Hypothetical cylinder deactivation question

[2000neon]

sorry to keep hounding you with questions, but how large are the oil holes? And does the rocker shaft itself stay stationary?

[t vago]

1 - It's been a long time since I messed with Neon engines. Tempted to say on the order of a millimeter, but could be off. Shouldn't matter if you use a sleeve, though. It just needs to block the holes enough so that the rest of the valvetrain can still have an oil supply. Aluminum sleeves, with the same diameter and length as the rocker arms, should work well enough for your needs.

2 - The rocker shaft itself is stationary. The mounting bolts even go through it.

[2000neon]

Okay cool, thanks I appreciate any input you have!
I'm just worried about sealing between the shaft and the sleeve with oil pressure on it. Although I guess even if it doesnt completely seal, oil will simply drain back to the pan and the later rocker arsm should still get oil.

[Frank Lee]

Oooooh, I just noticed you are only disabling one cylinder, not two. It will start and run, but you will hate the exhaust note so much you will wish you had never done it. Disabling one is pointless.

[2000neon]

I'm intrigued, what do you mean about the exhaust note?

[Frank Lee]

You don't make a nice even-firing triple out of a 4-cyl by disabling one cylinder; you make a lopey odd-firing triple, unless you fab up a new cam and crankshaft. You will hate the way it sounds and runs, I guarantee it. I tried it once, and wrote all about here.

[2000neon]

I know it wouldnt be as smooth as when running as 4 cylinders. What specifically about the sound was so bad? Do you have a link to your write up?

[Frank Lee]

Search it. It was just plain bad, in the way that a malfunctioning engine sounds. But go ahead and try it; another data point is always welcome.

What do you suppose the potential economy gains are? They'll be well under 10% if you can stand to drive it. Hey... maybe that's the secret! Make driving suck so bad you will do anything to avoid it!

[2000neon]

I'm not sure what the potential gains would be, although I doubt that I would see a loss. I'm seeing a lot of discussion on this, but not your write up. Although I dont want to shy away from something just because someone else says I wont like it. A lot of people thought that my El Camino with its cam, compression and exhaust would be way too loud, and I love it! ha h

[2000neon]

Also Frank, how did you actually disable the cylinder?Did you keep the valves closed, or simply cut fuel to it?