What about L? The four bangers put in GM *-series trucks was referred to as L4. I've never figured that one out. Is the crank not directly under the cylinders?

I don't know either it would be nice to find out.

Doesn't that refer to the head? L-head v. I-head? Meaning whether the valves are in the head or in the block? Or do i have my letters mixed up? Been awhile since i read about all that.

Valves in the block? Where? Is maybe the cam to the side, and the rockers are L shaped to account for horizontal pushrods?

L, line, Inline.

Our cylinder banks make a V shape.

Are you guessing, or do you know?

Here we go:

F-Head: one valve in the head and the other in the block.

Hemi head: Hemispherical (cupped) head

I-Head: both valves in the head, directly over the cylinder

L-Head: both valves beside the cyinder in the block. (no rocker arms)

Valve-in-Head, Overhead Valve: same thing as I-head


Hemi was all the rage back in the early days because the hemispherical head promotes better combustion, however i think today 4 valves per cylinder, made possible by an overhead cam, is the more popular option cause you can get more air in and out of the cylinder faster.

L-head engines are generally smaller, lawnmower type engines like this one i took a picture of when it quit.

glad someone found out

Got any diagrams? I'm intrigued.

me too