what is crankcase?

[car_junkie_moron]

I always wondered what is called crankcase? is this the place where you pour engine oil? or it is the place where oil filter goes?

 

[Ken2]

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine1.htm

"F" is the crankcase. This diagram has one big error...the crankshaft "P" must never dip into the oil in the sump. What they call the engine block is actually the whole stationary piece above "G" and below "D."


Ken

[ March 10, 2003, 04:57 PM: Message edited by: Ken2 ]

 

[Rick in PA]

I'd say the defining characteristic of the crankcase is that it is the area in the engine where oil is at a non-pressurized state.

Just taking a stab here, any comments?

 

[OneQuartLow]

Where the crank be.

 

[S2000driver]

Here's a long-shot guess:

Back before starters you had to crank the engine by hand. You would turn a crank that goes directly into the engine case. Therefore, this part of the engine got it's name crank-case because everybody who started the vehicle had to put the crank into this area of the car.

 

[Ken2]

Nah, the old hand crank just engaged a notch in the end of the crankshaft.

The crankcase is where the crankshaft lives.


Ken