Re: Reeds
This is my basic description, based on my limited knowledge....<br /><br />A 2-stroke motor relies on a balance of pressures within the crank case to pull fuel in. The motion of each piston moving up towards TDC, creates a vacuum which draws the fuel mixture past the wafer thin metal reed valve during each revolution. <br /><br />The reed plate in an inline six motor resembles a 12 petal flower. There is a reed plate above and below each carb, held together as an assembly. They surround the crank shaft and provide a path to allow the fuel to enter the crankshaft cavity below each cylinder.<br /><br />The jet & float settings on the other hand restrict the amount of gas that is constantly available to be sucked into the crankcase. To large of a jet means it will not all be sucked in, and may get too much (flooding). Too little, and the crankcase will soon wish it had more (lean).<br /><br />The reeds provide a tight seal when the pistons are moving towards bottom dead center (like a check valve). If they don't, your carbs will sneeze fuel out the front.<br /><br />In total there are six reed plates (12 petals each), one plate for each cylinder. 2 reed plates are mounted opposite each other in one reed assembly, and are positioned directly behind the carbs, circled around the crank shaft.<br /><br />The pic below, is my '72 inline 6 taken just now.<br /><br />That reed opening (x12) would feed the crankcase beneath the carb. Just above that, there would be another reed plate facing the opposite direction to feed the crank case above that carb.<br /><br />Hope this helps, a bit.<br /><br />
