Chrysler 1997 Stratus Convertible RHD Service Manual page 750

9 - 14 2.4L ENGINE
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)
ENGINE COMPONENTS
BALANCE SHAFTS: 2.4L engines are equipped
with two balance shafts installed in a carrier
attached to the lower crankcase. The shafts intercon-
nect through gears to rotate in opposite directions.
These gears are driven by a short chain from the
crankshaft, to rotate at two times crankshaft speed.
This counterbalances certain engine reciprocating
masses.
CYLINDER BLOCK AND BEDPLATE ASSEM-
BLY: A closed deck design is used for cooling and
weight reduction with water pump molded into the
block. Nominal wall thickness is 4.5 mm. The bed-
plate incorporates main bearing caps. Rear seal
retainer is integral with the block.
CRANKSHAFT: A nodular cast iron crankshaft is
used. The engine has 5 main bearings, with number
3 flanged to control thrust. The 60 mm diameter
main and 50 mm diameter crank pin journals (all)
have undercut fillets that are deep rolled for added
strength. To evenly distribute bearing loads and min-
imize internal stress, 8 counterweights are used.
Hydrodynamic seals provide end sealing, where the
crankshaft exits the block. Anaerobic gasket material
is used for parting line sealing in the block. A sin-
tered powder metal timing belt sprocket is mounted
on the crankshaft nose. This sprocket provides
motive power; via timing belt to the camshaft sprock-
ets (providing timed valve actuation) and to the
water pump.
PISTONS: There is provisions for free wheeling
valve train. Piston has a unique height. All engines
use pressed in piston pins to attach forged powder
metal connecting rods. Incorporate hex head cap
screw threaded into the connecting rod. Piston and
Rods are serviced as a assembly.
PISTONS RINGS: The piston rings include a
molybdenum faced top ring for reliable compression
sealing and a chrome plated taper faced intermediate
ring for additional cylinder pressure control. There
are also standard oil control rings.
CYLINDER HEAD: Features a Dual Over Head
Camshaft (DOHC) 4 valves per cylinder cross flow
design. The valves are arranged in two inline banks,
with the ports of the bank of two intake valves per
cylinder facing toward the radiator side of engine
and ports of the bank of two exhaust valves per cyl-
inder facing toward the dash panel. Incorporates
powder metal valve guides and seats. Integral oil gal-
leys within the cylinder head supplies oil to the
hydraulic lash adjusters, camshaft and valve mecha-
nisms.
CAMSHAFTS: The nodular iron camshafts have
six bearing journals and 2 cam lobes per cylinder.
Flanges at the rear journals control camshaft end
play. Provision for cam position sensor is located on
the intake camshaft at the rear of cylinder head. A
hydrodynamic oil seal is used for oil control at the
front of the camshaft.
VALVES: 4 valves per cylinder are actuated by
roller cam followers which pivot on stationary
hydraulic lash adjusters. All valves have 6 mm diam-
eter chrome plated valve stems. The valve sizes are
34.8 mm (1.370 inch.) diameter intake valves and
30.5 mm (1.20 inch.) diameter exhaust valves. Viton
rubber valve stem seals are integral with the spring
seats. Valve springs, spring retainers, and locks are
conventional.
INTAKE MANIFOLD: The intake manifold is a
one piece aluminum casting, attached to the cylinder
head with ten screws. This long branch fan design
enhances low and midspeed torque.
EXHAUST MANIFOLD: The exhaust manifold is
made of cast iron for strength and high tempera-
tures.
ENGINE LUBRICATION: Refer to Group 0
Lubrication and Maintenance for recommended oil to
be used in various engine application. System is full
flow filtration, pressure feed type. The oil pump is
mounted in the front engine cover and driven by the
crankshaft. Pressurized oil is then routed through
the main oil gallery, running the length of the cylin-
der block, supplying main and rod bearings with fur-
ther routing. Pistons are lubricated from rod bearing
throw off and lubricating slots on the connecting rod
assemblies. Camshaft and valve mechanisms are
lubricated from a full length cylinder head oil gallery
supplied from the crankcase main oil gallery.
ENGINE LUBRICATION SYSTEM
OIL PAN
A structural die cast aluminum oil pan provides
lower engine protection as well as serving as the
engine oil reservoir. Oil pan is attached to block and
sealed with a gasket. The oil pickup tube has a
strainer and cover.
PRESSURE LUBRICATION
Oil drawn up through the pickup tube is pressur-
ized by the pump and routed through the full flow fil-
ter to the main oil gallery running the length of the
cylinder block. Oil pickup, pump and check valve pro-
vide oil flow to the main oil gallery.
MAIN/ROD BEARINGS
A diagonal hole in each bulkhead feeds oil to each
main bearing. Drilled passages within the crankshaft
route oil from main bearing journals to connecting
rod journals.
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