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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Sound of multiple cylinder engine

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Hendrik

10-03-2006 16:00:36




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All 4-stroke engines have as many ignitions (power strokes) as they have cylinders during two full revolutions of the crankshaft. And for most engines the ignitions are equally spaced. Yet, and here comes my question, all engines have a particular sound to them. How come we can so easily tell a 4-cylinder from a 6-cylinder, just by listening to it, even if we are unfamiliar with the engines? Is it the acoustics of the exhaust manifold?
Any and all help appreciated. Hendrik

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the Unforgiven

10-03-2006 19:08:43




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 Re: Sound of multiple cylinder engine in reply to Hendrik, 10-03-2006 16:00:36  
It is the difference in degrees of crankshaft rotation between impulses that you are hearing. The more impulses you can pack into one revolution, the smoother the sound. A 360 degree twin makes a nice pop pop sound, and a four makes kind of a puttputtputt sound because they are coming faster. A straight six makes a hearty whine, and the eights are getting into a nice smooth moan. Some of the new 10 cylinder pickups with custom exhaust sound like an old Kawasaki four to me. The best Farmall sound I remember was the 806LP on the silage blower.

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B-maniac

10-03-2006 19:06:43




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 Re: Sound of multiple cylinder engine in reply to Hendrik, 10-03-2006 16:00:36  
I believe you answered your own question. A 4 stroke engine requires 720 degrees of rotation. A 4cyl has 4 fires in 720, a 6cyl has 6 fires in the same 720 and an 8cyl has 8 fires in 720. Why shouldnt they have a different sound? A JD fires twice in 720 but they are only 180 degrees apart,then no fire stroke for 540 degrees. Still, when they are sitting at idle,you can't really tell it. Put one under a heavy load in the field and if you can put yourself 1/8 mile away,then you can definately hear the gap.

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Rauville

10-03-2006 18:30:28




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 Re: Sound of multiple cylinder engine in reply to Hendrik, 10-03-2006 16:00:36  
That reminds me, I'll have to dig through my old LPs, and find the one entitled "Sounds of Speed". Dates back to about 1960, and is one of the neatest records to listen to. Has Grand Prix cars, Bonneville racers, Fighter planes doing low passes, etc. If you close your eyes, you can just about feel the ground shake when this one is cranked up.



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mjbrown

10-03-2006 17:44:29




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 Re: Sound of multiple cylinder engine in reply to Hendrik, 10-03-2006 16:00:36  
Interesting. I find some pleasing and others irritating. I like the sound of a two cylinder JD which is about as rough as engines get but I dislike the sound of a three cylinder for some reason. Four cylinders I neither like or dislike. Sixes are smooth and sweet very pleasing. The best sounding engine I've ever heard is a V12 Merlin in a Mustang, especially if making a low fast pass. Round motors (radials) are also nice sounding

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sd pete

10-03-2006 17:56:23




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 Re: Sound of multiple cylinder engine in reply to mjbrown, 10-03-2006 17:44:29  
i am kind of partial to the sound of a R3350



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Coloken

10-03-2006 16:45:35




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 Re: Sound of multiple cylinder engine in reply to Hendrik, 10-03-2006 16:00:36  
The place where the exhaust comes out of the exhaust magifold too. Ever listen to a ford major? The one I had, I swore it was missing.



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Allan In NE

10-03-2006 16:04:16




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 Re: Sound of multiple cylinder engine in reply to Hendrik, 10-03-2006 16:00:36  
It is the differences in the overlap of the firing impulses.

Allan



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Nebraska Cowman

10-03-2006 16:20:14




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 Re: Sound of multiple cylinder engine in reply to Allan In NE, 10-03-2006 16:04:16  
Hey Allan. Do you remember the first time you ever heard a gas 560 run? I do.



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kyhayman

10-03-2006 17:27:22




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 Re: Sound of multiple cylinder engine in reply to Nebraska Cowman, 10-03-2006 16:20:14  
For me it was a 1206, running a straight pipe, still gives me cold chills to hear my neighbors pair when they pull in the field side by side, over a mile away.



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Allan In NE

10-03-2006 16:22:43




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 Re: Sound of multiple cylinder engine in reply to Nebraska Cowman, 10-03-2006 16:20:14  
It was a 460 for me. Smooth is the only word that describes it. :>)

Allan



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Harley

10-03-2006 18:14:50




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 Re: Sound of multiple cylinder engine in reply to Allan In NE, 10-03-2006 16:22:43  
88 cubic inch, dual straights on Baby pulling up a hill in third gear about 3800rpm.



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Butcher

10-03-2006 18:47:20




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 Re: Sound of multiple cylinder engine in reply to Harley, 10-03-2006 18:14:50  
third party image

I agree. UUhmbah! cackle cackle!



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Harley

10-04-2006 05:41:34




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 Re: Sound of multiple cylinder engine in reply to Butcher, 10-03-2006 18:47:20  
Now that's a whole different story right there Butcher. Ain't nuthin sounds like a Shovelhead with straights. They are way cool. Harley



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