Crankshaft: Description and Operation

The crankshaft is supported in the crankcase by four bearings. The crankshaft is counterbalanced by the flexplate, crankshaft balancer, and weights cast into the crankshaft. Additional counterbalancing is obtained from the balance shaft which rides in the block above the camshaft and is driven by the camshaft. All V-6 engines are even-firing, in that the cylinders fire at equal 120 degree intervals of crankshaft rotation. The location of the crankpins has been offset by 30 degree in order to fire the cylinders at an equal 120 degree intervals of crankshaft rotation.