Getting pushy

[jaybee]

There's nothing agricultural about the good old pushrod V8...not when even the pushrods can be high tech.
https://www.onallcylinders.com/2022/01/13/pity-the-pushrod-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-pushrods/

[idrivejunk]

I am suprised that electronic actuators mounted in overglorified reinforced retrofitting valve covers have not replaced valvetrains by now.

[jaybee]

The Freevalve engine has supposedly been on the edge of small volume production for quite a few years. The engine geek in me really likes the idea of having valve timing that's absolutely perfect for every condition, right down to altering timing and fuel so as to light the catalysts faster and incorporate EGR by exhaust reversion. Sounds great...but the implementation turns out to be complicated. https://www.enginelabs.com/news/failure-to-launch-what-happened-to-the-freevalve-cam-less-engine/

[chimp koose]

I think in order to have a computer actuated valvetrain the engine must be designed to operate at a much slower rpm . I have not kept up with the technology but it used to be that the solenoids that opened the valves could not function well at the speeds of current engines .

[kb426]

Formula 1 had an air operated system years ago. I think it was banned but never did read why. https://www.f1technical.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24821

[tomslik]

thanks, i always wondered about those

[jaybee]

Wow, that's incredible work. And there's only 31 more of them on each engine.

[enjenjo]

The biggest problem with electronic valves seems to be reliably closing them. That is critical for longevity.

[jaybee]

I'd say that about sums it up...and it's a real understatement.