BMW M78

The BMW M78 is an overhead valve straight-six petrol engine which was produced from 1933 to 1950.[1] It is the first straight-6 automobile engine produced by BMW, an engine layout which has been a key feature of the brand for many years since.[2]

BMW M78
Overview
Production1933–1950
Layout
ConfigurationStraight-six engine
Displacement1.2 L (1,182 cc)
1.5 L (1,490 cc)
1.9 L (1,911 cc)
2.0 L (1,971 cc)
Cylinder bore56 mm (2.20 in)
58 mm (2.28 in)
65 mm (2.56 in)
66 mm (2.60 in)
Piston stroke80 mm (3.15 in)
94 mm (3.70 in)
96 mm (3.78 in)
Cylinder block materialIron
Cylinder head materialreverse-flow, iron
ValvetrainOHV
Valvetrain drive systemchain
Combustion
Operating principlespark ignition (Otto)
Fuel system2 × horizontal draught carburettor
Fuel typePetrol
Chronology
PredecessorNone
SuccessorBMW M337
BMW 303 (1933-1934)

The M78 was launched in the 1933 BMW 303.[3] In 1936, the higher performance BMW M328 straight-six engine began to be produced alongside the M78. In 1952, the BMW M337 engine was introduced as the replacement to the M78. Compared with the M78, the M337 has a revised cylinder head, a new inlet manifold and a reinforced crankshaft with bigger, more modern bearings.[4]: 88 [5]

Design

The M78 was designed by Rudolf Schleicher[3]: 25 [6] as a medium power straight-6 engine.[7] Initial versions of the M78 had the same bore and stroke as the BMW 3/20's four-cylinder engine.[8] The M78 has two main cast pieces, the iron cylinder block, and the reverse-flow cylinder head, also made from iron. The oilpan, and the cylinder head cover are made from pressed steel. In addition to that, the M78 has a pressed-steel cover for the chain that drives the in-block camshaft. Both the crankshaft, and the camshaft have four bearings. The camshaft also drives the shaft for the oil pump and the ignition distributor. The engine has overhead valves that are actuated through pushrods and rocker arms. The water pump is flange-mounted to the cylinder head, and powered by a belt that is driven by a pulley that is flanged to the crankshaft. The belt also powers the alternator. The spark plugs are installed almost horizontally, below the intake manifold. BMW installed two horizontal draught Solex 26 mm carburettors next to the engine block and flange-mounted them to the intake manifold that sits atop them, i.e. the carburettors "hang down" from the intake manifold.[7]

Models
ModelDisplacementPowerYear
303 version1,182 cc (72.1 cu in)22 kW (30 PS)1933-1934
315 version1,490 cc (90.9 cu in)25 kW (34 PS)1934-1937
315/1 version29 kW (40 PS)
319 version1,911 cc (116.6 cu in)33 kW (45 PS)1935-1937
319/1 version40 kW (55 PS)
326 version1,971 cc (120.3 cu in)37 kW (50 PS)1936-1950
320 version33 kW (45 PS)1937-1938
327 version40 kW (55 PS)1937-1953
[9]

303 version

This first version of the M78 had a bore of 56 mm (2.20 in), a stroke of 80 mm (3.15 in) and a compression ratio of 5.6:1.[4]: 33–36  It produces 22 kW (30 PS) and 68 N⋅m (50 lb⋅ft).[10][1]

Applications:

315 version

A development of the 303 version, where the bore was increased from 56 to 58 mm (2.20 to 2.28 in) and the stroke was increased from 80 to 94 mm (3.15 to 3.70 in).[4]: 33–36, 39–40  The compression ratio remained at 5.6:1.[4]: 39–40 [11] This engine produces 25 kW (34 PS) at 4000 rpm.[11]

Applications:

315/1 version

An upgraded version of the 315 engine with the compression ratio increased to 6.8:1[4]: 39–40 [12] and using three Solex carburetors.[4]: 39–40 [12] This version produces 29 kW (40 PS) at 4000 rpm.[12]

Applications

319 version

The 315 engine was enlarged to 1,911 cc (116.6 cu in) for the 319.[13] This was a result of increasing the bore to 65 mm (2.56 in) and the stroke to 96 mm (3.78 in). This engine produces 33 kW (45 PS) at 3750 rpm.[4]: 44 

Applications:

319/1 version

The 315/1 engine was enlarged to 1.9 L (1,911 cc) for the 319/1.[13] This was a result of increasing the bore to 65 mm (2.56 in) and the stroke to 96 mm (3.78 in). This engine produces 40 kW (55 PS) at 4000 rpm.[4]: 44 

Applications:

326 version

The 319 engine was enlarged to 2.0 L (1,971 cc) for the 326 by increasing the bore by one millimetre to 66 mm (2.6 in). Twin 26 mm (1.0 in) Solex carburetors were used. The compression ratio was raised to 6.0:1.[4]: 46  This engine produces 37 kW (50 PS) at 3750 rpm.[4]: 46 [14]

Applications:

320 version

The 326 engine was detuned (by using a single carburetor) for the 320 and 321. This engine produces 33 kW (45 PS) at 3750 rpm.[15]

Applications:

327 version

The 327 used a version of the 326 engine with a new cylinder head, yielding a 6.3:1 compression ratio and a slight power increase to 40 kW (55 PS) at 4500 rpm.[4]: 68  The engine retains its 66 by 96 mm bore and stroke, resulting in a displacement of 1,971 cm3 (120.3 in3). The engine has a BMEP of 6.7 kp/cm2 (0.66 MPa; 95.30 lbf/in2) at 3750/min, equivalent to a max torque of 104 N⋅m (10.6 kp⋅m; 76.7 lb⋅ft) at 3750/min.[7]

Applications:

See also

References
  1. "1933 BMW 303 Saloon technical specifications". Carfolio.com. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
  2. Murphy, Tom (19 November 2007). "Inline-6 Helped Forge BMW Brand". www.wardsauto.com. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  3. Noakes, Andrew (2008). The Ultimate History of BMW. Parragon Books. ISBN 978-1-4075-3512-8.
  4. Norbye, Jan P. (1984). BMW - Bavaria's Driving Machines. Skokie, IL: Publications International. ISBN 0-517-42464-9.
  5. Oswald, Werner (1980). Alle BMW-Automobile 1928–1978 (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-87943-584-7.
  6. Zeichner, Walter. "Vor 70 Jahren - BMW 303, der erste Sechszylinderwagen". BMW Mobile Tradition Live (in German). July 2003: 8–11. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  7. Kremser, Hans (1942), Hans List (ed.), Der Aufbau schnellaufender Verbrennungskraftmaschinen für Kraftfahrzeuge und Triebwagen, Die Verbrennungskraftmaschine (in German), vol. 11, Wien: Springer, p. 208, ISBN 978-3-7091-9755-4
  8. Oswald, Werner [in German] (1979), Deutsche Autos 1920-1945 – Alle deutschen Personenwagen der damaligen Zeit (in German) (3rd ed.), Stuttgart: Motorbuch-Verlag, pp. 53, 60, ISBN 978-3-87943-519-7
  9. Oswald, Werner [in German] (1979), Deutsche Autos 1920-1945 – Alle deutschen Personenwagen der damaligen Zeit (in German) (3rd ed.), Stuttgart: Motorbuch-Verlag, pp. 60…63, ISBN 978-3-87943-519-7
  10. "BMW M78 Automobilmotor 1,2 Liter". www.bmw-grouparchiv.de (in German). Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  11. "1934 BMW 315 Saloon technical specifications". www.carfolio.com. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  12. "1934 BMW 315/1 Sport technical specifications". www.carfolio.com. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  13. "1935 BMW 319 Saloon technical specifications". www.carfolio.com. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  14. "326 Cabrio and Limousine". www.usautoparts.net. Archived from the original on 12 February 2008.
  15. "1937 BMW 320 Saloon technical specifications". www.carfolio.com. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
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