General information
This engine, designated CVH (Compound Valve angle, Hemispherical combustion chamber) can be described in more conventional terms as a four-cylinder overhead camshaft (OHC) engine. It is mounted, together with the transmission, transversely at the front of the vehicle and transmits power through open driveshafts to the front roadwheels.
The engine is available in three capacities; 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 litre. The 1.4 litre engine being introduced to replace the 1.3 litre unit during early 1986.
The crankshaft is supported in five main bearings within a cast iron crankcase. The cylinder head is of light alloy construction, supporting the overhead camshaft in five bearings. These bearings cannot be renewed and, in the event of wear occurring, the complete cylinder head must be changed. The fuel pump is mounted on the side of the cylinder head and is driven by a pushrod from an eccentric cam on the camshaft.
The cam followers are of the hydraulic type, which eliminates the need for valve clearance adjustment and also ensures that valve timing is always correct. With this type of follower, if the engine has been standing idle for a period of time, or after overhaul, when the engine is started up valve clatter may be heard. This is a normal condition and will gradually disappear within a few minutes of starting up as the cam followers are pressurised with oil.
The distributor is driven from the rear (flywheel) end of the camshaft.
The coolant pump is mounted on the timing belt end of the cylinder block and is driven by the toothed belt.
A gear type oil pump is mounted on the timing belt end of the cylinder block and is driven by a gear on the front end of the crankshaft.
A full-flow oil filter of throw-away type is located on the side of crankcase nearer the front of the vehicle.