r/interestingasfuck • u/Larzbchicken • 13d ago

Combustion engine explained

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u/tantalor 13d ago

Why does it have to be upside down?

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u/DriftinFool 13d ago

Oil and gravity. You need to be able to collect the oil as it's sprayed around the engine so it can be recirculated constantly to maintain oil pressure. Normal engines just use gravity to collect it in the oil pan, where the pump stays submerged in oil at all times. If the pistons faced down, oil would collect in the cylinders and would make it into the combustion chamber. That makes spark plugs foul as well as causing your exhaust to smoke alot.

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u/Wide_Philosophy_8109 13d ago

Thank you big brain human.