Crankshaft VS Camshaft - What are the differences?

The crankshaft and camshaft are quite vital and become one of the most important components for the engine. Both work together to create a perfect cycle of engine work steps to work as it should.

However, many of them are still confused about what a camshaft is and what a crankshaft is. Not infrequently, many people call the functions of the two components in reverse.

This article will share information about crankshaft vs camshaft and the difference between a crankshaft and a camshaft. Check out an explanation of the camshaft, crankshaft, and the difference between the crankshaft and camshaft below.

I. Crankshaft

The crankshaft is an important component for the engine that functions to convert the up and down motion of the piston into a rotating motion. In general, the crankshaft will only be located at the bottom of the engine block, just below the cylinder bore. So, if we want to know the crankshaft location, then look at the bottom of the engine cylinder block.

The crankshaft will be directly connected to the piston through the connecting rod and piston pin. So when the engine works and produces an explosion in the combustion chamber, the power generated will push the piston down. This downward movement will push the connecting rod and shift the crankpin so that the crankshaft moves in a rotating direction.

Therefore, the crankshaft will rotate if there is work (power) in the engine combustion chamber. The results of this rotation are then used to turn the transmission to the wheels.

In general, the crankshaft consists of several parts, namely:

Crankpin that serves as a connecting rod holder
A crank journal functions as a place for the crankshaft to rotate in the cylinder block
Balancer weight that serves as a counterweight when the crankshaft rotates.
And others.

For more details, see the article on the function of the crankshaft and its parts, which we posted previously.

II. Camshaft

The camshaft is a component that functions to adjust the valve opening and closing. Therefore, the camshaft is mostly found in the engine cylinder head. However, not infrequently, there is a camshaft installed in the engine block.

The camshaft is generally made of a mixture of cast iron, carbon steel, or aluminium alloy, which is shaped so that it is in the form of a cylindrical bar with a certain length and has parted with special shapes of lobes and journals. Lobe serves to press the valve, while the journal serves to rotate the camshaft.

The camshaft is connected to the crankshaft using a timing belt, timing chain, or the timing gear to rotate. Here, the camshaft rotation will follow the crankshaft rotation. When the crankshaft rotates twice, the camshaft rotates once (for a four-stroke engine). As for the two-stroke engine, then one rotation of the camshaft equals one rotation of the crankshaft.

On a car engine, some camshaft functions are also important apart from adjusting the valve opening and closing, such as:

Rotating distributor shaft
Drive the fuel pump (mechanical type)
Where the sensor detects the camshaft rotation angle

For more details, please read the article on what does a camshaft do? that has been posted previously.

III. Difference between crankshaft and camshaft (crankshaft vs camshaft)

After we know what a camshaft and a crankshaft are. Below are the differences between camshaft and crankshaft.

The camshaft functions to regulate the movement of the intake and exhaust valves according to the Firing Order. In comparison, the crankshaft converts the piston's movement back and forth in the engine cylinder into rotary motion.
The camshaft rotates once while the crankshaft rotates twice in one engine cycle.
The dimensions of the camshaft are generally thinner and lighter, while the crankshaft has thicker and heavier dimensions.
The crankshaft is placed only at the bottom of the engine block cylinder, while the camshaft is more flexible. There is a camshaft mounted on the cylinder head and a camshaft mounted on the engine block.

Thus the article is about the difference between the camshaft and crankshaft. Hopefully, it can be helpful and add insight to all readers.