[tankbarrell]

Having restored and operated one for five years now, I can say it is a very reliable unit and by far the nicest version to drive and that includes the M4A2 with the GM twinset.

It is actually a simpler concept than it at first appears. Each 'engine' shares only coolant and oil with it's mates, all other functions being independant. There is not a single crankshaft as is often quoted but five conventional cranks that are geared together at the front of the power pack.

The oil system uses a centrally mounted oil pump (two actually, one pressure and one scavenge as it is dry sump) with delivery to each blocks gallery at the mating faces. Some galleries drain out at the front to lube the drive gears.

The coolant is just a conventional centrifugal pump with five outlets. Early engines having one belt driven on each block.

It is a bit of a monster and access in the engine bay is.....limited but I'm very happy with it.