topic. Your right it was childish, and won't happen again. Nathan, The news and pictures look great and I can't wait to see it all done and running around Fontana and the Dragon.
I'm sure it would be easier than back in the day but the costs would be crazy for the average joe........rings are that much more difficult to get etc as everything is so out of the "norm" can it be done? sure..........would it be affordable? ..........NO just my .02 they were bad mama jammers though
With those pistons the rings sure wouldn't have a chance to rotate around and become aligned. I can't imagine how they handled piston ring growth with heat expansion. I'll bet maintaining a good seal was a huge problem with that shape.