Talk:Mitsubishi Astron engine

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The "first balance shaft thing is kind of amusing. I got the "first" from a contemporary Road & Track where they were getting all technical on the new balance shaft idea. I guess they (and I) were wrong! --SFoskett 01:50, Mar 2, 2005 (UTC)

No, you weren't really, you just weren't specific enough. I just came across this Wiki article, and wondered why Mitsubishi's pioneering work wasn't mentioned. As indicated in this article, Mitsubishi's Astron was a first ~ it was the first use of twin balance shafts (a single shaft is insufficient for an inline four). Given how many V4s are in production today (sic), Ford's work hasn't exactly had a lasting impact, compared with MMC's development on what is the staple engine configuration virtually everywhere in the world outside the US.

And giving credit where it's due, it was polymathic British engineer and obsessive perfectionist Frederick Lanchester who originally invented the balance shaft, along with other rather interesting contraptions like disc brakes. Mitsubishi obtained the patents, and companies like Porsche and Saab who subsequently followed the Japanese lead have licenced the technology from them (at a cost of $6 - $8 on the 944, for example).

I'm going to restore this info shortly, if no-one has any objections.

DeLarge 16:17, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

Now sorted. Also, I removed the line The 2.6 was praised for its smoothness and strong low-end torque, but later in its life, its power and (never great) economy was eclipsed by newer (many of them DOHC) engines. Since all engines are eclipsed on power and economy as newer engines are developed, it seems redundant to include this. -- DeLarge 10:23, 24 May 2006 (UTC)